We hope this blog finds you healthy, safe and flexible to the rapid changes we are all experiencing. Did you ever think you'd use the word PIVOT so much?

IN THIS POST: 

• DUE AUGUST 31 @ 5PM | Invest Atlanta COVID-19 Small Business Grants
• MEETING RECORDING| 8.18.20 General Meeting Minutes
• COVID-19 LIABILITY | New law protects businesses from COVID-19 related lawsuits with appropriate receipt statement and signage
• NATIONAL MAIN STREET SURVEY | Important information is needed to help EABA sustain our future. 
• EAST ATLANTA STRUT | Sign up to Strut Your Business by 9/10/20
• NEW DEKALB BETTER BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM | Applications open August 27, 2020

READ ON FOR MORE INFORMATION

INVEST ATLANTA RESURGENCE GRANT FUND

APPLICATIONS DUE ON MONDAY AUGUST 31ST @ 5PM! 

READ THIS Quick Overview of Requirements

Link to Resurgence Grant Fund

Link to Strength in Beauty Fund

Qualified city of Atlanta businesses have a few more days to apply for the Resurgence Grant Fund, a new program to help Atlanta’s small businesses recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund offers businesses the opportunity to apply for up to $40,000 to help them cover pandemic-related costs such as complying with requirements necessary for businesses to operate safely plus a credit of up to $10,000 of no-cost technical assistance services.

The Resurgence Grant Fund is made possible by a $22 million allocation of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

Applications close for all programs on August 31, 2020. Visit  www.investatlanta.com, email resurgence@investatlanta.com or call 404-880-7255 for more information on program eligibility and requirements, educational events, and the online application process.  

Meeting Video Recording
Meeting Chat
Meeting Audio Only

PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS FROM COVID-19 LAWSUITS

• Receipt Statement
• Posted Sign at Business

CHECK OUT THE BLOG FOR SPECIFICS

HELP EABA | FILL OUT THESE SURVEYS

Please take 10-15 minutes to fill out this survey by August 28th. 

Business Survey      

Consumer Survey   

The National Main Street Center designed a custom survey to help the Atlanta Main Street Fellowship Districts (East Atlanta, Sweet Auburn, West End and Westview) better understand the impacts of COVID-19 and the recent civil unrest on our business communities in order to elevate potential solutions and paths toward greater resiliency.

Thank you!      

YOUR BUSINESS CAN STILL PARTICIPATE-IN A DIFFERENT WAY! 

Think Small Business Saturday meets Oakhurst Porchfest 

Saturday September 26th, 12:00-6:00.  

No street closures, no crowds 

https://eastatlantastrut.com/strut-your/  

INTERESTED? The Strut organization will match them with artists, other businesses, or bands that they can "host" at their village location.   

•  The Strut can also provide volunteers to help a business with an activity or the business can do it on their own.
•  Lots of people will be partying in their yards, so it would be great for restaurants to offer a special Strut carry-out pack  
  

SIGN UP BY 9/10/20 AT https://eastatlantastrut.com/strut-your-business/

• FREE
• Activities throughout the business and residential areas. 
• No big, single events nor specific times  
  
• There will be live streams from different areas during the festival for those that are housebound. 
• This in an effort to keep everyone safe, socially distanced, but still able to enjoy both the Village and the neighborhood.
• The Strut will take care of publicity and marketing, but businesses are welcome to do their own. 
• Sponsor the Strut:  https://eastatlantastrut.com/sponsor-in-place/

NEW DEKALB LOAN PROGRAM IF YOU DID NOT GET PPP | APPLICATIONS OPEN AUGUST 27, 2020

Loan proceeds will provide capital to businesses that are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Over the three (3) month period
after the Loan is made, Borrowers may use the proceeds for any pre-approved combination of the following eligible expenses:
• Payroll (gross federal wages)
• State unemployment taxes and local taxes
• Employee benefits
• Business mortgage interest
• Business property rent payments
• Commercial property utilities
• Interest on other business debts
• Payroll costs are capped at $100,000 on an annualized basis for each employee. During the 3-month period after the Loan is made, businesses may be required to maintain payroll compensation and employee levels equal to or greater than the 3-month pre-Covid19 period of October through December 2019.

READ MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM 

Thank you to our 61 members for supporting EABA! 

Join Us!

Join us 3rd Tuesday of the Month 

Virtual Zoom Meetings for 2020

Register in Advance @ EastAtlantaBiz.com

Become A Member of EABA

Thank you to everyone who attended on the screen! Seeing everyone's faces is so important during these COVID times. 

Meeting Video Recording

Meeting Chat

Meeting Audio Only

PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS WITH LIABILITY STATEMENTS + SIGNS 

Effective 8.7.20, under Georgia's new COVID liability shield law, businesses are required to post a very specific sign in order to gain the law's protection from COVID-related lawsuits.

RECEIPT MESSAGE AND SIGNS HAVE TO BE A SPECIFIC SIZE AND FOLLOW STRICT GUIDELINES TO BE VALID!  

• RECEIPT: Includes a statement in at least ten-point Arial font placed apart from any other text, stating the following warning:
  
• • Any person entering the premises waives all civil liability against this premises owner and operator for any injuries caused by the inherent risk associated with contracting COVID-19 at public gatherings, except for gross negligence, willful and wanton misconduct, reckless infliction of harm, or intentional infliction of harm, by the individual or entity of the premises.
• SIGNAGE: An individual or entity of the premises has posted at a point of entry, if present, to the premises, a sign in at least one-inch Arial font placed apart from any other text, a written warning stating the following:
   'Warning 127 Under Georgia law, there is no liability for an injury or death of an individual entering these premises if such injury or death results from the inherent risks of contracting COVID-19. You are assuming this risk by entering these premises.'
  

Here's an article about the law: https://www.natlawreview.com/article/georgia-passes-covid-19-liability-protections  

SIGNS HAVE TO BE A SPECIFIC SIZE TO BE VALID
PURCHASE YOUR SIGN FROM EABA MEMBER

East Atlanta Copy Center

Phone (404) 622-3222  
Toll Free:  (888) 299-3776
EastAtlantaCopyCenter.com

1287-A Glenwood Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
East Atlanta Village
In Between Grant Central Pizza & Mary's

Register for the meeting in advance: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsceysqzgvHtBGjYo10P1yfJ8fR0OI08E_

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

READ THE AGENDA

We're calling today MONEY MONDAY!  

Read on for multiple opportunities for funding your small business! Register now and add them to your calendar, then you'll be ready when it gets closer!

EABA is adapting and learning right along with you! We strive to share resources in a timely manner and want to know how you are doing!

Email us at eastatlantabiz@gmail.com anytime!

8.10.20 | COVID SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS NOW OPEN

Applications are now being accepted for the Resurgence Grant Fund, a new program to help Atlanta’s small businesses recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and two other grant programs for individuals working in the creative and cosmetology industries.

The Resurgence fund offers qualified city of Atlanta businesses the opportunity to apply for up to $40,000 to help them cover pandemic-related costs such as complying with requirements necessary for businesses to operate safely, plus a credit of up to $10,000 of no-cost technical assistance services. 

In addition to the Resurgence Grant Fund, Invest Atlanta is planning to reopen the Strength in Beauty Fund, which provides grants of up to $1,000 to cosmetology professionals like hairstylists and nail technicians.

The Resurgence Grant Fund is made possible by a $22 million allocation of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

Applications close for all three programs on Aug. 31, 2020. Please visit  www.investatlanta.com, email resurgence@investatlanta.com or call 404-880-7255 for more information on program eligibility and requirements, educational events, and the online application process.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT IS MONDAY AUGUST 31, 2020!

• QUICK REFERENCE OF BOTH FUNDS
• RESURGENCE GRANT FUND INFO & APPLICATION
• STRENGTH IN BEAUTY INFO & APPLICATION

8.12.20 NFIB WEBINAR | Preparing for PPP Loan Forgiveness and PPP Q&A

For businesses that received a loan through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the rules are ever changing with new SBA guidance just published on August 4. This week’s webinar will cover the latest SBA updates and provide Q&A.

Presenters will cover the recent developments, including:

• How do I decide whether to use the EZ or long forgiveness application?
• How do I complete the Schedule A Worksheet?
• How do FTE reductions and wage adjustments impact loan forgiveness?
• How will banks process loan forgiveness applications?
• This hour-long program will review the rules, contemplate the uncertainties, and include plenty of Q&A.

You can submit your questions in advance here.

Can’t make this webinar? Don’t worry! Register now and we’ll email you an on-demand version!

REGISTER HERE

  

8.17, 8.18 & 8.19 | NFIB FLY IN WITH CONGRESS

Your personal stories of small business success and hardship can influence lawmakers in meaningful ways. The NFIB Virtual Fly-In is free to attend and will offer meetings with Members of Congress, information, tips, tools, and tactics that will help you make an impact with legislators before they vote. 

• The free event registration also includes many on-demand sessions available to watch at your convenience.
• When you register, be sure to indicate the state where you live, so we can connect you with the correct virtual meetings with Members of Congress.

MORE INFO + FREE REGISTRATION

8.18.20 GENERAL MEETING @ 6PM | REGISTER IN ADVANCE!

REGISTER HERE

   

 

8.19.20 WEBINAR |Creating Content That Converts

Join General Assembly for this FREE WEBINAR!

It’s easy to think that a great product or service will sell itself, but it’s rarely the case. Hear from marketing experts on how they create and market content that converts to sales. You’ll learn how to utilize different types of content to tell a story, increase engagement around your content, and then repurpose your content for different channels to maximize visibility.

Takeaways

• Understand what content marketing is.
• Create a content marketing strategy.
• Learn how to repurpose content for different channels.
• Know the best tips to increase engagement.

REGISTER HERE! 

8.26.20 WEBINAR | Small Business Access to Capital Webinar

REGISTER HERE! 

 

8.27.20 WEBINAR | Financing Alternatives for Your Small Business

This webinar discusses traditional and no-traditional options on how to finance a start-up or growing business. Discussion includes different financing options, such as bank loans, SBA guaranteed loans, non-bank lenders, private investors and the myths and realities of grant funding, and how to pick the right financing options.

 

REGISTER WITH UGA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

FIND THIS EMAIL HELPFUL? 

JOIN EABA TODAY! 

Thank you to our 60 Members for supporting EABA! 

EABA, 

Happy Monday, the first of August.  We want you to know about two very important items to pay attention to this week! 

ONE

AUG. 4 @ 6:00PM | CITY WIDE RESURGENCE GRANT FUND LIVE STREAM

• REGISTER FOR THE LIVE STREAM 
• READ ABOUT ALL THREE GRANT PROGRAMS
• Applications Open August 10-31st! 

TWO

EAST ATLANTA STRUT IN PLACE | Saturday September 24, 2020 | NOON - 6PM

• https://eastatlantastrut.com/  
  
• Sign up to Strut Your Business- Small Business Saturday Style

SAVE THE DATE

EABA GENERAL MEETING: TUESDAY 8.18.20 @ 6PM

• Register in advance for this meeting:
  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsceysqzgvHtBGjYo10P1yfJ8fR0OI08E_ 
  

FYI

EXTENDED COVID RESTRICTIONS

• Read the article

Can you believe it's almost the end of July and our 5th month of COVID life? 

• Last week we took off to rest and now we have a packed list of important info sessions for small businesses! 

Stay healthy, be kind and keep connecting! We're here for you! 

Save the Date for the next EABA General Zoom Meeting | Tuesday August 18th @ 6PM. 

REGISTER HERE IN ADVANCE

7.29.20 @ 11am | Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger Hosts Small Business Recovery Tele-town Hall

SIGN UP FOR FREE CALL HERE

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is pleased to announce his office’s fourth financial recovery tele-town hall titled, Rebuilding & Recovering Financially: A Path to Financial Recovery. The tele-town hall, hosted through the She Leads financial literacy program, will provide insight and advice for Georgia small business owners and entrepreneurs who are struggling during the current economic turmoil. The event will take place on July 29, 2020, at 11:00 AM.

>>>>READ MORE

7.29.20 @ Noon | NFIB Webinar
SCORE, updates on the EIDL and PPP, Paid Leave Reimbursement, and Q&A

REGISTER NOW

Join special guest, SCORE’s Executive Director Bridget Weston, along with Beth and Holly to learn about FREE business resources available through SCORE, and also reimbursement for paid sick and family leave, loans, and what’s next for small business financial assistance.

The webinar will cover:

• SCORE www.score.org
• EIDL and PPP updates
• Paid sick and family leave dollar-for-dollar reimbursement instructions

As always, we’ll save time to answer your individual questions. We welcome your questions in advance, just email info@nfib.org.

Can't make this Webinar? Don't worry! Register Now and we'll email you an on-demand version!

7.30.20 @ 6:30PM | New City of Atlanta COVID-19 Small Business Grants, including the Resurgence, creATL, and Strength in Beauty grant funds.

RSVP TO JOIN THURSDAY JULY 30TH @ 6:30PM WITH DISTRICT 5 COUNCIL MEMBER NATALYN ARCHIBONG

The Resurgence Grant Fund, made possible by a $22 million allocation of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), offers up to $40,000 to help cover pandemic-related costs, such as complying with requirements necessary for businesses to operate safely, plus access to up to $10,000 of no-cost technical assistance services.
 
Two other existing funds, the creATL Relief Fund and Strength in Beauty Fund, have also both been recapitalized with a portion of the CARES Act allocation. Both funds will continue to support the creative and cosmetology sectors by offering $1,000 grants to alleviate hardships due to the loss of business as a result of the pandemic.

Applications for the Resurgence, creATL, and Strength in Beauty Grant Funds open Monday, August 10.

BRICK AND MORTAR SMALL BUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM | APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW

APPLY NOW

Announcing the launch of the HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program. Grants of $5,000 to $15,000 will be awarded to support brick-and-mortar small businesses in commercial districts as they enter the next phases of reopening across the country. 

• Applications are now open.
• They will continue to be accepted until 11:59pm PT Sunday, August 23 or until 500 applications have been submitted, whichever is sooner. 
• Subsequent grant rounds to accept additional applications later this summer. 

SHOP SMALL ENROLLMENT PERIOD EXTENDED TO 8/23/20

Extended the offer enrollment period to 8/23/20 – so even more eligible Amex® Card Members have the chance to get rewarded when they Shop Small.

American Express Card Members can get $5 back in the form of a statement credit after they spend $10 or more at eligible small businesses – in stores and online – up to 10x* after they enroll on ShopSmall.com by 8/23/20.

ADD YOUR VOICE TO SAVE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT VENUES!

WATCH VIDEO

SIGN UP HERE

Earlier this week, Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced a bipartisan bill to save live entertainment venues.  This bill, called the Save Our Stages Act, needs your support in order to pass.  

• If you haven't already done so, please contact your elected representatives through SaveOurStages.com & ask them to support this bill.    

6.16.20 GENERAL MEETING MINUTES

WATCH VIDEO

READ CHAT

LISTEN TO AUDIO

SEE AGENDA

6.23.20 BRANDING PRESENTATION

WATCH VIDEO

READ CHAT

LISTEN TO AUDIO

6.25.20 CITY OF ATLANTA CREATL FUND 

Calling all #creatives - If you have experienced a loss of job opportunities, contracts, freelance or other work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and live in the city of #Atlanta, you may qualify for the #creATL Relief fund. Tune in later TODAY for a live Q&A to learn more: www.investatlanta.com/creatl

WE WILL MISS THE T-SHIRT LADY IN EAV!!!

Message from The T-Shirt Lady and Son from Facebook!

https://www.thetshirtlady.com/  

Over the last few years, we have noticed an incline in our online sales and have contemplated closing our brick & mortar MANY TIMES to concentrate on our online business while at the same time saving on overhead but that decision was never reached. When you are attached to the community, the building, and all the work you put into having a retail location, decisions like this can be extremely hard.
*********************************
With the recent pandemic, our business was forced to operate totally online which we thought would be temporary. However, the positive outcomes of making that transition during difficult times has lead us to make a professional business decision to close our brick & mortar location and operate out of our private studio permanently.
*********************************
Our intention is to continue to give great customer service, products, and services to our community here in Atlanta and the rest of the United States. It saddens us to leave the community physically but we are moving our business in another direction which we are super excited about and we hope that you will be excited for us as well.
*********************************
Our hearts are FULL and we are very excited about our new journey and want to send a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has supported us at ALL of our brick and mortar over the last 17 years! You are greatly appreciated for all of your support and continued support.
If you need any help in finding out how to order from us, please feel free to give us a call or visit our website for more information. Once again, thank you for your support and we will keep you updated on our progress.
*********************************
“We are Closing One Door and Opening Another and are still here to serve YOU!”    

Happy Summer!! 

We're officially into a new season of COVID-19 living, most businesses are reopened in some capacity with more adjustments daily, the need to apply for relief is still real for many. We know that this time has been challenging at best. Just know that EABA is here for you- drop of a call or email anytime. 

• Help EABA get our brand launched...attend via Zoom Tuesday | 6/23. 
• Get help with your EDIL/PPP applications 6.22-6.24. NFIB webinar on Wed | 6/24.
  
• We acknowledge the need for equal dignity for all...check out the weekly webinar from the National Center for Civil and Human Rights on Fri | 6/26. 
• KEEP READING 

Back before we even knew COVID existed, EABA held a branding exercise at our November general meeting. 

From that meeting, the marketing committee creatives have been hard at work creating a brand for our organization as well as a brand for the neighborhood.  

• EABA Key Words
• EABA Marketing Questions & Results

SEE WHAT Joe Price Design, Media Terror Alert and Traci with an Eye Graphic Design have been working on- an EABA logo, an East Atlanta mark and our very own font type!!!!

Please register in advance for the ZOOM EABA BRANDING PRESENTATION

  

EIDL APPLICATION IS OPEN AGAIN 

https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/ 

Expires 9/30/20 

PPP LOAN FORGIVENESS UPDATE | APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON JUNE 30TH! 

NFIB Webinar | Wed. @ Noon  | REGISTER HERE

• PPP EZ Application – Step-by-Step Instructions for Maximizing PPP Loan Forgiveness

New PPP Law Updates

• Lengthens the loan forgiveness period from eight weeks to 24 weeks.
• Lowers the amount of PPP funds that must be spent on payroll from 75% to 60% and allows 40% for other qualifying expenses.
• Delays employer payroll tax payments through the end of 2020.
• Exempts borrowers from the FTE loan forgiveness reduction if borrowers are unable to return to the same level of business activity as before Feb. 15th due to Covid-19.

WATCH A STEP BY STEP GUIDE FOR PPP LOAN FORGIVENESS APPLICATION

CATCH UP ON ALL PPP RECORDED WEBINARS AND OTHER COVID BUSINESS RELATED INFO

NEED HELP WITH THE PPP APPLICATION? 

MAKE SURE YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A PPP LOAN BEFORE YOU SCHEDULE  

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT FOR HELP

   

WEEKLY UPDATE FROM NCCHR | WHAT DOES DEFUND THE POLICE ACTUALLY MEAN WEBINAR? 6.26.20

This program will explore the history of policing, how public opinion of the police is changing and what defunding the police actual means and how this would affect our communities.  REGISTER HERE

National Center for Civil and Human Rights recent webinar recordings along with some excellent resources: + Watch: Taking Action to Support Under-Resourced Communities + Watch: Democracy for All + Watch: Campaign for Equal Dignity Launch Additional actions you can take: + Support Love Sinks In   + Join the conversation with Equitable Dinners + Sign the pledge for Equal Dignity & encourage others to sign Stay Informed - Here is what we are reading: + Anti-Racism Resource Guide + Stamped from the Beginning | Ibram X. Kendi + In Tulsa, evictions were a crisis before the pandemic

    

We look forward to seeing you on the screen tomorrow, Tuesday June 16th @ 6pm.  

• Our general meeting will be held via Zoom. 
• Please register for the meeting in advance here! 
• Read the agenda 

We look forward to co-creating a more inclusive East Atlanta business community with you. Please share this to any business owner you know that operates a business in East Atlanta.  Everyone is welcome!