Decatur Development Authority approves small business grants | Business

DECATUR, Ga. — The Decatur Downtown Development Authority, at its Nov. 14 meeting, approved another round of small business grants.

The applications were due in mid-September for this round. The DDA approved grants for 13 businesses in March totaling $116,000. On Friday, the board approved grants totaling $86,684 for 26 businesses.

The DDA offers the Commercial Build-Out Improvement Grant, Marketing and Digital Connectivity Grant, and the Commercial Facade Improvement Grant for small businesses in the city.

All grants cover up to 75 percent of the approved project’s cost, with the business owner covering the remaining 25 percent.

The commercial build-out improvement grant helps businesses and property owners improve the inside of their buildings. Businesses are reimbursed through a grant after completing the qualifying project. The project must begin within six months of grant approval and be completed within 18 months.

Here are the build-out improvement grant awards:

• Clarity Fitness will replace its HVAC pipes. The $2,950 will cover the demolition, installation and resealing.

• Adore Hair Studio was awarded $6,500 to build out a vacant space at 90 W. College Ave. to expand the hair studio operations.

• Cat Eye Creative was awarded $2,523 to install gallery lighting, including recessed and track lighting features.

• Farm Burger was awarded $3,750 to paint the main dining area, hallways, and bathrooms, which also includes wall prep, repairs, and new trim, as well as flooring repairs.

• Little Empire was awarded $8,625 to build out a new retail concept at 533 W. Howard Ave., Suite B.

• O’Sullivan’s on the Square was awarded $6,271 to replace a built-in beverage refrigeration system.

• The Foodie’s Place was awarded $5,178 to build out a new restaurant concept at 627 E. College Ave., Suite D.

• Toco Classic Barbers was awarded $3,402 to upgrade its flooring and customer bathroom.

• Sushi Avenue was awarded $4,225 to repair its electrical system and flooring.

The commercial facade improvement grant supports projects focused on maintaining and beautifying storefronts

“This is going to be a grant program that reimburses expenses that are incurred on large projects, as well as smaller projects for ground-floor commercial, retail, and service businesses,” Planning and Economic Development Director Angela Threadgill previously said.

Grant awards for larger projects range from $2,500 to $10,000. Business owners and commercial property owners would also be required to provide matching funds. Micro-grants of $1,000 are also available for one-time minor improvements.

Here are the commercial facade grant awards:

• Chai Pani was awarded $2,100 for new exterior signage and the installation of new energy-efficient exterior lighting.

• Mezcalito’s Cantina was awarded $6,307 to install new energy-efficient windows, exterior trim and awnings.

• Phone Doc Atl was awarded $2,737 to install a new exterior sign.

• Little Empire was awarded $6,375 to install a new storefront and window signage, and lighting accents.

• The Foodie’s Place was awarded $6,067 for facade repairs, painting and lighting.

• Sushi Avenue on the Square was awarded $3,187 to install a new lighted sign. Sushi Avenue was also awarded $7,785 to install a new lighted sign at the West Ponce location.

• Kimball House was awarded $4,763 for architectural upgrades, painting and lighting.

• Toco Classic Barbers was awarded $2,061 to install new exterior signage.

• Siam Thai Restaurant was awarded $3,225 to install new exterior lighted signage.

• Bench Warmers was awarded $4,275 to install a new mural.

• Raging Burrito was awarded $3,423 to replace the back customer entrance door.

• Foxtail Coffee Co. was awarded $7,500 to install new exterior lighted signage.

The Marketing and Digital Connectivity Grant Program seeks to enhance businesses’ digital marketing presence by supporting the design and production of digital content and marketing materials.

A business could receive a maximum of $2,500. Similar to the commercial build-out improvement grant, businesses will incur 25 percent of the expenses and be reimbursed 75 percent of the project expenses if they are approved for a grant. The project must start within six months of grant approval and be completed within 12 months.

Here are the digital connectivity grant awards:

• Cat Eye Creative was awarded $1,800 for consultant services to develop photo and video content for its website and social media.

• Phone Doc Atl was awarded $1,875 for website design and development, search engine optimization and targeted social media advertising.

• Taj Ma-Hound was awarded $1,500 for website design and development, and search engine optimization.

• The Intown Retreat was awarded $2,062 for consultant services to produce and edit photo and video content for its website and social media.

• Siam Thai was awarded $1,950 to consultant services to produce photo and video content for its website and social media, branding and graphic design services, and targeted social media advertisements.