Public Safety Chair: Micki Silvestros | East Atlanta Copy Center publicsafety@eastatlantabiz.com

• ALWAYS copy Public Safety Chair when communicating incidents in EAV

Public Safety Committee Meetings

• 2nd Wednesdays, every other month: April 12, June 14, August 9, October 11, December 13

Zone 6 Commander:Major Andrea Webster | awebster@atlantaga.gov

Lieutenant Chris Butler, Atlanta Police Department Zone 6 Evening Watch

Cell: 470-218-5001 cdbutler@atlantaga.gov

GOAL OF THIS MEETING: Create a Public Safety committee of volunteer business owners dedicated to shifting negative perceptions of the commercial districts of East Atlanta.  Volunteers will spearhead an area of concern below: 

East Atlanta Village Emergency Contact Map (Brick & Mortar businesses): See map here

• Create a database of public facing cameras with contact information that will assist APD in obtaining video footage that pertains to issues. This will be shared with APD. No camera footage is shared. 

• • How many cameras do you have at your business that face public sidewalks, parking lots or streets?

  • Who is your emergency contact at your business if something happens? Break-in, fire, tagging, shoplifting??

  • ACTION: Gather all camera data and emergency contacts from EAV businesses. Determine a process for notifying all emergency contacts of an incident. Text service sponsorship needed. 

East Atlanta Village Clean-ups:  The best way to shift a negative perception of a commercial district is to have litter free, well maintained landscaping and with no graffiti. 

• Georgia Works can provide services.  

• ACTION: EABA needs to raise the $500 per month and have someone be the main point of contact for crews progress and needs. 

• Commercialharassment@atlantaga.gov - goes to city solicitor Bert Hopkins - for all of COA

• • If you’re getting a lot of tagging, drug dealing, prostitution, panhandlers, crime, defacement, anything you need to involve legal eye of COA, email the above email short synopsis of the issue, location and your contact info and cc hello@eastatlantabiz.com.

GA Power Light Audits: Making sure EAV is properly lit provides for a safe environment. 

ACTION: Identifying burned out lights and reporting them to Georgia Power. Following up to ensure they are fixed. Ongoing activity. 

Outreach Services for Unhoused Community

911: Life Threatening 

PAD: 311-1 for quality of life issues

Partners for Home: Encampments

• PAD:Download this Resources Guide, Print and Post at your Business

• Partners for HOME, the Atlanta Continuum of Care (CoC), and the ClearerPath Strategic Planning Committee to End Homelessness would like to invite you to an NPU Virtual Listening Session on Homelessness in Atlanta. These sessions are an opportunity to engage with Partners for HOME to learn more about current and future solutions surrounding homelessness in the City of Atlanta and to provide input regarding the next five-year strategic plan to end homelessness. REGISTER HERE   SUBMIT QUESTIONS BEFORE HERE

• 1. Four sessions via Zoom (dates below). These sessions will also be recorded and posted to the Partners for HOME website. https://partnersforhome.org/

Monday, April 17th, 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Wednesday, April 19th, 8:00 – 9:00 AM

Monday, April 24th, 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Wednesday, April 26th, 8:00 – 9:00 AM

• DOWNLOAD THIS INFORMATION ABOUT ENCAMPMENTS

Create a EAV Disaster Preparedness Plan

ACTION:  Utilize Georgia Main Street resources and create a specific plan for the East Atlanta Village. Enroll all business owners. Use an emergency text system. 

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING A MEMBER OF THE EABA PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE, PLEASE EMAIL PUBLICSAFETY@EASTATLANTABIZ.COM WITH THE AREA OF CONCERN YOU’RE MOST INTERESTED IN WORKING ON. 

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the East Atlanta business community at our March General Meeting on Tuesday. You can view the minutes here.

THANK YOU to Argosy + Coffyn Pyes + Brandon Byrd Your Local Mortgage Expert + A Sound Proposition + East Atlanta Kids Club for the meeting support! And thank you to all attendees - your engagement in East Atlanta's business community is so appreciated.

We had a great turnout and hope to see even more of you at next month's General Meeting on April 18th!

Sponsor our next meeting!

   

EABA President and owner of ScreenFixing, Nate Minor,  joined Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari on  WABE 90.1 FM's Closer Look with Rose Scott at Joe's East Atlanta Coffee Shop on 2.23.23.

Topics included East Atlanta Business Association, Atlanta Main Streets, and other things East Atlanta Village.

Check out photos from the event below!

LISTEN TO THE RECORDING

 
 

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
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