Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms recently announced the new Resurgence Grant Fund, a program to help Atlanta small businesses recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Atlanta businesses need support at this time and the Resurgence Grant Fund is designed to stimulate economic growth and recovery by providing grants to qualifying city of Atlanta businesses.
The Resurgence Grant Fund is made possible by the Atlanta City Council’s $22 million allocation of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) dollars. A portion of the funds will also be used to recapitalize the recently launched Strength in Beauty Fund in order to continue supporting Atlanta’s cosmetology industries.
Mayor Bottoms explained the message behind the name of this new fund: “The City of Atlanta’s motto is Resurgens -- Latin for ‘rising again.’ Resurgens is more than an emblem, it is part of the One Atlanta way, coming together as one community to support each other in times of need.” As COVID-19 continues to challenge Atlanta small businesses and the communities that depend on them, the Resurgence program will provide funds to help businesses operate safely and protect their employees as our city recovers together.”
Qualified city of Atlanta businesses will have the opportunity to apply for up to $40,000 from the Resurgence Grant Fund to help cover pandemic-related costs such as complying with requirements necessary for businesses to operate safely. In addition, the grant offers businesses access to $10,000 of no-cost technical assistance services.
Professionals in the cosmetology sector can also apply for up to $1,000 through the Strength in Beauty program to alleviate hardships due to the loss of revenue due to the pandemic.
“We are listening to the needs of the business community and continue to deploy resources to help them through the impacts of COVID-19,” said Eloise Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. “Economic prosperity and competitiveness in Atlanta start with equity, and Atlanta’s recovery from the pandemic must be an equitable recovery. These new grant programs will help achieve this by ensuring more Atlanta small business owners have access to funds to adapt their business and operate safely.”
Applications will be open from August 10 - August 31. Invest Atlanta will host a citywide online educational webinar on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 6 p.m. for interested small business owners to review qualifications, eligibility and the application process. To register, visit www.investatlanta.com. The webinar will be available on-demand for those that cannot attend live.