The Backing Small Businesses grant program presented by American Express, in partnership with Main Street America, is accepting applications now through Friday, April 7. To support economically vulnerable small business owners in growing their businesses and fostering a thriving small business community, grants of $5,000 will be awarded to 350 business owners in the U.S. and territories.

Twenty-five of the 350 grantees will also be awarded $25,000 Enhancement Grants, allowing business owners the opportunity to further enhance their businesses. These winners will be announced in October 2023.

What types of grant expenses are eligible?

Eligible grant expenses include but are not limited to:

• Accessibility Upgrades (Examples: ramp, menu translation, accessible website redesign for visually impaired people, etc.)
• Community Events and Programs (Examples: open mic night, public educational/training workshops, hosting community fundraisers, partnerships with other small businesses)
• Equipment and Inventory (Examples: point of sale device/software, purchasing of items for sale, display cases, kitchen equipment)
• Marketing (Examples: investing in social media campaign, building a website, etc.)
• Operational Strategy (Examples: branding package, accounting software, business coaching, and other types of support that would increase the viability of your business)
• Physical Improvements (Examples: signage, awnings, painting facade, new shelving, new lighting, etc.)
• Sustainability Upgrades (Examples: solar panels, rain garden adjacent to business, investing in reusable/compostable/recyclable packaging alternatives, etc.)
• Technology Upgrades (Examples: building an online storefront, online ordering system, or other e-commerce platform)
• Rent and utilities

What types of businesses are eligible?

Businesses must meet the following criteria to apply:

• The applicant must be an owner of the business.
• The applicant must be at least age 18 years or older.
• The business must be at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by small business owners who identify as:
  • Asian American and/or Pacific Islander
  • Black and/or African American
  • Hispanic and/or Latinx
  • Immigrants, Refugees, and/or Forcibly Displaced
  • Members of the LGBTQIA+ Community
  • Middle Eastern and/or North African
  • Native and/or Indigenous
  • People with Disabilities
  • Veterans
  • Women
• The business is in a "brick-and-mortar" location and operate in an older or historic main street, downtown, or commercial district in the United States. (Home-based businesses, even those located in historic neighborhoods, are not eligible. Brick-and-mortar businesses located outside of historic downtowns and commercial corridors, including, but not limited to, office parks and shopping malls are also not eligible.)
  
• The business is an independent business and not part of a franchise.
  
• The business must employ less than 20 full-time employees.
  
• The business has been in operation since January 1, 2022.
  
• The business must be a business entity in good standing in the state in which it was formed and the state in which it does business.
  
• The business has an active business license in the state where you do business.
  

MORE INFO + APPLY HERE

EABA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We desire a board that embodies EABA's mission, vision and values and reflects the diversity of the business community we serve. 

Open Board Positions

Below is a list of all current EABA board members as well as nominees for the 2023-2025 (2 year) term. Nominees are highlighted in yellow. 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

President: Nate Minor, Screenfixing 

Co-Vice President: Kelly Stocks, East Atlanta LLC

Co-Vice President: Miko Evans, Meak Productions

Secretary: OPEN

Treasurer: Nominee: Brandon Richardson, Village Fitness EAV

EABA COMMITTEES: 

Public Safety Committee Chair: Micki Silvestros, East Atlanta Copy

Committee Members: Armando Celentano, Argosy  + Kelly Stocks, East Atlanta LLC

Diversity, Equity + Inclusion (DEI) Committee Chair: Nominee: Ryan Downey, East Atlanta Kids Club

Committee Members: OPEN

Film Liaison: Armando Celentano, Argosy 

At-Large Board Members: Nominee: Joe Seymour, 10ATL

EAV MAIN STREET COMMITTEES: 

Membership Committee Chair: Carlen Hultgren, RPM Home Advisors

Committee Members: OPEN

Marketing Committee Chair: Traci Sampson, Traci with an Eye Graphic Design

Committee Members: OPEN

Main Street Liaison: Michelle Rice, East Atlanta Strut

FOMO Board Chair: Bill Gould

Secretary: Stephanie Cherry-Farmer

Treasurer: Jennifer Murray

Members: Armando Celentano, Argosy + Nate Minor, ScreenFixing

EAV Main Street and EABA Coordinator: Chelsea Sommers, Chelsea Sommers Realtor®

EABA is offering a chance for you to promote your business for free at our Monthly General Meetings! This promotional opportunity is reserved for current EABA members only. Not a member yet? Join today!

What to bring: Samples, giveaways, promos, discount cards, examples, info sheets, etc. Any way you'd like to engage with the East Atlanta business community and tell your businesses' story is great! 

Set-up: Just show up with your samples/info at 5:45 to set up your table (provided by EABA).

Time Commitment: You'll need to be present at your table from 6-6:30 and again from 7:30 to 8 during the networking portion of the meeting. 

BENEFITS: We'll make sure you get shout outs on social media, in our e-newsletters and in-person at the meeting. You'll also get 2-3 minutes to speak on the agenda at the meeting. 

Sign up by emailing hello@eastatlantabiz.com today!

Main Street America is launching their Spring 2023 Small Business Survey!

Over the past few years, Main Street America's small business surveys have improved their understanding of the hardships small business owners are facing and helped to craft new approaches to bolster the economic vitality of Main Streets. The survey data is hugely important to Main Street's advocacy efforts and to the development of new grant programs, diagnostic tools, and trainings.

The quick, ten-minute survey will close on Wednesday, March 22nd, prior to the Main Street Now Conference in Boston which will be attended by EABA's Main Street Coordinator.

Small business owners: We want to hear from you! Main Street America's Spring 2023 Small Business Survey focuses on the hardships and opportunities you and your business are facing. Your responses are valuable to us as we work to improve our advocacy and programming efforts with the aim of strengthening the economic vitality of your Main Street. Please complete this short, 10-minute survey by March 22.

TAKE THE SURVEY

Invest Atlanta is the official economic development authority for the City of Atlanta. With equity front and center, its purpose is to strengthen Atlanta’s economy and global competitiveness to create increased opportunity and prosperity for the people of Atlanta. Interested in learning more? Book a virtual office hours appointment with the Invest Atlanta team today to see how Invest Atlanta can support your business! In Case You Missed It - Introducing the ATLinBusiness Marketplace   Watch our recorded webinar where Invest Atlanta staff discusses and demonstrates our new online platform, ATLinBusiness Marketplace. ATLinBusiness Marketplace is a dedicated digital marketplace for Atlanta-based businesses to market and sell to other Atlanta-based businesses and corporations, including minority-owned, women-owned, and legacy businesses. With ATLinBusiness Marketplace, local businesses have greater access to a wide range of buyers to help expand their business networks and generate more revenue. If you are a diverse buyer or supplier, looking to connect, this webinar is for you!   Watch the Webinar Upcoming Small Business Events March 14th 6pm Webinar – Let’s Get Capital Ready – Presented by Zane Access Learn technical elements, including terms sheets, deal structures, and forecasting to help founders master negotiation and eliminate learning-as-you-go. Understand how strategic elements, such as pitching, storytelling, personal brand, and communication ensure you put your best foot forward from day one. Register Here March 23rd 6pm Webinar – Small Business Loans Q&A – Presented by Cynthia Freeman and Richard Tolbert The Atlanta Recovery Loan Program is a new loan program, offering low-cost loans to help small businesses grow ownership of tangible assets — a major challenge for diverse-owned small businesses — to help them build wealth and avoid displacement due to changing economic conditions. Register Here March 30th 6pm-7:30pm – Business Network Mixer – Russell Center Let’s meet the representatives of the many organizations that offer Alternative Funding opportunities for Small Businesses Register Here

Pushing Up Daisies is back!

On Saturday, April 15, discover the hidden blooms of East Atlanta on the Pushing Up Daisies Garden Tour. 

The event will showcase neighborhood gardens and introduce visitors to the historic Sylvester Cemetery, which has been rescued by a dedicated group of volunteers.

Tour the gardens and the cemetery in the morning, then pull up your lawn chair or blanket for a lively afternoon of bands, food, and drink among the tombstones. 

Presented by the East Atlanta Strut, Pushing Up Daisies is a benefit for the Historic Sylvester Cemetery Foundation.

Get tickets or nominate your garden.

Contact us for more info.

Volunteer here and get free entry! 

The cemetery address is 2073 Braeburn Circle, Atlanta, 30316. We recommend cycling from garden to garden.

Fayetteville and Flat Shoals Road Triangle - Community Input Session

Please join us Tuesday evening February 28th at 6:00pm for a "Community Input Session" regarding the Fayetteville Road and Flat Shoals Road triangle area, particularly the portion east of I-20. Over the past years, challenges with crime and public safety have persisted in this little corner of East Atlanta. This is your chance to voice concerns to leadership and come together to solve these challenges. Community Leadership will be in attendance including Dekalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson,  Atlanta District 5 Councilmember Liliana Bahktiari, Atlanta Police Department Zone 6 Leadership, and others. Come join us in partnering together to create solutions that take our neighborhood forward in the direction we want it to go! 

Date: Tuesday, February 28th
Time: 6:00pm
Location: In-Person at Chris 180 - 1030 Fayetteville Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
Remote Option: Zoom (see info below)
Questions: Please email president@eaca.net
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84656869925?pwd=cG1FVzlVYVhGRU42UkVxOWZGUWFvZz09
Meeting ID: 846 5686 9925
Passcode: 382535
One tap mobile
+13052241968,,84656869925#,,,,*382535# US

The Invest Atlanta Small Business Team has upcoming events to help grow your small business. February Events

Opportunity Zones Q&A  Learn more about more about state and federal opportunity zones. Date: Tuesday, February 7, 2023 Time: 6:00 p.m. ET Register here

Marketing Smarter! Learn more about more about the Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund. Date: February 16, 2023 Time: 6:00 p.m. ET Register Here

East Atlanta Business Association Members have some great specials for you and your loved ones! Check them out here:

Gangsta Grillz has a Valentine's Day Special - Buy some Gold Grillz, get a Silver set FREE! Offer good on 2/14/23 ONLY!

Kaboodle Home join @hoardedvintage on Sunday February 12th from 12-4pm for a Valentine viewing of new lingerie, including robes, peignoirs, and nightgowns. There will be light snacks and drinks!

Dani Weiss Photography is happy to offer $100 off her hourly portrait rate for anyone wanting to book and do a shoot before March 29th. This includes couples, families and pets. Please contact her at dani@daniweissphotography.com. Offer expires 2/14.

Park Pet Supply has Valentine's pup cookies for $2.99 as well as other awesome deals, so bring in your pup and buy your beloved 4-legged love some great items!

Mint Mobile Detail - Atlanta-local, mobile auto detailing service - Grab a gift card on their website at www.getmintmobiledetail.com. Flowers are nice. But a clean car - and a trip down memory lane in the back seat - is even better!

Gate City Tattoo is celebrating their 6th Annual Valentines Social on February 11th from Noon till 7pm! Gate City will have over 100 LOVE and ANTI-LOVE designs! Tattoos will be done first come, first tattooed. They will begin sign up starting at 11:30 am. Tattooing will begin at Noon and the last tattoos will be at 6pm. There will be NO booking appointments in advance.

Honey Plzzzz Feet Retreat & Spa has a Fly Me to the Moon Special For Two! Wine/champagne service, 45 minute foot massage, 15 minute foot soak, and flowers for $160. Through the month of February.

On Saturday, February 11 the GA Trust for Historic Preservation and Fox Theater Institute will be hosting a Historic Theaters Expedition which will bring approximately 150+ attendees through EAV. This SOLD OUT event invites attendees to explore some of Atlanta's most unique historic theaters with in-person and self-guided tours.

EAV's own Historic Madison Theater is featured on this tour! This will be an exterior-only tour. EABA's Friends of the Madison Theater (FOMO) committee will be on site to answer questions and provide info regarding our current restoration efforts. Stop by the Madison Theater even if you missed signing up for the tour! FOMO will be set up outside between 11AM-3PM.