Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms recently authorized the creation of the CoA Recovery Fund to support businesses and facilities that were adversely impacted during otherwise peaceful demonstrations in response to recent incidents highlighting systemic racism in American society. 

The fund offered grants to help small businesses quickly address damages so they can continue to serve residents and communities with needed amenities and services. The fund also served to promote trade, industry, and commerce and will protect the much-needed jobs of hard-working citizens.

“The peaceful protests taking place here in Atlanta and around the world have sent a clear message on the need to address systemic racism in our nation at a deeper level,” said Mayor Bottoms. “Unfortunately, in the midst of the peaceful protests, we witnessed a small and destructive group cause damage to businesses in our city. Thank you to Invest Atlanta for coordinating the City's Recovery Fund to assist small businesses with their recovery and efforts to continue supporting our communities through jobs and the services.”

Small businesses with a current City of Atlanta business license that sustained damages were able to apply for a grant of up to $10,000 to cover the insurance deductible or cost of actual repairs to restore the property and business operations.