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Invest Atlanta News

Making an Impact on Atlanta

Scroll down to see the impact and stories of people and places supported through Invest Atlanta programs.

 

2024 At A Glance

4,133

New Jobs Created (Business Attraction and Expansion)

$1.05B

Total Capital Investment

$1.85B

Total Economic Impact

1,556

Affordable Housing Units Financed (Multifamily)

365

Homeownership Incentives (Downpayment Assistance, Owner-Occupied Rehab and Tax Relief)

1,578

Small Businesses Supported (Grants, Loans and Technical Assistance)

 

See What We’ve Been Up To

{"result":[{"id":547,"title":"Building Personal Wealth and Strengthening Communities: The Power of Invest Atlanta’s Open for Business Fund","promo_title":"Building Personal Wealth and Strengthening Communities: The Power of Invest Atlanta’s Open for Business Fund","published_date":"2024-12-10","featured_image":{"id":2724,"parent_id":173,"resource_file_name":"building.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":68929,"resource_updated_at":"2024-12-10T13:06:55.811-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-12-10T13:06:55.832-05:00","updated_at":"2024-12-10T15:36:13.189-05:00","filename_hash":"building_zyE6mBD.jpg","width":453,"height":677},"filename":"building-personal-wealth-and-strengthening-communities-the-power-of-invest-atlantas-open-for-business-fund","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"8C36qw","created_at":"2024-12-10T13:08:00.125-05:00","updated_at":"2024-12-10T15:36:13.179-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Open for Business Fund is reshaping the future of minority-owned businesses in metro Atlanta. Backed by a generous $20 million donation from Wells Fargo, in partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta, the fund supports small business owners in building wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment, and technology.\u0026nbsp;\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Open for Business Fund is reshaping the future of minority-owned businesses in metro Atlanta. Backed by a generous $20 million donation from Wells Fargo, in partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta, the fund supports small business owners in building wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment, and technology.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough this grant, entrepreneurs received critical funding, guidance and support, enabling them to develop products and services that serve their local communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAiskrimu Ice Cream: Creating a Sweet Community Impact\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFor entrepreneur and physical therapist Jason Davis, opening up an ice cream shop meant fulfilling a life-long dream. Ice cream has always been a love of Jason\u0026rsquo;s as it serves as a comfort food that you can enjoy with family and friends any day or every day. Seeing a gap in his area for a nearby dessert destination, Jason partnered with Open for Business to create \u003ca href=\"https://aiskrimuicecreambar.com\"\u003eAiskrimu Ice Cream Bar\u003c/a\u003e (which means ice cream in Swahili) in Cascade Heights.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eJason\u0026rsquo;s journey began in March 2020 when he started researching locations for his shop and found a clothing boutique that would work perfectly. After signing up for Invest Atlanta emails, he came across the Open for Business program and immediately applied in spring of 2022. Jason became a recipient of The Atlanta Open for Business Commercial Property Improvement Grant (CPIG), receiving $38,000 to bring the space up to code and renovate the location into a welcoming and bright community spot for people and their pets.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIn reflecting on the one-year anniversary of Aiskrimu, Jason is humbled by the success of his business. Aiskrimu is projected to double sales and the team has now expanded with the addition of one\u0026nbsp;full-time employee and one\u0026nbsp;part-time employee. Additional enhancements like new equipment (including an upright freezer) to sell cakes and pints along with an expanded menu are ensuring more patrons can enjoy all that Askrimu has to offer.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThere is great pride in opening a dessert spot in a food desert, all of which wouldn\u0026rsquo;t be possible without support from the Open for Business program. Jason shared,\u0026ldquo;I can\u0026#39;t reiterate enough how thankful I am to have been a recipient of the OFB Grant. It lifted a huge burden off of my shoulders. I was able to focus on growth rather than worrying about financial strains.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCity Dogz: Pawsitive and Secure Pet Boarding and Daycare\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAzhia Brown is a local change maker. A dog lover and young entrepreneur, Azhia saw a gap during the pandemic for safe and secure doggie daycare and boarding in her community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eRight before 2020, she launched her business \u003ca href=\"https://citydogzatl.com/\"\u003eCity Dogz ATL\u003c/a\u003e, a unique boutique dog grooming and boarding facility. The opening of her business not only offered community members a trustworthy location for their pets to play and a space for pet owners to connect with one another, it also engaged individuals in the area looking for employment. After opening and feeling the challenges of many first time business owners, she found Invest Atlanta and applied for the the Atlanta Open for Business Commercial Property Improvement Grant (CPIG).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFast forward to today and City Dogz has created jobs and a safe outdoor space for pets in an urban area thanks to support from Open for Business. The funds helped Azhia\u0026nbsp;scale the business by transforming a parking lot into a secured area for dogs. This upgrade has tripled the number of dogs they can accommodate daily\u0026mdash;from a maximum of seven\u0026nbsp;to up to 25.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, the grant funded mixed-use container spaces for better organization and storage, which has streamlined their operations. With this growth, Azhia has expanded her team, now employing four\u0026nbsp;full-time and two\u0026nbsp;part-time staff members. She\u0026rsquo;s also committed to involving the community, focusing on hiring local talent and creating job opportunities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eReflecting on her progress, Azhia is so grateful for the Open for Business Fund, sharing,\u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta is such a great resource for small businesses. In an area that needs redevelopment, having support helps individuals like me explore and encourages growth. It is important to be involved in the community we serve and Invest Atlanta made that happen for us!\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":546,"title":"Invest Atlanta Approves Financing for 218 Affordable Housing Units","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Approves Financing for 218 Affordable Housing Units","published_date":"2024-11-28","featured_image":{"id":2723,"parent_id":173,"resource_file_name":"martin2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":165398,"resource_updated_at":"2024-12-10T12:22:03.879-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-12-10T12:22:03.913-05:00","updated_at":"2024-12-10T15:31:48.018-05:00","filename_hash":"martin2_YW2oqnL.jpg","width":910,"height":685},"filename":"invest-atlanta-approves-financing-for-218-affordable-housing-units","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ocz_7A","created_at":"2024-12-10T12:22:43.829-05:00","updated_at":"2024-12-10T15:31:47.994-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n As part of its ongoing commitment to address the acute need for affordable housing and create more inclusive communities that cater to all residents, the Invest Atlanta Board approved $23.7 million in financing that will create or preserve 218 affordable housing units, including both single-family and multifamily options.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAs part of its ongoing commitment to address the acute need for affordable housing and create more inclusive communities that cater to all residents, the Invest Atlanta Board approved $23.7 million in financing that will create or preserve 218 affordable housing units, including both single-family and multifamily options.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Affordable housing is not a one-size-fits-all solution,\u0026rdquo; says Mayor Andre Dickens, who serves as the Invest Atlanta Board chair, \u0026ldquo;so we need to ensure our investments meet people where they are \u0026ndash; whether that is single residents, families or seniors.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBy leveraging different funding mechanisms, Invest Atlanta, in collaboration with the City of Atlanta, mobilizes resources to drive impactful projects throughout the city and helps close the housing affordability gap. Invest Atlanta has closed on financing to support the creation or preservation of 4,581 affordable housing units since the start of 2022. This amounts to a $1.5 billion total capital investment for housing in the city of Atlanta in support of Mayor Dickens\u0026rsquo; goal of creating or preserving 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBelow are the latest projects approved for Invest Atlanta financing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMartin House \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $20 million tax-exempt bond will support National Church Residences\u0026rsquo; acquisition and rehabilitation of 152 senior housing units at 60% of the area median income (AMI) in the Adamsville neighborhood. Originally constructed in 2005, Martin House is a 20-year-old senior-living property in need of renovation to its common areas and resident units. The investment will help preserve affordability at Martin House for another 30 years.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHomes for the Future \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $1.47 million investment of Housing Opportunity Bond financing will help acquire 40 single-family rental units across Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s southwest neighborhoods \u0026ndash; 21 of which will be made affordable at 80% AMI or below. The future goal of the project is to convert these units into affordable homeownership.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAtlanta Single Family Homes Affordable Preservation Project \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $2 million investment of Housing Opportunity Bond financing will help the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership accelerate the acquisition and rehabilitation of 40 single-family residential rental houses across the city of Atlanta. Homes will serve as affordable rentals for up to 10 years ranging from 30%-80% AMI with a goal of converting many of the units into affordable homeownership.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e471 English Avenue\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $260,000 Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) grant will aid in the redevelopment of a multifamily building in the English Avenue neighborhood. The project will convert an existing quadraplex into six units of affordable housing, including five restricted at rents not to exceed 50% AMI. The developer is an English Avenue legacy resident who acquired the property in 2012 and participated in the Invest Atlanta 2017 Westside TAD Community Builders Program, which was created to teach core property redevelopment skills.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, children who have stable, affordable housing are 52% more likely to graduate from high school compared to those who experience housing instability or live in unaffordable housing. \u0026ldquo;Safe, affordable housing is a primary determiner of economic mobility and quality of life for many Atlanta residents,\u0026rdquo; says Dr. Klementich. \u0026ldquo;The investments we are making will have a very meaningful impact on families in communities across the city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":542,"title":"Bond Funding Approved to Alleviate Housing Insecurity","promo_title":"Bond Funding Approved to Alleviate Housing Insecurity","published_date":"2024-11-06","featured_image":{"id":2718,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"dsc01783.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":548107,"resource_updated_at":"2024-11-06T11:46:20.957-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-11-06T11:46:21.043-05:00","updated_at":"2024-11-06T11:55:04.474-05:00","filename_hash":"dsc01783_WV4kjK3.jpg","width":2048,"height":1365},"filename":"bond-funding-approved-to-alleviate-housing-insecurity","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"hIo8yQ","created_at":"2024-11-06T11:55:04.447-05:00","updated_at":"2024-11-06T11:55:04.447-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board approved $75 million in revenue bonds for the Homeless Opportunity Project.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCities across the U.S. are grappling with increased homelessness since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Atlanta is no exception. In fact, Partners for HOME, which coordinates Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Continuum of Care, found that the city\u0026rsquo;s unsheltered population has grown 63% since the pandemic \u0026ndash; from 640 in 2022 to 1,040 in 2024.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta City leadership has been moving with urgency to address housing insecurity across the city. Efforts include launching and funding programs to prevent the displacement of low-income renters and tax-burdened senior homeowners, as well as coordinating street outreach to rehouse residents living in encampments and ensure they have access to emergency shelters and supportive services.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMost recently, the Invest Atlanta Board approved $75 million in revenue bonds for the Homeless Opportunity Project. These bonds will finance costs associated with the acquisition and installation of approximately 500 quick-delivery rapid housing units, along with 200 additional units of permanent supportive housing and other related projects. The Homeless Opportunity Project will be paired with an additional $10 million from the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Affordable Housing Trust Fund.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This is not just about offering someone a roof over their heads for a night or two,\u0026rdquo; Mayor Andre Dickens said in September 2024 when the Homeless Opportunity Bond was first introduced as the largest investment to address homelessness in Atlanta history. \u0026ldquo;It is about creating a pathway and building a foundation for a better life. We are not just building housing; we are building hope.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":544,"title":"Combatting Food Insecurity","promo_title":"Combatting Food Insecurity","published_date":"2024-10-24","featured_image":{"id":2720,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"ys4.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":90649,"resource_updated_at":"2024-11-06T12:06:13.103-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-11-06T12:06:13.123-05:00","updated_at":"2024-11-07T09:50:04.975-05:00","filename_hash":"ys4_bwmKJxZ.jpg","width":855,"height":419},"filename":"combatting-food-insecurity","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"hl-UOQ","created_at":"2024-11-06T12:07:03.060-05:00","updated_at":"2024-11-07T09:50:04.948-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRecent statistics show that 14% of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s population is food insecure, with minorities struggling with hunger more than other households. To help address this issue, the Invest Atlanta Board approved $2.5 million to fund five fresh food access projects that will significantly increase the availability of healthy, affordable food across the city. The funding will provide additional grocery options to more than 11,000 residents living in low-income and low-access areas as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;A city of opportunity is one where all residents have access to fresh, affordable food in their communities,\u0026rdquo; says Mayor Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;The funding approved by the Invest Atlanta Board upholds this commitment and will help us foster strong, healthy neighborhoods throughout the city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Dickens worked with Invest Atlanta to establish new fresh food access initiatives, including the Atlanta Food Access Catalyst Grant (AFACG) program for those affected by food insecurity, especially Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s senior population. Funding for the AFACG is part of a $6 million investment from the Atlanta City Council to bring more fresh food options to low-income and low-access neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eProjects approved by the Invest Atlanta Board for Atlanta Food Access Catalyst Grants include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eGoodr Be on Edgewood \u0026ndash; Goodr is a national leader in innovative approaches to improving food security by connecting excess food that is completely safe for consumption with food insecure communities. Leveraging a $330,000 Atlanta Food Access Catalyst grant, Goodr will open a grocery store at Be on Edgewood serving Atlanta\u0026#39;s senior and unhoused communities. Goodr Be on Edgewood will also provide community members with healthcare services through a partnership with WellStar.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCity of Refuge \u0026ndash; City of Refuge is a faith-based nonprofit servicing the city of Atlanta for nearly 30 years, including Washington Heights, Bankhead and Grove Park. By providing housing, job training and education, City of Refuge has established itself as a national leader in community development and economic mobility. The City of Refuge Transformation Center on Joseph E. Boone Boulevard is a new facility that will include an entrepreneurship hub, a healthcare clinic, a credit union, and a healthy neighborhood market. The project received a $200,000 Atlanta Food Access Catalyst Grant to help finance the development of the neighborhood market, as well as a $2 million in Beltline TAD grant and $8.5 million in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) financing to support the broader development project.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAtlanta Community Food Bank \u0026ndash;\u0026nbsp;The Food Bank will renovate an existing commercial property along the Martin Luther King Drive corridor and open a Community Food Center (CFC). The Food Bank has been awarded a $250,000 Atlanta Food Access Catalyst grant and a $250,000 Tax Allocation District (TAD) grant, which will support the creation of the first Community Food Center in the city of Atlanta, reusing a vacant retail space on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;Addressing food insecurity is not merely a challenge,\u0026rdquo; says Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, \u0026ldquo;it is an imperative that demands collective action to ensure that every individual has access to the nourishment they need to thrive.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAdditional food access projects approved for funding by the Invest Atlanta Board include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e500 James P. Brawley Drive \u0026ndash; The proposed project seeks to redevelop a well-known neighborhood space, commonly known as the \u0026ldquo;Yellow Store.\u0026rdquo; The vacant building will become a mixed-use development with neighborhood retail on the ground floor and residential on the second level. Leveraging a $750,000 Westside TAD grant, improvements include the addition of an outdoor canopy at the rear of the building intended to provide seating for a local food service tenant.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSweet Auburn Municipal Market \u0026ndash; Opened in its current building on Auburn Avenue in 1924, the Municipal Market now houses 30 local businesses, including grocery vendors, retail stores and several popular eateries. Through a $775,000 Eastside TAD grant and funding from the City of Atlanta, the Municipal Market will reconfigure its vendor booths and fund a new Vendor Success Program administered by Invest Atlanta.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to increasing grocery options, the approved projects will create more than $53.8 million in economic impact and create or preserve 226 jobs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":545,"title":"Innovative Hospitality Community Coming to Castleberry Hill","promo_title":"Innovative Hospitality Community Coming to Castleberry Hill","published_date":"2024-10-24","featured_image":{"id":2721,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"mark4.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":92417,"resource_updated_at":"2024-11-06T14:31:27.092-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-11-06T14:31:27.115-05:00","updated_at":"2024-11-06T14:35:27.088-05:00","filename_hash":"mark4_7kNggwM.jpg","width":615,"height":505},"filename":"innovative-hospitality-community-coming-to-castleberry-hill","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"csOJEg","created_at":"2024-11-06T14:35:27.069-05:00","updated_at":"2024-11-06T14:35:27.069-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n A $940,000 Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) forgivable loan will fund a new, mixed-used hospitality community in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood in close proximity to Mercedes Benz Stadium.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA $940,000 Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) forgivable loan will fund a new, mixed-used hospitality community in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood in close proximity to Mercedes Benz Stadium. The loan, which was approved by the Invest Atlanta Board, will pave the way for the conversion of a vacant brownfield into a four-story, 4,000-square-foot facility featuring a culinary kitchen incubator and boutique hotel.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe chef-forward kitchen and restaurant incubator will offer space for local creatives and chefs and will function as a residency program to showcase their products and develop their culinary and hospitality skills. The space will include indoor/outdoor dining, a small market area to sell food products and a communal living room where people can bond through food.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA 30-room hotel will be located on top of the incubator. Hotel revenue will offset the overall costs to support the food programming, provide additional foot traffic to the food spaces and offer a platform to expose local Atlanta businesses to the city\u0026rsquo;s global visitors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe hospitality community will also feature a rooftop greenhouse and garden connecting food entrepreneurs with local farms, vendors and suppliers and serve as a source of herbs and produce for the chefs. Rent in the commercial incubator space will be 20% below-market rate, and during vacancy periods, hotel rooms can be used for an onsite, chef-in-residence.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":540,"title":"Invest Atlanta Board Approves Significant Investments in Housing Affordability","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Board Approves Significant Investments in Housing Affordability","published_date":"2024-10-18","featured_image":{"id":2708,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"sweet1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":176892,"resource_updated_at":"2024-10-01T14:27:47.445-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-10-01T14:27:47.477-04:00","updated_at":"2024-10-02T15:46:00.612-04:00","filename_hash":"sweet1_YWKlWPl.jpg","width":1039,"height":711},"filename":"invest-atlanta-board-approves-significant-investments-in-housing-affordability","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ngUL5A","created_at":"2024-10-01T14:28:35.638-04:00","updated_at":"2024-10-02T15:46:00.584-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n During its September meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board once again made a major commitment to affordable housing by providing final approval of bond financing to create or preserve 391 affordable housing units. An additional 1,668 affordable housing units received preliminary approval (inducement) for financing for a total of 2,059 new units and an expected Invest Atlanta investment of $651 million.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDuring its September meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board once again made a major commitment to affordable housing by providing final approval of bond financing to create or preserve 391 affordable housing units.\u0026nbsp;An additional 1,668 affordable housing units received preliminary approval (inducement) for financing for a total of 2,059 new units and an expected Invest Atlanta investment of $651 million.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;From day one, my administration has committed itself to addressing housing affordability holistically \u0026ndash; from homelessness to homeownership,\u0026rdquo; says Mayor Andre Dickens who serves as Invest Atlanta Board Chair. \u0026ldquo;I commend the Invest Atlanta Board and staff for continuing to tackle this challenge head on by approving another significant investment in housing that will benefit Atlantans for generations to come.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe approved financing will support the development of affordable housing at a range of area median incomes (AMI), including low-income residents at 30% of the AMI, to help close Atlanta\u0026#39;s housing affordability gap. Developments receiving final approval for financing include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCosby Spear Highrise\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $49.5 million tax-exempt loan will support the preservation of 282 senior housing units in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood. Built in 1972, the 50-year-old property needs extensive renovation to bring it up to market quality standards. Located on North Avenue, the core high-rise structure and ideal location make it one of the best housing preservation investments in both the city and state. Atlanta Housing will provide rental subsidy through a conversion of all 282 units from public housing to RAD project-based rental subsidy where residents will not pay more than 30% of their annual income on rent with income levels at or below 60% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSweet Auburn Grande\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $28.3 million tax-exempt loan will preserve 109 multifamily housing units in the Sweet Auburn District. Originally built in 1908, the historic building was home to the Butler Street CDC in recent years and is most notable for originally housing the Atlanta State Savings Bank, the first Black-owned bank in Atlanta and Georgia\u0026rsquo;s first state-chartered Black bank. The developer is preserving the existing structure to save this historic site. The residential component includes 92 units restricted to serve 80% AMI and below. The project will also include 8,734 square feet of ground-floor retail.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;These continued investments in affordable housing are not only closing affordability gaps in the city but also helping to break cycles of poverty by fostering economic and social stability,\u0026rdquo; says Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;The Board\u0026rsquo;s action is another signal that demand remains high for construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing in the city of Atlanta. In the last two and half years, three out of every four dollars of Invest Atlanta investments have gone to affordable housing development.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has closed on financing to support the creation or preservation of 4,125 housing units, including 3,792 affordable housing units (92%) since Mayor Dickens took office. This amounts to $1.15 billion in total capital investment for housing in the city of Atlanta to support the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s goal of creating or preserving 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Renting\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":543,"title":"Invest Atlanta Board Approves Over $95 Million in Financing for Affordable Housing ","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Board Approves Over $95 Million in Financing for Affordable Housing ","published_date":"2024-10-18","featured_image":{"id":2719,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"civic2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":120883,"resource_updated_at":"2024-11-06T11:58:30.768-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-11-06T11:58:30.792-05:00","updated_at":"2024-11-06T12:02:16.643-05:00","filename_hash":"civic2_aWVomZb.jpg","width":1158,"height":694},"filename":"invest-atlanta-board-approves-over-95-million-in-financing-for-affordable-housing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"xLpaeg","created_at":"2024-11-06T12:02:16.634-05:00","updated_at":"2024-11-06T12:02:16.634-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Working in partnership with Mayor Andre Dickens, Invest Atlanta continues its push to help finance the creation and preservation of 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030, and this latest investment will add 466 new units.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWorking in partnership with Mayor Andre Dickens, Invest Atlanta continues its push to help finance the creation and preservation of 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030, and this latest investment will add 466 new units. Year to date, Invest Atlanta has closed on financing for 1,032 affordable housing units and is projected to exceed 2,000 units by the end of the year. Below are some of the latest developments approved for Invest Atlanta financing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCity Lights North Block\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $35 million tax-except loan will finance Phase V of Wingate\u0026#39;s master redevelopment of Bedford Pines in the Old Fourth Ward. Located on Boulevard, the multifamily development will feature 187 housing units \u0026ndash; all of which will be available at 60% area median income (AMI).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBowen Homes Phase I\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePlans are underway to transform the Brookview Heights neighborhood into a vibrant new community with quality, mixed-income housing and abundant green space. Located on Wilkes Circle in a historically neglected and environmentally stressed area of Atlanta, Bowen Homes Phase I will include 151 units and various floor plans. A $29.6 million tax-exempt loan will finance the development, and 107 units will be made affordable ranging from 30%-120% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e729 Bonaventure\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith financing from $1 million in 2021 Housing Opportunity Bonds, Partners for HOME is acquiring a 24-unit development that will provide permanent supportive housing in the Virginia Highland neighborhood. Located on Bonaventure, the building was originally built in 1930 and renovated in 2023 to preserve its historic character and modernize amenities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCivic Center Senior\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $30 million tax-exempt bond is financing the new construction of a multifamily development in the Old Fourth Ward. Located on Pine Street, the development will feature 148 senior housing units \u0026ndash; all of which will be made affordable between 50%-60% AMI. Civic Center Senior is part of a larger, multi-phased redevelopment of the Atlanta Civic Center site, which proposes at least 1,507 new apartment units, a new art-focused high school, a hotel, a grocery store, commercial space and office space.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":541,"title":"Marketing Tech Maven: Cold Mountain Consulting","promo_title":"Marketing Tech Maven: Cold Mountain Consulting","published_date":"2024-10-01","featured_image":{"id":2709,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"img_7734.jpeg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":126348,"resource_updated_at":"2024-10-01T14:53:32.465-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-10-01T14:53:32.484-04:00","updated_at":"2024-10-01T14:54:04.591-04:00","filename_hash":"img_7734_4BjZeBx.jpeg","width":599,"height":799},"filename":"marketing-tech-maven-cold-mountain-consulting","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"uvouqQ","created_at":"2024-10-01T14:54:04.582-04:00","updated_at":"2024-10-01T14:54:04.582-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"https://coldmtconsulting.com/\"\u003eCold Mountain Consulting\u003c/a\u003e founder and CEO Olivia Rios is the definition of perseverance. After partnering with law firms on marketing technology for more than a decade, Olivia felt the now-or-never pull in 2019 to launch her own consulting company.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://coldmtconsulting.com/\"\u003eCold Mountain Consulting\u003c/a\u003e founder and CEO Olivia Rios is the definition of perseverance. After partnering with law firms on marketing technology for more than a decade, Olivia felt the now-or-never pull in 2019 to launch her own consulting company.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA Latina woman-owned business, Cold Mountain Consulting provides analysis and solutions for legal marketing technology challenges. With momentum building, Olivia had her eye on a brick-and-mortar location, until the pandemic hit the pause button. Olivia instead found herself exploring grant options and resources to keep her business afloat.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe months that followed brought the hope needed to boost her confidence. During her search, Olivia secured a woman-owned business certification and received a handful of small grants, including a Red Backpack Fund grant from Sarah Blakely. She remained determined.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As an entrepreneur, there are days that you question everything,\u0026rdquo; says Olivia. \u0026ldquo;I was making strides and knew I had to keep going!\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs she continued her efforts to grow Cold Mountain Consulting, Olivia discovered Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/startups-creatives/womens-entrepreneurship-initiative\"\u003eWomen Entrepreneurship Institute (WEI)\u003c/a\u003e in early 2023. After being accepted into the program, she attended a WEI event and heard about Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e, designed to help small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment and technology. It is supported by a generous donation of $20 million from Wells Fargo to help Atlanta businesses impacted by the pandemic recover.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOlivia immediately applied for the Commercial Down Payment Assistance Loan Program, which offers low-interest financing to help existing business owners in Atlanta purchase commercial property.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The people at Invest Atlanta were so incredible,\u0026rdquo; shares Olivia. \u0026ldquo;The team kept checking in on me to see what I needed. They just showed up!\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOlivia secured a $250,000 loan, which allowed her to put a down payment on a historic commercial property on Marietta Street and close in 30 days.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Part of our mission at Cold Mountain Consulting is to empower the community, which we are now able to do by inviting partners to utilize our space for educational events for women, Latinos and other community members,\u0026rdquo; says Olivia. \u0026ldquo;We wouldn\u0026rsquo;t be in the space or position we\u0026rsquo;re in without the support of Invest Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":539,"title":"Mercer Street Meals: From Home Kitchen to Commercial Success","promo_title":"Mercer Street Meals: From Home Kitchen to Commercial Success","published_date":"2024-09-12","featured_image":{"id":2705,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"img_6969.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1792437,"resource_updated_at":"2024-09-12T13:02:05.226-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-09-12T13:02:05.398-04:00","updated_at":"2024-09-12T13:02:30.040-04:00","filename_hash":"img_6969_mJq6r1P.jpg","width":5712,"height":4284},"filename":"mercer-street-meals-from-home-kitchen-to-commercial-success","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"oTK68A","created_at":"2024-09-12T12:59:14.110-04:00","updated_at":"2024-09-12T13:02:30.032-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mercer Street Meals recently made a significant leap forward thanks to Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Open for Business Fund. The funding enabled the business to transition from a home kitchen to a fully equipped commercial kitchen.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMercer Street Meals recently made a significant leap forward thanks to Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Open for Business Fund. The funding enabled the business to transition from a home kitchen to a fully equipped commercial kitchen.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e aims to help small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in crucial assets like commercial space, equipment, and technology. Supported by a generous $20 million donation from Wells Fargo and in partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta, this fund has been instrumental in enabling businesses like Mercer Street Meals to grow and thrive.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBefore the inception of Mercer Street Meals, owners Lance and Gracie Gummere were no strangers to the food industry. They previously managed a restaurant that served breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. This hectic lifestyle left little room for family or downtime. Now, with Mercer Street Meals, the Gummeres have found a more balanced approach. Their new business operates five nights a week with an additional breakfast service on Sundays, allowing them to enjoy a more controlled and family-oriented lifestyle.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMercer Street Meals was born during the COVID-19 pandemic when neighbors, aware of Lance\u0026rsquo;s professional chef background, approached him for home-cooked meals. With restaurants closed and Lance out of work, he agreed - and what started as a service for neighbors on Mercer Street gradually expanded to the entire neighborhood.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRecognizing the challenge in providing a nutritious meal after a long workday, Mercer Street Meals specializes in pre-order, ready-made and high-quality meals. \u0026ldquo;We are committed to providing good, nutritious meals at an affordable price, making everyday life a little easier for busy families,\u0026rdquo; Gracie tells us.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith support from Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Atlanta Recovery Loan, Lance and Gracie renovated a commercial space they found in their neighborhood, as it was important for them to stay close to their customer base. They recently marked one year at their new space and are thrilled to continue to serve the community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRunning a small business comes with its own set of challenges, the most significant being competition with larger brands. \u0026ldquo;We have been fortunate to attract customers who specifically seek out local, independent eateries,\u0026rdquo; Lance explains.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Open for Business Fund proved to be a perfect match for Mercer Street Meals. The funding provided the assistance needed to establish a commercial kitchen and significantly reduce the financial burden of launching a new small business.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more or place an order, visit \u003ca href=\"https://www.mercerstreetmeals.com/order\"\u003ehttps://www.mercerstreetmeals.com/order\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":537,"title":"C-PACE Financing Leads to Significant Energy Efficiencies","promo_title":"C-PACE Financing Leads to Significant Energy Efficiencies","published_date":"2024-09-04","featured_image":{"id":2698,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"origin2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":92881,"resource_updated_at":"2024-09-04T12:20:40.624-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-09-04T12:20:40.652-04:00","updated_at":"2024-09-09T13:12:18.557-04:00","filename_hash":"origin2_P1XnawX.jpg","width":732,"height":622},"filename":"c-pace-financing-leads-to-significant-energy-efficiencies","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Bok7Bg","created_at":"2024-09-04T12:21:02.482-04:00","updated_at":"2024-09-09T13:12:18.525-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board has closed two more Atlanta Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) projects \u0026ndash; helping PREP ATL South and the Origin Hotel incorporate high-efficiency measures to further the City\u0026rsquo;s clean energy goals.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board has approved two more Atlanta \u003ca href=\"/developers/opportunities-incentives/pace\"\u003eCommercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE)\u003c/a\u003e projects \u0026ndash; helping PREP ATL South and the Origin Hotel incorporate high-efficiency measures to further the City\u0026rsquo;s clean energy goals.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePREP ATL South\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePREP ATL South, a shared commercial kitchen space tailored for food truck owners and food production companies, will utilize $1.95 million in C-PACE financing for its facility in the Sylvan Hills neighborhood. High-efficiency upgrades will help PREP ATL South save more than $64,000 in annual energy and water costs and eliminate almost 300,000 pounds of CO2 emissions each year.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin Hotel\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhat was once a vacant commercial building in Downtown Atlanta is now being transformed into an upscale hospitality development. In addition to activating the community, the Origin Hotel will utilize $4.99 million in high-efficiency measures that will generate almost $20,000 in annual utility savings and eliminate over 200,000 pounds of CO2 emissions annually.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe C-PACE program provides financing to help companies make needed structural property repairs and upgrades to save energy and water. A wide range of commercial property types qualify for C-PACE financing, including hospitality, retail, mixed-use and multifamily buildings. Property owners can choose from hundreds of eligible building improvements, ranging from windows and doors to roofing, solar panel arrays and HVAC units.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince January 2024, four projects have received more than $13 million in C-PACE financing through Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":538,"title":"Invest Atlanta Board Approves Five Affordable Housing Resolutions","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Board Approves Five Affordable Housing Resolutions","published_date":"2024-08-31","featured_image":{"id":2699,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"bowen3.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":106868,"resource_updated_at":"2024-09-04T12:26:49.848-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-09-04T12:26:49.868-04:00","updated_at":"2024-09-04T12:27:05.813-04:00","filename_hash":"bowen3_QzXYkjb.jpg","width":1059,"height":592},"filename":"invest-atlanta-board-approves-five-affordable-housing-resolutions","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"FN0HZw","created_at":"2024-09-04T12:27:05.804-04:00","updated_at":"2024-09-04T12:27:05.804-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Housing affordability in Atlanta remains a top priority, and Invest Atlanta is committed to working alongside Mayor Andre Dickens to create and preserve 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030. Developments continue to fill the pipeline, moving the City ever closer to its goal.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHousing affordability in Atlanta remains a top priority, and Invest Atlanta is committed to working alongside Mayor Andre Dickens to create and preserve 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030. Developments continue to fill the pipeline, moving the City ever closer to its goal.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYear to date, Invest Atlanta has closed on financing for 735 affordable housing units and is projected to exceed 2,000 units by the end of the year. Below are some of the latest developments approved for Invest Atlanta financing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBowen Homes I\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBowen Homes I represents the first phase of a vibrant, mixed-income housing community and green space that will transform the surrounding Brookview Heights neighborhood. The development will revitalize a historically neglected and environmentally stressed area on James Jackson Parkway into a place of natural, social and economic regeneration. The Invest Atlanta Board authorized a $1.5 million Hollowell/M.L. King Tax Allocation District (TAD) grant, as well as $1.5 million in Series 2021 Housing Opportunity Bonds to finance the development. Affordability will include 48 units at 30% area median income (AMI), 49 units at 60% AMI and 54 units at market rate.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVerbena\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board approved a $75.5 million Lease Purchase Bond inducement resolution to finance the new construction of a 240 multifamily housing development in the Dixie Hills neighborhood. Located on what is currently a vacant lot on Verbena Street, the development is designed to foster community and a high quality of life, with 240 residential units across 10 garden style multifamily buildings. Affordability will include 23 units at 30% AMI, 194 units at 50% AMI and 23 units at 60% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBridge at Harwell\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $62.2 million Lease Purchase Bond inducement resolution approved by the Invest Atlanta Board will finance the new construction of a multifamily housing development in the Collier Heights neighborhood. Located on Harwell Road, the Bridge at Harwell will be a garden-style community featuring seven residential buildings and common areas. Of the 180 units, 152 will be made affordable at 60% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Avenue at 3060\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFinanced through $2.7 million in Housing Opportunity Bonds approved by the Invest Atlanta Board, The Avenue at 3060 will be a transformational gated community in the Collier Heights neighborhood. The former Sierra Ridge Apartment complex was originally built in 1973 and had a long history of violence, crime and substandard living conditions. In 2021, the property was gutted and is in the final phase of construction to preserve the development. Once complete, The Avenue at 3060 will feature 238 units \u0026ndash; 72 of which will be available at 60% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHerndon Square Phase III\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe revitalization of Herndon Square continues with the Invest Atlanta Board\u0026rsquo;s approval of $37 million in tax-exempt loan financing for Phase III. This phase will include the new construction of 178 multifamily housing units \u0026ndash; 151 of which will be available between 30-80% AMI. Located in the English Avenue neighborhood, Herndon Square Phase III is part of a mixed-use, mixed-income, master-planned community located adjacent to the Georgia Tech/Trammell Crowe\u0026rsquo;s 18-acre Science Square.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":534,"title":"Invest Atlanta Launches Tax Relief Program Serving Senior Residents ","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Launches Tax Relief Program Serving Senior Residents ","published_date":"2024-07-29","featured_image":{"id":2680,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"istock-1219544684.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1344725,"resource_updated_at":"2024-07-29T12:53:15.601-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-07-29T12:53:15.653-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-29T16:43:58.891-04:00","filename_hash":"istock-1219544684_j3noWQb.jpg","width":2120,"height":1414},"filename":"invest-atlanta-launches-tax-relief-program-serving-senior-residents","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"oTLxTw","created_at":"2024-07-29T12:53:55.834-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-29T16:43:58.883-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Working with the City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta has launched a new affordable housing initiative, providing tax relief to eligible senior homeowners with greater risk of displacement due to rising property taxes.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWorking with the City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta has launched a new affordable housing initiative, providing tax relief to eligible senior homeowners with greater risk of displacement due to rising property taxes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Anti-Displacement Tax Relief Fund program will be piloted in select Atlanta neighborhoods to support some of the city\u0026rsquo;s most vulnerable homeowners, and 200 qualified applicants will be randomly selected for participation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, the program underscores the City\u0026rsquo;s commitment to affordable housing, equitable growth and community preservation. \u0026ldquo;By offering crucial support to vulnerable homeowners facing the burden of escalating property taxes, particularly in areas of rapid gentrification, we ensure that our seniors, who have invested their lives in our neighborhoods, are not forced out by economic forces beyond their control,\u0026rdquo; says Mayor Dickens.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAn initial allocation of $10 million will pay property taxes above a base rate for qualifying applicants over a 20-year period if they continue to qualify. Applications will be accepted annually following the initial launch in the pilot area footprint.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy and population continue to grow, it is vital to invest in programs that protect long-term residents and preserve the cultural legacy of our communities,\u0026rdquo; says Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;The Anti-Displacement Tax Relief Fund will not only help senior residents remain in their homes but also create a more resilient and equitable city that benefits all.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta engaged APD Urban Planning Management to perform a displacement risk analysis to identify areas with the most vulnerable households. The areas selected for the pilot have a high concentration of owner-occupied senior households below 60% area median income.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta homeowners interested in the program are encouraged to visit \u003ca href=\"https://investatlanta.com/taxrelief\"\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Tax Relief Fund webpage\u003c/a\u003e, which includes a list of eligible neighborhoods, how to apply and resources available to assist applicants.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":532,"title":"Invest Atlanta Closes on Faith-Based Micro Loans","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Closes on Faith-Based Micro Loans","published_date":"2024-07-29","featured_image":{"id":2679,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"img_0547.jpeg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1063704,"resource_updated_at":"2024-07-29T12:26:34.011-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-07-29T12:26:34.072-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-29T12:32:11.381-04:00","filename_hash":"img_0547_lPZYPqr.jpeg","width":2048,"height":1536},"filename":"invest-atlanta-closes-on-faith-based-micro-loans","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ti3tMw","created_at":"2024-07-29T12:32:11.329-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-29T12:32:11.329-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta has completed the first five closings tied to the Faith-Based Initiative Micro Loan Program. Loan recipients include Providence Missionary Baptist Church, Church of God and Saints of Christ, RIZE Empowerment and Development Corp, The Path Church and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has completed the first five closings tied to the Faith-Based Initiative Micro Loan Program. Loan recipients include Providence Missionary Baptist Church, Church of God and Saints of Christ, RIZE Empowerment and Development Corp, The Path Church and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Andre Dickens announced the launch of the $500,000 forgivable loan program as part of the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Faith-Based Development Initiative (FBDI) in late 2023. This funding supports the creation of affordable housing on sites owned by faith institutions.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough the forgivable loan program, faith-based organizations can engage in pre-development work to help activate their land holdings to create affordable housing. Approximately 25 partner projects will be funded and will include support site due diligence such as appraisal, survey, architectural renderings and other allowable costs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;By partnering with places of worship to develop underutilized land owned by faith-based groups, we are leveraging even more tools to reach our Administration\u0026rsquo;s goal to build or preserve 20,000 units of affordable housing,\u0026rdquo; says Mayor Dickens. \u0026ldquo;Faiths of all backgrounds have the unifying thread of service to their community, so I thank these partners in advance because great things happen when we all come together for the good of the people.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe FBDI program was launched in February 2022 to connect faith-based organizations with resources and technical assistance to help bolster the activation of privately held land to create more affordable housing across Atlanta. The initiative has provided technical assistance to more than 500 organizations and has seen 12 faith institutions move forward with affordable housing development efforts on their sites.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Faith-Based Initiative Micro Loan Program is funded through the City\u0026rsquo;s Housing Trust Fund and is administered by Invest Atlanta, with up to $25,000 available per project. This program is for properties within the city of Atlanta, and planned development must include affordable housing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLearn more about the Faith-Based Development Initiative \u003ca href=\"https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/departments/city-planning/housing/faith-based-development-initiative\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":535,"title":"PREP for Success","promo_title":"PREP for Success","published_date":"2024-07-29","featured_image":{"id":2681,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"4e0a9969x2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":2318686,"resource_updated_at":"2024-07-29T13:14:10.440-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-07-29T13:14:10.603-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-29T16:44:25.083-04:00","filename_hash":"4e0a9969x2_lPZYzLQ.jpg","width":4695,"height":4222},"filename":"prep-for-success","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"yKmWfQ","created_at":"2024-07-29T13:15:44.967-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-29T16:44:25.073-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Ch\u0026eacute; Houston has been baking and decorating desserts for almost 30 years. During that time, she\u0026rsquo;s also overcome addiction and housing insecurity. Through it all, she knew her potential and that she could one day help others.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCh\u0026eacute; Houston has been baking and decorating desserts for almost 30 years. During that time, she\u0026rsquo;s also overcome addiction and housing insecurity. Through it all, she knew her potential and that she could one day help others.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I always wanted to open my own business and tried many times,\u0026rdquo; explains Ch\u0026eacute;, founder of \u003ca href=\"https://www.cherenemacarons.com/\"\u003eCh\u0026eacute; Ren\u0026eacute; Macarons \u0026amp; More\u003c/a\u003e, which features French Macarons with Southern finesse. \u0026ldquo;When I was finally able to legitimize my side hustle, I outgrew my home kitchen within six months.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThat\u0026rsquo;s when Ch\u0026eacute; found \u003ca href=\"https://www.prepkitchens.com/?utm_source=reachlocal\u0026amp;utm_medium=cpc\u0026amp;utm_campaign=semprepatlantasharedkitchens\u0026amp;scid=4246564\u0026amp;kw=31424831\u0026amp;pub_cr_id=670173269713\u0026amp;device=c\u0026amp;network=g\u0026amp;targetid=kwd-323738352602\u0026amp;loc_interest_ms\u0026amp;loc_physical_ms=9010770\u0026amp;tc=CjwKCAiAmZGrBhAnEiwAo9qHieFgkNrbnoTtOJIvBbFV4CWI7tjCrIAllELEaqiy_IebhQsSqvDsehoC_IUQAvD_BwE\u0026amp;rl_key=24defbe97a3db5b27c7f7b9e73827c9c\"\u003ePREP\u003c/a\u003e, a culinary accelerator platform that provides shared kitchen environments for food entrepreneurs, along with operational resources, consultation and other essential services like marketing, branding and networking.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The team at PREP helped me maneuver my way through the food service industry and get my business rolling,\u0026rdquo; says Ch\u0026eacute;. \u0026ldquo;They also offer constant support and encouragement. They take the time to explain things; they push me; they see me for who I am and what I\u0026rsquo;m trying to accomplish.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCh\u0026eacute; is one of 280 members in the PREP culinary ecosystem that includes more than 200,000 square feet of commercial kitchen space locations throughout Atlanta and one in Austin, Texas. PREP also has multiple spinoffs, including three Truck \u0026amp; Tap restaurant locations; PREP Food Junction \u0026ndash; a permanent station for food trucks; ChowDownATL \u0026ndash; an online ordering and takeout platform for PREP members; and PH\u0026rsquo;EAST, a Far East Street Feast, inspired by the hawker markets of Asia that offers small food operators a place to set up shop.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Our goal is to elevate local food entrepreneurs who desire to be part of a community,\u0026rdquo; explains Mitch Jaffe, PREP founder and CEO. \u0026ldquo;We offer the facilities, services, resources and network to remove barriers to entry and scale their business.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePREP, in fact, has created some 800 jobs in Atlanta and continues to expand with the opening of its fifth shared kitchen location \u0026ndash; PREP ATL South. It was during this expansion project that Mitch and Doug Marranci, PREP founder and COO, first connected with Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Mitch, the Invest Atlanta team helped PREP connect with city leaders, generate support and navigate the various approval processes. \u0026ldquo;From the very first call with Invest Atlanta, we felt welcome, supported and valued,\u0026rdquo; says Mitch. \u0026ldquo;The team took time to understand our business and have been active partners in identifying the services and connections that can help us achieve our goals.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDoug says one of those goals includes serving as a conduit to Invest Atlanta services for PREP members. \u0026ldquo;The team at Invest Atlanta is focused and connected and has so much to offer small businesses,\u0026rdquo; he says. \u0026ldquo;We plan to showcase Invest Atlanta services in our new community space at PREP ATL South so our members have access to every resource available.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor Ch\u0026eacute;, the PREP ecosystem goes far beyond providing a kitchen facility and resources to grow her business; it\u0026rsquo;s put her in a position to hire others on a similar life journey who are transitioning back into the workforce. \u0026ldquo;PREP helped me create a space and livelihood for people who are working towards their own long-term recovery,\u0026rdquo; says Ch\u0026eacute;. \u0026ldquo;It pulls at my heart. This business is bigger than me; it\u0026rsquo;s my purpose.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":533,"title":"Grant Opportunity Supports Access to Fresh Food","promo_title":"Grant Opportunity Supports Access to Fresh Food","published_date":"2024-07-26","featured_image":{"id":2003,"parent_id":7,"resource_file_name":"cpig_mantle.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":436323,"resource_updated_at":"2022-07-25T13:03:14.630-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-07-25T13:03:15.336-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-29T16:36:54.984-04:00","filename_hash":"cpig_mantle_j3DlByW.png","width":984,"height":360},"filename":"grant-opportunity-supports-access-to-fresh-food","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"WLoXMw","created_at":"2024-07-29T12:48:41.163-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-29T16:36:54.962-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta has launched a $750,000 grant opportunity for grocery store owners looking to make internal and external improvements to their commercial properties. The grant program provides up to $50,000 per project and is an expansion of the existing \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/commercial-property-improvement-grant\"\u003eCommercial Property Improvement Grant (CPIG)\u003c/a\u003e.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has launched a $750,000 grant opportunity for grocery store owners looking to make internal and external improvements to their commercial properties. The grant opportunity provides up to $50,000 per project and is an expansion of the existing \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/commercial-property-improvement-grant\"\u003eCommercial Property Improvement Grant (CPIG)\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The fresh food access grant program is a way for our Administration to develop community partnerships to ensure access to fresh, nutritious food to all of Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; says Mayor Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;In addition to closing the food access gap, these grants can help independent grocers expand and create jobs, become more energy efficient, enhance their property and a variety of added benefits for the surrounding neighborhoods.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eQualified grocery businesses selling fresh food may use grant funds to maintain or expand properties with eligible expenses. These include fa\u0026ccedil;ade enhancements, interior renovations, energy-efficient upgrades and other modifications that contribute to a more inviting and functional shopping environment. Grocery operators can also access technical assistance provided through the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) to help optimize supply chain processes and increase access to healthy, affordable food for the community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, the opportunity grant goes beyond increasing access to fresh food, it also supports small businesses, creates jobs and improves retail infrastructure. \u0026ldquo;Access to fresh food is not just a privilege, but a fundamental right that impacts our health and well-being,\u0026rdquo; says Dr. Klementich. \u0026ldquo;Alongside the City of Atlanta and our partners, we are working to ensure that investments to increase food access make a long-term, holistic impact on our communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Commercial Property Improvement Grant (CPIG) was created within the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e, in partnership with the United Way of Greater Atlanta. The fund was made possible by a $20 million donation from Wells Fargo to help small business owners in Atlanta own more of their businesses\u0026rsquo; assets, including property and equipment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information about the Commercial Property Improvement Grant and to apply, visit Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s website, \u003ca href=\"http://investatlanta.com/cpig\"\u003einvestatlanta.com/cpig\u003c/a\u003e. There is also a webinar recording that details the application process, eligibility requirements and program benefits. To learn more about Grocery Technical Assistance, watch \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFpZhQ5tQag\u0026amp;t=10s\"\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s informational session\u003c/a\u003e with IGA.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":531,"title":"ATLinBusiness Helps Craft Success for Esse Event Planning","promo_title":"ATLinBusiness Helps Craft Success for Esse Event Planning","published_date":"2024-07-16","featured_image":{"id":2671,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"reception_7_bts1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":489088,"resource_updated_at":"2024-07-16T12:01:16.571-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-07-16T12:01:16.610-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-16T12:01:33.381-04:00","filename_hash":"reception_7_bts1_3ko8jxJ.jpg","width":1500,"height":1200},"filename":"atlinbusiness-helps-craft-success-for-esse-event-planning","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"pxGjvw","created_at":"2024-07-16T12:01:33.359-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-16T12:01:33.359-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n From college event planning to a thriving business venture, Atlanta entrepreneur Sidney Hayes has transformed her passion into reality with Esse Event Planning.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFrom college event planning to a thriving business venture, Atlanta entrepreneur Sidney Hayes has transformed her passion into reality with \u003ca href=\"https://www.esseevents.com/\"\u003eEsse Event Planning\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026quot;It\u0026#39;s more than just an event; it\u0026#39;s about crafting a unique and individual experience,\u0026quot; says Hayes. \u0026quot;Events are personal, and I take the time to understand my clients to tailor each event to their personalities.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eEstablishing Esse Event Planning in 2021 was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. Hayes built her skill set by collaborating with upscale restaurants on weddings and apprenticing alongside Atlanta-based wedding and event planners, gaining invaluable experience along the way.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eHowever, the turning point for Esse Event Planning came when Hayes reached out to Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s \u003ca href=\"http://www.atlinbusiness.com\"\u003eATLinBusiness\u003c/a\u003e program. Partnering with a financial consultant through the program provided Hayes with crucial guidance and insight into launching and growing her business.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026quot;Invest Atlanta is like a personal mentor and business partner,\u0026quot; Hayes explains. \u0026quot;They guide you through the process of building a business, offering unwavering support every step of the way.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eEsse Event Planning stands as a testament to Hayes\u0026#39; commitment to crafting personalized, accessible, and meaningful events. She emphasizes the value of the support received through the ATLinBusiness program and encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to take advantage of Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s resources.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026quot;You can\u0026#39;t expect success to fall into your lap; it requires hard work and dedication,\u0026quot; Hayes advises. \u0026quot;ATLinBusiness is a great starting point for anyone considering starting a new business.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eATLinBusiness, provided by Invest Atlanta, offers no-cost services to entrepreneurs within the City of Atlanta. The program simplifies growing a business, providing tailored support in areas of expertise selected by business owners.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFor entrepreneurs looking to turn their dreams into reality, Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s ATLinBusiness program offers a valuable pathway to sustainable success.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":530,"title":"From Big Tech to Big Community Impact","promo_title":"From Big Tech to Big Community Impact","published_date":"2024-07-10","featured_image":{"id":2672,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"mg0a31611.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1440247,"resource_updated_at":"2024-07-16T12:03:19.160-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-07-16T12:03:19.260-04:00","updated_at":"2024-08-06T12:26:13.222-04:00","filename_hash":"mg0a31611_k38bRke.jpg","width":3840,"height":3072},"filename":"from-big-tech-to-big-community-impact","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"9dyWaA","created_at":"2024-07-10T16:28:27.011-04:00","updated_at":"2024-08-06T12:26:13.196-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFor Dillon Moses, founder of Dillon Digitals, now operating as OceanViews AI, building a technology company goes hand in hand with building an inclusive community. As the leader of a Black-owned technology company leveraging data analysis and AI, Dillon embodies the belief that technology is a multiplier for good. His journey highlights the potential to transform gaps into opportunities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDillon began his career as a technology consultant, working with organizations like US Bank, where he honed his skills identifying data patterns to solve complex problems. In 2012, he launched Dillon Digital to combat a troubling trend: technology often exacerbates income inequality. His goal is to break these barriers and provide unbiased AI data analyst insights.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Our mission is to find ways for technology to positively impact society,\u0026rdquo; said Dillon.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDillon knew he needed alternative funding sources to grow his business because underrepresented entrepreneurs receive less than 2% of Venture Capital funding. An opportunity came his way when he learned about Atlanta Open for Business through a colleague who attended an Invest Atlanta networking event. Learning about Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s involvement in the start-up community excited Dillon as he viewed the organization as a bridge to help diversify Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s blossoming tech scene.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOceanviews AI was selected as the first Atlanta Start-up Growth Loan Program recipient and awarded $150,000. The funding, part of the Atlanta Open for Business Fund, provided a six-month runway to build and scale without the immediate pressure of repayment. Dillon used the funds to hire an additional software engineer and upgrade the company\u0026#39;s servers\u0026ndash;both critical investments to enable the development of advanced technology solutions, including AI, to expand the organization\u0026rsquo;s reach and impact.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e helps small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in assets, such as commercial space, equipment and technology. It is supported by a donation of $20 million from \u003ca href=\"https://stories.wf.com/meaningful-investments-and-support-keep-small-business-doors-open/\"\u003eWells Fargo\u003c/a\u003e and in partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This experience shows the power of collaborating with policy makers and leaders who can create these opportunities,\u0026rdquo; shared Dillon. \u0026ldquo;I am proud to be a program ambassador and hope to inspire more founders to take advantage of these resources.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more about Oceanviews, visit \u003ca href=\"http://www.oceanviews.ai/\"\u003ewww.oceanviews.ai\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":529,"title":"Finding Community","promo_title":"Finding Community","published_date":"2024-07-09","featured_image":{"id":2666,"parent_id":170,"resource_file_name":"img_36721.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":298894,"resource_updated_at":"2024-07-09T17:16:08.279-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-07-09T17:16:08.303-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-17T16:55:40.027-04:00","filename_hash":"img_36721_LZP7akM.jpg","width":1197,"height":958},"filename":"finding-community","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"sCn_wg","created_at":"2024-07-09T17:13:18.524-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-17T16:55:39.996-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Affectionately known as Lillie, or Momma, Ms. Randle is well known at the Lakewood Christian Manor senior facility. At 95 years old, she stays busy exercising, dancing and even jumping rope, though, she claims, not like she used to. Most of all, Ms. Randle likes being with other people.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAffectionately known as Lillie, or Momma, Ms. Randle is well known at the Lakewood Christian Manor senior facility. At 95 years old, she stays busy exercising, dancing and even jumping rope, though, she claims, not like she used to. Most of all, Ms. Randle likes being with other people.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMs. Randle is an Atlanta native. She lived in the same house for much of her life, was brought up in the church, sang in the choir, raised seven children and worked as a receptionist for the Atlanta Lung Association for 25 years. After her husband passed and her children were grown, Ms. Randle was in search of a retirement home. At Lakewood Christian Manor, she found a sense of community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Everyone is kind and treats me with respect,\u0026rdquo; says Ms. Randle. \u0026ldquo;I like it here. It\u0026rsquo;s real nice.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMs. Randle has called Lakewood Christian Manor home since 1990. She lived on the ninth floor for 30 years but moved to the second floor after a recent renovation made possible by a $17.5 million tax-exempt loan from Invest Atlanta. Maintaining affordability was a key component of Lakewood\u0026#39;s renovation, which includes 21 units at 30% area median income (AMI), 154 units at 50% AMI and 75 units at 60% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis type of affordability is a strategic priority for Mayor Andre Dickens and the City of Atlanta, which has a goal to create and preserve 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030. And it\u0026rsquo;s crucial for legacy residents, ensuring they can remain in their communities amid rapid growth and rising home prices. For Ms. Randle, it allows her to continue to thrive in the place she loves and spend time with the people she loves \u0026ndash; one of which includes her daughter, who moved to Lakewood a few years ago.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I was taught to be kind, have a strong faith in God and treat everyone right,\u0026rdquo; says Ms. Randle. \u0026ldquo;The Lakewood community treats me right, and I appreciate that.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":527,"title":"Cargill to Open Atlanta Office, Creating 400 New Jobs","promo_title":"Cargill to Open Atlanta Office, Creating 400 New Jobs","published_date":"2024-07-03","featured_image":{"id":467,"parent_id":7,"resource_file_name":"about_prmedia_mantle_940x360.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":482807,"resource_updated_at":"2018-01-09T11:29:57.446-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-01-09T11:29:57.692-05:00","updated_at":"2024-07-09T17:01:04.796-04:00","filename_hash":"about_prmedia_mantle_940x360_Qg5Y7Mk.jpg","width":1880,"height":720},"filename":"cargill-to-open-atlanta-office-creating-400-new-jobs","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"J4vmtA","created_at":"2024-07-09T17:01:04.789-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-09T17:01:04.789-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGlobal food and agriculture leader Cargill is building on its already strong Georgia presence by establishing a new office hub in Atlanta, creating more than 400 jobs in the metro area. The company\u0026rsquo;s Digital, Technology and Data (DT\u0026amp;D) organization will be the initial primary occupant of the Atlanta hub, which will open in the fall of 2024.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Georgia, and Atlanta, are welcoming, business-friendly environments that provide an ideal backdrop for Cargill\u0026rsquo;s investment in technology and innovation,\u0026rdquo; says Cargill Board Chair and CEO Brian Sikes, \u0026ldquo;With a new office hub in Atlanta, Cargill will be able to harness the immense potential of digital technology to drive our business forward.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCargill is now hiring in preparation for its fall opening. Current and future job opportunities are available in data engineering, generative artificial intelligence, SAP and other critical fields \u0026ndash; all of which will be posted in the careers section of Cargill\u0026rsquo;s website.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Jennifer Hartsock, Cargill\u0026rsquo;s chief information and digital officer, the company\u0026rsquo;s decision to establish an office in Atlanta underscores its recognition of the city\u0026#39;s thriving tech innovation hub. \u0026ldquo;Atlanta\u0026#39;s rich pool of technical talent provides unparalleled access to the expertise needed to drive our digital transformation,\u0026rdquo; says Hartsock. \u0026ldquo;Employees working at this facility will help create digital solutions that power our global food supply chain, harness analytics and artificial intelligence to open new markets and drive technical innovation to make our food system more sustainable and accessible.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith more than 159 years of experience, Cargill sources, makes and delivers food products around the world, operating in 70 countries and selling to 125 global markets. The company is also an active community partner, contributing more than $1 million in the past year to support the Georgia FFA Foundation; Georgia Mountain Food Bank; Emory University; Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANNRS); and local schools.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta is a city committed to opportunity where companies have the talent, resources and welcoming environment needed to accelerate business in today\u0026rsquo;s global economy,\u0026rdquo; says Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;By choosing Atlanta, Cargill is creating 400 new jobs that can further our economic growth and access to upward mobility for more residents in the city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":526,"title":"New State Opportunity Zones Approved in Atlanta ","promo_title":"New State Opportunity Zones Approved in Atlanta ","published_date":"2024-07-03","featured_image":{"id":435,"parent_id":7,"resource_file_name":"istock-516599252.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":351488,"resource_updated_at":"2018-01-05T16:02:40.241-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":3,"created_at":"2018-01-05T16:02:40.505-05:00","updated_at":"2024-12-18T11:14:24.996-05:00","filename_hash":"istock-516599252_npZWpm4.jpg","width":1880,"height":720},"filename":"new-state-opportunity-zones-approved-in-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"-5enWg","created_at":"2024-07-09T16:50:27.694-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-09T16:50:27.694-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has designated new Opportunity Zones in Southwest Atlanta to help encourage business growth, job creation and economic revitalization.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOpportunity Zones provide a federal incentive in the form of a tax credit to businesses that create jobs within designated areas deemed economically distressed.\u0026nbsp;The new zones include areas along Campbellton Road near the Greenbriar Mall and areas along Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Bringing new investment and jobs to Campbellton Road, Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and other key corridors is a vital part of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development strategy,\u0026rdquo; says Mayor Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;These new Opportunity Zone designations will encourage small business investment that leads to increased prosperity for residents in these communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe parcels of land along Campbellton Road (primarily Atlanta City Council District 11) and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive (primarily Atlanta City Council District 10) met the DCA requirements for Opportunity Zone status, such as underdevelopment, blighted conditions and general distress. Businesses located on these specific parcels are eligible to apply for the Opportunity Zone tax credit.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta coordinates the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Opportunity Zone program and, according to Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, the incentive has a positive, long-term effect \u0026ldquo;Opportunity Zones will accelerate the impact we are making in these communities through the Tax Allocation Districts along these corridors and other economic development programs,\u0026rdquo; says Dr. Klementich. \u0026ldquo;In the last five years, the Opportunity Zone program has created 4,601 jobs in underinvested areas of the city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCampbellton Road and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive are two of nine currently active State of Georgia Opportunity Zones in the city. The $3,500 per job state tax credit is available to businesses that create at least two jobs in a tax year. Georgia Opportunity Zone tax credits are good for up to five years and a maximum of $17,500 as long the jobs are maintained.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOpportunity Zones were established under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As of 2024, there are 8,764 Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs) in the United States designated to spur economic growth and investment in economically distressed areas through tax incentives. Each state and territory nominate their own zones, which are then certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information about Georgia\u0026rsquo;s Opportunity Zone program, visit \u003ca href=\"https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.investatlanta.com\u0026amp;c=E,1,O6QczIIVcVg01shBrrGP5E6Dl3F5UAEbs7sEq4I1QCT0K8o_k0ThqnU56m2q5bwlfyDLVwpgPI-WA3WcCTKZ7AFssXZk00SCOyeh0G4trWaePlc,\u0026amp;typo=1\u0026amp;ancr_add=1\"\u003ewww.investatlanta.com\u003c/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.dca.ga.gov\u0026amp;c=E,1,y6vCMNmLPgyLMLwUuyOu28MNwedErrErVyUHjuYBlZd5zoO4rvdqQWVGLY67T_1B9gJ9xIoPf0HxPpRlwpoDn0JP2OhBKgFYgl0PHOa6J_s,\u0026amp;typo=1\u0026amp;ancr_add=1\"\u003ewww.dca.ga.gov\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":525,"title":"The Vision for Centennial Yards","promo_title":"The Vision for Centennial Yards","published_date":"2024-06-26","featured_image":{"id":2663,"parent_id":170,"resource_file_name":"cent1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":141458,"resource_updated_at":"2024-07-09T16:39:20.513-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-07-09T16:39:20.538-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-10T13:56:38.213-04:00","filename_hash":"cent1_nMbK6RY.jpg","width":937,"height":529},"filename":"the-vision-for-centennial-yards","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"-QzQvw","created_at":"2024-07-09T16:40:01.432-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-10T13:56:38.193-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Working with the City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta and CIM Group are partnering to develop the area formerly known as the Gulch in Downtown Atlanta, representing a public-private partnership that will create a world-class destination and spur significant economic growth for the city.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWorking with the City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta and CIM Group are partnering to develop the area formerly known as the Gulch in Downtown Atlanta, representing a public-private partnership that will create a world-class destination and spur significant economic growth for the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe vision for Centennial Yards includes the transformation of downtown rail lines and parking lots into a bustling, mixed-use, 50-acre development adjacent to State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This expansive city attraction will feature high-end restaurants and retail, entertainment, 5-star hotels, innovative workplaces for businesses of all sizes and thousands of residential units.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce complete, Centennial Yards will boast 900,000 square feet of retail space, 2.8 million square feet of residential housing (including more than 200 affordable units), 1.7 million square feet of hospitality venues, along with a 300,000 square foot Data Center and 6,000 parking stalls.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCentennial Yards is situated at the crossroads of Georgia\u0026rsquo;s transportation system, 20 minutes from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and 10 minutes from Midtown Atlanta. MARTA lines converge at Centennial Yards, along with easy access to the Atlanta BeltLine \u0026ndash; the 22-mile loop of trails, transit and parks connecting 45 intown neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAt its June 2024 meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved the monetization of previously issued bonds to help accelerate the development of Centennial Yards and further the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s development goals for Downtown Atlanta and the adjacent Westside Tax Allocation District\u0026nbsp;neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":528,"title":"Brownfield Cleanup Grant Paves Way for New Affordable Housing Development","promo_title":"Brownfield Cleanup Grant Paves Way for New Affordable Housing Development","published_date":"2024-06-26","featured_image":{"id":2664,"parent_id":170,"resource_file_name":"fcs2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":69020,"resource_updated_at":"2024-07-09T17:07:32.691-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-07-09T17:07:32.709-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-09T17:07:40.402-04:00","filename_hash":"fcs2_D3LkVRE.jpg","width":749,"height":495},"filename":"brownfield-cleanup-grant-paves-way-for-new-affordable-housing-development","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"V-vaYw","created_at":"2024-07-09T17:07:40.395-04:00","updated_at":"2024-07-09T17:07:40.395-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board has approved a $550,000 brownfield cleanup subgrant for the remediation of a contaminated site in South Atlanta prior to its development.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board has approved a $550,000 brownfield cleanup subgrant for the remediation of a contaminated site in South Atlanta prior to its development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe grant, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was awarded to FCS Urban Ministries Inc., to address a 0.53-acre property on McDonough Boulevard that was compromised by previous petroleum service stations and nearby dry-cleaning facilities.\u0026nbsp; The grant will remediate contaminated soil and remove asbestos-containing material. Vapor barriers will also be installed to mitigate contamination from the former dry-cleaning sites.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce complete, FCS Urban Ministries will redevelop the property into two, three-story buildings that will house 18 apartment units \u0026ndash; 12 of which will be made affordable serving 60% area median income and below. The development will also include a third, two-story building that will house a restaurant tenant with below-market rents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe $8 million project is expected to create 25 jobs and is located .5 miles from the Atlanta BeltLine. FCS Urban Ministries is a nonprofit community developer that has worked in South Atlanta for more than 20 years.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":524,"title":"Increasing Access to Healthy Food","promo_title":"Increasing Access to Healthy Food","published_date":"2024-05-30","featured_image":{"id":2500,"parent_id":7,"resource_file_name":"untitled_design_-1-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1410947,"resource_updated_at":"2023-09-12T10:30:31.933-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2023-09-12T10:30:34.321-04:00","updated_at":"2024-08-02T09:55:23.090-04:00","filename_hash":"untitled_design_-1-_B3951l7.png","width":1340,"height":631},"filename":"increasing-access-to-healthy-food","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"3YXbHg","created_at":"2024-05-30T09:44:01.829-04:00","updated_at":"2024-05-30T09:51:51.532-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Working with City leadership, Invest Atlanta is identifying a range of solutions to address food insecurity and ensure that every Atlantan lives close to healthy food options.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWorking with City leadership, Invest Atlanta is identifying a range of solutions to address food insecurity and ensure that every Atlantan lives close to healthy food options.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo accomplish this, Invest Atlanta is prioritizing investments in programs that attract major supermarkets and grocery stores; expand, retain and improve corner and neighborhood markets; support innovative food access models; and drive policy, system and environment change. The goal of this food access strategy is for 85% of residents to live within a half-mile of fresh, affordable food by 2025.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRecent progress has been made to address food insecurity and access to healthy food, including:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIndependent Grocers Alliance (IGA) Named Technical Assistance Provider for Grocery Retail Operations\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta selected the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) as its technical assistance provider to support grocery retail operations in Atlanta. IGA was selected as part of a formal Request for Qualitied Contractors process, where the organization demonstrated expertise in the areas of grocery marketing and merchandising; supply chain and logistics; knowledge and management training; and networking and collaboration techniques. IGA will offer guidance and support to applicants looking to grow and expand their established grocery businesses in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRequest for Qualified Contractors for Municipal Grocery Store Development\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith a goal to increase the pipeline of businesses interested in establishing or expanding their grocery offerings within the city of Atlanta \u0026ndash; primarily in communities with food accessibility challenges \u0026ndash; Invest Atlanta has issued a Request for Qualified Contractors for Municipal Grocery Store Development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eQualified entities will develop and operate a municipal grocery store within the city of Atlanta and partner with Invest Atlanta to provide general consultation and service implementation related to food access opportunities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":521,"title":"The Invest Atlanta Board Approves Financing for 444 Affordable Housing Units","promo_title":"The Invest Atlanta Board Approves Financing for 444 Affordable Housing Units","published_date":"2024-05-29","featured_image":{"id":2635,"parent_id":166,"resource_file_name":"refuge1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":265999,"resource_updated_at":"2024-05-29T15:12:43.887-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-05-29T15:12:43.920-04:00","updated_at":"2024-09-30T17:50:10.414-04:00","filename_hash":"refuge1_RzBZjKD.jpg","width":1463,"height":829},"filename":"the-invest-atlanta-board-approves-financing-for-444-affordable-housing-units","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"B-YYYQ","created_at":"2024-05-29T15:13:08.363-04:00","updated_at":"2024-05-29T15:13:08.363-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n During its May meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board approved financing for the creation or preservation of 444 affordable housing units throughout the city of Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDuring its May meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board approved financing for the creation or preservation of 444 affordable housing units throughout the city of Atlanta. The approved financing will support the development of affordable multifamily housing in Southside, Eastside, Westside and Downtown neighborhoods with a range of area median incomes (AMI), including some low-income housing at or below 30% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Invest Atlanta Board continues to prioritize affordable housing investments, so more Atlanta residents have access to safe, quality housing in the communities they choose to live in,\u0026rdquo; says Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;I commend the board for this significant investment that puts us one step closer to our housing affordability goal and commitment to make Atlanta a city with opportunities for all.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is committed to working alongside Mayor Dickens to create and preserve 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030. Since the start of his term in January 2022, Invest Atlanta has closed on financing to support the creation or preservation of 3,640 housing units, including 3,314 affordable housing units (91%). This amounts to a $1.05 billion total capital investment for housing in the city of Atlanta. Below are the latest projects approved for development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMetropolitan Place\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $37.5 million tax-exempt loan and a $2.9 million housing opportunity bond loan will help finance the new construction of 176 affordable multifamily housing units and mixed-use development in the Perkerson neighborhood. All of the Metropolitan Place housing units will be available at 70% AMI or less with 36 units offered at or below 30% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCity of Refuge Transformation Center\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $2 million Beltline Tax Allocation District (TAD) increment grant will support the new construction of a mixed-use development located in the historic West End Heights/Bankhead neighborhood. The center will include 25 affordable housing units, including 13 units at or below 30% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLewis Crossing\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $1 million Westside TAD Ascension Fund grant will provide financing for the construction of a new 50-unit multifamily development in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood. The development is a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with community amenities available to residents earning between 50-80% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrinity United Methodist\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $2 million Eastside TAD grant will support the new construction of 54 senior housing units in Downtown Atlanta, 48 of which will be affordable at 80% AMI or less. The redevelopment of this campus across from Atlanta City Hall will restore and repurpose the historic sanctuary on the east side of the property for multiple uses, including event space, while allowing the church to continue hosting worship services.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCapitol Gateway \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eApproved during the April Invest Atlanta Board meeting, the Capitol Gateway mix-income development will soon be renovated with help from $2 million in financing from Series 2021 Housing Opportunity Bond allocations approved by the Invest Atlanta Board. The former Capitol Homes site located in the Capitol Gateway community was first renovated in 2007 and is now out of its Low-Income Housing Tax Credit compliance period. The current renovation will use a new allocation of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and preserve affordability with 163 units being made available at 60% AMI or below.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As Atlanta continues to grow, we continue to work very intentionally to ensure that affordable housing investments bring lasting social and economic benefits to more residents,\u0026rdquo; says Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Last year, Invest Atlanta provided $175 million for housing initiatives to ensure that residents have access to affordable housing to increase long-term stability and build wealth. These investments are more than housing alone, they are a foundation for building strong inclusive communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Renting\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":523,"title":"Atlanta Open for Business Fund Making a Difference","promo_title":"Atlanta Open for Business Fund Making a Difference","published_date":"2024-05-29","featured_image":{"id":769,"parent_id":7,"resource_file_name":"campbellton_road_mantle.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2262514,"resource_updated_at":"2018-11-28T10:13:41.006-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":3,"created_at":"2018-11-28T10:13:41.139-05:00","updated_at":"2024-06-04T16:27:47.747-04:00","filename_hash":"campbellton_road_mantle_oMJewEN.png","width":1800,"height":689},"filename":"atlanta-open-for-business-fund-making-a-difference","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Ak4_1A","created_at":"2024-05-29T15:51:18.556-04:00","updated_at":"2024-06-04T16:27:47.725-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n In the heart of Atlanta\u0026#39;s bustling economic landscape lies Invest Atlanta: a hub for small businesses navigating the city\u0026#39;s competitive landscape. One of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s programs, the Atlanta Open for Business Fund, is making a difference.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta is often said to be the economic epicenter of the Southeast. The city boasts a multifaceted economy, corporate giants, film studios and the world\u0026#39;s busiest airport. While many notice the growth in these large corporations, small businesses are also a thriving network, comprising nearly 15,000 enterprises, many of which are Black-owned\u0026mdash;a testament to Atlanta\u0026#39;s diverse entrepreneurial spirit.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn the heart of Atlanta\u0026#39;s bustling economic landscape lies Invest Atlanta: a hub for small businesses navigating the city\u0026#39;s competitive landscape. One of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s programs, the \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e, is making a difference.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs we conclude Small Business Month, the spotlight turns to how this program is making a big impact on small businesses in the city. In 2022, Wells Fargo made a $20 million philanthropic investment into the city, through partnership with the United Way of Greater Atlanta, to help grow small businesses. Since launching two years ago, nearly $9 million has been provided in grants, loans and technical assistance.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;Atlanta is a great city, but there remains a significant wealth gap. Part of closing that gap is helping small businesses thrive long term with greater access to capital and expertise,\u0026rdquo; emphasizes Senior Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Impact at Wells Fargo Tai Roberson.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Public-private partnerships that support minority businesses play a big role in increasing economic equity in Atlanta. According to national averages, 35 percent of white business owners received all the financing they applied for, compared to 16 percent of Black business owners. The Atlanta Open for Business Fund is helping to level that playing field,\u0026rdquo; added Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta Open for Business has not only provided financial assistance to local businesses\u0026ndash;it has also served as a catalyst for tangible change. To date, more than 200 small businesses have been supported through four different funds and technical assistance services.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/atlanta-recovery-loan-program\"\u003eAtlanta Recovery Loan Fund\u003c/a\u003e: 58 loans closed since inception, $4,826,000 invested\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/commercial-property-improvement-grant\"\u003eCommercial Property Improvement Grant\u003c/a\u003e: 51 grants closed, $2,409,050 invested\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/commercial-down-payment-assistance\"\u003eCommercial Down Payment Assistance Program\u003c/a\u003e: 5 loans closed, $1,165,000 invested\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/atlanta-startup-growth-program\"\u003eAtlanta Startup Growth Loan\u003c/a\u003e: 5 loans closed, $576,500 invested\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://atlinbusiness.com/atlanta-open-for-business-fund/\"\u003eTechnical Assistance\u003c/a\u003e: 169 businesses, 1,487 hours of technical assistance provided\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e85.6% of OFB businesses funded are minority-owned businesses\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e78.8% of OFB businesses funded are Black-owned businesses\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e66% of OFB funded businesses are women-owned businesses\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small businesses are the lifeblood of our city\u0026rsquo;s vibrant economy. Through initiatives like the Atlanta Open for Business Fund, we are not just investing in businesses, but in the future of children, families and communities,\u0026rdquo; says \u003ca href=\"https://unitedwayatlanta.org/\"\u003eUnited Way of Greater Atlanta\u003c/a\u003e President and CEO Milton J. Little, Jr.\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;These efforts support United Way\u0026rsquo;s Child Well-Being Agenda and are essential in closing the wealth gap to ensure that all entrepreneurs, especially minority and women-owned businesses, have the opportunity to thrive. The success of this program underscores the impact of public-private partnerships and community support in fostering economic equity and resilience in our city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta Open for Business is more than numbers. At the heart of our success are the people whose lives have been touched and their businesses forever changed. This program is not only about funds but also about the power and pride of community support.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eParis Stewart, owner of Tall Towers and recipient of the Commercial Property Improvement Grant shares, \u0026quot;I have learned so much about my business. The money helped me rebuild my building\u0026mdash;floors, electrical infrastructure. You are going to get more than funds. You are going to get a support system.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGinny Hodges McLendon, Senior Consultant with the Wells Fargo Foundation remarks, \u0026quot;As we enter into the last year of the program, we are excited to see what type of groundwork this investment has made to strengthen the small business community over the long term. It will go well beyond this three-year and $20 million investment, with life-changing wins for small businesses as we move forward together.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn a city teeming with opportunities, Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Open for Business Fund stands as a testament to the power of community, collaboration and unwavering commitment. As Small Business Month unfolds, let us celebrate not just the numbers, but the stories of resilience, innovation and a true testament to the enduring spirit of Atlanta\u0026#39;s small business community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":522,"title":"Salvation Army Receives Funding to Increase Impact","promo_title":"Salvation Army Receives Funding to Increase Impact","published_date":"2024-05-01","featured_image":{"id":2512,"parent_id":158,"resource_file_name":"sa4.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":487076,"resource_updated_at":"2023-09-28T10:33:46.983-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2023-09-28T10:33:47.126-04:00","updated_at":"2024-05-30T13:33:55.043-04:00","filename_hash":"sa4_pz3qN1p.jpg","width":2200,"height":1221},"filename":"salvation-army-receives-funding-to-increase-impact","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"hJgEOg","created_at":"2024-05-29T15:30:53.998-04:00","updated_at":"2024-05-30T13:33:55.026-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"https://atlantaemergingmarkets.org/\"\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc.\u003c/a\u003e (AEMI) has awarded $15 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation to the Salvation Army\u0026rsquo;s HOPE with Dignity campaign. This award is in addition to a $2 million Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Ascension Fund Grant previously approved by the Invest Atlanta Board.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://atlantaemergingmarkets.org/\"\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc.\u003c/a\u003e (AEMI) has awarded $15 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation to the Salvation Army\u0026rsquo;s HOPE with Dignity campaign. This award is in addition to a $2 million Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Ascension Fund Grant previously approved by the Invest Atlanta Board.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe AEMI NMTC transaction will support the construction of a five-story, 53,000-square-foot addition to expand the Salvation Army\u0026rsquo;s Red Shield Shelter on Marietta Street. The building will include an emergency shelter with 230 beds, along with a dedicated Education and Workforce Development Center, medical exam rooms, laundry facilities and common areas.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe NMTC-financed project is the first phase of a broader campus redevelopment that will include extensive renovations to the existing 46,000-square-foot homeless shelter to improve sleeping areas, case management and kitchen/dining space.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe project will allow the Salvation Army to provide shelter to more than 2,000 men, women and children experiencing homelessness annually and will create emergency shelter space with 230 beds across four floors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Salvation Army\u0026rsquo;s Red Shield Services Emergency and Transitional Housing Facility is one of the largest shelters for individuals experiencing homelessness in Atlanta, delivering emergency assistance, residential treatment\u0026nbsp;and rehousing programs. Red Shield received a Gold Certification for its programs, making it the highest-rated Salvation Army shelter in the Southern Territory.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFounded in 1890, the Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta is a financially independent chapter with 17 locations across a 13-county footprint in Northeast Georgia. The organization provides a range of programming focused on homelessness services, youth enrichment and anti-trafficking programs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":519,"title":"Koncept House: Opening Doors and Spaces for Local Atlanta Entrepreneurs","promo_title":"Koncept House: Opening Doors and Spaces for Local Atlanta Entrepreneurs","published_date":"2024-04-18","featured_image":{"id":2623,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"anthony-5.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":4717903,"resource_updated_at":"2024-04-18T12:01:39.532-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-04-18T12:01:41.254-04:00","updated_at":"2024-04-18T12:02:55.825-04:00","filename_hash":"anthony-5_NZokDj5.jpg","width":2670,"height":4000},"filename":"koncept-house-opening-doors-and-spaces-for-local-atlanta-entrepreneurs","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"tiveMg","created_at":"2024-04-18T12:02:51.679-04:00","updated_at":"2024-04-18T12:02:51.679-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n For Koncept House founder Anthony Gee, entrepreneurship is a family tradition.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFor Koncept House founder Anthony Gee, entrepreneurship is a family tradition. Gee watched his mother build her own salon when he was a young boy, which instilled lifelong lessons that would go on to serve him\u0026nbsp;in powerful ways. Koncept House in Castleberry Hill embodies this legacy of supporting others, serving as a nontraditional co-working space that provides flexible, creative environments for entrepreneurs. Koncept House partners with 28 entrepreneurs\u0026ndash;a majority of which are Black female creators\u0026ndash;who offer a range of services and products from skincare to coffee, vitamins and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the opening of Koncept House in 2019, Gee saw more and more growth but not enough spaces to accommodate burgeoning entrepreneurs. \u0026ldquo;As the waitlist of entrepreneurs kept growing, I knew there was a demand for a second location of Koncept House,\u0026rdquo; Gee says.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHaving a different business model, he knew they needed a different type of funding partner.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Financing is challenging because people don\u0026rsquo;t understand our market,\u0026rdquo; he explains \u0026ldquo;If you are a bank you don\u0026rsquo;t want to back a place with a bunch of small companies. It isn\u0026rsquo;t traditional coworking. Our business model is very different.\u0026rdquo; This led him to search for a less traditional funding source--one he found in the Atlanta Open for Business Fund - \u003ca href=\"http://investatlanta.com/cdpa\"\u003eCommercial Down Payment Assistance Program\u003c/a\u003e (CDPA).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCDPA offers low-interest financing to assist existing business owners in the city of Atlanta with purchasing commercial property. Through this program, Gee and his team were able to receive the guidance and financial support needed to make their dream of a second location a reality.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e is designed to help small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment and technology. It is supported by a generous donation of $20 million from Wells Fargo and in partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta to help Atlanta businesses impacted by the pandemic recover.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe impact of the Atlanta Open for Business Fund on Koncept House will reverberate for years to come. Through CDPA, Koncept House\u0026rsquo;s new location on the Beltline will house 15-18 entrepreneurs and provide them the space and support needed to take their next steps in fulfilling their entrepreneurial goals.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eExplore \u003ca href=\"https://www.koncepthouse.com/\"\u003eKoncept House\u003c/a\u003e to learn more about their incredible entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":520,"title":"What Happens When Entrepreneurs Dream","promo_title":"What Happens When Entrepreneurs Dream","published_date":"2024-04-15","featured_image":{"id":2625,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"img_7914.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":2073727,"resource_updated_at":"2024-04-18T12:52:13.563-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-04-18T12:52:13.749-04:00","updated_at":"2024-04-18T15:50:18.522-04:00","filename_hash":"img_7914_OzoVyP6.jpg","width":1284,"height":1470},"filename":"what-happens-when-entrepreneurs-dream","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"WhoYlQ","created_at":"2024-04-18T12:52:54.319-04:00","updated_at":"2024-04-18T12:52:54.319-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eHaving a business idea is the easy part. Figuring out how to execute it can get tricky. That\u0026rsquo;s exactly the position Lauren Watts found herself when she initially created \u003ca href=\"https://www.bloo-print.com/\"\u003eBlooPrint\u003c/a\u003e Imaginative Play, an educational subscription box company based in Atlanta. The idea came to Watts during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when children were not in school. Lauren wanted to create something fun that the kids could do while they learn at home - practical activities that introduced them to new careers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;I\u0026#39;d tried different strategies, and nothing kind of took, because I felt like no one could truly understand what I was doing, or could point me to the resources as to where I could get this done,\u0026rdquo; Lauren explains.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAfter Lauren applied for a business license, she discovered the resources the ATLinBusiness program offered. She was partnered with one of the skilled consultants in the program for help.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;It gave me confidence. We sat down and discussed marketing and built a strategy. It was intense in a good way. I learned a lot. I was able to get my company trademarked in this process thanks to their guidance,\u0026rdquo; Lauren said.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eATLinBuiness is a program provided by Invest Atlanta. It provides no-cost services to entrepreneurs inside the city of Atlanta. The process is simple: apply for the program, get partnered with a consultant, then work together to grow your business. Business owners can select what area of expertise they need support.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;After success with marketing, Lauren was paired with another consultant to work on e-commerce.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;And the fact that it\u0026#39;s free, I feel almost spoiled that everyone is not literally taking advantage of this. It\u0026#39;s almost effortless. In a sense, it\u0026#39;s like you have your own personal professional in your back pocket just to make sure that you\u0026#39;re going down the right path. I\u0026#39;m super grateful,\u0026rdquo; Lauren says.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBlooPrint started as a subscription box but Lauren\u0026#39;s\u0026nbsp;vision is\u0026nbsp;to have a physical space in Atlanta where children can dream big and actively play.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;ATLinBusiness wants small businesses to thrive in the city. They have given me so many resources, and I know I can count on them to keep helping me grow,\u0026rdquo; she adds.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eShe says while she could try and navigate it alone, she won\u0026rsquo;t have to because Invest Atlanta is in her corner.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eReady to level up your business? If you are a small business in the City of Atlanta and interested in learning more about ATLinBusiness, \u003ca href=\"https://atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003evisit the website\u003c/a\u003e and begin the process of being partnered with a consultant at no cost to you.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":517,"title":"The First Step to a New Life","promo_title":"The First Step to a New Life","published_date":"2024-03-27","featured_image":{"id":2614,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"firststep-55.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":998284,"resource_updated_at":"2024-03-27T13:30:59.622-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-03-27T13:31:00.819-04:00","updated_at":"2024-04-02T13:55:23.192-04:00","filename_hash":"firststep-55_nMzwPgY.jpg","width":3600,"height":2400},"filename":"the-first-step-to-a-new-life","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"fLBJlA","created_at":"2024-03-27T13:31:59.166-04:00","updated_at":"2024-04-02T13:55:23.168-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"https://www.firststepstaffing.com/\"\u003eFirst Step Staffing\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;combines its nonprofit mission with for-profit expertise to offer meaningful staffing solutions for local business partners. It is the largest nonprofit employment agency in the country that provides comprehensive skills training and job placement services to its clients \u0026ndash; most of whom face significant employment barriers.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.firststepstaffing.com/\"\u003eFirst Step Staffing\u003c/a\u003e combines its nonprofit mission with for-profit expertise to offer meaningful staffing solutions for local business partners. It is the largest nonprofit employment agency in the country that provides comprehensive skills training and job placement services to its clients \u0026ndash; most of whom face significant employment barriers.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAt First Step, people who are experiencing homelessness, who have a criminal history or who have physical or mental disabilities are given a chance at meaningful employment and opportunities for economic stability.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo support the organization\u0026rsquo;s continued growth and impact, Atlanta Emerging Markets Inc. (AEMI) closed on an $11 million New Markets Tax Credits transaction. This funding will help increase First Step\u0026rsquo;s employee retention services to support 700 clients and grow its temporary job placement program to support 3,000 clients, an increase of 900 clients annually.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe AEMI funding will also support the expansion of Second Step, a job training and certification program that focuses on high-demand, high-wage industries, including warehouse logistics and distribution, construction, IT support and commercial truck driving.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSecond Step and employee retention services programs are currently being piloted in Atlanta. They will be scaled in eight markets across the U.S. \u0026ndash; expanding First Step\u0026rsquo;s vision to create opportunity and dignity through employment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCreated by Invest Atlanta, AEMI is a certified community development entity that fosters economic development, job creation and neighborhood revitalization in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s underinvested communities. It specializes in gap financing for businesses and developers with large-scale projects, as well as social impact enterprises and nonprofits seeking low-cost capital.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":516,"title":"March: Affordable Housing Roundup","promo_title":"March: Affordable Housing Roundup","published_date":"2024-03-27","featured_image":{"id":2613,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"grande3.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":185476,"resource_updated_at":"2024-03-27T13:23:13.694-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-03-27T13:23:14.351-04:00","updated_at":"2024-04-02T13:55:02.802-04:00","filename_hash":"grande3_lPxwYJX.jpg","width":1076,"height":737},"filename":"march-affordable-housing-roundup","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"d2dGUQ","created_at":"2024-03-27T13:24:13.394-04:00","updated_at":"2024-04-02T13:55:02.768-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Housing affordability in Atlanta remains a top priority, and Invest Atlanta is committed to working alongside Mayor Andre Dickens to create and preserve 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030. Developments continue to fill the pipeline, moving us ever closer to our goal.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHousing affordability in Atlanta remains a top priority, and Invest Atlanta is committed to working alongside Mayor Andre Dickens to create and preserve 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030. Developments continue to fill the pipeline, moving us ever closer to our goal. Below are the latest projects for development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrinity Towers\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocated in the Perkerson neighborhood, Trinity Towers is a senior housing development originally constructed in 1975 and renovated in 2005 using Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. The Invest Atlanta Board approved $24.5 million in tax-exempt bonds for the building\u0026rsquo;s acquisition and restoration, which will preserve 239 restricted affordable units serving 60% of the area median income (AMI) and below. The renovation will include all common areas and residential units.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSweet Auburn Grande\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe historic Sweet Auburn neighborhood will soon have a newly constructed multifamily housing development featuring 109 units \u0026ndash; 92 of which will be affordable at 30%-80% AMI. The original structure that is currently on the site was built in 1908 and once housed the Atlanta State Savings Bank, the first Black-owned bank in Atlanta and Georgia\u0026rsquo;s first state-chartered Black bank. Using $3 million in financing from the 2023 Housing Opportunity Bond, the developer will preserve this historic structure as part of the development. Sweet Auburn Grande will also include 8,700 square feet of ground-floor retail and a structured parking deck for the development and the planned future redevelopment of the nearby historic YMCA.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Sweet Auburn\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":515,"title":"Wadada: Serving Up Healthy Living and Hospitality in Atlanta ","promo_title":"Wadada: Serving Up Healthy Living and Hospitality in Atlanta ","published_date":"2024-03-13","featured_image":{"id":2604,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"headshot_wadada_backdrop.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":4662043,"resource_updated_at":"2024-03-13T12:04:18.143-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-03-13T12:04:18.954-04:00","updated_at":"2024-04-02T14:52:25.006-04:00","filename_hash":"headshot_wadada_backdrop_g3Dqaoe.png","width":1522,"height":1908},"filename":"wadada-serving-up-healthy-living-and-hospitality-in-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Pw91HQ","created_at":"2024-03-13T12:04:51.316-04:00","updated_at":"2024-04-02T14:52:24.924-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Jeanette Sellers is the proud owner of Wadada Healthy Market \u0026amp; Juice Bar, Atlanta\u0026#39;s first black-owned and woman-owned vegan grocery store and juice bar.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eJeanette Sellers is the proud owner of Wadada Healthy Market \u0026amp; Juice Bar, Atlanta\u0026#39;s first Black-owned and woman-owned vegan grocery store and juice bar.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOpened in March of 2019, Wadada is located in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s historic West End. Alongside fresh produce and herbs, Wadada provides superfood sea moss smoothies, fresh-pressed juices, organic teas and sea moss gel. More than 90 percent of the store\u0026rsquo;s products and vendors are other local Black-owned businesses. Wadada\u0026rsquo;s mission: to serve and support the local community while being a partner in your health journey.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHaving heard about the \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e from various sources, Jeanette contacted Invest Atlanta\u0026nbsp;regarding a Commercial Property Improvement Grant. \u0026ldquo;Thanks to the grant I received, I was able to enhance my business with new flooring, lighting, mural/artwork and painting,\u0026rdquo; says Jeanette.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe grant, made possible from a $20 million donation from Wells Fargo and in collaboration with United Way of Greater Atlanta, helps Atlanta small business owners own more of their businesses\u0026rsquo; assets, including property and equipment, and enables physical upgrades to their facilities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhat started out as foundational support expanded quickly into the Atlanta Open for Business Fund team offering additional guidance, including accounting and financial advice through consulting services with \u003ca href=\"http://www.atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003eATLinBusiness\u003c/a\u003e. \u0026ldquo;The team went beyond the scope of the project,\u0026quot; says Jeanette, \u0026quot;They were happy to help in any way they could.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen asked if she would advise others to consider a grant opportunity with Atlanta Open for Business Fund, Jeanette enthusiastically replied: GO FOR IT.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs a result, Jeanette is able to deliver an enhanced experience to Wadada\u0026rsquo;s target audience of health conscious consumers, fitness community members, and students. \u0026ldquo;Engaging the Atlanta Open for Business Fund helped my business tremendously,\u0026rdquo; said Jeanette. \u0026ldquo;I walked away with information and resources that I really needed. Everyone was super helpful and professional. You can\u0026rsquo;t take it for granted!\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLearn more about Wadada at \u003ca href=\"https://www.wadadaatl.com/\"\u003ewww.wadadaatl.com/\u003c/a\u003e. Follow along on Instagram @wadada_atl.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003chr /\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e is designed to help small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment and technology. It is supported by a generous donation of $20 million from Wells Fargo in partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta to help Atlanta businesses impacted by the pandemic recover.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n West End\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":513,"title":"Affordable Housing Roundup","promo_title":"Affordable Housing Roundup","published_date":"2024-03-04","featured_image":{"id":2585,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"hertiage1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":45618,"resource_updated_at":"2024-03-04T13:15:00.161-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-03-04T13:15:00.719-05:00","updated_at":"2024-03-04T13:16:19.361-05:00","filename_hash":"hertiage1_53PmEve.jpg","width":549,"height":312},"filename":"affordable-housing-roundup","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ZWqZ_w","created_at":"2024-03-04T13:16:19.267-05:00","updated_at":"2024-03-04T13:16:19.267-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Housing affordability in Atlanta remains a top priority, and Invest Atlanta is committed to working alongside Mayor Andre Dickens to create and preserve 20,000 units of affordable housing by 2026. Developments continue to fill the pipeline, moving us ever closer to our goal.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHousing affordability in Atlanta remains a top priority, and Invest Atlanta is committed to working alongside Mayor Andre Dickens to create and preserve 20,000 units of affordable housing by 2026. Developments continue to fill the pipeline, moving us ever closer to our goal. Below are the latest projects underway.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnglewood Multifamily\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eConstruction on a new multifamily development will soon begin with help from $4.75 million from 2023 Housing Opportunity Bonds, as well as $3 million from the BeltLine Tax Allocation District (TAD) Increment. Located in the Chosewood neighborhood on Englewood Avenue, the development will feature 200 units \u0026ndash; 160 of which will be available at 60% area median income (AMI) or below.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e557 Lindsay Street\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAdditional grant funds up to $66,000 have been authorized from the Westside TAD Resurgens Fund to move forward on a mixed-use development in the English Avenue community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe developer received a $534,000 grant from the Westside TAD Resurgens Fund in November 2021 to help finance the project, but construction was stalled because of permitting issues associated with a city stream buffer ordinance. Substantial increases in development costs, largely relating to the stream buffer mitigation plans, necessitated the additional\u0026nbsp;funding.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce complete, 557 Lindsay Street will be a three-story, mixed-use development that includes affordable multifamily residentials units over ground floor commercial and office space. The development features six, two-bedroom, one-bath units priced for households earning between 50% - 60% AMI. The 1,630-square-foot ground floor will include two commercial spaces and a laundry facility.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeritage Village at West Lake\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA landmark building that often hosted iconic jazz performers in the 1960s will soon be restored with $2.5 million from 2023 Housing Opportunity Bonds. Located on West Lake Avenue, the six-story development will feature affordable supportive housing units along with commercial space.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGood Samaritan will operate a satellite clinic at the site, offering primary care services for homeless and low-income patients. In addition, Urban League of Greater Atlanta will lease space and provide workforce development services targeting homeless youth and abused women.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFormerly known as The Waluhaje, which opened in 1951 as an apartment and hotel complex serving Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s developing post-war Westside, the building was one of the city\u0026rsquo;s first such developments for African Americans. The Waluhaje gained popularity for its ballroom, which hosted many top jazz performers of the era, including Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie. The property was sold in 1967, and in 1969, Job Corps began providing residential educational and vocational training at the site until 2017.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAffordability at the new Heritage Village will include 102 units at 30% AMI or below. Construction is expected to be complete in 2025.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Renting\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":514,"title":"Remediation Funding Approved for Remerge Redevelopment","promo_title":"Remediation Funding Approved for Remerge Redevelopment","published_date":"2024-03-04","featured_image":{"id":2334,"parent_id":142,"resource_file_name":"remerge_3.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":571764,"resource_updated_at":"2023-02-27T12:31:02.285-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2023-02-27T12:31:03.643-05:00","updated_at":"2024-03-04T13:27:15.997-05:00","filename_hash":"remerge_3_Rzqp825.jpg","width":2137,"height":1137},"filename":"remediation-funding-approved-for-remerge-redevelopment","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"hOzD-w","created_at":"2024-03-04T13:27:15.944-05:00","updated_at":"2024-03-04T13:27:15.944-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAdditional funding from the Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund has been granted to Remerge for its redevelopment project on Auburn Avenue. The original $50,000 grant was increased to $75,000 to remediate heavy metal impacts in shallow soil that could risk exposure to the site occupants and neighboring community. The extra $25,000 will fund permitting for the soil excavation, subcontractor fees and other contingency costs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocated at the corner of Auburn Avenue and Old Wheat Street, the development will be home to the community-based nonprofit Remerge, which serves the Sweet Auburn community. The redevelopment will expand its current operations at 340 Auburn Ave., where it has been operating since 2018. The additional space at 597 Auburn will enable new programming within the Community Building Studio, including the Women\u0026rsquo;s Microentrepreneur Coaching Program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince gaining a long-term home in Sweet Auburn, Remerge has assisted more than 3,000 families and businesses. Its programs have evolved and the team has grown, increasing the need for more dedicated workspace, community meeting space and programming. This expansion will allow Remerge to shift its Community Building Studio programs and staff office space to the new facility and designate 340 Auburn as an Arts Center and a base for continued neighborhood outreach activities.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Sweet Auburn\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":512,"title":" Invest Atlanta Issues Request for Information to Increase Access to Healthy Food","promo_title":" Invest Atlanta Issues Request for Information to Increase Access to Healthy Food","published_date":"2024-03-04","featured_image":{"id":2584,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"untitled_design_-9-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":5802208,"resource_updated_at":"2024-03-04T12:35:56.992-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-03-04T12:35:57.856-05:00","updated_at":"2024-03-04T12:36:12.835-05:00","filename_hash":"untitled_design_-9-_xNvgjaJ.png","width":2500,"height":1500},"filename":"invest-atlanta-issues-request-for-information-to-increase-access-to-healthy-food","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"fVGQaQ","created_at":"2024-03-04T12:36:12.737-05:00","updated_at":"2024-03-04T12:36:12.737-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The U.S. Department Agriculture reports that in 2022 nearly one in five households faced food insecurity \u0026ndash; an unacceptable fact that Invest Atlanta and the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office are committed to addressing here in Atlanta.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe U.S. Department Agriculture reports that in 2022 nearly one in five households faced food insecurity \u0026ndash; an unacceptable fact that Invest Atlanta and the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office are committed to addressing here in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta issued a \u003ca href=\"/assets/rfi_-_developers_and_grocery_operators_input_v2_RznpXem.pdf\"\u003eRequest for Information (RFI)\u003c/a\u003e to support the creation of economic development programming that increases the availability of fresh, affordable grocery options in Atlanta. The information provided by qualified developers and retail grocery operators will help increase the pipeline of businesses looking to launch or expand grocery offerings, particularly in areas described by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as \u0026ldquo;Low Income, Low Access Communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Too many residents face food insecurity in their daily lives, which is why our Administration continues to prioritize investments in programs that bring healthy, affordable food options to every Atlanta neighborhood,\u0026rdquo; says Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;All residents deserve to live close to healthy food options, a goal we are committed to accomplishing with our public and private partners.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s grocery and health foods strategy focuses on:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAttracting major supermarkets and grocery stores\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRetaining, expanding and improving corner and neighborhood markets\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSupporting innovative food access models\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eDriving policy, systems and environment change\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Innovation and partnerships like this request for information is designed to create are key to finding new, impactful opportunities to increase access to affordable healthy food in our communities,\u0026rdquo; says Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHealth professionals suggest that affordable access to healthy food is critical not just to preventing and treating diet-related health conditions, but also to building thriving communities, strong local economies and sustainable food systems.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":518,"title":"A Family Foundation","promo_title":"A Family Foundation","published_date":"2024-02-22","featured_image":{"id":2615,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"4e0a0825_1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":4092521,"resource_updated_at":"2024-03-27T14:34:43.210-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-03-27T14:34:48.852-04:00","updated_at":"2024-03-27T14:35:22.257-04:00","filename_hash":"4e0a0825_1_53PqWWl.jpg","width":5464,"height":4681},"filename":"a-family-foundation","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"V3rEYA","created_at":"2024-03-27T14:35:22.199-04:00","updated_at":"2024-03-27T14:35:22.199-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta assisted Deshanae Benjamin in becoming a first-time homeowner while also helping her grandmother, Gail Abercrombie, remain in the home she\u0026rsquo;s lived in for more than 60 years.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta assisted Deshanae Benjamin in becoming a first-time homeowner while also helping her grandmother, Gail Abercrombie, remain in the home she\u0026rsquo;s lived in for more than 60 years.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDeshanae is a social worker who is always looking for extra resources to supplement her salary. And when it came time to purchase a home, Invest Atlanta proved to be just the resource she needed.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith help from the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/homebuyers/homebuyer-programs-downpayment-assistance\"\u003eInvest Atlanta Down Payment Assistance Program\u003c/a\u003e and Atlanta Housing Authority incentives, Deshanae was able to layer assistance to buy a new construction house in Southwest Atlanta near the Westside Beltline and Pittsburg Yards.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I participated in all the classes that Invest Atlanta offers and learned a lot about the homebuying process,\u0026rdquo; says Deshanae. \u0026ldquo;They also provided insights into the different developments happening around the city that helped me decide where I wanted to live. I thought buying a home would be out of reach for me, but Invest Atlanta made it affordable.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhile working with Invest Atlanta to buy her own home, Deshanae also learned about the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/assets/oor-atlantaheritage-flyer-041918_JjZyXrl.pdf\"\u003eAtlanta Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab Program\u003c/a\u003e, which helps seniors on fixed incomes make essential home repairs. She jumped at the opportunity and walked her grandmother through the application process.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This house means everything to me,\u0026rdquo; explains Gail, who has lived in her Edgewood home since 1963 and is known as \u0026ldquo;Momma Gail\u0026rdquo; in the community. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s the foundation to generations of family members. It\u0026rsquo;s my refuge, and I don\u0026rsquo;t want to live anywhere else.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs part of the Owner-Occupied Rehab program, Gail received a new roof, a new hot water heater and a new porch \u0026ndash; where she can often be found visiting with neighbors and passersby. To her surprise, Gail also had her property taxes paid for by Tyler Perry through the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/about-us/ia-partnership\"\u003eInvest Atlanta Senior Tax Relief Program\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDeshanae says she\u0026rsquo;s grateful for Invest Atlanta for not only supporting her own dream of homeownership, but also helping her grandmother remain in her community amid all the growth and new development. \u0026ldquo;She\u0026rsquo;s been there the longest and doesn\u0026rsquo;t want to feel pushed out,\u0026rdquo; says Deshanae. \u0026ldquo;Now her home \u0026lsquo;looks the part,\u0026rsquo; and she feels like she still belongs.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe possibilities abound in Atlanta. Learn how Invest Atlanta is helping homeowners like Deshanae and Gail by visiting the \u003ca href=\"https://www.iaannualreport.com/\"\u003e2023 Invest Atlanta Annual Report\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":511,"title":"Kick Back in Castleberry Hill","promo_title":"Kick Back in Castleberry Hill","published_date":"2024-02-21","featured_image":{"id":2564,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"match.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":118516,"resource_updated_at":"2024-02-20T13:12:51.678-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-02-20T13:12:52.339-05:00","updated_at":"2024-02-21T13:29:08.267-05:00","filename_hash":"match_EbrRmny.jpg","width":750,"height":750},"filename":"kick-back-in-castleberry-hill","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"5MHQ0A","created_at":"2024-02-21T13:27:18.256-05:00","updated_at":"2024-02-21T13:29:08.249-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u0026ldquo;Sometimes you\u0026rsquo;ve just gotta kick back and relax.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;Sometimes you\u0026rsquo;ve just gotta kick back and relax.\u0026rdquo; That\u0026rsquo;s the motto and the vibe when you walk into Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s \u003ca href=\"https://www.matchloungeatl.com/\"\u003eMatch Bar \u0026amp; Oven\u003c/a\u003e. While his customers are relaxing, owner James Hamelburg is working hard to build a successful restaurant in downtown Atlanta. Located in Castleberry Hill, right down the street from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Match Bar \u0026amp; Oven has been open for nine years. Hamelburg says the business ebbs and flows and he is determined to make it a success. As he explored how to keep the restaurant sustainable, he started building relationships in the city. One of those relationships is with Invest Atlanta and the ATLinBusiness program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I thought, \u0026lsquo;Is this really going to work?\u0026rsquo; I didn\u0026rsquo;t know what to expect. I typically keep expectations low and in this case, it was free.\u0026rdquo; Hamelburg says.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBut it did work. ATLinBusiness connected Hamelburg with one of its expert consultants to work on two things: a revamped website and a more robust business plan. He says the results far exceeded his expectations, \u0026ldquo;I couldn\u0026rsquo;t be more excited. They don\u0026rsquo;t want anything in return. I will sing the praises of them for the rest of my life.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eATLinBuiness provides no-cost services to entrepreneurs inside the city of Atlanta. The process is simple: you apply for the program, get partnered with a consultant and then work together to grow your business. Business owners can select what area of expertise they need support. Hamelburg says that things have been tough for his restaurant, and as he has worked with ATLinBusiness, he can see things popping.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I have to work hard to keep things afloat, but these guys have my back. It\u0026#39;s like they know what I need and what I want,\u0026rdquo; he explains. Hamelburg believes that it will take another two or three years before the Castleberry Hill neighborhood will really turn around. But, like the growth for Match Bar \u0026amp; Oven, he has faith it will happen. He also believes that his relationship with Invest Atlanta will continue to support him along the way.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are a small business in the city of Atlanta and interested in learning more about ATLinBusiness, \u003ca href=\"https://atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003evisit the website\u003c/a\u003e and begin the process of being partnered with a consultant at no cost to you.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":510,"title":"Mini City Poised to Make an Even Bigger Impact ","promo_title":"Mini City Poised to Make an Even Bigger Impact ","published_date":"2024-01-30","featured_image":{"id":2586,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"minicity.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":28445,"resource_updated_at":"2024-03-04T13:44:17.783-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-03-04T13:44:18.392-05:00","updated_at":"2024-03-04T13:45:52.349-05:00","filename_hash":"minicity_g3Dz3P3.jpg","width":433,"height":433},"filename":"mini-city-poised-to-make-an-even-bigger-impact","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"W61S2g","created_at":"2024-01-30T16:13:11.497-05:00","updated_at":"2024-03-04T13:45:52.298-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) closed its first social impact loan of the year with \u003ca href=\"https://www.minicityatl.com/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMini City\u003c/a\u003e, a compassionate tech hub that helps marginalized, vulnerable and overlooked groups obtain vital documentation.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{9f5c8466-1e5d-4275-a6f9-b688df6aa4b6}{102}\" paraid=\"1355018414\"\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) closed its first social impact loan of the year with \u003ca href=\"https://www.minicityatl.com/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMini City\u003c/a\u003e, a compassionate tech hub that helps marginalized, vulnerable and overlooked groups obtain vital documentation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{9f5c8466-1e5d-4275-a6f9-b688df6aa4b6}{102}\" paraid=\"1355018414\"\u003eDuring her time volunteering in women\u0026rsquo;s shelters, Mini City Founder India Jha realized how something as simple as the lack of identification could prevent those experiencing homelessness from accessing the crucial assistance they need to move forward, including medical benefits, government benefits and pathways to employment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{9f5c8466-1e5d-4275-a6f9-b688df6aa4b6}{102}\" paraid=\"1355018414\"\u003eIndia and her team created Mini City to help unhoused and housing insecure residents become document enabled. They offer application assistance for birth records and government benefits, and provide valuable data insights for cities, clinics, shelters and homeless care providers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{9f5c8466-1e5d-4275-a6f9-b688df6aa4b6}{102}\" paraid=\"1355018414\"\u003eMini City was awarded funding through the LIFT 2.0 initiative, which is a homeless response plan underway in the City of Atlanta, led by Partners for HOME. The funding will allow Mini City to deploy services at key partner sites and make 320 households document enabled. The Leverage Loan from AEMI allows Mini City to access funding upfront, meet a crucial need for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s unhoused population and fulfill its largest project to date.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{9f5c8466-1e5d-4275-a6f9-b688df6aa4b6}{102}\" paraid=\"1355018414\"\u003eCreated by Invest Atlanta, AEMI is a certified community development entity that fosters economic development, job creation and neighborhood revitalization in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s underinvested communities. It specializes in gap financing for businesses and developers with large-scale projects, as well as small businesses, medium-sized companies and startups seeking low-cost financing or venture capital. Funding comes from private investors in exchange for tax breaks facilitated through the Federal New Markets Tax Credits Program.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":509,"title":"Key Milestone Reached for 2 Peachtree Street Redevelopment ","promo_title":"Key Milestone Reached for 2 Peachtree Street Redevelopment ","published_date":"2024-01-26","featured_image":{"id":2541,"parent_id":140,"resource_file_name":"2_peachtree_rendering_2.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":637535,"resource_updated_at":"2024-01-18T13:42:19.841-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2024-01-18T13:42:20.327-05:00","updated_at":"2024-01-30T15:10:51.992-05:00","filename_hash":"2_peachtree_rendering_2_P1nyMXK.png","width":977,"height":554},"filename":"key-milestone-reached-for-2-peachtree-street-redevelopment","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Zc0BFA","created_at":"2024-01-30T15:09:47.648-05:00","updated_at":"2024-01-30T15:10:51.965-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board approved Two Peachtree Partners, LLC as the developers for the large-scale redevelopment of 2 Peachtree Street. With this approval, the firm will begin negotiating the terms of the project \u0026ndash; a key milestone in what will become an innovative residential and mixed-use development downtown.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{d8ff9719-1dd8-4582-8fb8-3b6488fd6abe}{74}\" paraid=\"1722624093\"\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board approved Two Peachtree Partners, LLC as the developers for the large-scale redevelopment of 2 Peachtree Street. With this approval, the firm will begin negotiating the terms of the project \u0026ndash; a key milestone in what will become an innovative residential and mixed-use development downtown.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{d8ff9719-1dd8-4582-8fb8-3b6488fd6abe}{74}\" paraid=\"1722624093\"\u003eInvest Atlanta conducted a six-month competitive request for proposals process that evaluated respondents based on their ability to achieve the City\u0026#39;s vision for the building, prioritizing development proposals that considered LEED and WELL-certified standards with more affordable units that integrate all income levels throughout the property in a cohesive way. Proposals that demonstrated an ability to provide opportunities for local female and minority businesses were also prioritized.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{d8ff9719-1dd8-4582-8fb8-3b6488fd6abe}{74}\" paraid=\"1722624093\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;Identifying Two Peachtree Partners, LLC as the developer is a major milestone in this project,\u0026rdquo; says Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;The transformation of 2 Peachtree Street is potentially our most ambitious affordable housing undertaking, providing connectivity between housing units and transit while breathing new life into Downtown Atlanta.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{d8ff9719-1dd8-4582-8fb8-3b6488fd6abe}{74}\" paraid=\"1722624093\"\u003e2 Peachtree Street is an 890,000-square-foot, 44-story office tower adjacent to Woodruff Park and the Five Points MARTA station. The conversion is expected to create at least 200 new housing units and further Downtown\u0026#39;s redevelopment along with other catalytic development projects such as Centennial Yards and the Stitch.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{d8ff9719-1dd8-4582-8fb8-3b6488fd6abe}{74}\" paraid=\"1722624093\"\u003eAccording to Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, 2 Peachtree was acquired two years ago with a vision to bring more residents and businesses to Downtown Atlanta. \u0026quot;What captivates me the most with the project is the commitment to equitable downtown revitalization, the promise of more affordable housing and the exciting potential for mixed-use spaces that will further the vibrancy of the area,\u0026rdquo; says Klementich. \u0026ldquo;2 Peachtree is poised to become a model of what transformative development can create for cities and their communities.\u0026quot;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":508,"title":"Co-Working Collaboration","promo_title":"Co-Working Collaboration","published_date":"2024-01-08","featured_image":{"id":2537,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"a_chiropractic_hub.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":157941,"resource_updated_at":"2024-01-08T16:22:12.546-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2024-01-08T16:22:13.281-05:00","updated_at":"2024-01-11T12:56:47.957-05:00","filename_hash":"a_chiropractic_hub_OzL7WN9.png","width":1556,"height":2000},"filename":"co-working-collaboration","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"DntM5A","created_at":"2024-01-08T16:22:29.258-05:00","updated_at":"2024-01-11T12:56:47.731-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Co-working spaces are popping up all over Atlanta, primarily in the business and textile industries. Two Atlanta doctors are changing that with \u003ca href=\"https://www.achirohub.com/\"\u003eA Chiropractic Hub\u003c/a\u003e. The Chiropractic Hub\u0026#39;s approach addresses a gap in the chiropractic field, providing a supportive environment for practitioners to thrive while enhancing access to care for the community.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCo-working spaces are popping up all over Atlanta, primarily in the business and textile industries. Two Atlanta doctors are changing that with \u003ca href=\"https://www.achirohub.com/\"\u003eA Chiropractic Hub\u003c/a\u003e. The Chiropractic Hub\u0026#39;s approach addresses a gap in the chiropractic field, providing a supportive environment for practitioners to thrive while enhancing access to care for the community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This flexible (business model) really allows for doctors to focus on their skill and their practice as opposed to all of the parts of running a business,\u0026rdquo; explains co-owner Dr. Dara Geiger.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis medical office combines the talents and resources of chiropractors allowing them to practice and collaborate while delivering outstanding patient care. Doctors Mesiha Miller and Dara Geiger came up with the business idea as a solution to a growing problem. Miller explains that, after graduating, many chiropractors miss the opportunity for collaboration with others and there are challenges with finding the capital to start up a business. This way, chiropractors can focus on their specialty and build a patient base.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe financial support from the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund,\u003c/a\u003e particularly the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/atlanta-recovery-loan-program\"\u003eAtlanta Recovery Loan Program\u003c/a\u003e (ARLP), played a crucial role in helping the doctors realize their vision.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This gives them the freedom to focus on their skill and build their practice. Doctors can start on a small scale, on a budget and only do what they can afford until they pick up pace,\u0026rdquo; Dr. Meshia Miller further explains. \u0026ldquo;Once they have enough capital, they can stay with us or move on to open their own practice.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/atlanta-recovery-loan-program\"\u003eARLP\u003c/a\u003e funding enabled Miller and Geiger to set up their space \u0026ndash; from basic infrastructure like drywall and electrical work to purchasing necessary office furniture and fixtures. Without this financial assistance, the process of opening their practice would have been considerably delayed.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e is designed to help small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment and technology. It is supported by a donation of $20 million from \u003ca href=\"https://stories.wf.com/meaningful-investments-and-support-keep-small-business-doors-open/\"\u003eWells Fargo\u003c/a\u003e. The funds allowed them to move forward faster, thus more quickly allowing them to take care of patients.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Chiropractic Hub is holding its grand opening this month (January) and is ready to serve the needs of the community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e is designed to help small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment and technology. It is supported by a generous donation of $20 million from Wells Fargo to help Atlanta businesses impacted by the pandemic recover.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":507,"title":"Housing Atlanta’s Homeless Population ","promo_title":"Housing Atlanta’s Homeless Population ","published_date":"2023-12-19","featured_image":{"id":2530,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"20231205_172059785_ios_-1-.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":2608218,"resource_updated_at":"2023-12-19T13:26:46.908-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-12-19T13:26:47.888-05:00","updated_at":"2023-12-19T13:29:07.008-05:00","filename_hash":"20231205_172059785_ios_-1-_j3Xk7xP.jpg","width":3862,"height":2896},"filename":"housing-atlantas-homeless-population","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Bxo1Yw","created_at":"2023-12-19T13:28:39.569-05:00","updated_at":"2023-12-19T13:29:06.965-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n A groundbreaking ceremony was held on December 5 at the site of an old motel on Moreland Avenue near I-20 that will soon be redeveloped into the Ralph David House.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{93de2984-8cf4-49d4-b0bc-c278b3483b1f}{84}\" paraid=\"1882863884\"\u003eA groundbreaking ceremony was held on December 5 at the site of an old motel on Moreland Avenue near I-20\u0026nbsp;that will soon be redeveloped into the Ralph David House. A $550,000 investment from the BeltLine Tax Allocation District (TAD) Increment Fund, managed by Invest Atlanta, will finance the adaptive reuse development, which will include 54 permanently supportive housing units reserved for those earning 30% of area median income (AMI) or less and who were previously unhoused.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{93de2984-8cf4-49d4-b0bc-c278b3483b1f}{84}\" paraid=\"1882863884\"\u003eAccording to Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, this project represents some of the many innovative ways Atlanta is serving the homeless population and supporting Mayor Dickens\u0026rsquo; goal to build or preserve 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030. \u0026ldquo;We continue to think creatively with projects like Ralph David House and 184 Forsyth Street, a soon-to-be-completed homeless housing village out of shipping containers,\u0026rdquo; says Klementich, \u0026ldquo;to ensure more homeless residents receive the housing and support they deserve faster.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{93de2984-8cf4-49d4-b0bc-c278b3483b1f}{84}\" paraid=\"1882863884\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Ralph David House project marks a significant milestone in fully affordable housing options in Atlanta and forwards Atlanta BeltLine\u0026rsquo;s mission to meet affordable housing goals along and around our 22-mile corridor,\u0026rdquo; says Clyde Higgs, president and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. \u0026ldquo;As our city grows and evolves, developments like this one are ensuring that all Atlantans have access to projects like this one that deliver shared prosperity and an opportunity to access jobs and amenities.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{93de2984-8cf4-49d4-b0bc-c278b3483b1f}{84}\" paraid=\"1882863884\"\u003eApartments in the Ralph David House will open to residents in fall of 2024.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":506,"title":"Collaboration: One Key to Growing your Business","promo_title":"Collaboration: One Key to Growing your Business","published_date":"2023-11-30","featured_image":{"id":2526,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"tbi.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":234411,"resource_updated_at":"2023-11-30T09:50:13.022-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-11-30T09:50:13.597-05:00","updated_at":"2023-11-30T09:50:30.677-05:00","filename_hash":"tbi_xNaOzyL.jpg","width":1240,"height":852},"filename":"collaboration-one-key-to-growing-your-business","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"C-uO0Q","created_at":"2023-11-30T09:50:29.767-05:00","updated_at":"2023-11-30T09:50:29.767-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Khadijah Baynes was ready to expand her business, The Beauty Industry, to a second location, but needed a little help getting her finances in order.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eKhadijah Baynes was ready to expand her business, The Beauty Industry, to a second location, but needed a little help getting her finances in order.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;ATLinBusiness gave me a professional set of eyes to make sure I had everything I needed.\u0026rdquo; she explains.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBaynes was then connected to Terri King, a consultant in the program. King, also a Black female entrepreneur, says that the development of a compelling business portfolio is a key milestone for any entrepreneur.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;It not only showcases past achievements but also communicates vision and potential effectively. Khadijah\u0026#39;s well-crafted portfolio not only enhanced her credibility but also attracted the right partners, investors and collaborators,\u0026rdquo; King says.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eKing is in commercial real estate leasing and sales, and her expertise paired up well with what Baynes needed. She was able to help Baynes beyond just her financial applications. She also helped her identify areas for enhancement and implement tailored strategies. King says that Baynes not only improved her business\u0026#39;s efficiency but also set the stage for sustainable growth.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBaynes says she is very grateful for the ATLinBusiness program and the many services it offers entrepreneurs. She encourages other small business owners to take advantage of it.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;Don\u0026rsquo;t waste any time. They (ATLinBusiness) are always willing to help. This has gotten me where I need to be and it doesn\u0026rsquo;t cost anything,\u0026rdquo; she says.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eEntrepreneurship is about continuous innovation and growth, and having clarity about the next steps is essential. Working with expert consultants through ATLinBusiness is one way small business owners can build and grow.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIf you are a small business in the City of Atlanta and interested in learning more, visit\u0026nbsp; \u003ca href=\"https://atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003eATLinBusiness\u003c/a\u003e, and begin the process of transforming your business with a consultant at no-cost to you.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":505,"title":"C-PACE Applications Are Now Open","promo_title":"C-PACE Applications Are Now Open","published_date":"2023-11-29","featured_image":{"id":2422,"parent_id":7,"resource_file_name":"pace.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2749523,"resource_updated_at":"2023-07-10T11:03:15.588-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2023-07-10T11:03:17.013-04:00","updated_at":"2023-11-29T11:01:38.759-05:00","filename_hash":"pace_QzzvQ7o.png","width":1800,"height":1000},"filename":"c-pace-applications-are-now-open","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"U6V8JQ","created_at":"2023-11-29T10:58:23.785-05:00","updated_at":"2023-11-29T11:01:38.735-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta is excited to announce the successful relaunch of its Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program, an innovative financing solution that empowers commercial property owners located within city of Atlanta limits to make energy-efficient and sustainable improvements to their properties.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{68}\" paraid=\"745236505\"\u003eInvest Atlanta is excited to announce the successful relaunch of its Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program, an innovative financing solution that empowers commercial property owners located within city of Atlanta limits to make energy-efficient and sustainable improvements to their properties. The relaunched C-PACE program utilizes an open-market structure, allowing property owners to leverage their existing financing relationships or seek financing from a variety of lenders.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{100}\" paraid=\"1614001570\"\u003eThe program provides long-term, low-interest financing for a wide range of energy-saving and sustainability-enhancing projects, including:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{112}\" paraid=\"1654397034\"\u003eHVAC system upgrades\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{112}\" paraid=\"1654397034\"\u003eSolar panel installations\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{112}\" paraid=\"1654397034\"\u003eWater conservation measures\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{112}\" paraid=\"1654397034\"\u003eLighting retrofits\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{112}\" paraid=\"1654397034\"\u003eBuilding envelope improvements\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{112}\" paraid=\"1654397034\"\u003eAnd more!\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{154}\" paraid=\"1141578387\"\u003eUnlike traditional financing options, C-PACE financing is secured by a special assessment on the property tax bill, ensuring repayment without impacting a property owner\u0026#39;s cash flow. C-PACE financing offers a multitude of benefits for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s commercial property owners, including:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{170}\" paraid=\"2057899007\"\u003eUp to 30-year fixed rate loan terms\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{170}\" paraid=\"2057899007\"\u003eAccessible capital for start-up, minority and boutique developers\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{170}\" paraid=\"2057899007\"\u003eRates can be up to 50% less than mezzanine debt\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{170}\" paraid=\"2057899007\"\u003eOne payment per year through property tax bill\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{170}\" paraid=\"2057899007\"\u003eObligation will be transferred upon sale of property to new owner\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{170}\" paraid=\"2057899007\"\u003e100% financing available upfront for eligible improvements\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{170}\" paraid=\"2057899007\"\u003eReduced energy costs and increased property value\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{219}\" paraid=\"1103280435\"\u003eVisit www.investatlanta.com/pace to explore the program guidelines and submit your application today!\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{231}\" paraid=\"133152181\"\u003eIf you are a C-PACE capital provider and would like to register with Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s C-PACE program, please reach out to Melody Echols \u003ca href=\"mailto:mechols@investatlanta.com\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003emechols@investatlanta.com\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":504,"title":"A Home to Call Her Own ","promo_title":"A Home to Call Her Own ","published_date":"2023-11-28","featured_image":{"id":2525,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"lisa_walker___closing_day.jpeg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":108197,"resource_updated_at":"2023-11-28T15:40:05.738-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-11-28T15:40:06.416-05:00","updated_at":"2023-11-28T15:41:41.587-05:00","filename_hash":"lisa_walker___closing_day_lPkQLj1.jpeg","width":480,"height":640},"filename":"a-home-to-call-her-own","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"fjNPeA","created_at":"2023-11-28T15:40:42.690-05:00","updated_at":"2023-11-28T15:41:41.565-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\u0026ldquo;Without a doubt I could not have achieved new home ownership without Invest Atlanta \u0026ndash; it just\u0026nbsp;wouldn\u0026rsquo;t\u0026nbsp;have happened. Invest Atlanta may be Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s best kept secret.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{252}\" paraid=\"229003450\"\u003eLife handed Lisa Walker a series of challenges back in 2018. A divorce, unexpected job layoff and financial peril forced her to expeditiously sell what she considered to be her forever dream home. Add to the mix the COVID-19 pandemic, economic uncertainty, rising home prices and low inventory \u0026ndash; all of which made Lisa question if she could ever become a homeowner again.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{252}\" paraid=\"229003450\"\u003eIt took her more than a year to find full-time employment after her layoff, but her new income was substantially less. \u0026ldquo;Realistically, the probability of me saving for a down payment and purchasing a new home was little to none based on my income as a single parent,\u0026rdquo; explains Lisa.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{252}\" paraid=\"229003450\"\u003eBut when Lisa\u0026rsquo;s real estate agent told her about Invest Atlanta and how it could help, she decided to attend one of its \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/about-us/events/homeownership-qa-session-webinar\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eHomeownership Q\u0026amp;A Session\u003c/a\u003e webinars. It was then that Lisa realized her dream of once again owning a home was still within reach.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{252}\" paraid=\"229003450\"\u003eLisa, in fact, now had a team of advocates, including Invest Atlanta, her agent and lender, who helped her navigate the entire process. And, with help from Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/homebuyers/homebuyer-programs-downpayment-assistance\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDown Payment Assistance Program\u003c/a\u003e, Lisa was able to purchase her dream home \u0026ndash; a three-story, brick townhouse located in the heart of Atlanta in a neighborhood filled with beautiful, mature trees.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{252}\" paraid=\"229003450\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;From the initial Q\u0026amp;A webinar to closing day, working and partnering with Invest Atlanta was a joy,\u0026rdquo; she says. \u0026ldquo;Everyone was so pleasant and nice to work with.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{252}\" paraid=\"229003450\"\u003eLisa Facetimed with her daughter, who was away at college, when she signed the last of the closing documents and received the keys to her new home. \u0026ldquo;This meant so much to me,\u0026rdquo; Lisa shares. \u0026ldquo;It was a moment that exemplified no matter how hard life gets and no matter how many times you\u0026rsquo;re knocked down, we get back up and keep trying until we meet our goals.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{252}\" paraid=\"229003450\"\u003eLisa says Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s down payment assistance changed her life and brought hope during a time of despair. \u0026ldquo;It gifted me the American Dream of homeownership that I doubted I could achieve again,\u0026rdquo; she says. \u0026ldquo;Most importantly, it gave me and my daughter a home to call our own \u0026ndash; home sweet home!\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{67e534ef-d366-46d3-bf8c-722461d3ceb8}{252}\" paraid=\"229003450\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":503,"title":"Building on a Dream","promo_title":"Building on a Dream","published_date":"2023-11-28","featured_image":{"id":2524,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"image0.jpeg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":3691619,"resource_updated_at":"2023-11-28T13:21:27.163-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-11-28T13:21:28.031-05:00","updated_at":"2023-11-28T13:22:00.769-05:00","filename_hash":"image0_53oVyZP.jpeg","width":5040,"height":3360},"filename":"building-on-a-dream","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"esmrZA","created_at":"2023-11-28T13:22:00.658-05:00","updated_at":"2023-11-28T13:22:00.658-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Shauniece Wallace launched The Elleven LLC in 2018 as a creative co-working space for barbers, nail technicians, and tattoo and makeup artists. As her business grew, so did her dreams.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2024","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eShauniece Wallace launched The Elleven LLC in 2018 as a creative co-working space for barbers, nail technicians, and tattoo and makeup artists. As her business grew, so did her dreams. Focused on creating a bigger footprint, Wallace saw a blank canvas opportunity in 2019 at a new location on Bishop Street. After securing the property, she had to navigate the challenges of 2020. Wallace took inspiration from female entrepreneurs \u0026ndash; including the first Black female millionaire Annie Malone \u0026ndash; who ignited a passion to grow her business and impact on local entrepreneurs but needed help making it a reality.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter hearing about Invest Atlanta as a resource from friends and her realtor, Wallace attended a few Invest Atlanta seminars on loan assistance to better understand available loan programs. Thanks to the \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/atlanta-recovery-loan-program\"\u003eAtlanta Recovery Loan Program\u003c/a\u003e, a low-interest loan through the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e, she is expanding \u0026ndash; including adding an event space.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e is designed to help small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment and technology. It is supported by a donation of $20 million from \u003ca href=\"https://welcome.wf.com/impact/\"\u003eWells Fargo\u003c/a\u003e to help Atlanta businesses impacted by the pandemic recover.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This loan program has really saved my life,\u0026rdquo; Wallace explains. \u0026ldquo;I went through some personal hardships and it placed a bad cloud over my mental health. It was hard for me to balance being a mom and a business owner to many different entities here that are connected to other families; keeping everything afloat was very difficult.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe funds will also assist with fixing the parking lot, securing signage and ensuring suites are in excellent operational shape for the 12 entrepreneurs who share their talents in her space. Wallace says the client entrepreneurs are like family, making the need for additional funding a priority.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith funds now in place, she is focused on taking her business to the next level. Wallace is planning for growth with the addition of new fixtures, additional bars and more flexible floor plan layouts. From weddings to mitzvahs, many milestone events are being celebrated at the Elleven LLC. And all the suites are full.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe future looks bright for Wallace and the Elleven LLC. She gives much credit to the support received from the Atlanta Recovery Loan Fund for her evolving success.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026#39;s taking the time to get to know me as an individual and not just see me as a name on paperwork. Because sometimes people go through hardships\u0026hellip; but when you actually get a chance to meet them, feel their energy and be around the aura of their business, you can get a better feel for who they are. Thank you Open For Business, United Way and Wells Fargo for supporting me and my city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more about Elleven LLC follow Wallace on Instagram \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/ellevenbeautyandbarberlofts/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet\u0026amp;igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==\"\u003e@ellevenbeautyandbarberlofts\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":502,"title":"$7.5 Million Allocated to Reduce Homelessness","promo_title":"$7.5 Million Allocated to Reduce Homelessness","published_date":"2023-10-25","featured_image":{"id":2518,"parent_id":159,"resource_file_name":"partners.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":113052,"resource_updated_at":"2023-10-25T12:59:59.716-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-10-25T13:00:00.670-04:00","updated_at":"2023-10-25T13:00:23.838-04:00","filename_hash":"partners_53oOepq.jpg","width":1611,"height":786},"filename":"75-million-allocated-to-reduce-homelessness","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ApoMUw","created_at":"2023-10-25T13:00:23.816-04:00","updated_at":"2023-10-25T13:00:23.816-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n With help from a $7.5 million line of credit approved by the Invest Atlanta Board, the City of Atlanta is investing in more creative, effective ways to address chronic homelessness.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWith help from a $7.5 million line of credit approved by the Invest Atlanta Board, the City of Atlanta is investing in more creative, effective ways to address chronic homelessness.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWorking with city leadership, the Atlanta Continuum of Care (CoC) will use the line of credit financed through the City of Atlanta Housing Opportunity Bond Fund to construct approximately 500 quickly built, low-cost micro units that can serve as temporary, semi-permanent or permanent shelter and housing for people experiencing homelessness.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are experimenting with new construction and new product types that allow for quick manufacturing developments we can put in place because the crisis with individuals experiencing homelessness continues to grow across our country,\u0026rdquo; says Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;Supportive housing needs supportive people. So, we are always seeking creative approaches to pilot and deliver new affordable housing options. This will be a smaller footprint, but still a big benefit.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePartners for H.O.M.E., on behalf of the Atlanta CoC, will introduce the first community location in December. Opening a pathway to reduce homelessness in the city of Atlanta will include securing direct service providers to provide residents with access to wraparound support services, such as employment, healthcare, and mainstream benefits.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The face of homelessness in Atlanta includes women, men, families, youth, veterans and others who deserve greater access to shelter and supporting services that help meet their individual needs,\u0026rdquo; says Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO, Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Through this investment, the City is continuing to address the spectrum of housing needs in Atlanta \u0026ndash; from homelessness to homeownership \u0026ndash; by providing more residents experiencing homelessness a flexible alternative to traditional homeless housing.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":501,"title":"New Loan Program Offers Boost to Startups","promo_title":"New Loan Program Offers Boost to Startups","published_date":"2023-10-25","featured_image":{"id":2477,"parent_id":7,"resource_file_name":"mantle.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":969535,"resource_updated_at":"2023-08-28T15:04:46.015-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2023-08-28T15:04:46.593-04:00","updated_at":"2023-10-26T12:00:24.141-04:00","filename_hash":"mantle_eWDqNR6.jpg","width":3917,"height":1500},"filename":"new-loan-program-offers-boost-to-startups","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ZasnJA","created_at":"2023-10-25T11:33:25.325-04:00","updated_at":"2023-10-26T12:00:24.066-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Through the Atlanta Startup Growth Loan Program (ASGL), Atlanta technology startups are eligible to apply for a direct loan of up to $150,000 to grow and scale their business and acquire new assets or update existing ones.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMetro Atlanta is home to more than 30 corporate innovation centers, making it the highest concentrated city of startups and innovators in the Southeast. These entrepreneurs now have access to a new $1 million loan program designed to support local technology startups as they work to get their businesses up and running.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough the Atlanta Startup Growth Loan Program (ASGL), Atlanta technology startups are eligible to apply for a direct loan of up to $150,000 to grow and scale their business and acquire new assets or update existing ones.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta startups raised nearly $1.7 billion in funding last year alone, which was the second-highest amount of funding allocated to the city in recent years. \u0026ldquo;That speaks to the city\u0026rsquo;s ever-growing status as a technology epicenter,\u0026rdquo; says Dickens. \u0026ldquo;This new program and funding will further substantiate the strength of our tech ecosystem.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe ASGL Program is the fourth initiative, and first technology-focused program, that United Way of Greater Atlanta and Invest Atlanta have rolled out as a part of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e (OFB). The fund is made possible by a $20 million donation from Wells Fargo to help the owners of Atlanta small businesses own more of their businesses\u0026rsquo; assets \u0026ndash; including property and equipment \u0026ndash; scale and fund physical upgrades to their facilities. Invest Atlanta partnered with United Way to create OFB.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Atlanta Startup Growth Loan Program nurtures innovation and empowers local entrepreneurs,\u0026rdquo; says Milton J. Little, Jr., president and CEO of United Way of Greater Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;By providing vital financial support to technology startups, we\u0026#39;re fostering a thriving ecosystem that will drive progress and opportunity in Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is distributing the Atlanta Open for Business Fund as a mix of grants and loans with a focus on Black-owned and other diverse-owned businesses. In addition to the ASGL, the Atlanta Open for Business Fund supports three other programs, including:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAtlanta Recovery Loan Program: Provides 3% interest loans to small businesses interested in acquiring tangible business assets.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCommercial Property Improvement Grant: Provides grants for small businesses of up to $50,000 for exterior and interior enhancements to their business.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAtlanta Commercial Down Payment Assistance Loan Program: Provides small businesses with direct loans of up to 20% of commercial property costs up to $200,000 to acquire commercial property.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, says support for technology startups is vital to the growth of the Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy because they not only create jobs, but also increase the city\u0026rsquo;s competitiveness and often address an unmet need. \u0026ldquo;The Atlanta Startup Growth Loan Program will extend our reach and impact because we will be in a position to help eliminate funding as a barrier to their ability to grow,\u0026rdquo; says Dr. Klementich.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eASGL loans can be used for technology, inventory, the purchase, or renovation of commercial space within the city of Atlanta, machinery and equipment, furniture, and fixtures, as well as signage, which can go a long way to helping startups.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Being able to acquire or upgrade these types of assets can be transformative for a small business, particularly those in the early stages,\u0026rdquo; says Jenny Flores, head of small business growth philanthropy at Wells Fargo. \u0026ldquo;With this program, we are being intentional about getting capital out to entrepreneurs in a way that drives growth for each small business but also the Atlanta economy.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more about and apply for the Atlanta Startup Growth Loan Program, small business owners should visit \u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/startupgrowth\"\u003ewww.investatlanta.com/startupgrowth\u003c/a\u003e. Small businesses interested in the program may request assistance with their application through the Atlanta Open for Business Technical Assistance program by visiting \u003ca href=\"http://www.atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003ewww.atlinbusiness.com\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":500,"title":"The Kindred Healing Center: Nurturing Holistic Wellness in the Heart of Atlanta","promo_title":"The Kindred Healing Center: Nurturing Holistic Wellness in the Heart of Atlanta","published_date":"2023-10-23","featured_image":{"id":2516,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"4b1e7d7d-bf0a-40ad-92c7-a5c8c49f6004.jpeg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":141755,"resource_updated_at":"2023-10-23T14:34:06.391-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-10-23T14:34:07.096-04:00","updated_at":"2023-10-26T12:02:26.734-04:00","filename_hash":"4b1e7d7d-bf0a-40ad-92c7-a5c8c49f6004_y6kLyon.jpeg","width":680,"height":510},"filename":"the-kindred-healing-center-nurturing-holistic-wellness-in-the-heart-of-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"8XQI1A","created_at":"2023-10-23T14:35:33.078-04:00","updated_at":"2023-10-26T12:02:26.706-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Known as a haven of holistic wellness, the Kindred Healing Center found itself in the midst of this unprecedented storm \u0026hellip; but also found a silver lining in the form of opportunity.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Kindred Healing Center opened its doors to offer an ecosystem of services that address the mind, body\u0026nbsp;and spirit in a harmonious space. But the global pandemic of 2020 reshaped the landscape of business, forcing many to adapt quickly and resolutely. The Kindred Healing Center is one of those businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKnown as a haven of holistic wellness, the Kindred Healing Center found itself in the midst of this unprecedented storm \u0026hellip; but also found a silver lining in the form of opportunity. The pandemic not only heightened the center\u0026rsquo;s commitment to the community, it also underscored the essential role holistic wellness can play in a time of crisis. The center\u0026rsquo;s services addressed the critical needs of those impacted during COVID and became a lifeline.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Being able to maintain and stay open [during COVID] was rough,\u0026rdquo; owner Yolanda Neals-Kindred explains.\u0026rdquo; I recognized we needed a way to streamline and catch up and to get financial support. And that is why we reached out to Invest Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYolanda and her co-owner and wife Dr. Rhonda Neals-Kindred found the help they needed through the \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e (OFB).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSupported by a $20 million donation from Wells Fargo, OFB is designed to help small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment and technology. Moreover, OFB programs help Atlanta businesses impacted by the pandemic to recover.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn Kindred Healing Center\u0026rsquo;s case, their OFB experience was two-fold. Not only did the business receive the \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/atlanta-recovery-loan-program\"\u003eAtlanta Recovery Loan\u003c/a\u003e, which it used for renovations and equipment; in the beginning of the loan application process, Yolanda was partnered with expert consultants through the Technical Assistance Program to guide her through every facet of applying for financial support.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYolanda\u0026rsquo;s consultant both assisted in the loan process and also played a crucial role in ensuring that Kindred Healing Center had everything it needed to succeed.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Without this help I really don\u0026rsquo;t think I\u0026#39;d be in the position that I am right now. Monique (Mills) helped me understand my own business even better. For that I am truly grateful,\u0026rdquo; she says. \u0026ldquo;I wasn\u0026rsquo;t focused on the world knowing who we were the first couple years. But now, I am confident about opening the doors to the world to show what we offer. Help from the Technical Assistance program has given me new confidence in the way we present ourselves to the world.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNext, the Kindred Healing Center is embarking on expansion. The foundation built during the pandemic\u0026#39;s early days has allowed the center to flourish and evolve, and its owners are now ready to increase its footprint, target specific wellness populations and share their deep understanding of the community\u0026#39;s changing needs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLearn more about the Kindred Healing Center by visiting their \u003ca href=\"https://www.kindredhealingcenter.com/\"\u003ewebsite\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":499,"title":"Empowering Dreams: How ATLinBusiness is Supporting Entrepreneurs in the City","promo_title":"Empowering Dreams: How ATLinBusiness is Supporting Entrepreneurs in the City","published_date":"2023-10-19","featured_image":{"id":2515,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"img-20230704-wa0000-ronnie-s.-rose.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":189942,"resource_updated_at":"2023-10-19T15:08:29.291-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-10-19T15:08:30.144-04:00","updated_at":"2023-10-19T15:09:25.919-04:00","filename_hash":"img-20230704-wa0000-ronnie-s.-rose_aWZ95wX.jpg","width":834,"height":1024},"filename":"empowering-dreams-how-atlinbusiness-is-supporting-entrepreneurs-in-the-city","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"2daAuw","created_at":"2023-10-19T15:09:25.834-04:00","updated_at":"2023-10-19T15:09:25.834-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n You have an idea and the passion and willingness to work hard - but to truly build a thriving business you need more. Ronnie S. Rose, owner of Self Healers Yoga in Atlanta, knows that too well.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eYou have an idea and the passion and willingness to work hard - but to truly build a thriving business you need more. Ronnie S. Rose, owner of Self Healers Yoga in Atlanta, knows that too well. The story of Self Healers Yoga is a testament to the power of passion and the invaluable support that initiatives like ATLinBusiness can provide to budding entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor Rose, the journey toward creating Self Healers Yoga was deeply personal. In the face of anxieties and stresses brought on by the challenges of 2020, she found comfort in the practice of yoga. Recognizing the transformative power it held, she dreamed of a space where others could tap into their inner selves and create peace.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;People often turn to yoga at their breaking point. I teach how to use the resources you have inside you to help figure out how to manage. Yoga can really help with that,\u0026quot; Rose passionately explains.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, the path from a passionate idea to a thriving business has its challenges. Rose, like many entrepreneurs, recognized the need for structure, guidance, and expertise. This is where ATLinBusiness, an initiative by Invest Atlanta, stepped in to bridge the gap.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eATLinBusiness offers invaluable, no-cost services to small businesses in the City of Atlanta. One of the program\u0026rsquo;s standout features is its ability to pair a business with a consultant who possesses the precise skills to support that business\u0026rsquo; needs. For Rose, this meant finding a consultant who could provide the necessary support in website development, marketing, and business planning.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;I was matched with a consultant that had the skills I didn\u0026rsquo;t. I have the passion for my business but needed structure and a way for people to find out about me. Before I worked with ATLinBusiness, I was doing everything on a whim. I didn\u0026rsquo;t even have pricing,\u0026quot; Rose shares.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRose says the help she received from ATLinBusiness really got her started and this is just the beginning. For now, Self Healers Yoga provides personal one on one or small group sessions, but her hope is to open a brick and mortar Self Healers Retreat and Wellness Center.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eATLinBusiness is playing a pivotal role in nurturing these aspirations, one small business at a time. If you are a small business in the City of Atlanta and interested in learning more about ATLinBusiness, \u003ca href=\"https://atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003evisit the website\u003c/a\u003e and begin the process of being partnered with a consultant at no-cost to you.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLearn more about \u003ca href=\"https://selfhealersyoga.com/\"\u003eSelf Healers Yoga here.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":496,"title":"Invest Atlanta-Supported Projects Recognized with Two ULI Awards","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta-Supported Projects Recognized with Two ULI Awards","published_date":"2023-09-28","featured_image":{"id":2511,"parent_id":158,"resource_file_name":"uli_awards.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":309568,"resource_updated_at":"2023-09-28T10:29:09.858-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-09-28T10:29:10.604-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-28T10:30:23.140-04:00","filename_hash":"uli_awards_lPbq3ze.jpg","width":1280,"height":960},"filename":"invest-atlanta-supported-projects-recognized-with-two-uli-awards","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"DBgqgw","created_at":"2023-09-28T10:30:22.995-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-28T10:30:22.995-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Two Invest Atlanta-supported projects were honored at the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Atlanta 27th Awards of Excellence ceremony: \u003cstrong\u003eTrees Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Kendeda TreeHouse\u003c/strong\u003e for Excellence of Mission Advancement and \u003cstrong\u003eMarchon\u003c/strong\u003e in the Multifamily Residential Development category.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTwo Invest Atlanta-supported projects were honored at the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Atlanta 27th Awards of Excellence ceremony: \u003cstrong\u003eTrees Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Kendeda TreeHouse\u003c/strong\u003e for Excellence of Mission Advancement and \u003cstrong\u003eMarchon\u003c/strong\u003e in the Multifamily Residential Development category.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eULI recognizes outstanding real estate development projects, related programs and visionaries in urban development. Its awards programs are highly selective and spotlight a wide range of project types, sizes and initiatives, including everything from housing, commercial and mixed-use developments to new communities, open spaces and policy initiatives.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKendeda TreeHouse\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocated in Southwest Atlanta, the Kendeda TreeHouse was built on what was once an industrial brownfield lot in Oakland City and serves as Trees Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s home office. The location was chosen to provide the historically underinvested community with greater access to education programming and green job opportunities. The 23,000-square-foot-building on Warner Street sits on 2.9 acres of land surrounded by native plants and more than 200 trees.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe TreeHouse features multiple sustainability efforts, including maximizing previous land cover, reusing lumber, implementing efficient day-lighting, and more. In addition, the building is designed for the future installation of solar panels.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTrees Atlanta is a nonprofit founded in 1985 to protect and improve Atlanta\u0026#39;s urban forest through plantings, conservation and education. It worked in partnership with Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta and Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. to finance the Kendeda TreeHouse, receiving $150,000 from the Brownfield Revolving Loan fund, as well as $13 million in New Market Tax Credits.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarchon\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMarchon is a four-story multifamily development featuring 305 residential units, approximately 33% of which are available for workforce housing at 80% area median income (AMI).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBuilt on what was once an underutilized brownfield used as a parking lot for the King Memorial MARTA station, Marchon is now a vibrant transit-oriented, community-centered apartment complex that also includes retail space and outdoor amenities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe development was funded through a partnership with Invest Atlanta and MARTA, with MARTA lowering the land cost through a ground lease and supporting 50% of the brownfield environmental remediation while Invest Atlanta provided $6 million in tax allocation district (TAD) grants.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":495,"title":"Atlanta Clean Energy Program Launches with an Open Market Funding Structure","promo_title":"Atlanta Clean Energy Program Launches with an Open Market Funding Structure","published_date":"2023-09-28","featured_image":{"id":2422,"parent_id":7,"resource_file_name":"pace.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2749523,"resource_updated_at":"2023-07-10T11:03:15.588-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2023-07-10T11:03:17.013-04:00","updated_at":"2023-11-29T11:01:38.759-05:00","filename_hash":"pace_QzzvQ7o.png","width":1800,"height":1000},"filename":"atlanta-clean-energy-program-launches-with-an-open-market-funding-structure","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"NjfV2Q","created_at":"2023-09-28T10:20:00.136-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-28T11:54:42.998-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta has launched its Atlanta C-PACE program in an open market structure, providing property owners interested in C-PACE the flexibility to use their own private financing sources as opposed to the exclusive financing program offered previously.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has launched its Atlanta C-PACE program in an open market structure, providing property owners interested in C-PACE the flexibility to use their own private financing sources as opposed to the exclusive financing program offered previously.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe new program direction will maintain the existing benefits of the C-PACE structure, including attractive up-front capital to property owners and repayment schedules of up to 30 years, while creating a more streamlined process of approving financing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As the world community grapples with the global climate crisis, our Administration continues to explore new ways to incentivize responsible environmental stewardship\u0026mdash;for residents and the business community,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;The C-PACE program is essentially a call to action for commercial property owners to join us in creating a more sustainable and resilient Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eC-PACE is a version of PACE applicable to only commercial properties and is distinctive from R-PACE, which applies to only residential properties. C-PACE provides commercial property owners and developers low-cost, long-term financing paid back through an annual assessment on the organization\u0026#39;s property tax bill. C-PACE financing is utilized for eligible energy efficiency improvements including, but not limited to, solar, water conservation, HVAC, and other clean energy improvements.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta C-PACE program officially launched in April 2022, and in its first 18 months, four projects were approved totaling more than $16 million in financing, including Pullman Yards and the historic Flatiron and Grant buildings.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a robust pipeline of new construction and redevelopment projects, including community centers, multifamily housing, historic buildings and schools, which will further the City\u0026#39;s clean energy goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 and reaching 100% clean energy by 2035.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhat\u0026rsquo;s more, the expansion of C-PACE financing will facilitate the creation and preservation of affordable housing, the reduction of household energy burdens for low-income renters, job creation for minority contractors and a positive cash flow for the organization that can be used for development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLearn more about the C-PACE program, eligibility and requirements \u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/pace\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":498,"title":"BBQ Done Right","promo_title":"BBQ Done Right","published_date":"2023-09-28","featured_image":{"id":2513,"parent_id":158,"resource_file_name":"das_bbq3_-002-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":4295225,"resource_updated_at":"2023-09-28T10:46:28.418-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-09-28T10:46:28.768-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-28T10:46:49.550-04:00","filename_hash":"das_bbq3_-002-_53eD44P.png","width":2082,"height":1666},"filename":"bbq-done-right","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"FxQ9vw","created_at":"2023-09-28T10:46:49.528-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-28T10:46:49.528-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Determined to start a new chapter in life, the founder and pit master of \u003ca href=\"https://www.dasbbq.com/\"\u003eDAS BBQ\u003c/a\u003e leaned into his whole-hog-smoking-pig-picking roots to start a local joint on Collier Road with a vision to celebrate Georgia barbecue and contribute to his home state\u0026rsquo;s rich and creative culinary history.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBeing fired from his dream job in the brand strategy and design business was just the impetus Stephen Franklin needed to find his true calling.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDetermined to start a new chapter in life, the founder and pit master of \u003ca href=\"https://www.dasbbq.com/\"\u003eDAS BBQ\u003c/a\u003e leaned into his whole-hog-smoking-pig-picking roots to start a local joint on Collier Road with a vision to celebrate Georgia barbecue and contribute to his home state\u0026rsquo;s rich and creative culinary history. Stephen opened a second location on Memorial Drive, which can only be described as BBQ with a vibe \u0026ndash; complete with games, live music and, of course, mouth-watering food.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Music and food are a human love language,\u0026rdquo; says Stephen. \u0026ldquo;Adding fire to the mix evokes something carnal in us. Something safe, maybe even sacred. We like to invoke that magic in people\u0026rsquo;s psyches every time we open our doors.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBackyard barbecues were the backdrop of Stephen\u0026rsquo;s childhood. His father, who is a dually certified and licensed barbecue judge with the Memphis In May and Kansas City BBQ Society organizations, taught Stephen the art of smoking turkey breasts in vertical barrel-smokers. Those custom smokers, which Stephen builds at the family farm, are what put DAS BBQ on a level all its own.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It requires a different level of dedication to wood procurement, fire management and human learning,\u0026rdquo; says Stephen. \u0026ldquo;We want to preserve the part of our barbecue lineage that requires grit and grind.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStephen and his fellow pit master Jeremy Chambers both have deep Texas family roots, and the craft of smoking brisket comes directly from their Lone Star lineage. And, while the menu has something for everyone, DAS BBQ is known for that beef brisket and a side of cream corn \u0026ndash; a creamy, cheesy, jalape\u0026ntilde;o-infused corn that eats like a chowder and is often described as \u0026ldquo;dream corn.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDuring COVID-19, DAS BBQ was able to survive \u0026ndash; and thrive \u0026ndash; with help from a Resurgence Grant from Invest Atlanta, so much that Stephen was able to open his other location in Grant Park. Three years later, Invest Atlanta proactively reached out to Stephen about a potential employer credit. This led to conversations about how Invest Atlanta could help him secure low-interest loans through the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/commercial-down-payment-assistance\"\u003eCommercial Down Payment Assistance Program\u003c/a\u003e for he and Jeremy\u0026rsquo;s latest concept, DAS CANTINA, featuring their infamous smoked meats with a Tex-Mex twist.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s staff has been proactive, super responsive, and most of all, compassionate,\u0026rdquo; says Stephen. \u0026ldquo;They offer a hand-up, not a hand-out. Having that kind of support makes us proud to be Atlantans. Beyond all of that, they\u0026rsquo;ve let us know we\u0026rsquo;re not alone. They\u0026rsquo;re our partner. And as our partner, they want us to succeed.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor Stephen, this partnership not only helps him scale his business, it also lays the groundwork for him to give back to the community in an authentic way. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re not talking about cash for causes. We want to silently help feed those who need a warm meal and then not talk about it,\u0026rdquo; he explains. \u0026ldquo;We just want to do it because it\u0026rsquo;s the right thing to do and sincerely hope those actions will be what we\u0026rsquo;re most known for in 100 years from now.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":497,"title":"Expanding Hope ","promo_title":"Expanding Hope ","published_date":"2023-09-28","featured_image":{"id":2512,"parent_id":158,"resource_file_name":"sa4.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":487076,"resource_updated_at":"2023-09-28T10:33:46.983-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2023-09-28T10:33:47.126-04:00","updated_at":"2024-05-30T13:33:55.043-04:00","filename_hash":"sa4_pz3qN1p.jpg","width":2200,"height":1221},"filename":"expanding-hope","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"H48wTA","created_at":"2023-09-28T10:34:07.714-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-28T10:34:07.714-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Salvation Army will now have more resources to address the urgent needs of the city\u0026rsquo;s most vulnerable population with help from a $2 million Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Ascension Fund Grant approved by the Invest Atlanta Board.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Salvation Army will now have more resources to address the urgent needs of the city\u0026rsquo;s most vulnerable population with help from a $2 million Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Ascension Fund Grant approved by the Invest Atlanta Board.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Salvation Army\u0026rsquo;s capital campaign \u0026ndash; HOPE with Dignity \u0026ndash; is raising funds to transform the organization\u0026rsquo;s current homeless shelter facility (Red Shield Services) into a new, expanded Center of Hope campus. Funding from the TAD grant will help double the size of the current 45,875 square-foot facility and house the Salvation Army\u0026rsquo;s emergency and transitional living shelter facility, increasing its number of beds from 321 to 437. New units will consist of two floors of individualized living spaces and two floors of dormitory beds for male residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe project will also house an Education \u0026amp; Workforce Development Center that offers vital services to residents, including housing solutions, emergency assistance programs and other specialized programs that support veteran services, substance recovery, re-entry services and financial education. The center features six classrooms, a computer lab, as well as several informal collaboration and study areas. Construction of the new, expanded Center of Hope campus is expected to start in early 2024.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":494,"title":"Increasing Food Accessibility","promo_title":"Increasing Food Accessibility","published_date":"2023-09-28","featured_image":{"id":2510,"parent_id":158,"resource_file_name":"nb2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":119177,"resource_updated_at":"2023-09-28T10:13:53.939-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-09-28T10:13:54.789-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-28T16:28:26.605-04:00","filename_hash":"nb2_B39Xqqr.jpg","width":1280,"height":720},"filename":"increasing-food-accessibility","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"szUUXw","created_at":"2023-09-28T10:15:37.826-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-28T11:51:35.181-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board approved grants for two local small businesses to increase food accessibility in disinvested areas of the city that often lack ready options for fresh foods. Two Economic Opportunity Fund Food Access Grants, totaling $1.6 million, will support expansion projects for Goodr and Nourish + Bloom.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board approved grants for two local small businesses to increase food accessibility in disinvested areas of the city that often lack ready options for fresh foods. Two Economic Opportunity Fund Food Access Grants, totaling $1.6 million, will support expansion projects for Goodr and Nourish + Bloom.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGoodr\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $1 million Economic Opportunity Fund Food Access Grant was awarded to help Goodr finance the design and buildout of a community grocery store at iVillage @ MLK. The store will provide groceries, including fresh produce, eggs, milk, meat and other shelf-stable items.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta and MARTA partnered to create the iVillage @ MLK using repurposed shipping containers at the H.E. Holmes MARTA Station. The container village provides affordable, attractive and transit-accessible grocery, health services and retail along the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive corridor.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Economic Opportunity Fund for Goodr offers a model to examine the demand, need and value that a community food store has in low-income, disinvested neighborhoods with the goal of attracting and informing future grocery-based establishments. It also serves as an opportunity to jumpstart future interest in transit-oriented development (TOD) at H.E. Holmes Station.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGoodr founder and CEO Jasmine Crowe is an award-winning entrepreneur, TED speaker and children\u0026rsquo;s book author who founded the tech-enabled sustainable food waste management company. She is the 35th Black woman to raise more than $1 million in venture capital and was named as a top 100 influential female founders by \u003cem\u003eEntrepreneurial Magazine\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNourish + Bloom Market\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNourish + Bloom was awarded a $600,000 Economic Opportunity Fund Food Access Grant to help finance two Nourish + Bloom Market container stores, which will be located in Pittsburgh Yards and a location to be determined in District 11.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNourish + Bloom is a minority- and woman-owned autonomous grocery store that provides locally sourced grocery items, alongside everyday convenience items, with no checkout. Its autonomous container store model is designed to bring fresh produce and other nutritious goods directly to the community, offering a convenient, accessible solution and represents a competitive attraction project within the grocery industry.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis project represents Nourish + Bloom\u0026rsquo;s first expansion and will support two part-time and two full-time jobs, including a satellite store manager, customer experience representative, stocker and security guard. The company is committed to combatting food inequity and food insecurity by serving consumers in food deserts and historically underserved areas. And its versatile products allow it to deploy in all market conditions and serve more than 5,000 patrons monthly.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, Nourish + Bloom is committed to creating well-rounded employees in both AI and robotics, so as advancements in technology may scale out traditional grocer jobs, their employees can easily transition into the future of retail.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":491,"title":"A Mission to Help Others","promo_title":"A Mission to Help Others","published_date":"2023-09-26","featured_image":{"id":2506,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"ltlf_lateshia_woodley_20_jd-bs.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":330492,"resource_updated_at":"2023-09-26T09:55:12.156-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-09-26T09:55:13.768-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-26T09:56:09.929-04:00","filename_hash":"ltlf_lateshia_woodley_20_jd-bs_xNX7b8D.jpg","width":1280,"height":853},"filename":"a-mission-to-help-others","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"qFDQ_A","created_at":"2023-09-26T09:56:09.819-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-26T09:56:09.819-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Healing a community requires healing its citizens, and nowhere can healing do more immediate good than with children.\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.drlateshiawoodley.com/\"\u003eDr. Lateshia Woodley\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;has dedicated her life to helping children within underserved school systems.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHealing a community requires healing its citizens, and nowhere can healing do more immediate good than with children. \u003ca href=\"https://www.drlateshiawoodley.com/\"\u003eDr. Lateshia Woodley\u003c/a\u003e has dedicated her life to helping children within underserved school systems. Her focus is on strengthening the mental and emotional health of students, which she believes serves as the foundation of community-wide healing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I really and truly decided to dedicate my life to making a difference in the lives of kids who had some of the same struggles I did growing up,\u0026rdquo; says Dr. Woodley. \u0026ldquo;So, for the past two decades, that\u0026#39;s the work that I\u0026#39;ve been doing: from being a teacher, to a counselor, to a principal, all the way to assistant superintendent.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDr. Woodley\u0026rsquo;s background drove her to build her business: \u003ca href=\"https://www.dynamicachievementsolutions.com/\"\u003eDynamic Achievement Solutions\u003c/a\u003e, LLC (DAS). DAS is a counseling and educational consulting firm that works to transform communities that have historically been promised investment but might not have seen that investment materialize meaningfully. She works with educational institutions to combat mental health stigmas and improve the overall well-being of the communities in which they exist.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I decided after working as an assistant superintendent and seeing some of the concerns in the communities that I was a part of, that I wanted to have a greater impact and a greater reach,\u0026rdquo; she explains.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDr. Woodley had a vision and clients. All she needed were the funds to expand her physical space and grow her mission in East Point. She learned about the Atlanta Open for Business Fund from Invest Atlanta and applied for a low-interest loan through the Atlanta Recovery Loan Program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e is designed to help small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment and technology. It is supported by a generous donation of $20 million from \u003ca href=\"https://welcome.wf.com/impact/\"\u003eWells Fargo\u003c/a\u003e to help Atlanta businesses impacted by the pandemic recover.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We know that it\u0026#39;s difficult, more difficult for entrepreneurs of color to get funding in this financial space,\u0026rdquo; Dr. Woodley says. \u0026ldquo;And so, Invest Atlanta provides this avenue to make sure that we have an equal playing field and we\u0026#39;re able to be competitors in this global marketplace.\u0026rdquo;. She says being approved for this loan means she has the funds she needs to keep her business moving forward.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;If [the Open for Business Fund] didn\u0026#39;t come through for our funds, I don\u0026#39;t see how we would be able to continue the work that we\u0026#39;ve been doing. This has had such a great impact in the community,\u0026rdquo; she says.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe funding will allow her to create a center of operations, event space, a community garden and an individual counseling office. You can learn more about \u003ca href=\"https://www.dynamicachievementsolutions.com/\"\u003eDynamic Achievement Solutions\u003c/a\u003e and the services provided by visiting their website.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":492,"title":"Resilience and Innovation: How Buenos Dias Cafe Thrived with ATLinBusiness Support","promo_title":"Resilience and Innovation: How Buenos Dias Cafe Thrived with ATLinBusiness Support","published_date":"2023-09-26","featured_image":{"id":2507,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"k_j_headshot.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":10532711,"resource_updated_at":"2023-09-26T10:36:16.006-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-09-26T10:36:17.512-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-26T10:36:35.735-04:00","filename_hash":"k_j_headshot_Oz8BazP.jpg","width":4724,"height":3151},"filename":"resilience-and-innovation-how-buenos-dias-cafe-thrived-with-atlinbusiness-support","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"vFza_A","created_at":"2023-09-26T10:36:35.647-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-26T10:36:35.647-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eJeannette Flores-Katz and her husband, Ken Katz, had a determined attitude of \u0026ldquo;failure is not an option\u0026rdquo; when they came up with the idea for Buenos Dias Cafe and Pupuseria in 2011. However, they recognized the need for financial support to kickstart their idea, which led them to seek help from Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFast forward to 2020, the restaurant faced challenges, particularly due to the restrictions on indoor dining brought about by the pandemic. To ensure the survival of Buenos Dias Cafe, the couple turned to Invest Atlanta once again, this time through the ATLinBusiness program. They were specifically looking for marketing help.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;We needed to figure out a new way to do business due to the changing landscape,\u0026rdquo; Katz explains.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eRecognizing a need for a stronger online presence to drive traffic to their website and build online delivery services, the restaurant owners were connected with a consultant through ATLinBuinsess. This consultant played a big role in educating them about website development, keywords and search engine optimization (SEO). Their goal was to make sure the restaurant would appear in search results when people looked for Latin food in Atlanta. The collaboration between an ATLinBusiness consultant and Flores-Katz spanned approximately 10 weeks, ultimately enabling them to transition to running their business 100% online.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eATLinBusiness offers no-cost services to small businesses in Atlanta. A key feature of the program is pairing the business with a consultant who has expertise in the area the business requires assistance. Katz says the help was so valuable and encourages other Atlanta businesses entrepreneurs to use these services. He goes on to say that, while it is no-cost to the business, you have to be able to put in the work and actively participate.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eATLinBusiness helped the Katz\u0026rsquo; business survive the pandemic and today, they have been able to rebrand as La Bodega. The restaurant has moved to The MET ATL and has expanded to offer inside seating and a market. As the couple looks back over the past three years they say it was worth the work because it meant staying afloat during a tough economic time.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s not just a case of submitting your issue and letting someone else solve it. It is a collaborative effort. Really a partnership with the consultant,\u0026rdquo; Katz says.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIf you are a small business in the City of Atlanta and interested in learning more about ATLinBusiness, you can \u003ca href=\"https://atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003evisit the website\u003c/a\u003e and begin the process of being partnered with a consultant at no-cost to you.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n West End\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":490,"title":"A Commitment to Affordability","promo_title":"A Commitment to Affordability","published_date":"2023-08-31","featured_image":{"id":2490,"parent_id":156,"resource_file_name":"engl2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":117162,"resource_updated_at":"2023-09-07T11:14:29.595-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-09-07T11:14:30.669-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-08T09:25:54.106-04:00","filename_hash":"engl2_JZbRw1Z.jpg","width":820,"height":470},"filename":"a-commitment-to-affordability","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"M72IWA","created_at":"2023-09-07T11:14:35.166-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-08T09:25:54.026-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board approved financing for 570 affordable housing units across five developments in the city of Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board approved financing for 570 affordable housing units across five developments in the city of Atlanta. Once constructed, the properties will offer both multifamily and single-family housing covering a range of area median income (AMI) levels to support different housing needs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDevelopments approved for financing include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnglewood Senior \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $3 million Beltline Tax Allocation District (TAD) Increment Grant will finance the new construction of 160 multifamily housing units. Located in the Chosewood Park neighborhood, Englewood Senior will feature senior housing, including 160 units of affordable housing with 21 units at 30% AMI and 139 units at 60% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHenderson Place Apartments \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $12.5 million tax-exempt loan, along with an additional $3.26 million Housing Opportunity Bond Fund loan, will finance the new construction of 76 multifamily housing units. Located in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood, 100% of the housing units at Henderson Place Apartments will be affordable, including 16 units at 50% AMI and 60 units at 60% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHerndon Square \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $41.5 million tax-exempt loan will finance the new construction of 201 multifamily housing units in the English Avenue neighborhood. Herndon Square will feature workforce and affordable housing, including 127 units at 60% AMI and 43 units at 80% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Simpson \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $28 million\u0026nbsp;tax-exempt loan will finance the new construction of 139 multifamily housing units in the Vine City neighborhood. All 139 units at The Simpson will be affordable, including 39 units at 30% AMI, 58 units at 60% AMI and 42 units at 80% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCarey Park \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $1.5 million Perry Bolton TAD grant will finance the new construction of single-family homes for sale. Located in the Carey Park neighborhood, Carey Park will feature affordable housing, including five homes at 80% AMI and 20 homes at 100% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, a child born into poverty in Atlanta has a less than 5% chance of escaping it in their lifetime. \u0026ldquo;This is why the opportunities we are creating through affordable housing matter so much to the future of the city,\u0026rdquo; she says. \u0026ldquo;All of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s affordable housing investments are underpinned by a mission to make Atlanta one of the most equitable and prosperous cities in the world.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince Mayor Andre Dickens took office in 2022, 1,991 housing units, including 1,793 affordable units (90%), have been created through Invest Atlanta Board-approved financing, totaling more than $561 million of investment in housing in neighborhoods throughout the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As Atlanta continues to grow, we need to ensure that our city offers affordable living options for residents at every stage of life, from single households to families to seniors,\u0026rdquo; says Mayor Dickens. \u0026ldquo;The work of the Invest Atlanta Board continues to exemplify this commitment.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":489,"title":"Barking to Support Change","promo_title":"Barking to Support Change","published_date":"2023-08-21","featured_image":{"id":2473,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"city_dogz.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1015468,"resource_updated_at":"2023-08-21T13:15:51.074-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-08-21T13:15:51.996-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-08T09:26:48.858-04:00","filename_hash":"city_dogz_j3W4kl6.jpg","width":1986,"height":1986},"filename":"barking-to-support-change","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"kLuGqw","created_at":"2023-08-21T13:18:53.410-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-08T09:26:48.817-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u0026ldquo;We couldn\u0026rsquo;t have done this without the help of Invest Atlanta (and the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eOpen for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e),\u0026rdquo; Brown explains.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eImpacting change, representing the community and enhancing the services in Atlanta \u0026hellip; all things Azhia Brown is committed to. This young, Black entrepreneur sees growth in the west side of the city and, rather than being a spectator to change, she is jumping right in. Brown owns City Dogz ATL, a unique boutique dog grooming and boarding facility. She opened her business prior to 2020 and then, like many business owners, ran into some challenges. That is when she learned about the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We couldn\u0026rsquo;t have done this without the help of Invest Atlanta (and the Open for Business Fund),\u0026rdquo; Brown explains. \u0026ldquo;The grant is allowing us to build out our physical space and really represent what is happening in west Atlanta. This area is about growth, community and support, and I hope this space personifies that.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta Open for Business Commercial Property Improvement Grant (CPIG) enabled her to make big changes in her corner of the city. The grant is possible because of a $20 million donation from Wells Fargo to help Atlanta small business owners own more of their businesses\u0026rsquo; assets, including property and equipment, and to enable physical upgrades to their facilities. Invest Atlanta, in collaboration with United Way of Greater Atlanta, will distribute the funding as a mix of grants and loans in the city, with a focus on Black-owned and other diverse-owned businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe CPIG money will do two big things for her business. The first is to fence in the area and create a safe space for dogs and their owners as well as keep people passing by safe. The second is the addition of turf and large containers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBrown says the turf will be used in the play yard for pups while the containers serve as a barrier and will later be used for a planned expansion of services. Brown\u0026rsquo;s vision for City Dogz is to be more than boarding and grooming. She intends to create a dog community for the pet owners around the area.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We want to offer residents in the area the use of our yard after hours so people walking their animals have a safe place for them to run,\u0026rdquo; she says. \u0026ldquo;We also want to expand to a self-service after hours dog wash for those who live nearby.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBrown, who has mapped out her growth strategy for City Dogz ATL, says without Atlanta Open for Business it would take a lot longer for her dreams to be realized.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e is designed to help small business owners in Atlanta build wealth and to help Atlanta businesses impacted by the pandemic recover.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":487,"title":"A Home with Good Spirit","promo_title":"Betty Barnes doesn’t mince words when she says she once had the ugliest house on the street.","published_date":"2023-07-31","featured_image":{"id":2445,"parent_id":151,"resource_file_name":"1_e0a2974.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":3908732,"resource_updated_at":"2023-07-31T10:10:39.108-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-07-31T10:10:39.617-04:00","updated_at":"2023-07-31T10:11:00.104-04:00","filename_hash":"1_e0a2974_Xzlk7v2.jpg","width":6451,"height":4849},"filename":"a-home-with-good-spirit","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"GNvqJQ","created_at":"2023-07-31T10:11:00.009-04:00","updated_at":"2023-07-31T10:11:00.009-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u0026ldquo;It was all clunked up and out of code,\u0026rdquo; she says. \u0026ldquo;Now it looks snap-brand-new. When I see it I have to remind myself that I live here, and I shout, \u0026lsquo;Thank you Lord!\u0026rsquo;\u0026rdquo;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBetty Barnes doesn\u0026rsquo;t mince words when she says she once had the ugliest house on the street.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It was all clunked up and out of code,\u0026rdquo; she says. \u0026ldquo;Now it looks snap-brand-new. When I see it I have to remind myself that I live here, and I shout, \u0026lsquo;Thank you Lord!\u0026rsquo;\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBetty has lived in her East Atlanta Village ranch for 53 years. It\u0026rsquo;s where she raised her four children and was the refuge she returned to each day after working multiple jobs to support her family. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s a peaceful home with good spirit,\u0026rdquo; says Betty. \u0026ldquo;I remember my kids doing flips off the back porch and riding their big wheel down the sidewalk. It\u0026rsquo;s seen a lot of growth and a lot of love.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOver the decades, Betty has watched East Atlanta Village grow up around her, transforming into a vibrant community with big new houses, restaurants and a library. During that time, her own home began to deteriorate, but money to address the necessary repairs was always hard to come by.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBetty considers it a blessing that she learned about the Invest Atlanta Owner Occupied Rehab program, which helps long-time Atlanta residents make needed repairs so they can safely remain in their homes. In Betty\u0026rsquo;s case, those repairs involved new insulation, siding, exterior painting, window replacements and the removal of bee nests and termites. She even received new address numbers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBetty says people don\u0026rsquo;t recognize her house when they drive by now, not to mention it\u0026rsquo;s up to code and her utility bills are much lower.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This program is just wonderful,\u0026rdquo; she says. \u0026ldquo;Us seniors have worked our whole lives, and we don\u0026rsquo;t want to give up our homes and communities to go live in a nursing home \u0026ndash; we want to stay. I pray people learn about this program and pursue it.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n East Atlanta\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":488,"title":"Invest Atlanta Relaunches Popular Home Repair Program","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Relaunches Popular Home Repair Program","published_date":"2023-07-31","featured_image":{"id":410,"parent_id":7,"resource_file_name":"0v4a7921.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":114656,"resource_updated_at":"2018-01-02T15:18:05.219-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-01-02T15:18:05.375-05:00","updated_at":"2023-09-08T15:00:51.694-04:00","filename_hash":"0v4a7921_MY22OYo.jpg","width":1800,"height":689},"filename":"invest-atlanta-relaunches-popular-home-repair-program","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"QrEurw","created_at":"2023-07-31T10:46:11.905-04:00","updated_at":"2023-07-31T10:46:11.905-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta and the City of Atlanta are relaunching the Atlanta Heritage Owner Occupied Rehab Program, which provides forgivable loans up to $30,000 to eligible homeowners to address needed repairs and safety hazards.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and the City of Atlanta are relaunching the Atlanta Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab Program, which provides forgivable loans up to $30,000 to eligible homeowners to address needed repairs and safety hazards.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCreated to help legacy residents remain in their homes amid rising prices, the program gives priority to senior households, military veterans, disabled head of households and those who have been in their homes for more than 15 years. Eligible home repairs include everything from minor plumbing and electrical work to ADA improvements, siding, painting, windows and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eClick \u003ca href=\"/homebuyers/owner-occupied-rehab\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;to learn more about the eligibility guidelines and to apply. You can also attend one of several Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s community engagement events:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAugust 19, 2023: 9 a.m. \u0026ndash; 11 a.m.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eC.T. Martin Recreational Center\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e3201 M.L.K. Jr. Dr.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta, GA 30311\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAugust 26, 2023: 9 a.m. \u0026ndash; 11 a.m.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePeachtree Hills Recreation Center\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e308 Peachtree Hills Ave. NE\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta, GA 30305\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeptember 9, 2023: 9 a.m. \u0026ndash; 11 a.m.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta Technical College\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e1560 Metropolitan Pkwy. SE\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta, GA 30310\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeptember 16, 2023: 9 a.m. \u0026ndash; 11 a.m.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBessie Branham Recreation Center\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e2051 Delano Dr. NE\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta, GA 30317\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":485,"title":"Remediation Continues at Pullman Yards","promo_title":"Remediation Continues at Pullman Yards","published_date":"2023-07-31","featured_image":{"id":2442,"parent_id":151,"resource_file_name":"py1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":129268,"resource_updated_at":"2023-07-31T09:56:30.035-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-07-31T09:56:30.078-04:00","updated_at":"2023-07-31T09:57:05.753-04:00","filename_hash":"py1_6XzokO4.jpg","width":1138,"height":586},"filename":"remediation-continues-at-pullman-yards","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"bOrcJw","created_at":"2023-07-31T09:56:33.417-04:00","updated_at":"2023-07-31T09:57:05.731-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Contamination cleanup efforts will enter a new phase at Pullman Yards with help from a $1.5 million brownfield cleanup loan approved by the Invest Atlanta Board.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eContamination cleanup efforts will enter a new phase at Pullman Yards with help from a $1.5 million brownfield cleanup loan approved by the Invest Atlanta Board.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eProperty owner Atomic Entertainment has been remediating and redeveloping the property in phrases since 2021 to create a mixed-used entertainment and arts district. The first phase focused on remediating and redeveloping existing property buildings for commercial uses, including film production, office space and mixed-income residential. Proposed redevelopment for other areas of the property includes wellness facilities, dining and entertainment spaces. The project will also accommodate parking and site amenities to handle various modes of travel.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 27-acre site, located on Rogers Street in the Kirkwood neighborhood, was once an active manufacturing facility in the early 1900s. From the 1920s to the 1950s, Pullman Rail Car Company operated a repair and storage yard at the site. The Pullman company was also one of the largest employers of African American men during segregation: The Pullman Porters. Essentially unused during the late 1980s and early 1990s, the site was acquired by The State of Georgia and remained inactive for 30 years until Atomic Entertainment purchased it in 2017.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe property\u0026rsquo;s redevelopment has been contingent on the cleanup of hazardous substances, pollutants and contaminants, including asbestos-containing material (ACM) and lead-based paint in the site\u0026rsquo;s industrial buildings, as well as lead-contaminated soil.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs part of its phased remediation and redevelopment efforts, Atomic Entertainment has received assistance from the Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as C-PACE Funding\u0026mdash;Better Building Initiative via the U.S. Department of Energy.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe cleanup at Pullman Yards allows for its continued conversion into a community asset. It also aligns with the Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund program goals of encouraging sustainable redevelopment of brownfield sites, protecting human health and the environment, and supporting the retention and attraction of jobs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Kirkwood\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":484,"title":"A Renovated Home for Georgia Works","promo_title":"A Renovated Home for Georgia Works","published_date":"2023-07-31","featured_image":{"id":2441,"parent_id":151,"resource_file_name":"gw3.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":87708,"resource_updated_at":"2023-07-31T09:50:15.052-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-07-31T09:50:15.709-04:00","updated_at":"2023-07-31T15:51:39.619-04:00","filename_hash":"gw3_zyjLwJl.jpg","width":533,"height":525},"filename":"a-renovated-home-for-georgia-works","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"izj23A","created_at":"2023-07-31T09:51:05.307-04:00","updated_at":"2023-07-31T15:51:39.575-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The historic Odd Fellows Building will soon be home to Georgia Works, a nonprofit that helps men who are chronically homeless overcome barriers and achieve self-sufficiency. The Invest Atlanta Board approved a $1.25 million grant from the Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Ascension Fund to finance the building\u0026rsquo;s renovation.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe historic Odd Fellows Building will soon be home to Georgia Works, a nonprofit that helps men who are chronically homeless overcome barriers and achieve self-sufficiency. The Invest Atlanta Board approved a $1.25 million grant from the Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Ascension Fund to finance the building\u0026rsquo;s renovation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGeorgia Works purchased the tower portion of the Odd Fellows Building, located on Auburn Avenue in the Old Fourth Ward, in early 2023 with a grant from the Governor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Planning and Budget. Once renovated, the facility will house all Georgia Works operations under one roof\u0026mdash;providing expanded capacity for program participants, low-cost housing for program graduates and office space for the organization.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlso included as part of the project is the renovation of four retail spaces on the ground floor. These spaces will be leased to local businesses at below-market rates to foster entrepreneurial opportunities and reactivate a historically disinvested part of the Sweet Auburn corridor.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGeorgia Works is currently based at the Gateway Center where program participants live in converted jail facilities. In the refurbished Odd Fellows Building, Georgia Works will increase the number of men it serves\u0026mdash;housing up to 164 men at any one time, including 40 spaces for men participating in the Georgia Works program, as well as transitional housing for up to 124 program graduates in 60, two- and three-bed shared units.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGeorgia Works provides participants with room and board for up to one year for a nominal fee while they participate in transitional work (earning $7.40 per hour for 30+ hours per week). The program also includes case management, workforce training, wellness classes, GED classes, support in obtaining a driver\u0026rsquo;s license, help setting up a bank account and life skill preparation courses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing completion of the Georgia Works program, graduates receive job placement assistance and have access to low-cost transitional housing through Georgia Works\u0026rsquo; Housing Division, which is a crucial step toward permanent housing and stable employment.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Sweet Auburn\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":486,"title":"Sizable Investments in Affordable Housing Continue","promo_title":"Sizable Investments in Affordable Housing Continue","published_date":"2023-07-31","featured_image":{"id":2443,"parent_id":151,"resource_file_name":"bw4.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":198184,"resource_updated_at":"2023-07-31T10:00:11.862-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-07-31T10:00:11.906-04:00","updated_at":"2023-07-31T10:00:25.118-04:00","filename_hash":"bw4_k3gNYa6.jpg","width":1120,"height":1080},"filename":"sizable-investments-in-affordable-housing-continue","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ctsdgQ","created_at":"2023-07-31T10:00:25.090-04:00","updated_at":"2023-07-31T10:00:25.090-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board has approved more than $57 million in funding for several affordable housing developments throughout Atlanta. These investments will continue to move the city closer to its goal to build and preserve 20,000 units of affordable housing by 2026.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board has approved more than $57 million in funding for several affordable housing developments throughout Atlanta. These investments will continue to move the city closer to its goal to build and preserve 20,000 units of affordable housing by 2026.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrentwood Commons\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $25 million tax-exempt loan, along with an additional $1.5 million Housing Opportunity Bond Fund loan, will finance the new construction of 112 multifamily housing units. Located in the Campbellton Road neighborhood, Brentwood Commons will feature workforce and affordable housing, including 36 units at 50% area median income (AMI), 52 units at 60% AMI, 18 units at 80% AMI and six units at market rate.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVillages at Carver\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $27.2 million tax-exempt loan will finance the acquisition and rehabilitation of 220 multifamily housing units in the Villages at Carver neighborhood in South Atlanta. More than half of the units will be made affordable, including 110 units at 50% AMI and 44 units at 60% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Simpson\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAn approved $4 million from the 2023 Housing Opportunity Bond Fund will finance the new construction of 136 multifamily housing in the Vine City community. Located on Joseph E. Boone Boulevard, The Simpson will feature 39 units at 30% AMI, 58 units at 60% AMI and 42 units at 80% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":483,"title":"At the Intersection of Fashion and Purpose","promo_title":"At the Intersection of Fashion and Purpose","published_date":"2023-07-24","featured_image":{"id":2440,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"microsoftteams-image_-15-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2465616,"resource_updated_at":"2023-07-24T13:32:33.441-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-07-24T13:32:34.301-04:00","updated_at":"2023-08-02T11:16:18.606-04:00","filename_hash":"microsoftteams-image_-15-_aWWxKVe.png","width":6000,"height":4000},"filename":"at-the-intersection-of-fashion-and-purpose","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"1HiLjA","created_at":"2023-07-24T13:33:32.247-04:00","updated_at":"2023-08-02T11:16:18.573-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u0026quot;I want to address inequities in the world of couture fashion and put the Atlanta fashion scene on the map,\u0026quot; says Rose Gordon, founder of Pink Maison. This fashion mogul with a titanic list of accomplishments is doing exactly that with help from the Atlanta Open for Business Fund.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;I want to address inequities in the world of couture fashion and put the Atlanta fashion scene on the map,\u0026quot; says Rose Gordon, founder of Pink Maison. This fashion mogul with a titanic list of accomplishments is doing exactly that with help from the Atlanta Open for Business Fund.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;In the world of high fashion, young Black designers are often overlooked,\u0026rdquo; Gordon explains, \u0026ldquo;so, I want my business to be more than a boutique.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePink Maison, located in the heart of Downtown Atlanta, is one part retail space and one part designer incubator. Gordon sells pieces from Black designers from around the world. She has cultivated relationships with promising designers from Atlanta, New York, the Caribbean, Africa, and beyond, and her company provides robust support to help these young hopefuls participate in an industry that doesn\u0026rsquo;t always offer them a fair shot. \u0026ldquo;In addition to our showroom, Pink Maison offers business development, digital marketing, press and [a] sales agency to independent designers.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith support from Wells Fargo, Invest Atlanta and United Way of Greater Atlanta established the \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business Fund\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;to help small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment, and technology. The financial institution provided a \u003ca aria-label=\"Link generous donation of $20 million\" href=\"https://newsroom.wf.com/English/news-releases/news-release-details/2022/Wells-Fargo-Donates-20-Million-to-Strengthen-Small-Businesses-in-Atlanta-/default.aspx\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"https://newsroom.wf.com/english/news-releases/news-release-details/2022/wells-fargo-donates-20-million-to-strengthen-small-businesses-in-atlanta-/default.aspx\"\u003egenerous donation of $20 million\u003c/a\u003e to help Atlanta businesses impacted by the pandemic recover.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGordon launched her business at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although unsure about when safety regulations would ease, Gordon soldiered on with support from her husband and an understanding landlord. She came out of the depths of the pandemic ready to grow but in need of a financial lifeline. So, when she heard of the Atlanta Open for Business Fund, she applied for a low-interest loan through the Atlanta Recovery Loan Fund.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe money will allow her to expand marketing, improve inventory, purchase equipment to refine her flexible space, and hire a new employee. \u0026ldquo;The funding through the Atlanta Open for Business Fund came at the perfect time for me and my business,\u0026rdquo; Gordon says.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith her business recovering and primed to grow, Gordon intends to expand her impact even further. She has founded a modest scholarship to help underprivileged students attend fashion school, and she intends to increase the award amount over the coming years to further help designers build the skills and networks necessary to thrive in the competitive fashion industry. \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eClick to learn\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;more about the Atlanta Open for Business program, including application materials.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":482,"title":"A Purpose-Driven Entrepreneur","promo_title":"A Purpose-Driven Entrepreneur","published_date":"2023-06-28","featured_image":{"id":2418,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"dsc_4952.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":12828935,"resource_updated_at":"2023-06-28T14:31:34.342-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-06-28T14:31:36.082-04:00","updated_at":"2023-06-29T12:12:28.333-04:00","filename_hash":"dsc_4952_D332BjZ.jpg","width":6016,"height":4016},"filename":"a-purpose-driven-entrepreneur","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ofm8MQ","created_at":"2023-06-28T10:02:15.474-04:00","updated_at":"2023-06-29T12:12:28.181-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Rahfeal Gordon is a busy man.\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;All my business ventures are in alignment with my personal purpose to make a positive impact in the world,\u0026rdquo; says RahGor. \u0026ldquo;There\u0026#39;s so much that we can do through business, entrepreneurship, and as human beings. I want to serve as an advisor and mentor to others that I didn\u0026#39;t have coming up.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRahfeal Gordon is a busy man.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe leadership advisor, entrepreneur, and author, also known as RahGor, has published 18 books, is the principal owner of the branding and publishing company \u003ca href=\"http://www.madpar.com/\"\u003eMadison + Park\u003c/a\u003e and is the global ambassador of the International Hub in Norway, which supports entrepreneurs from around the world. He also is a keynote speaker, advisor to world leaders and co-founder of Voices for World Peace Organization.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nRahGor even served as a mentor and advisor for The Queen\u0026rsquo;s Young Leadership Program in the United Kingdom. Each undertaking is purpose-driven and met with the drive and authenticity that defines RahGor\u0026rsquo;s personal and professional brand.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;All my business ventures are in alignment with my personal purpose to make a positive impact in the world,\u0026rdquo; says RahGor. \u0026ldquo;There\u0026#39;s so much that we can do through business, entrepreneurship, and as human beings. I want to serve as an advisor and mentor to others that I didn\u0026#39;t have coming up.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nEven with all his success, RahGor found that he, himself, was in need of additional support and resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the lockdown, he began to build out an idea to showcase up-and-coming Madison + Park authors and document their journey to inspire others who are writing their own books. RahGor applied for, and received, a Creative Industries Grant to support the online series \u0026ldquo;How I Wrote It.\u0026rdquo; The endeavor, in fact, has been so well-received that RahGor has turned the $5,000 grant into what is forecasted to reach $800,000 by the end of the year.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;The financial support helped to lift this project off the ground during a very uncertain time,\u0026rdquo; says RahGor. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta proactively reached out to help me complete the grant application and offered resources, which was amazing. They have a finger on the pulse of entrepreneurs; they understand our needs and, most importantly, that time is our most precious commodity.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nRahGor has also leveraged the business resources available on the \u003ca href=\"https://atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003eATLinBusiness\u003c/a\u003e platform, which taps into a network of local business experts to provide no-cost, one-on-one business consulting and coaching. RahGor says having these kinds of resources not only helps emerging businesses launch and stay afloat, they\u0026nbsp;also inspire more established businesses to keep creating and plan for what\u0026#39;s\u0026nbsp;next.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;Even successful entrepreneurs are still growing, still have hardships and still need support from other organizations,\u0026rdquo; he explains. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta is a key pillar in the Atlanta community and is so effective in providing the resources and mentorship that entrepreneurs truly need. My goal is to go higher and bigger, to have enough resources and funding to give back to Invest Atlanta and ATLinBusiness the same way they\u0026#39;ve\u0026nbsp;supported me.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":481,"title":"A Lifelong Dream","promo_title":"A Lifelong Dream","published_date":"2023-05-30","featured_image":{"id":2403,"parent_id":148,"resource_file_name":"courtnee_boyd.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":90930,"resource_updated_at":"2023-05-30T13:35:30.875-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-05-30T13:35:31.472-04:00","updated_at":"2023-05-30T13:36:11.972-04:00","filename_hash":"courtnee_boyd_qzN7N4Q.jpg","width":480,"height":640},"filename":"a-lifelong-dream","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lcN9pQ","created_at":"2023-05-30T13:36:11.687-04:00","updated_at":"2023-05-30T13:36:11.687-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u0026ldquo;The moment I received my keys felt surreal,\u0026rdquo; says Courtnee. \u0026ldquo;I could finally take a sigh of relief that I\u0026#39;d done it. I\u0026#39;d made the little girl in me proud.\u0026rdquo;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCourtnee Boyd has been looking at homes since seventh grade when she was assigned a school project to design her dream life \u0026hellip; right down to the type of house she\u0026rsquo;d live in. It was then that she discovered the home website Zillow.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Ever since then I spent my free time looking at home sites and planning what I would one day own myself,\u0026rdquo; says Courtnee, who is now 24 years old. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026#39;s something I\u0026#39;ve really wanted for so long.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCourtnee\u0026rsquo;s mother always stressed the importance of homeownership telling her: \u0026ldquo;As long as you have a roof over your head you can get crafty and figure out things like heating and water, if need be, but having a home and a place to lay your head at night is very important.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBut, when the time came for Courtnee to start the homebuying process, there were challenges. Courtnee says she didn\u0026rsquo;t know where to start and often wasn\u0026rsquo;t taken seriously when she sought help. \u0026ldquo;When you\u0026rsquo;re young, people assume you aren\u0026#39;t prepared, and will blow you off thinking you\u0026#39;re wasting their time,\u0026rdquo; she explains. \u0026ldquo;This process taught me the importance of educating myself and staying ready to face any unplanned challenges.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn the process of educating herself, Courtnee was introduced to Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Down Payment Assistance Program, which was the resource she needed to bring her childhood dream to fruition. With down payment assistance, Courtnee was able to close on a home two years after college versus waiting until she was much older and more established in her career. \u0026ldquo;My mortgage is cheaper than most of my friends\u0026rsquo; rent, so this program has truly been a life and money saver,\u0026rdquo; she says. \u0026ldquo;It was one of the first and biggest steps in my life to achieving financial and mental freedom.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCourtnee purchased a one bedroom, one bath, high rise condo with floor-to-ceiling windows in the Fox Theatre Historic District. It\u0026rsquo;s walking distance to the grocery store, nail salon and her work and just minutes away from MARTA and the highway. \u0026ldquo;The moment I received my keys felt surreal,\u0026rdquo; says Courtnee. \u0026ldquo;I could finally take a sigh of relief that I\u0026#39;d done it. I\u0026#39;d made the little girl in me proud.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCourtnee says it means a lot that there are programs like this that help ordinary people with regular income become homeowners and is grateful to Invest Atlanta for helping to make her goal a reality. \u0026ldquo;Being a homeowner is my first step in achieving my American Dream,\u0026rdquo; says Courtnee. \u0026ldquo;I\u0026#39;m no longer just dreaming, I\u0026#39;m actually living it!\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":479,"title":"We All Scream for Ice Cream","promo_title":"We All Scream for Ice Cream","published_date":"2023-04-30","featured_image":{"id":2380,"parent_id":147,"resource_file_name":"jason_davis.pdf.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":26765,"resource_updated_at":"2023-05-04T13:53:26.069-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-05-04T13:53:26.755-04:00","updated_at":"2023-07-24T13:37:13.110-04:00","filename_hash":"jason_davis.pdf_lPpjRze.jpg","width":480,"height":555},"filename":"we-all-scream-for-ice-cream","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"KPoogw","created_at":"2023-05-04T13:53:52.340-04:00","updated_at":"2023-05-04T13:55:35.310-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Jason Davis is the consummate entrepreneur. He works as a real estate investor and physical therapist, and with help from Invest Atlanta, he\u0026rsquo;s now pursuing a new business venture in ice cream.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eJason Davis is the consummate entrepreneur. He works as a real estate investor and physical therapist, and with help from Invest Atlanta, he\u0026rsquo;s now pursuing a new business venture in ice cream.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I always knew I wanted to open an ice cream shop,\u0026rdquo; says Jason. \u0026ldquo;There\u0026rsquo;s just something about ice cream that makes you feel good.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince last July, Jason has been diligently working towards that goal. And, just in time for the Atlanta summer heat, he\u0026rsquo;ll be opening the doors to Aiskrimu Ice Cream Bar in the commercial district of historic Cascade Heights.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAiskrimu, which is pronounced \u003cem\u003e\u0026#39;īs krēm \u0026#39;\u0026uuml;, \u003c/em\u003emeans \u0026ldquo;ice cream\u0026rdquo; in Swahili. The boutique shop will include vegan and other healthier soft serve ice cream options featuring traditional and seasonal flavors, specialty items \u0026ndash; like ginger beer floats and caramelized plantain sundaes \u0026ndash; along with black waffle cones, ice cream sandwiches and even Pup Cups.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDespite several new restaurants and food establishments, Cascade Heights is considered a food desert, and Aiskrimu will serve as the only ice cream shop in the surrounding community. \u0026ldquo;I want Aiskrimu to be a place where people come together,\u0026rdquo; says Jason. \u0026ldquo;Where everyone knows each other and become regulars.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has been key to helping Jason get his business off the ground. As a recipient of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/commercial-property-improvement-grant\"\u003eAtlanta Commercial Property Improvement Grant\u003c/a\u003e, Jason received $38,000 to help build out the space and bring it up to code.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As a Black small business owner, this support goes a long way,\u0026rdquo; says Jason, who points to a McKinsey \u0026amp; Company study on the high rate of small business failure, especially among Black owners. According to the report, 8 in 10 Black business owners fail within the first 18 months, primarily due to lack of access to capital. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta has taken a huge financial burden off my shoulders,\u0026rdquo; continues Jason. \u0026ldquo;This grant made it easier to open my business. It\u0026rsquo;s a big deal.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJason says that as soon as the storefront sign was installed, locals began voicing their excitement. Many have even come to him seeking business advice. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s a beautiful thing connecting with others who are trying to open a business of their own,\u0026rdquo; says Jason. \u0026ldquo;It requires a lot of sweat equity to make it happen, but it\u0026rsquo;s fulfilling. It\u0026rsquo;s cool to share my experience with them.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs for his favorite ice cream flavor, Jason says he\u0026rsquo;s boring. \u0026ldquo;I love vanilla. It makes me pretty happy.\u0026rdquo; He will no doubt be making a lot of customers happy when Aiskrimu opens its doors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta Commercial Property Improvement Grant is part of the Atlanta Open for Business program made possible through a $20 million donation from Wells Fargo in partnership with the United Way of Greater Atlanta and Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":480,"title":"ATLinBusiness Marketplace","promo_title":"ATLinBusiness Marketplace","published_date":"2023-04-30","featured_image":{"id":2382,"parent_id":147,"resource_file_name":"copy_of_copy_of_atlinbusiness_marketplace.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":271184,"resource_updated_at":"2023-05-04T14:49:48.140-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-05-04T14:49:49.154-04:00","updated_at":"2023-07-24T13:38:01.841-04:00","filename_hash":"copy_of_copy_of_atlinbusiness_marketplace_NZnWx47.png","width":1200,"height":600},"filename":"atlinbusiness-marketplace","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"3L3ngQ","created_at":"2023-05-04T14:36:35.660-04:00","updated_at":"2023-05-08T09:58:03.513-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Did you know that Invest Atlanta launched a buy local website for Atlanta-based businesses to sell and market to other Atlanta-based businesses and corporations?\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDid you know that Invest Atlanta launched a buy local website for Atlanta-based businesses to sell and market to other Atlanta-based businesses and corporations?\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://atlinbusiness.com/marketplace/\"\u003eATLinBusiness Marketplace\u003c/a\u003e offers smaller, diverse suppliers a first destination for greater access to a wide range of buyers to accelerate growth and generate new revenue streams. The platform showcases participating businesses\u0026rsquo; capabilities, diversity classification, certifications and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Mayor Andre Dickens, ATLinBusiness Marketplace creates a more equitable business-to-business environment by connecting buyers and sellers in metro Atlanta, including minority-owned, women-owned and legacy businesses. \u0026ldquo;With this program, we aim to provide resources to support our local economy, create more good-paying jobs and ensure Atlanta is a city of opportunity for all,\u0026rdquo; explains Dickens.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe launch of the ATLinBusiness Marketplace also reflects buyer behavior, which has become increasingly digital. In fact, LinkedIn reports that nearly 40% of sellers say they have closed deals over $500,000 without ever meeting the buyer face-to-face.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":478,"title":"Invest Atlanta Issues RFQ for 2 Peachtree Street Conversion","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Issues RFQ for 2 Peachtree Street Conversion","published_date":"2023-04-28","featured_image":{"id":2371,"parent_id":142,"resource_file_name":"2_peachtree_downtown_jll-35.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":2949983,"resource_updated_at":"2023-04-27T17:17:12.801-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-04-27T17:17:13.180-04:00","updated_at":"2023-05-04T13:37:28.777-04:00","filename_hash":"2_peachtree_downtown_jll-35_Ozl3glP.jpg","width":7008,"height":4670},"filename":"invest-atlanta-issues-rfq-for-2-peachtree-street-conversion","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"A1uHMw","created_at":"2023-05-04T13:37:28.695-04:00","updated_at":"2023-05-04T13:37:28.695-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta has officially launched the process of converting downtown\u0026rsquo;s 2 Peachtree Street tower and the adjacent 14 Marietta Street building into a vibrant residential/mixed-use development.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has officially launched the process of converting downtown\u0026rsquo;s 2 Peachtree Street tower and the adjacent 14 Marietta Street building into a vibrant residential/mixed-use development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith the issuance of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), Invest Atlanta seeks to identify an experienced, visionary developer that will lead the buildings\u0026rsquo; transformation and introduce dynamic new life to the city through the adaptive re-use and residential conversion of the historic buildings.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The conversion of 2 Peachtree and 14 Marietta will advance one of my administration\u0026rsquo;s top goals of building and preserving affordable housing by bringing additional mixed-income transit-oriented development to Downtown,\u0026rdquo; says Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;Once complete, 2 Peachtree will be a model of urban redevelopment and become the city\u0026rsquo;s tallest residential building.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta acquired 890,000-square-foot 2 Peachtree Street from the State of Georgia in February 2023. The 44-story tower was built in 1966. 14 Marietta is a seven-story building with 126,000 square feet. Adjacent to the soon-to-be-renovated MARTA Five Points station, both buildings will be entirely vacated by current tenants the State of Georgia and Georgia State University by the end of 2023.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The redevelopment of 2 Peachtree is a landmark opportunity that will continue to propel investment in Downtown Atlanta, one of the city\u0026rsquo;s biggest growth opportunities,\u0026rdquo; says Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;We are seeking a development partner who shares our vision of creating a vibrant, mixed-use community in the heart of Downtown with access to transit and job centers for more Atlantans.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta will evaluate responses to the RFQ, and respondents deemed most qualified will be issued a Request for Proposal (RFP), with selection of a developer following at a later date. Invest Atlanta envisions granting a 99-year ground lease to the selected developer whose plans will further the City\u0026rsquo;s efforts to establish Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s downtown as a world-class intown destination.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInterested developers are encouraged to bring forward proposals that align with the City\u0026rsquo;s community, financial, social and sustainability goals. Potential developers should consider including a combination of uses, including market-rate residential, affordable housing, student housing, hospitality, short-term residential, office and retail. This includes a target minimum of 200 residential units for residents earning 80% of the area median income or below.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta will prioritize development proposals with more affordable units that blend and integrate all income levels throughout the property in a cohesive fashion. Additionally, Invest Atlanta values diversity, inclusion and hiring local talent. Proposals that demonstrate an ability to provide opportunity for local female and minority businesses will also be prioritized.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eClick \u003ca href=\"/two-peachtree\"\u003eHERE\u003c/a\u003e to view RFQ information.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":475,"title":"WEI Announces Cohort #6","promo_title":"WEI Announces Cohort #6","published_date":"2023-03-31","featured_image":{"id":2360,"parent_id":145,"resource_file_name":"wei6.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":158893,"resource_updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:33:04.000-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-04-03T16:33:04.796-04:00","updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:33:29.294-04:00","filename_hash":"wei6_P1jN8oo.jpg","width":907,"height":767},"filename":"wei-announces-cohort-6","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"AW-vHA","created_at":"2023-04-03T16:33:29.266-04:00","updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:33:29.266-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n During a virtual launch event, the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) introduced members of its spring 2023 cohort of entrepreneurs \u0026ndash; marking the sixth cohort since its inception.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDuring a virtual launch event, the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) introduced members of its spring 2023 cohort of entrepreneurs \u0026ndash; marking the sixth cohort since its inception.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMembers of Cohort # 6 include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMichelle Clay | FREEALITEA\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAhriana Edwards | Vaila Shoes\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAmber Enadeghe | Artistically Esoteric\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRose Paddyfoot-Gordon | Dba Pink Maison\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCarrie Hadley | INDIEHOUSE modern fragrances\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eBrittany Hardy | The Hardy Clinic\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSamantha Ramirez-Herrera | OffThaRecord/OTR\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eBrittny James | Project Chick Planner\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRodeline Joseph | Medsembly\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAmanda Kinsey | Amanda\u0026#39;s BarBeeQue\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eKatrina Morrison | Mocha Travel\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRhea Perkins | Attyre Delivery\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eOlivia Rios | Cold Mountain\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTyana Singletary | BeUTee Bath and Body\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMoneisha White | White Labs Services\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWEI was founded to help women build thriving, successful businesses. As part of Invest Atlanta, WEI is the only municipally funded program of its kind in the nation focused on women\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurship for early-stage startups. Backed by research and findings from leading institutions on women business owners, and with local women entrepreneurs serving as thought leaders, WEI provides participants with a range of resources to carry out their entrepreneurial vision.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":474,"title":"A Nimble Approach for Housing Affordability","promo_title":"A Nimble Approach for Housing Affordability","published_date":"2023-03-31","featured_image":{"id":2359,"parent_id":145,"resource_file_name":"hob.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":63750,"resource_updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:31:11.746-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-04-03T16:31:11.781-04:00","updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:31:52.028-04:00","filename_hash":"hob_pz9vWaV.jpg","width":796,"height":767},"filename":"a-nimble-approach-for-housing-affordability","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"zQJVFQ","created_at":"2023-04-03T16:31:51.931-04:00","updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:31:51.931-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n In March, the Invest Atlanta Board approved a $6 million Housing Opportunity Bond Fund to acquire land that will be developed into additional affordable housing in the city of Atlanta.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn March, the Invest Atlanta Board approved a $6 million Housing Opportunity Bond Fund to acquire land that will be developed into additional affordable housing in the city of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMetro Atlanta Land Bank, in coordination with the City of Atlanta and as a member of the Affordable Housing Strike Force, plans to strategically acquire property for the development of multifamily and single-family affordable housing. Developments will be located in the Hollowell corridor, Campbellton corridor, Thomasville and Downtown communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe goal is to serve families with the greatest needs, with affordability for rental properties available at 60% area median income (AMI) and below, while homeownership options will be available at 120% AMI and below.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are moving quickly because there are opportunities in the Campbellton corridor,\u0026rdquo; says Josh Humphries, senior housing policy advisor to Mayor Dickens. \u0026ldquo;The goal is to be nimble. We are positioning this for folks who want to build affordable housing. We don\u0026rsquo;t want to landbank the property forever, we want to help move that land and get housing built on it.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":476,"title":"Promoting Food Diversity","promo_title":"Promoting Food Diversity","published_date":"2023-03-31","featured_image":{"id":2361,"parent_id":145,"resource_file_name":"2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":66834,"resource_updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:35:33.713-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-04-03T16:35:34.424-04:00","updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:35:38.365-04:00","filename_hash":"2_B3vK7nP.jpg","width":480,"height":480},"filename":"promoting-food-diversity","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ILtojg","created_at":"2023-04-03T16:35:38.304-04:00","updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:35:38.304-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Jeannette and Ken Katz have created an ecosystem of support for local farmers, bakers, chefs and food entrepreneurs \u0026ndash; an endeavor that began with their first loan from Invest Atlanta more than a decade ago.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eJeannette and Ken Katz have created an ecosystem of support for local farmers, bakers, chefs and food entrepreneurs \u0026ndash; an endeavor that began with their first loan from Invest Atlanta more than a decade ago.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInspired by the flavors of San Francisco\u0026#39;s melting pot, the accessibility of New York City\u0026#39;s bodegas, the familiarity of small-town Italian shopkeepers and the island flavors found in Miami, the couple opened Buenos Dias Caf\u0026eacute; in downtown Atlanta in 2012 with help from a $50,000 low-interest loan from Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Since that first loan, Invest Atlanta has continued to promote opportunities to help us be successful,\u0026rdquo; says Ken. \u0026ldquo;They recognize the tenacity of small business owners and entrepreneurs and understand their value in local communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJeannette and Ken eventually closed Buenos Dias Caf\u0026eacute; to open \u003ca href=\"https://www.labodegaatl.com/\"\u003eLa Bodega\u003c/a\u003e, a neighborhood grocery store in the historic MET building, which sells healthy, locally sourced groceries and provisions. Unique not only because of its location in a food desert, La Bodega is also known for its take-out window, featuring fresh Latin American-inspired cuisine and a rotating collective of up-and-coming chefs dishing out their specialties.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The pop-up gives food entrepreneurs space to explore the idea of opening their own restaurant,\u0026rdquo; says Jeannette. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s so important for big cities to offer food diversity and support local chefs. Food can define a city, and I see Atlanta nearing San Francisco- and Miami-level diversity.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJeannette and Ken continue to grow their business. Not only do they employ more than 16 workers, they are also looking to scale their COVID side gig of making fresh, handmade Pupusas \u0026ndash; the national dish of El Salvador.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs a \u003ca href=\"https://www.fearless.fund/\"\u003eFearless Fund\u003c/a\u003e grant recipient and member of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.weiatlanta.com/\"\u003eWomen\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative\u003c/a\u003e (WEI) Cohort #4, Jeannette says she\u0026rsquo;s been able to hone her business skills and draw strength from her network of women supporting women. \u0026ldquo;My experience with WEI made me believe that we can continue to grow and expand our possibilities,\u0026rdquo; she says. \u0026ldquo;I also learned that it\u0026#39;s ok to ask for help because it will make you, and your business, stronger.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We wouldn\u0026rsquo;t exist without Invest Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; agrees Ken. \u0026ldquo;They gave us a chance when others wouldn\u0026rsquo;t. We are proud Invest Atlanta alumni and one of their biggest proponents.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":477,"title":"Mayor Andre Dickens Awards Grants to Atlanta Creatives","promo_title":"Mayor Andre Dickens Awards Grants to Atlanta Creatives","published_date":"2023-03-31","featured_image":{"id":2356,"parent_id":145,"resource_file_name":"img_4614.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":10405995,"resource_updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:26:04.257-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-04-03T16:26:05.424-04:00","updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:40:31.335-04:00","filename_hash":"img_4614_ooZvY2M.jpg","width":4978,"height":3456},"filename":"mayor-andre-dickens-awards-grants-to-atlanta-creatives","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"XNfQjA","created_at":"2023-04-03T16:37:20.215-04:00","updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:40:31.300-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The City of Atlanta has awarded 125 grants to independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs through the Creative Industries Grant Fund, a joint program of Invest Atlanta and the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Film and Entertainment.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta awarded 125 grants to independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs through the Creative Industries Grant Fund, a joint program of Invest Atlanta and the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Film and Entertainment. The program offered grants in the amounts of $5,000 to $20,000, totaling more than $700,000, to ensure creative industries in Atlanta continue to thrive for decades to come.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKiah Clingman, producer, KiahCan Productions, was a recipient of one of those grants and says the funding goes a long way in her line of work. \u0026ldquo;When you commit your life\u0026#39;s journey to being an independent filmmaker, you automatically commit to the hustle of exhausting every resource possible to bring a project to life,\u0026rdquo; explains Kiah. \u0026ldquo;Whether it\u0026#39;s through investors, grants, loans or asking family and friends, the financing part of filmmaking proves to be a tedious one. Without grants and access to funding like the opportunity Creative Industries Grant Fund extended so graciously, it would be significantly more challenging to execute creative projects.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOriginally launched in 2017 as a loan program administered by Invest Atlanta on behalf of the City of Atlanta, the program was converted to the Creative Industries Grant Fund to support creative professionals as they recover from economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Creative Industries Grant Fund gave us an additional tool to support a large and growing sector of jobs and talent to further strengthen Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s burgeoning reputation as a global entertainment hub,\u0026rdquo; says Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s a footprint we look forward to increasing.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGrant awards can be used for production, post-production, distribution, marketing outreach, touring, prototype development, product development and sales and attraction for their creative projects.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAwardees include independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs located within the city of Atlanta who plan to create content within the city of Atlanta; independent record, management labels and their talent that are located within the city of Atlanta; and independent businesses who provide educational resources and platforms to creative entrepreneurs, including creative accelerators and incubators.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;Creatives have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic as performing arts centers closed. Events were called off and studios were temporarily shuttered,\u0026rdquo; says Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Eighty-four percent of creatives who responded to a 2020 Invest Atlanta survey said their income fell, and we recognize that many are still working to regain their footing, which makes this round of funding especially impactful.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Creative Industries Grant Fund program also supports the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Economic Mobility Plan objectives, including stimulating growth of the city\u0026rsquo;s economy, industry sectors and businesses and creating pathways that strengthen the ability of entrepreneurs and small business owners to create and maintain thriving businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":473,"title":"Atlanta Open for Business Fund: One Year Later","promo_title":"Atlanta Open for Business Fund: One Year Later","published_date":"2023-03-31","featured_image":{"id":2358,"parent_id":145,"resource_file_name":"ofb_logo.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":38642,"resource_updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:29:06.670-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2023-04-03T16:29:06.730-04:00","updated_at":"2023-09-26T14:41:46.855-04:00","filename_hash":"ofb_logo_6XOPerl.png","width":1439,"height":1201},"filename":"atlanta-open-for-business-fund-one-year-later","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"QbddjA","created_at":"2023-04-03T16:26:51.310-04:00","updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:29:11.976-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta is the economic hub of the Southeast, serving as the headquarters for major corporations, film studios and the most traveled airport on the planet, but that\u0026rsquo;s only a small part of the economy. The census shows that nearly 15,000 businesses call the city of Atlanta home, including a significant number of Black-owned businesses. So, when COVID-19 forced nearly one in three Georgia small businesses to close (the majority of them BIPOC-owned), it became apparent that Atlanta needed help to accelerate recovery.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEnter: Wells Fargo.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe financial institution provided a \u003ca href=\"https://newsroom.wf.com/English/news-releases/news-release-details/2022/Wells-Fargo-Donates-20-Million-to-Strengthen-Small-Businesses-in-Atlanta-/default.aspx\"\u003egenerous donation of $20 million\u003c/a\u003e to help Atlanta businesses impacted by the pandemic recover. \u0026ldquo;As a company, we have a commitment to make the communities where we operate stronger,\u0026rdquo; says Charlie Scharf, Wells Fargo\u0026rsquo;s CEO. \u0026ldquo;Making a large donation in Atlanta was important to us. We know it will make a difference for small business owners here.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith dollars in hand, Invest Atlanta partnered with United Way to create the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eAtlanta Open for Business \u003c/a\u003eFund. The program is helping businesses, primarily owners of color, recover and come back stronger by providing them the means to invest in commercial space, equipment, and technology.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta Open for Business gives small business owners the opportunity to grow and expand by owning more of their own assets\u0026mdash;which can be a game changer for the financial health of any business,\u0026rdquo; explains Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta got to work right away, launching three programs:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAtlanta Recovery Loan Fund - Up to $100,000 in low-interest loans to help a business obtain tangible assets like real estate.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCommercial Property Improvement Grant - Up to $50,000 to allow a business owner to complete internal or external improvements to their commercial property.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCommercial Down Payment Assistance Program - Low-interest financing to assist existing business owners acquire commercial property.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta also helps businesses with their applications, helping businesses pull together the information needed to complete their grant applications.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThese programs have already started providing funds to small businesses in the city. Through the Atlanta Recovery Loan Fund, Invest Atlanta has distributed more than half a million dollars to seven business owners. The average loan amount for each recipient last year was more than $70,000, a real and tangible impact for everyone who qualified.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is actively working to process applications for the Commercial Property Improvement Grant and Commercial Down Payment Assistance Grant and expects to disperse funds soon.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout the year, you will meet the inspiring people who are benefiting from the help of the Atlanta Open for Business Fund. We invite you to stay tuned to our social media accounts to learn more about some of the businesses in your backyard who are Open for Business and serving their communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you\u0026rsquo;re interested in expanding your business and are seeking the funding to make that a reality, visit\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/openforbusiness\"\u003eOpen for Business\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;to apply. Funds are limited, so submit your application as soon as you can. Technical assistance is available if necessary.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":472,"title":"Magic Happens Here","promo_title":"Magic Happens Here","published_date":"2023-02-28","featured_image":{"id":2343,"parent_id":142,"resource_file_name":"img_4824.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1477243,"resource_updated_at":"2023-02-28T17:10:00.047-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-02-28T17:10:00.776-05:00","updated_at":"2023-03-01T09:41:18.797-05:00","filename_hash":"img_4824_535wOKe.jpg","width":1920,"height":1280},"filename":"magic-happens-here","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"6ooLYA","created_at":"2023-02-28T17:12:37.226-05:00","updated_at":"2023-03-01T09:41:18.685-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta has more cigar shops per square mile than any other city in the United States. But there\u0026rsquo;s one nestled in the heart of the historic Old Fourth Ward and Sweet Auburn community that stands out from the rest.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta has more cigar shops per square mile than any other city in the United States. But there\u0026rsquo;s one nestled in the heart of the historic Old Fourth Ward and Sweet Auburn community that stands out from the rest.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHeather and Rafa Ramirez opened Havana Cigars, which specializes in Cuban coffee and authentic Cuban Seed Cigars, in 2016. Hand-rolled and aged 6-10 years, these are not your run-of-the-mill cigars. \u0026ldquo;We don\u0026rsquo;t sell big brands, only small-batch, boutique cigars,\u0026rdquo; explains Heather. \u0026ldquo;We work with mom-and-pop shops and family-owned farms who cultivate the seeds ethically, based on Cuban tradition.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAmong others, and including its own cigar line, Havana Cigars features cigars made by the Gomez Sanchez family, which has been in the business since 1934; the Plasencia family, which has been growing tobacco and making cigars for over five generations; as well as the only Afro Latina cigar line, which is cultivated in Estel\u0026iacute;, Nicaragua. Heather and Rafa, in fact, have become trendsetters in their own right and are known among aficionados from around the world who descend upon their shop to try cigars not found anywhere else.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;For us it\u0026rsquo;s about quality over quantity and supporting other woman- and minority-owned businesses like ourselves,\u0026rdquo; says Rafa, who is Afro Cuban, born and raised in Havana.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to its unique selection of fine cigars, Havana Cigars\u0026rsquo; living-room vibe has become a go-to place for patrons to visit and feel at home. \u0026ldquo;You\u0026rsquo;re not just coming for a stick; you\u0026rsquo;re coming for an experience,\u0026rdquo; says Heather. \u0026ldquo;People discuss all kinds of topics and important issues. I see young adults talking with their elders. There\u0026rsquo;s a sense of community and natural networking that\u0026rsquo;s so organic.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere was a time when Heather was uncertain about the future of Havana Cigars after their original store, also on Auburn Avenue, was unexpectedly sold to a developer. Heather and Rafa had opportunities to move elsewhere but were determined to stay on Auburn Avenue. With help from the Invest Atlanta Resurgence Grant Fund, which was created in 2020 to support economic growth and recovery in the wake of the pandemic, they were able to move into a new, larger location on the same block.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We would never have been able to stay and build out a new store if it weren\u0026rsquo;t for Invest Atlanta and this grant,\u0026rdquo; says Heather. \u0026ldquo;We are grateful. There\u0026rsquo;s so much historic richness and good energy in this community. Magic happens here.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Old Fourth Ward\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":470,"title":"Invest Atlanta Acquires 2 Peachtree Street","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Acquires 2 Peachtree Street","published_date":"2023-02-27","featured_image":{"id":2333,"parent_id":142,"resource_file_name":"2_peach_2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":149698,"resource_updated_at":"2023-02-27T12:28:12.944-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-02-27T12:28:13.670-05:00","updated_at":"2023-03-01T09:40:11.541-05:00","filename_hash":"2_peach_2_r9PgalR.jpg","width":1235,"height":915},"filename":"invest-atlanta-acquires-2-peachtree-street","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"a4N9fA","created_at":"2023-02-27T12:28:38.219-05:00","updated_at":"2023-03-01T09:40:11.496-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board closed on 2 Peachtree Street and will offer the property for redevelopment into a mixed-income, mixed-use site, bringing more affordable housing and economic activity to Downtown Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board closed on 2 Peachtree Street and will offer the property for redevelopment into a mixed-income, mixed-use site, bringing more affordable housing and economic activity to Downtown Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development agency, Invest Atlanta purchased 1 Peachtree, 2 Peachtree and 14 Marietta, collectively known as 2 Peachtree, from the State of Georgia with funding assistance from a $41.5 million Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Special Fund Grant. Invest Atlanta then created a single purpose entity known as IA 2 Peachtree and will hold the property as a real estate asset until a redevelopment partner is selected.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Mayor Andre Dickens, the redevelopment of 2 Peachtree will serve as an anchor for the ongoing revitalization of Downtown Atlanta and bring more long-term affordable housing and mixed-use space that\u0026#39;s accessible to the heart of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s transit system. \u0026ldquo;Ensuring this development is attainable for a range of incomes and lifestyles will make Downtown the vibrant, connected urban community it was always meant to be,\u0026rdquo; says Dickens. \u0026ldquo;Thank you to the State and Invest Atlanta for their partnership in helping Georgia\u0026rsquo;s capitol city expand its affordable housing inventory.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBuilt in 1966, 2 Peachtree Street is a 41-story office tower adjacent to Five Points MARTA station. The City\u0026rsquo;s acquisition of the property will create dedicated affordable housing units and ensure the property does not sit vacant during a crucial time in Downtown Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s redevelopment. The conversion is expected to create several hundred new housing units.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce converted, 2 Peachtree will be the tallest residential building in Atlanta. Aside from residential space, the 1 million-square-foot tower will contain office and retail space, bringing even more economic activity to the community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":471,"title":"Revitalizing Remerge","promo_title":"Revitalizing Remerge","published_date":"2023-02-27","featured_image":{"id":2334,"parent_id":142,"resource_file_name":"remerge_3.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":571764,"resource_updated_at":"2023-02-27T12:31:02.285-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2023-02-27T12:31:03.643-05:00","updated_at":"2024-03-04T13:27:15.997-05:00","filename_hash":"remerge_3_Rzqp825.jpg","width":2137,"height":1137},"filename":"revitalizing-remerge","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"UbSD6w","created_at":"2023-02-27T12:31:42.272-05:00","updated_at":"2023-02-27T12:31:42.272-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board has approved $489,000 from the Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Community Empower Fund to assist in the rehabilitation of a historic, distressed property in the Sweet Auburn District.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board has approved $489,000 from the Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Community Empower Fund to assist in the rehabilitation of a historic, distressed property in the Sweet Auburn District.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocated at the corner of Auburn Avenue and Old Wheat Street, the space will be owned and occupied by community-based nonprofit Remerge, which serves the Sweet Auburn community. This redevelopment will expand Remerge\u0026rsquo;s current operations at 340 Auburn Ave., where it has been operating since 2018.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe project site at 597 Auburn Ave. is 2,700 square feet and has been rezoned for commercial use. The building will be fully renovated to bring the structure up to code and will include updated finishes and the addition of a mezzanine floor.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince gaining a long-term home in Sweet Auburn, Remerge has assisted more than 3,000 families and businesses. Its programs have evolved, and the team has grown, increasing the need for more dedicated workspace, community meeting space and programming. This expansion will allow Remerge to shift its Community Building Studio programs and staff office space to the new facility and designate 340 Auburn as an Arts Center and a base for continued neighborhood outreach activities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe additional space at 597 Auburn will enable new programming within the Community Building Studio, including the Women\u0026rsquo;s Microentrepreneur Coaching Program, which supports economically vulnerable women around Atlanta who are ready to take their small businesses or side gigs from surviving to thriving. This new facility will offer these entrepreneurs space to incubate their businesses, including additional in-person educational workshops, appointments with technical experts, access to shared technology resources, as well as a flexible creative space that accommodates children.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Sweet Auburn\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":468,"title":"Supporting Businesses that Lift Up Brown and Black Communities","promo_title":"Supporting Businesses that Lift Up Brown and Black Communities","published_date":"2023-01-30","featured_image":{"id":2314,"parent_id":139,"resource_file_name":"bcm.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":325638,"resource_updated_at":"2023-01-30T11:29:25.380-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-01-30T11:29:26.140-05:00","updated_at":"2023-01-30T11:29:33.879-05:00","filename_hash":"bcm_KZpE9Jv.png","width":360,"height":408},"filename":"supporting-businesses-that-lift-up-brown-and-black-communities","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"DuB6dg","created_at":"2023-01-30T11:29:33.815-05:00","updated_at":"2023-01-30T11:29:33.815-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) recently closed $275,000 in leverage loans to support two companies \u0026ndash; Brown Toy Box and Beautiful Curly Me \u0026ndash; both of which are focused on representation in children\u0026rsquo;s play, boost confidence and reduce America\u0026rsquo;s racial wealth gap.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) recently closed $275,000 in leverage loans to support two companies \u0026ndash; Brown Toy Box and Beautiful Curly Me \u0026ndash; both of which are focused on representation in children\u0026rsquo;s play, boost confidence and reduce America\u0026rsquo;s racial wealth gap.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://browntoybox.com/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrown Toy Box \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003eis an educational toy company featuring STEAM toys, media and experiences that celebrate Black children. Since receiving its first AEMI funding, Brown Toy Box has secured a contract with Target in 2021 and was featured on Oprah Winfrey\u0026rsquo;s 2022 \u0026ldquo;Favorite Things List.\u0026rdquo; This latest round of financing in partnership with AEMI and Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs will provide Brown Toy Box with working capital and support inventory purchases to fulfill demand generated by the Oprah Winfrey announcement and the holiday season.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://beautifulcurlyme.com/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBeautiful Curly Me \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003eis a social impact toy and media company that is inspiring confidence in young Black and Brown girls through dolls, puzzles, books and more. Founded by a mother-daughter duo, the idea for Beautiful Curly Me was sparked by now 10-year-old CEO and co-founder, Zoe, who writes the empowering books herself. All products foster self-confidence and love through representation in play. And, for every doll purchased, Beautiful Curly Me gives another doll to an underprivileged girl. AEMI financing will support the company\u0026rsquo;s inventory production, increased marketing and an additional part-time operations employee.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAEMI was created in 2006 by Invest Atlanta, the City\u0026rsquo;s official economic development agency, to utilize federal New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) to attract private capital to fund neighborhood revitalization and job creation projects. AEMI is committed to funding community development projects that are part of holistic development initiatives or promote healthy neighborhoods, as well as provide increased access to jobs and services for underserved residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":469,"title":"Good Starters ","promo_title":"Good Starters ","published_date":"2023-01-30","featured_image":{"id":2319,"parent_id":139,"resource_file_name":"india_jha_square.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":517258,"resource_updated_at":"2023-02-03T10:25:41.042-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2023-02-03T10:25:41.703-05:00","updated_at":"2023-02-07T09:56:30.309-05:00","filename_hash":"india_jha_square_M3qPXq1.jpg","width":1679,"height":1679},"filename":"good-starters","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"j_MRag","created_at":"2023-01-30T12:03:46.876-05:00","updated_at":"2023-02-03T10:25:51.142-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n During her time volunteering in women\u0026rsquo;s shelters, India Jha realized how something as simple as the lack of identification could prevent those experiencing homelessness from accessing the crucial assistance they need to move forward.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDuring her time volunteering in women\u0026rsquo;s shelters, India Jha realized how something as simple as the lack of identification could prevent those experiencing homelessness from accessing the crucial assistance they need to move forward.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBut it wasn\u0026#39;t until India participated in a Goodie Nation hackathon focused on making Atlanta more economically inclusive that a light bulb went off \u0026ndash; she could engineer a tech solution to solve that very problem for one of the nation\u0026rsquo;s most marginalized, vulnerable and overlooked groups.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Obtaining vital records, like birth certificates, is extremely important for the homeless; it\u0026rsquo;s the invisible key that unlocks many doors,\u0026rdquo; explains India. \u0026ldquo;Over 50% of the homeless cannot get access to medical benefits, government benefits, employment and more due to lack of vital records. It is most certainly the foundational first step.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIndia and her team created \u003ca href=\"https://www.minicityatl.com/\"\u003eMini City\u003c/a\u003e as a compassionate tech hub that obtains legal forms of identification, government and life-critical benefits for the homeless and those that serve them. \u0026ldquo;Our partner average is around 6-9 months without Mini City\u0026#39;s software,\u0026rdquo; says India, \u0026ldquo;and with our software, we\u0026rsquo;re able to obtain vital records and benefits within weeks.\u0026rdquo; In fact, Mini City just launched a new partnership with Equifax to further validate identification in seconds.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIndia forged another valuable connection with the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation (PIN) with help from the Invest Atlanta Innovation \u0026amp; Entrepreneurship Office Hours program, which serves as a concierge for businesses seeking support, technical assistance, capital and talent. PIN, which offers access to funding and support networks through resources across business, research universities and government, awarded Mini City with a $250,000 grant \u0026ndash; essential capital as India looks to expand on a municipal level throughout the city of Atlanta and Georgia.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIndia says her team members don\u0026#39;t consider themselves do-gooders, but rather good-starters, and are especially moved when they\u0026#39;re able to assist homeless youth with records and the subsequent benefits it unlocks.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;To help homeless youth get their first form of legal identification, bank account and government benefits so that they can start their dream job, move into that first apartment or enroll in an education program is always most inspiring to us,\u0026rdquo; says India. \u0026ldquo;It means a whole path has changed.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":467,"title":"Mission-Driven Investments","promo_title":"Mission-Driven Investments","published_date":"2023-01-30","featured_image":{"id":2313,"parent_id":139,"resource_file_name":"civic_impact.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":984243,"resource_updated_at":"2023-01-30T11:19:35.962-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-01-30T11:19:36.943-05:00","updated_at":"2023-01-31T11:31:24.015-05:00","filename_hash":"civic_impact_3kW2oyB.jpg","width":2918,"height":1712},"filename":"mission-driven-investments","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"bANBSg","created_at":"2023-01-30T11:21:52.909-05:00","updated_at":"2023-01-31T11:31:23.819-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) and the Center for Civic Innovation (CCI) have invested $185,000 into four mission-driven ventures to expand their impact in the communities they serve. These investments represent the fifth round of flexible, zero-percent interest loans through the Civic Impact Loan Fund, which was established to intentionally invest in Atlanta-based civic ventures.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) and the Center for Civic Innovation (CCI) have invested $185,000 into four mission-driven ventures to expand their impact in the communities they serve. These investments represent the fifth round of flexible, zero-percent interest loans through the Civic Impact Loan Fund, which was established to intentionally invest in Atlanta-based civic ventures.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Stephen McRae, president of Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc., social entrepreneurship is an essential tool in the fight to make Atlanta a more equitable city. \u0026quot;Not only are these four innovative entrepreneurs scaling their businesses and growing the local economy, but they are directly tackling key social issues in their communities,\u0026rdquo; said McRae. \u0026ldquo;Their work is creating real impact, and Atlanta is fortunate to have such passionate and driven leaders fighting for its future.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRecipients of the AEMI and CCI investment include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://trudiary.com/\"\u003eTruDiary\u003c/a\u003e offers equitable, quality prenatal care for all moms \u0026ndash; providing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) services, such as food security, mental health support, lactation services, and transportation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.helpingempoweryouth.org/\"\u003eHelping Empower Youth (HEY!)\u003c/a\u003e equips youth to be leaders through three initiatives \u0026ndash; S.T.E.A.M., a leadership academy and reading program, and devises needs-based programming focused on providing alternatives and options for area youth.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://makemusiccount.com/\"\u003eMake Music Count\u003c/a\u003e is a math curriculum and app taught through playing the piano. Students improve math skills live and online guided by tutors playing the latest popular songs with its STEAM and SEL curriculum and app for 2nd - 12th grade students.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesaveinstitute.org/\"\u003eSAVE Institute\u003c/a\u003e is an innovative alternative to traditional high school that allows\u0026nbsp;students to learn academics through projects, life experiences, agriculture, vocational training and implementing business enterprises.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll four entrepreneurs are recent graduates of CCI\u0026rsquo;s Civic Innovation Fellowship program, which invests in and amplifies the work of community leaders, entrepreneurs and movement builders who are actively solving inequality in Atlanta. The program has supported the work of over 100 community leaders, who have gone on to inform and inspire real policy change in Atlanta and beyond.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;In spite of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s widening inequality, which is once again the worst in the country, these leaders provide tangible programs and services that give us a fighting chance to solve it,\u0026rdquo; says\u0026nbsp;Rohit Malhotra, founder and executive director of the Center for Civic Innovation. \u0026ldquo;This program invests in people who don\u0026#39;t just talk about community, they embody it in who they are and all they do. Truth is the return on investment by solving inequality in our city is better than any other single investment this city could make. It will pay dividends for generations.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince launching in 2017, the Civic Impact Loan Fund has provided more than $900,000 in loans to 20 early-stage businesses focused on community engagement, the arts, food security, wellness and education. To date, 80% of those loans have funded Black entrepreneurs, and 80% of all loans have gone to women.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe fund utilizes an innovative character-based underwriting model that leverages AEMI and CCI\u0026#39;s resources and relationships with social enterprises, rather than traditional underwriting measures such as credit scores, collateral, or revenue history. A goal\u0026nbsp;of this fund is to inspire other investors in Atlanta to replicate this model of investing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe partnership also leverages each organizations\u0026#39; services, as AEMI and Invest Atlanta provide underwriting, loan servicing and back-office support for the fund, while CCI leads hands-on training, operational support and the application process for the entrepreneurs seeking capital investments.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAdditional capital for the 2022 round was provided by the Atlanta office of Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and JP Morgan Chase\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurs of Color Fund.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":466,"title":"Atlanta Receives $45 Million for Community Investment ","promo_title":"Atlanta Receives $45 Million for Community Investment ","published_date":"2022-11-30","featured_image":{"id":2165,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"151a1188.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":3715386,"resource_updated_at":"2022-12-08T14:51:34.740-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-12-08T14:51:35.913-05:00","updated_at":"2022-12-08T14:51:58.733-05:00","filename_hash":"151a1188_j3x214b.jpg","width":5760,"height":3840},"filename":"atlanta-receives-45-million-for-community-investment","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"pvw5Rw","created_at":"2022-11-30T09:39:54.644-05:00","updated_at":"2022-12-08T14:51:58.631-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta \u0026ndash; through Atlanta Emerging Markets Inc. (AEMI) \u0026ndash; received a $45 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which will be used for economic development projects that create jobs and revitalize Atlanta neighborhoods.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta \u0026ndash; through Atlanta Emerging Markets Inc. (AEMI) \u0026ndash; received a $45 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which will be used for economic development projects that create jobs and revitalize Atlanta neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the second consecutive allocation provided to AEMI, bringing a total of $95 million in additional economic development funding to Atlanta within the last two years through the City\u0026rsquo;s NMTC program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCongress established the NMTC program in 2000 to attract investment to areas with low median income and high unemployment. The program takes private equity contributed by investors and turns it into gap financing for redevelopment projects. AEMI is one of only four community development entities in the state of Georgia to receive an award this year.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nAccording to Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, AEMI has invested $313 million in 62 projects, creating 3,754 new jobs since 2010. \u0026ldquo;Through the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s New Markets Tax Credit program, AEMI continues to make very meaningful investments in our communities that change not only neighborhoods but also the lives of residents living in them,\u0026rdquo; said Klementich. \u0026ldquo;We look forward to seeing this successful strategy continue with this latest allocation.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAEMI is a U.S. Treasury-certified community development entity created by Invest Atlanta in 2005 that specializes in providing financing for projects that create jobs and revitalize Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s distressed neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":465,"title":"Part of My Purpose","promo_title":"Part of My Purpose","published_date":"2022-11-28","featured_image":{"id":2152,"parent_id":135,"resource_file_name":"bm2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":71925,"resource_updated_at":"2022-11-28T15:37:48.608-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-11-28T15:37:49.358-05:00","updated_at":"2022-11-28T15:37:53.628-05:00","filename_hash":"bm2_mJNq2BP.jpg","width":640,"height":427},"filename":"part-of-my-purpose","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"YSZ-fg","created_at":"2022-11-28T15:37:53.546-05:00","updated_at":"2022-11-28T15:37:53.546-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n David Kowalski has core memories of going to estate sales and auction houses with his grandmother when he was young. Early on she instilled in him her design sensibility and love of the hunt.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDavid Kowalski has core memories of going to estate sales and auction houses with his grandmother when he was young. Early on she instilled in him her design sensibility and love of the hunt.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;My grandmother was one of the most influential people in my life,\u0026rdquo; says David. \u0026ldquo;She led with compassion and had a deep appreciation for travel, culture and history. I definitely share her passions, which led me to create \u003ca href=\"https://thisisbrickandmortar.com/\"\u003eBrick + Mortar\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eUnexpectedly laid off from his job, David began selling treasurers he collected from his travels in antique warehouses and online marketplaces. Realizing he could make a living doing what he loved, he opened Brick + Mortar in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside Provisions District, which specializes in vintage and antique d\u0026eacute;cor, as well as hand-poured candles.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDavid\u0026rsquo;s candle collection, which features nostalgic southern scents, quickly grew to consume 90% of his time and 80% of his profits. This success opened the door for David to pursue yet another venture \u0026ndash; partnering with \u003ca href=\"https://thisisbrickandmortar.com/city-of-refuge\"\u003eCity of Refuge\u003c/a\u003e to create a jobs program for women transitioning out of crisis and homelessness.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDavid says programs like his offer a critical pathway to sustainable employment, income and most importantly, dignity. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s always been a dream to scale a product and create a jobs program,\u0026rdquo; says David. \u0026ldquo;Candles proved to be the perfect product. It\u0026rsquo;s the hardest thing I\u0026#39;ve ever done but definitely part\u0026nbsp;of my purpose.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDavid was a recipient of the Invest Atlanta Resurgence Grant Fund, which helped him continue payroll during the economic challenges of COVID-19. The grant, which was created in 2020 to support economic growth and recovery from the effects of the pandemic, helps qualifying city of Atlanta businesses pay for COVID-related business changes and costs. The fund was relaunched in 2022 and was expanded to include nonprofits and payroll.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Throughout the pandemic, it\u0026rsquo;s been so important for me to continue paying employees who can\u0026rsquo;t support themselves without this jobs program,\u0026rdquo; explains David. \u0026ldquo;This grant freed me from that worry. I\u0026rsquo;m grateful to have received it.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":461,"title":"New Program Helps Small Businesses Acquire Property","promo_title":"New Program Helps Small Businesses Acquire Property","published_date":"2022-11-28","featured_image":{"id":2141,"parent_id":132,"resource_file_name":"mantle1.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1561656,"resource_updated_at":"2022-11-14T13:33:56.400-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-11-14T13:33:57.104-05:00","updated_at":"2023-07-24T13:38:51.257-04:00","filename_hash":"mantle1_WV29m21.png","width":1729,"height":724},"filename":"new-program-helps-small-businesses-acquire-property","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"s0v-FQ","created_at":"2022-11-28T10:24:12.897-05:00","updated_at":"2022-11-28T13:44:31.801-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The City of Atlanta now offers a new $3.5 million loan program to help local small businesses build equity. Through the Atlanta Commercial Down Payment Assistance Loan Program (CDPA), Atlanta small businesses are eligible to apply for a direct loan of up to 20% of commercial property costs up to $200,000 to acquire commercial property.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta now offers a new $3.5 million loan program to help local small businesses build equity. Through the Atlanta Commercial Down Payment Assistance Loan Program (CDPA), Atlanta small businesses are eligible to apply for a direct loan of up to 20% of commercial property costs up to $200,000 to acquire commercial property.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe CDPA program is the third initiative that United Way of Greater Atlanta and Invest Atlanta have rolled out as a part of the Atlanta Open for Business Fund, supported by Wells Fargo. The fund is made possible by a $20 million donation from Wells Fargo to help the owners of Atlanta small businesses own more of their businesses\u0026rsquo; assets \u0026ndash; including property and equipment \u0026ndash; and fund physical upgrades to their facilities. United Way and Invest Atlanta are distributing the Atlanta Open for Business Fund as a mix of grants and loan programs with a focus on Black-owned and other diverse-owned businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHealthy, thriving local businesses are a cornerstone of Atlanta communities. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens noted that \u0026ldquo;Inflation and economic strains resulting from the pandemic have made many small businesses increasingly vulnerable to displacement,\u0026rdquo; says Dickens. \u0026ldquo;The Atlanta Open for Business Fund is designed to help Atlanta businesses keep their doors open and expand and develop a resiliency that withstands unforeseen economic challenges.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCDPA loan recipients must be an existing small business with a City of Atlanta business license interested in acquiring commercial real estate in the city of Atlanta with emphasis in low-income census tracts, Federal Opportunity Zone areas, disadvantaged neighborhoods or a New Markets Tax Credit-approved area neighborhood. Businesses must also demonstrate growth potential in their industry.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, says the timing of programs like the Atlanta Commercial Down Payment Assistance Loan Program and other companion resources are crucial because an estimated 25% of businesses do not open again after a major disaster like a global pandemic. \u0026ldquo;What we are doing with the support of Wells Fargo is offering small businesses resources that give them the means to withstand economic uncertainty to build long-term wealth,\u0026rdquo; says Klementich.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn June, United Way of Greater Atlanta and Invest Atlanta successfully launched the first Atlanta Open for Business program \u0026ndash; the Atlanta Recovery Loan Program (ARLP) \u0026ndash; that provides 3% interest loans to small businesses interested in acquiring tangible business assets. The Commercial Property Improvement Grant (CPIG) was launched in August, providing grants for small businesses of up to $50,000 for exterior and interior enhancements to their business.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Supporting racially and ethnically diverse small business owners is essential to the equitable growth of our communities and to the economic success of Greater Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Milton J. Little, Jr., president and CEO of United Way of Greater Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s through partnerships like ours with Wells Fargo, the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta that we are able to give small businesses in our city the tools and resources they need to grow and thrive.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more about and apply for the Atlanta Commercial Down Payment Assistance Loan Program, small business owners should visit \u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/cdpa\"\u003ewww.investatlanta.com/cdpa\u003c/a\u003e. Small businesses interested in the program may request assistance with their application through Invest Atlanta by visiting \u003ca href=\"http://www.atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003ewww.atlinbusiness.com\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":463,"title":"Affordability in English Avenue and Vine City","promo_title":"Affordability in English Avenue and Vine City","published_date":"2022-11-28","featured_image":{"id":2150,"parent_id":135,"resource_file_name":"west1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":80062,"resource_updated_at":"2022-11-28T10:38:13.217-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-11-28T10:38:13.927-05:00","updated_at":"2022-11-28T10:40:11.764-05:00","filename_hash":"west1_r9Dq3qW.jpg","width":855,"height":778},"filename":"affordability-in-english-avenue-and-vine-city","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"wnhI7A","created_at":"2022-11-28T10:40:11.542-05:00","updated_at":"2022-11-28T10:40:11.542-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta is working with five, neighborhood-based developers that will redevelop 14 residential properties in the English Avenue and Vine City neighborhoods \u0026ndash; resulting in the new construction or redevelopment of seven for-sale units and 42 rental units.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is working with five, neighborhood-based developers that will redevelop 14 residential properties in the English Avenue and Vine City neighborhoods \u0026ndash; resulting in the new construction or redevelopment of seven for-sale units and 42 rental units.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta Land Trust \u0026amp; Urban Oasis Development; Barn Owl Real Estate 7, LLC; Hagar Civilization Training Missionary, Inc.; oaksATL, Inc.; and Westside Future Fund will offer a variety of for-sale and rental housing options and are committed to preserving long-term affordability. Each developer has proposed a complementary housing design to maintain the community\u0026rsquo;s architectural character.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe for-sale properties will ensure long-term affordability through the Atlanta Land Trust at 80-120% area median income (AMI), while the rental properties will have 99-year ground leases with Invest Atlanta for permanent affordability at 50-80% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":464,"title":"Habitat for Humanity to Build New Development","promo_title":"Habitat for Humanity to Build New Development","published_date":"2022-11-28","featured_image":{"id":2151,"parent_id":135,"resource_file_name":"hab2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":103761,"resource_updated_at":"2022-11-28T10:58:01.218-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-11-28T10:58:02.022-05:00","updated_at":"2022-11-28T11:00:50.183-05:00","filename_hash":"hab2_w5Zq4kJ.jpg","width":1032,"height":499},"filename":"habitat-for-humanity-to-build-new-development","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"rKILZA","created_at":"2022-11-28T11:00:50.122-05:00","updated_at":"2022-11-28T11:00:50.122-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, Inc., has been approved for $2 million in Housing Opportunity Bond Funds \u0026ndash; Nonprofit for the construction of 64 single-family, for-sale units in the Orchard Knob neighborhood.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta Habitat for Humanity, Inc., has been approved for $2 million in Housing Opportunity Bond Funds \u0026ndash; Nonprofit for the construction of 64 single-family, for-sale units in the Orchard Knob neighborhood. Located on Browns Mill Road in Southeast Atlanta, \u003cstrong\u003eBrowns Mill Village\u003c/strong\u003e will feature 64 units at 80% area median income (AMI).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta Habitat for Humanity prices homes at market rate before writing down the first mortgage to an amount the buyer can afford and structures a 30-year, interest-free first mortgage that ensures long-term affordability. Atlanta Habitat for Humanity also includes a shared equity provision and buy-back clause, providing first right of refusal to purchase the home if the mortgage is outstanding.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":462,"title":"Brownfield Loan Fund Helps Remediate Historic Structure","promo_title":"Brownfield Loan Fund Helps Remediate Historic Structure","published_date":"2022-11-28","featured_image":{"id":2149,"parent_id":135,"resource_file_name":"bf1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":38954,"resource_updated_at":"2022-11-28T10:29:21.336-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-11-28T10:29:22.018-05:00","updated_at":"2022-11-28T13:45:09.525-05:00","filename_hash":"bf1_ZWjJrwP.jpg","width":512,"height":345},"filename":"brownfield-loan-fund-helps-remediate-historic-structure","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ueJZ5A","created_at":"2022-11-28T10:29:35.138-05:00","updated_at":"2022-11-28T13:45:01.890-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n A $50,000 brownfield clean-up sub-grant awarded to Remerge Inc., will help facilitate the reuse of a vacant historic structure on Auburn Avenue into a community asset.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA $50,000 brownfield clean-up sub-grant awarded to Remerge Inc., will help facilitate the reuse of a vacant historic structure on Auburn Avenue into a community asset.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board approved the grant for the nonprofit, which serves a vulnerable population that is underserved or threatened with displacement due to dysfunctional community structures, such as embodied racism, poverty, social isolation, environmental abuse and corruption.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe grant will help Remerge remediate 597 Auburn Ave., which includes addressing heavy metal impacts in shallow soil that otherwise risk exposure to the site occupants and neighboring community. Once complete, Remerge will use the property as offices and a job incubator space to support its goals.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFunded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund helps finance the remediation of properties whose expansion, reuse or redevelopment may be complicated by the presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Sweet Auburn\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":457,"title":"Atlanta Continues Affordable Housing Push","promo_title":"Atlanta Continues Affordable Housing Push","published_date":"2022-10-27","featured_image":{"id":2129,"parent_id":133,"resource_file_name":"villages_3.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":123919,"resource_updated_at":"2022-10-27T10:52:15.794-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-10-27T10:52:16.621-04:00","updated_at":"2022-10-27T10:52:26.087-04:00","filename_hash":"villages_3_9moVxg4.jpg","width":906,"height":525},"filename":"atlanta-continues-affordable-housing-push","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"GjnrMw","created_at":"2022-10-27T10:52:25.931-04:00","updated_at":"2022-10-27T10:52:25.931-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n At its October meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved two new development projects that will add or rehabilitate 308 affordable units within the city of Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt its October meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved two new development projects that will add or rehabilitate 308 affordable units within the city of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $19.5 million tax exempt loan was approved to finance the demolition and construction of 88 multifamily housing units in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood. Adding to one of the southeast region\u0026rsquo;s largest mixed income housing communities, City Lights Boulevard North will reserve all 88 units for households making 60% area median income (AMI).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $2 million Housing Opportunity Bond was approved to finance the acquisition and rehabilitation of 220 multifamily housing units in The Villages at Carver community. Located on Moury Avenue in southeast Atlanta, phase 1 of the development will feature 110 units at 50% AMI, 44 units at 60% AMI and 66 units at 70% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I love the fact that [The Villages at Carver] includes so many three- and four-bedroom units because there\u0026rsquo;s a huge gap in a lot of the affordable housing projects across the city,\u0026rdquo; says Fred Smith, a member of the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors. \u0026ldquo;Preserving that is instrumental for a lot of our families because to grow your family, you want to live in a community that you\u0026rsquo;re familiar with.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough the leadership of Mayor Andre Dickens, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Board Chair, Invest Atlanta has financed 1,589 affordable housing units in 2022.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":460,"title":"Transit-Oriented Affordability Comes to Edgewood-Candler Park MARTA Station","promo_title":"Transit-Oriented Affordability Comes to Edgewood-Candler Park MARTA Station","published_date":"2022-10-27","featured_image":{"id":2132,"parent_id":133,"resource_file_name":"img_20220929_1648197.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":830254,"resource_updated_at":"2022-10-27T11:05:25.012-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-10-27T11:05:26.005-04:00","updated_at":"2022-10-27T11:06:26.201-04:00","filename_hash":"img_20220929_1648197_JZJzvaB.jpg","width":3996,"height":2664},"filename":"transit-oriented-affordability-comes-to-edgewood-candler-park-marta-station","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"5M8l-A","created_at":"2022-10-27T11:06:26.078-04:00","updated_at":"2022-10-27T11:06:26.078-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n A new development, featuring housing affordability, is now open at the Edgewood-Candler Park MARTA Station. Previously, the Invest Atlanta Board approved $45 million in lease-purchase bonds to convert an underused parking lot into affordable housing along Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s transit lines \u0026ndash; a key component of the city\u0026rsquo;s economic mobility strategy.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA new development, featuring housing affordability, is now open at the Edgewood-Candler Park MARTA Station. Previously, the Invest Atlanta Board approved $45 million in lease-purchase bonds to convert an underused parking lot into affordable housing along Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s transit lines \u0026ndash; a key component of the city\u0026rsquo;s economic mobility strategy.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eColumbia Ventures LLC constructed the mixed-use residential and retail development on 1.99 acres of existing excess parking on the south side of the Edgewood-Candler Park MARTA Station. The development contains 208 residential units, 53 of which are workforce housing units affordable to households earning 80% area medium income.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the residential development, there is a two-level parking deck, a shared central common area featuring .55 acres of green space, as well as a 7,000-square-foot commercial building.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs part of this development, Columbia Ventures also constructed a 22,000-square-foot performing arts and administrative building for a youth-focused nonprofit financed by New Market Tax Credits.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Dawn Arnold, executive vice president and COO of Invest Atlanta, this project helps to fulfill an urgent and important need for housing affordability with convenient access to essential services and activities to minimize household cost burdens. \u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m proud to be adding more affordable housing units and complement development efforts occurring in Edgewood Park and the surrounding community,\u0026rdquo; says Arnold. \u0026ldquo;Transit-oriented development like Edgewood-Candler Park Station and similarly at the King Memorial Station helps to drive investment while decreasing a family\u0026#39;s\u0026nbsp;spend, allowing them to focus on other needs.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Renting\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":459,"title":"Answering the Call","promo_title":"Answering the Call","published_date":"2022-10-27","featured_image":{"id":2131,"parent_id":133,"resource_file_name":"eiofvbnk_400x400_-002-.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":40181,"resource_updated_at":"2022-10-27T10:56:53.993-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-10-27T10:56:54.027-04:00","updated_at":"2022-10-27T10:56:58.730-04:00","filename_hash":"eiofvbnk_400x400_-002-_g3o461e.jpg","width":400,"height":400},"filename":"answering-the-call","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"sZgFbA","created_at":"2022-10-27T10:56:58.594-04:00","updated_at":"2022-10-27T10:56:58.594-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The greatest ideas are born from necessity, and attorney Alcide Honor\u0026eacute; saw a massive, unmet need for fellow professionals who bill phone calls with clients.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe greatest ideas are born from necessity, and attorney Alcide Honor\u0026eacute; saw a massive, unmet need for fellow professionals who bill phone calls with clients.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I envisioned myself sitting on a beach, taking a call from a client,\u0026rdquo; explains Alcide. \u0026ldquo;I know I won\u0026rsquo;t remember to bill that call when I get back to office. That\u0026rsquo;s lost revenue, and it adds up.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn fact, studies show that 40% of billable mobile calls with clients go unbilled. Knowing he had an idea worth exploring, Alcide engaged his brother, Armond Honor\u0026eacute;, who is a software engineer, and together they launched \u003ca href=\"https://billseye.com/\"\u003eBillseye\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBillseye is the first and only real-time mobile call billing solution that captures client calls and automatically records relevant data, such as the date, time and length of call. Using the app, users simply push the blue Billseye icon to answer incoming client calls, which appears on the phone\u0026rsquo;s home screen above the red \u0026ldquo;decline\u0026rdquo; or green \u0026ldquo;accept\u0026rdquo; buttons.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlcide knew the Billseye solution would appeal to attorneys, accountants, consultants and other professionals. He didn\u0026rsquo;t anticipate a full 40% of Billseye users would be under the age of 25 \u0026ndash; freelancers, influencers and solopreneurs who rely on their phones to manage their business.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;How we work has changed so much, especially after the pandemic,\u0026rdquo; says Alcide. \u0026ldquo;So much that\u0026nbsp;we adjusted our roadmap and marketing strategy to help people in the new economy capture billable hours and get paid fairly for the service they provide.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlcide, who still moonlights as an attorney, describes Billseye as a bootstrapped startup that\u0026rsquo;s trying to get its footing, raise funds and accommodate growth. Invest Atlanta has been a key supporter along this journey, providing a low-interest loan for equipment and consulting resources, as well as a New and Emerging Tech Tax Waiver, which waives the fees associated with obtaining a business license for five years. Alcide has also applied for a Resurgence Grant and has taken advantage of the ATLinBusiness portal for marketing support.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s been amazing to transform an idea into something tangible and have support from Invest Atlanta along the way,\u0026rdquo; says Alcide. \u0026ldquo;Our contacts at Invest Atlanta are so responsive; they know which resources are applicable to our business and proactively suggest opportunities. It\u0026rsquo;s great to have people who recognize the value of what we\u0026rsquo;re doing and actively support it.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":458,"title":"Transforming a Brownfield into Affordable Housing","promo_title":"Transforming a Brownfield into Affordable Housing","published_date":"2022-10-27","featured_image":{"id":2130,"parent_id":133,"resource_file_name":"alt.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":56053,"resource_updated_at":"2022-10-27T10:54:27.613-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-10-27T10:54:27.760-04:00","updated_at":"2022-10-27T10:54:31.873-04:00","filename_hash":"alt_YW7V4bm.jpg","width":430,"height":404},"filename":"transforming-a-brownfield-into-affordable-housing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"nrthcw","created_at":"2022-10-27T10:54:31.845-04:00","updated_at":"2022-10-27T10:54:31.845-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Board approved a $200,000 grant from the Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund to support the Atlanta Land Trust in its efforts to remediate a property in the East Lake community for future development.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Board approved a $200,000 grant from the Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund to support the Atlanta Land Trust in its efforts to remediate a property in the East Lake community for future development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocated at 697 and 721 Fayetteville Road, the property is currently designated a brownfield, which cannot be reused or redeveloped due to the presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith help from the approved grant, the Atlanta Land Trust will remediate the two-acre property, making it safe to construct 40 affordable for-sale town homes. All 40 units will be held by Atlanta Land Trust to ensure permanent affordability, with half reserved for families making at or below 120% area medium income (AMI) and the other half held for those at 80% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis property clean-up will allow the conversion of a contaminated site into a future public asset for the community and is part of a larger East Lake Foundation initiative to help individuals build a better life for themselves and future generations through equitable cradle-to-college education, mixed-income housing, and community wellness.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Finding the first money to do some of the hard things like this \u0026ndash; you don\u0026rsquo;t get a bank loan to do remediation \u0026ndash; you\u0026rsquo;re going to have to just do it. So, [getting] $200,000 or $500,000 to clean up a brownfield allows you to go out and get the rest of your loan proceeds,\u0026rdquo; says Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;With the revolving loan fund, we can go out and advertise [and say,] \u0026lsquo;Those ugly pieces of property that once was an old drycleaner or gas station or something else that needs to be remediated, tell us about it,\u0026rsquo; and we can supply you with this loan fund.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":456,"title":"Atlanta’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) 2022 Cohort Announced","promo_title":"Atlanta’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) 2022 Cohort Announced","published_date":"2022-09-26","featured_image":{"id":2061,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"wei-hermove-queen-logo.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":971973,"resource_updated_at":"2022-09-26T13:01:50.204-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-09-26T13:01:51.120-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-26T13:03:10.573-04:00","filename_hash":"wei-hermove-queen-logo_k3Nlpm8.jpg","width":3116,"height":3658},"filename":"atlantas-womens-entrepreneurship-initiative-wei-2022-cohort-announced","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"uFtJiw","created_at":"2022-09-26T13:02:43.377-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-26T13:03:10.525-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Women Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), a business incubator for early-stage, women-owned businesses, announced the 15 members of its fifth cohort today.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta\u0026rsquo;s Women Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), a business incubator for early-stage, women-owned businesses, announced the 15 members of its fifth cohort today.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe only municipally funded program of its kind in the nation, WEI launched in 2015 with the support of the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta. The 15-month incubator fosters and promotes community and spurs business growth for female entrepreneurs in a wide range of industries from transportation and logistics to healthcare, media, education, and consumer goods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince its inception, WEI businesses have created more than 600 jobs for the City of Atlanta and its entrepreneurs have garnered more than $4 million in capital investment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re focused on creating an environment where women entrepreneurs can thrive, to help advance equity and equality in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;WEI is another shining example of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s work to fulfill our mission of making sure all Atlantans have equitable access to opportunity and pathways to wealth creation as we continue to move Atlanta forward.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis cohort\u0026rsquo;s theme \u0026ndash; \u0026ldquo;HerMove\u0026rdquo; \u0026ndash; celebrates the strategic role that women play in entrepreneurial leadership with its new class of entrepreneurs in districts from the southside, westside and northside, showcasing the growing diversity and inclusion of its business community. WEI provides access to practical\u0026nbsp;business education, mentorship engagement, financial literacy assistance and business\u0026nbsp;support services, including collaborative co-working space at the historic Flatiron Building in\u0026nbsp;downtown Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Women-owned businesses play a major role in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurial ecosystem and are vital to the success of the city\u0026rsquo;s economy,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Businesses founded and helmed by women represent 42% of all U.S. businesses and statistics show that women reinvest 90% of their income into their families and their local community, so supporting them is a win-win.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;WEI and Invest Atlanta prove once again, women founders are profitable, innovative and impactful; and that our fair city is a guiding star for diversity, equity and inclusion in entrepreneurs,\u0026rdquo; said Monica Delores Hooks, executive director of WEI.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;Cohort 5 is positioned to bring continued accolades and awards to help make Atlanta the most economically competitive and dynamic city in the world.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFifth cohort participants include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAgate Solutions LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eArt In The Paint Corporation\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAsk Me Your MD, Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCould Be Pretty Cool LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eFourth Party LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHelping Empower Youth Incorporated (HEY!)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHERide\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHillendell Medical Training\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eIHCBP Infinity Holdings INC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJo David Design Studio\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eKore Beauty Co. LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eLapapoe LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ePretty Luxe Picnics\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRAW Body Essentials\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eREADI Consulting, LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":452,"title":"Historic Theatrical Outfit to Undergo Renovations","promo_title":"Historic Theatrical Outfit to Undergo Renovations","published_date":"2022-09-21","featured_image":{"id":2056,"parent_id":127,"resource_file_name":"balzer_3.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":141536,"resource_updated_at":"2022-09-21T11:47:12.683-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-09-21T11:47:12.718-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-21T11:47:48.544-04:00","filename_hash":"balzer_3_3kwmYjl.jpg","width":904,"height":618},"filename":"historic-theatrical-outfit-to-undergo-renovations","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"0K89ig","created_at":"2022-09-21T11:47:48.402-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-21T11:47:48.402-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s second-oldest professional theater will soon receive a $2 million renovation with financial assistance from a $200,000 Westside TAD Downtown Fa\u0026ccedil;ade Improvement Grant.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta\u0026rsquo;s second-oldest professional theater will soon receive a $2 million renovation with financial assistance from a $200,000 Westside TAD Downtown Fa\u0026ccedil;ade Improvement Grant.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2005, the Theatrical Outfit, which has been operating in Atlanta for 45 years, purchased and renovated the historic Herren\u0026rsquo;s Restaurant building at 84 Luckie St., making it their permanent home. Herren\u0026rsquo;s Restaurant was a prominent business in downtown Atlanta from 1934 until 1987, after which the building remained vacant until it was purchased by Bill Balzer and donated to Theatrical Outfit in 2005.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Theatrical Outfit is now undertaking a $2 million renovation of the Balzer Theater to include expansion of the lobby space, updates to the interior and restoration of the fa\u0026ccedil;ade to create a more visible storefront that historically aligns with the original exterior design.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOther improvements will include a new energy-efficient LED display marquee signage and new and enlarged windows. What\u0026rsquo;s more, the original Herren\u0026rsquo;s sign, which is currently mounted on an interior stairwell, will be relocated to the lobby and illuminated to ensure visibility from the street.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":450,"title":"Affordable Housing Across Atlanta ","promo_title":"Affordable Housing Across Atlanta ","published_date":"2022-09-21","featured_image":{"id":2054,"parent_id":127,"resource_file_name":"sweet_auburn_6.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":118745,"resource_updated_at":"2022-09-21T11:40:06.296-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2022-09-21T11:40:06.328-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-21T11:42:18.180-04:00","filename_hash":"sweet_auburn_6_lPj273e.jpg","width":862,"height":458},"filename":"affordable-housing-across-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"6Y6LOA","created_at":"2022-09-21T11:42:17.961-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-21T11:42:17.961-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Continuing its efforts to create, preserve and rehabilitate affordable housing throughout the city of Atlanta, the Invest Atlanta Board approved a series of grant resolutions from the BeltLine and Eastside Tax Allocation Districts (TADs) that will collectively add 365 more affordable units to the market.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eContinuing its efforts to create, preserve and rehabilitate affordable housing throughout the city of Atlanta, the Invest Atlanta Board approved a series of grant resolutions from the BeltLine and Eastside Tax Allocation Districts (TADs) that will collectively add 365 more affordable units to the market.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left:.5in;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" height=\"347\" src=\"/assets/englewood_2_lPj273e.jpg\" width=\"600\" /\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left:.5in;\"\u003eA $2 million grant from the BeltLine TAD Increment Fund will finance the new construction of 227 multifamily housing units in the Chosewood Park community. Located at 505 Englewood Ave., the \u003cstrong\u003eEnglewood \u003c/strong\u003edevelopment will include 39 units at 30% area median income (AMI), 43 units at 50% AMI, 40 units at 60% AMI and 61 units at 80% AMI. Atlanta Housing HomeFlex vouchers are available, and residents will not payment more than 30% of their income.\u003cimg alt=\"\" height=\"363\" src=\"/assets/residences_2_lPj273e.jpg\" width=\"600\" /\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left:.5in;\"\u003eA $2 million grant from the BeltLine TAD Increment Fund will support the new construction of 106 multifamily housing units in the Chosewood neighborhood. Located on McDonald Drive, the \u003cstrong\u003eResidences at Chosewood Park \u003c/strong\u003ewill replace the current blighted property and feature 19 units available at 50% AMI, 71 units at 60% AMI and 16 units at market rate.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left:.5in;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" height=\"346\" src=\"/assets/ralph_4_lPj273e.jpg\" width=\"600\" /\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left:.5in;\"\u003eMotel Atlanta, LLC will soon begin renovating and converting 54 rooms into supportive housing micro units with assistance from a $556,000 BeltLine TAD Increment Fund grant. Located at 277 Moreland Ave., in the Reyonldstown community, the development will be renamed the \u003cstrong\u003eRalph\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDavid House Project \u003c/strong\u003eand feature 54 units at 30% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left:.5in;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" height=\"319\" src=\"/assets/sweet_auburn_6_lPj273e.jpg\" width=\"600\" /\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left:.5in;\"\u003eA grant of up to $4 million from the Eastside TAD will help finance the construction of \u003cstrong\u003eSweet Auburn Grande\u003c/strong\u003e, a live-work development with new multifamily housing units and affordable commercial space in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood. The building, which was built in 1908, housed the Atlanta State Savings Bank, the first Black-owned bank in Atlanta and Georgia\u0026rsquo;s first state-chartered Black bank. The developer is preserving the existing structure as part of the larger project, which will include 19 units at 50% AMI, 73 units at 60% AMI and 17 units at market rate.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left:.5in;\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;[This project is by a group] Butler Street Community Development Corporation that is going through our technical assistance training, which was designed to help local developers,\u0026rdquo; says Dawn Arnold, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re happy to see this project is coming to fruition.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":451,"title":"Capping The Connector","promo_title":"Capping The Connector","published_date":"2022-09-21","featured_image":{"id":2055,"parent_id":127,"resource_file_name":"stitch_4.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":58026,"resource_updated_at":"2022-09-21T11:44:22.227-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-09-21T11:44:22.733-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-21T11:44:54.146-04:00","filename_hash":"stitch_4_ZWQmMlK.jpg","width":585,"height":449},"filename":"capping-the-connector","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"FwDNzA","created_at":"2022-09-21T11:44:54.110-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-21T11:44:54.110-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s central business district is one step closer to a transformative infrastructure project that will cap the connector with an expansive urban greenspace corridor.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta\u0026rsquo;s central business district is one step closer to a transformative infrastructure project that will cap the connector with an expansive urban greenspace corridor.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta (DOT) plans to construct a public infrastructure over the section of Interstate 75/85, known as The Connector, between the Civic Center MARTA rail station at West Peachtree Street and Piedmont Avenue. With help from a $10 million Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) grant, The Stitch will unite the two sides of downtown currently divided by I-75/85 with a 3\u0026frasl;4-mile long, 14-acre series of elevated, interconnected parks, plazas, walking trails and new street connections.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNot only will The Stitch spur new land use on adjacent and nearby sites that are currently underutilized and blighted by the impacts of exposure to the interstate highway, it also has the potential to increase property tax revenues by spurring development on adjacent sites.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) have already secured over $4 million in funding to support initial planning and concept design for The Stitch. The next step to advance the project is completing the preliminary project engineering \u0026ndash; a scope of work totaling $21 million.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe City and ADID requested the $10 million Eastside TAD grant as part of a 50/50 match funding for a USDOT Reconnecting Communities Pilot Grant Program. The $10 million grant will be combined with $500,000 from ADID to leverage $10.5 million from the grant program, securing the total need of $21 million in funding to complete preliminary engineering activities for The Stitch.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCompletion of preliminary engineering will make The Stitch shovel-ready and eligible for Federal funding sources to support construction.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":453,"title":"Inspiring Creativity Through Funding","promo_title":"Inspiring Creativity Through Funding","published_date":"2022-09-21","featured_image":{"id":849,"parent_id":7,"resource_file_name":"creative_industries.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":108389,"resource_updated_at":"2019-04-02T15:08:42.465-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-04-02T15:08:42.497-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-21T11:51:31.591-04:00","filename_hash":"creative_industries_KDvLPYx.jpg","width":1000,"height":680},"filename":"inspiring-creativity-through-funding","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lBUW0g","created_at":"2022-09-21T11:51:31.519-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-21T11:51:31.519-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta hope to inspire creatives with help from funding assistance through the newly announced Creative Industries Grant Fund.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta hope to inspire creatives with help from funding assistance through the newly announced Creative Industries Grant Fund.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe joint pilot program of the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Film and Entertainment and Invest Atlanta will offer grants to independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs to help further their projects. Recipients can use the grant funding to support anything from production, post-production and distribution to marketing outreach, touring, prototype development, product development, sales and attraction.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCreative Industries Grant Fund applications will be reviewed by a committee of Creative Industries Advisory Board and Invest Atlanta personnel, and grant amounts will range from $5,000 - $20,000.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEligible applicants include:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eIndependent content creators and creative entrepreneurs located within the city of Atlanta who plan to create content within the city of Atlanta.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eIndependent content creators and creative entrepreneurs operating a business within the city with a valid City of Atlanta business license.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u0026nbsp;Independent record, management labels and their talent that are located within the city of Atlanta with a valid City of Atlanta business license.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eIndependent businesses that provide educational resources and platforms to creative entrepreneurs, including creative accelerators and incubators.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo apply, visit \u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/creative-industries-grant-fund\"\u003ewww.investatlanta.com/creatives\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":454,"title":"A Family Legacy","promo_title":"A Family Legacy","published_date":"2022-09-21","featured_image":{"id":2057,"parent_id":127,"resource_file_name":"khadija_head_1_-1-.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":120440,"resource_updated_at":"2022-09-21T11:53:09.676-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-09-21T11:53:10.498-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-21T11:54:46.083-04:00","filename_hash":"khadija_head_1_-1-_6XBEWaV.jpg","width":640,"height":414},"filename":"a-family-legacy","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"l4ZVRg","created_at":"2022-09-21T11:54:46.038-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-21T11:54:46.038-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Like so many, Khadija J. Head had a life-changing, ah-ha moment during the pandemic. The career athlete and collegiate basketball coach had spent her entire life immersed in the sport she loved. But since there was no basketball being played during the early days of COVID-19, she returned home to Atlanta and dove into the family plumbing business.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLike so many, Khadija J. Head had a life-changing, ah-ha moment during the pandemic.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe career athlete and collegiate basketball coach had spent her entire life immersed in the sport she loved. But since there was no basketball being played during the early days of COVID-19, she returned home to Atlanta and dove into the family plumbing business.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I gained a greater understanding of the business and just how unique and special it is,\u0026rdquo; says Khadija. \u0026ldquo;It was my first opportunity to contribute to the legacy that\u0026rsquo;s provided for my family for so many years.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFounded by her parents in 1981, \u003ca\u003eHead\u0026#39;s Plumbing Sales and Service, Inc.\u003c/a\u003e, has employed four generations of family members and is the oldest Black-owned plumbing company in Georgia. For years, her grandfather worked alongside her parents, and now Khadija and her brother, Odari, manage the business. Odari\u0026rsquo;s two sons are also learning the trade.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I jumped off the metaphorical cliff and decided to invest in something that will outlive me,\u0026rdquo; says Khadija. \u0026ldquo;It was the best decision that took me too long to make.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince plumbing was deemed an essential business during the pandemic, one of the first things Khadija did was apply for a Resurgence Grant, which not only helped the company make payroll and cover expenses during the uncertain time, it also paved the way for a new revenue stream with the addition of a septic truck.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKhadija says working with Invest Atlanta was such a positive experience that she later jumped at the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Reimagine Opportunity Small Business Cohort. During the 10-week program, Khadija learned how financial statements provide insight into the overall health of a business and the importance of serving a target audience. \u0026ldquo;My main takeaway was that you really need a tribe of support,\u0026rdquo; she says. \u0026ldquo;Being exposed to other entrepreneurs empowered me to think bigger.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKhadija has also taken advantage of the ATLinBusiness portal, which connects small business owners and entrepreneurs with consultants who specialize in various business functions, including finance, business planning, marketing, human resources, legal and web development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEvery step along the way, Khadija says Invest Atlanta has made her feel seen and possible as an entrepreneur. \u0026ldquo;They advocate for businesses no matter what phase you\u0026rsquo;re in and position you for success,\u0026rdquo; she says. \u0026ldquo;They\u0026rsquo;ve been a great partner and investor in Head\u0026#39;s Plumbing Sales and Service. I\u0026rsquo;m so appreciative of their support.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv id=\"_com_1\" uage=\"JavaScript\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":455,"title":"Congratulations to the 2022 Reimagine Opportunity Small Business Cohort","promo_title":"Congratulations to the 2022 Reimagine Opportunity Small Business Cohort","published_date":"2022-09-21","featured_image":{"id":2059,"parent_id":127,"resource_file_name":"2022_reimagine_opportunity_graduates_-1-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":380209,"resource_updated_at":"2022-09-21T12:02:26.747-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-09-21T12:02:26.793-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-21T12:02:33.706-04:00","filename_hash":"2022_reimagine_opportunity_graduates_-1-_6XBEWeX.png","width":940,"height":788},"filename":"congratulations-to-the-2022-reimagine-opportunity-small-business-cohort","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"gb61cA","created_at":"2022-09-21T11:59:07.219-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-21T12:02:33.674-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n In July, Invest Atlanta and Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) graduated the second cohort of the Reimagine Opportunity Small Business program. The cohort included six Atlanta entrepreneurs \u0026ndash; all of whom are Black women businesses owners.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn July, Invest Atlanta and Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) graduated the second cohort of the Reimagine Opportunity Small Business program. The cohort included six Atlanta entrepreneurs \u0026ndash; all of whom are Black women businesses owners.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Reimagine Opportunity Small Business program is a 10-week curriculum designed to equip entrepreneurs with digital skillsets to launch their business to the next level. Topics include everything from financial statements and managing a remote team to marketing, branding, SEO optimization, cyber security and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Reimagine Opportunity Cohort program was an excellent opportunity for my company to gain the expertise needed to pivot in a new direction,\u0026rdquo; says Lisa Johnson, executive director of Mathtopian Preparation Inc. \u0026ldquo;The support of the staff and the camaraderie between cohort members inspired me to embrace the idea of major change to our service model.\u0026nbsp; Many of us have had little formal business training and after the Reimagine experience, can apply what we\u0026#39;ve learned to our day-to-day operations.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":446,"title":"Housing Affordability in the Westside","promo_title":"Housing Affordability in the Westside","published_date":"2022-07-27","featured_image":{"id":2005,"parent_id":124,"resource_file_name":"220_sunset_3.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":55515,"resource_updated_at":"2022-07-27T13:44:33.931-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-07-27T13:44:34.799-04:00","updated_at":"2022-07-27T13:44:40.479-04:00","filename_hash":"220_sunset_3_VRVZ7ke.jpg","width":542,"height":364},"filename":"housing-affordability-in-the-westside","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"yN7ofQ","created_at":"2022-07-27T13:44:40.384-04:00","updated_at":"2022-07-27T13:44:40.384-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board has approved $1.115 million in tax allocation district (TAD) grants to fund three small, multifamily residential projects that will increase affordability in the Westside community.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board has approved $1.115 million in tax allocation district (TAD) grants to fund three small, multifamily residential projects that will increase affordability in the Westside community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $340,000 Westside TAD Resurgens Fund Grant will assist in the current redevelopment of \u003cstrong\u003e400 Paines Ave.\u003c/strong\u003e in the English Avenue neighborhood. The property will include six one-bedroom units leased at 60% area median income (AMI). Renovations will include ADA enhancements, utility upgrades and updates to the interior and exterior of the property. Other improvements will include reconstruction of curbs, sidewalks, streetscapes, stormwater management and curb cuts.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Westside Future Fund, which is a place-based community organization that utilizes private and philanthropic partnerships to revitalize Westside neighborhoods, received a $325,000 Westside TAD grant to fund a redevelopment project at \u003cstrong\u003e613 Echo St.\u003c/strong\u003e The project will feature seven units of affordable rental housing priced at 50-60% AMI. Plus, assistance from Atlanta Housing Project-Based Rental Assistance Voucher Program ensures tenants will pay no more than 30% of their income on rent.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Westside Future Fund also will receive up to $450,000 in Westside TAD Resurgens Fund Grants to finance the stabilization and historic preservation of \u003cstrong\u003e220 Sunset Ave.\u003c/strong\u003e for affordable multifamily housing. Built in 1950, the property is a historic landmark to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Civil Rights Movement and was acquired in 2020 to preserve the structure. The redevelopment will include a complete interior and exterior renovation of the four original apartments and construction of an additional two-bedroom, one-bath unit.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I wholeheartedly support this,\u0026rdquo; says Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;These are not only affordable houses\u0026ndash;seven at a time, six at a time, 10 at a time\u0026ndash;that all add up. This is also neighborhood revitalization\u0026hellip;when you start fixing them up and placing residents in them at affordable rates\u0026hellip;it has a huge amount of impact.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":449,"title":"New Fire Station Coming to Almond Park Community","promo_title":"New Fire Station Coming to Almond Park Community","published_date":"2022-07-27","featured_image":{"id":2008,"parent_id":124,"resource_file_name":"fire_station_3.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":135053,"resource_updated_at":"2022-07-27T13:55:23.474-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-07-27T13:55:23.512-04:00","updated_at":"2022-07-27T13:56:14.200-04:00","filename_hash":"fire_station_3_YWDoyyv.jpg","width":1850,"height":619},"filename":"new-fire-station-coming-to-almond-park-community","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"sagS-A","created_at":"2022-07-27T13:56:14.179-04:00","updated_at":"2022-07-27T13:56:14.179-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The construction of a new fire station on Hollywood Road will soon resume, improving response times and safety for local residents seeking emergency services.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe construction of a new fire station on Hollywood Road will soon resume, improving response times and safety for local residents seeking emergency services.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board approved a $5.1 million grant from the Perry Bolton Tax Allocation District (TAD) to complete the construction of the new facility known as Atlanta Fire and Rescue Department (AFRD) Fire Station #22.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 17,000-square-foot building will replace the original 1938 fire station at 817 Hollywood Road, which was outdated and out of service. The new facility, located at 855 Hollywood Road, will house administrative offices, a living dormitory and storage spaces for AFRD personnel, tools, equipment and fire apparatus.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe project was previously awarded a $1 million Perry Bolton TAD grant in 2019. Construction began in early 2021 but was halted because of challenges with the general contractor and an inability to acquire critical materials. The City of Atlanta retained a new general contractor and revised the total project cost to include an additional interior buildout and equipment covered by the approved new grant funding.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":448,"title":"Preserving Black Atlanta","promo_title":"Preserving Black Atlanta ","published_date":"2022-07-27","featured_image":{"id":2007,"parent_id":124,"resource_file_name":"1658781525427.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":634467,"resource_updated_at":"2022-07-27T13:53:18.405-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-07-27T13:53:18.474-04:00","updated_at":"2022-07-27T13:53:26.094-04:00","filename_hash":"1658781525427_aWXykpE.jpg","width":1920,"height":1080},"filename":"preserving-black-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"-HQqVw","created_at":"2022-07-27T13:53:26.063-04:00","updated_at":"2022-07-27T13:53:26.063-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Two historic homes in Vine City, owned by notable Black Atlantans, will soon be restored and preserved with help from a $1 million grant from the National Park Service (NPS) to Preserve Black Atlanta (PBA).\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTwo historic homes in Vine City, owned by notable Black Atlantans, will soon be restored and preserved with help from a $1 million grant from the National Park Service (NPS) to Preserve Black Atlanta (PBA).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePBA is a nonprofit that identifies and advocates for the preservation of buildings and landmarks that document the historical narrative of Black Atlantans. The grant will assist in the restoration of historic homes once owned by George Alexander Towns and Grace Towns Hamilton\u0026ndash;both of whom are tied to the long organizational history of the Civil Rights Movement.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGeorge Towns built his own home in 1910. As a co-founder of the Niagara Movement and the Atlanta branch of the NAACP, he often held meetings at his home with James W. Johnson, W.E.B. Du Bois and Walter White.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGrace Towns Hamilton completed her home in 1956. She was the executive director of the Atlanta Urban League, and in 1966, became the first African-American woman elected to serve in the Georgia House of Representatives.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe homes, which are now owned by Invest Atlanta, have been vacant and subject to vandalism and vagrancy for several years. Invest Atlanta and PBA applied for the grant with the goal of restoring their historic integrity and leveraging them as a community resource and educational space in the future.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta has a proud legacy of leadership in civil and human rights, and we are truly fortunate to live in a city where we are surrounded by tangible history of movements and their leaders,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;Thank you to the National Park Service, Preserve Black Atlanta and Invest Atlanta for helping us preserve that legacy for future generations.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, historic preservation is a proven catalyst for economic development. \u0026ldquo;Not only does the historic preservation of buildings help to give people a sense of place and connection to the past,\u0026rdquo; she said, \u0026ldquo;it also drives significant growth in that it helps enhance real estate values and attracts investment and tourism to a community.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe PBA grant is part of $16,247,500 in African American Civil Rights grants awarded by the Historic Preservation Fund, as administered by the National Park Service, Department of Interior.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n West End\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":447,"title":"Innovative Affordability in Grove Park Community","promo_title":"Innovative Affordability in Grove Park Community","published_date":"2022-07-27","featured_image":{"id":2006,"parent_id":124,"resource_file_name":"grove_park_4.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":51746,"resource_updated_at":"2022-07-27T13:46:13.338-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-07-27T13:46:13.367-04:00","updated_at":"2022-07-27T13:46:50.930-04:00","filename_hash":"grove_park_4_bw324X8.jpg","width":936,"height":459},"filename":"innovative-affordability-in-grove-park-community","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"GIHJMA","created_at":"2022-07-27T13:46:50.896-04:00","updated_at":"2022-07-27T13:46:50.896-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n To help very-low-income families, especially those at risk of displacement, the Invest Atlanta Board approved $1.8 million in Housing Opportunity Bond Funds for the construction of affordable, single-family scattered site rental units in the Grove Park community.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTo help very-low-income families, especially those at risk of displacement, the Invest Atlanta Board approved $1.8 million in Housing Opportunity Bond Funds for the construction of affordable, single-family scattered site rental units in the Grove Park community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe project, located at 1842 Markone Street, is in close proximity to mass transit and will be developed by Grove Park Renewal Rentals \u0026ndash; a nonprofit focused on empowering communities through high quality, dignified housing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGrove Park Renewal currently owns 10 parcels that will be used to create 40 units. There will be two structures on each parcel \u0026ndash; a primary unit and a detached accessory dwelling unit \u003cstrong\u003e(\u003c/strong\u003eADU) \u0026ndash; that will house four separate living units. Affordability will include 30%, 50% and 80% of area median income (AMI) units \u0026ndash; 12 of which will be permanently affordable and 10 will be deed restricted. In addition, Atlanta Housing Choice Vouchers will be available for 10 units.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":445,"title":" Invest Atlanta Joins Project to Boost High-Quality Jobs ","promo_title":" Invest Atlanta Joins Project to Boost High-Quality Jobs ","published_date":"2022-06-23","featured_image":{"id":1966,"parent_id":119,"resource_file_name":"rfa_rgb-1024x464.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":9314,"resource_updated_at":"2022-06-23T12:19:48.131-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-06-23T12:19:48.735-04:00","updated_at":"2022-06-23T12:20:15.209-04:00","filename_hash":"rfa_rgb-1024x464_538yevq.png","width":1024,"height":464},"filename":"invest-atlanta-joins-project-to-boost-high-quality-jobs","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"NnAjEA","created_at":"2022-06-23T12:20:15.130-04:00","updated_at":"2022-06-23T12:20:15.130-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is one of 20 jurisdictions across the United States elected to participate in Results for America\u0026#39;s \u003ca href=\"https://results4america.org/the-good-jobs-equity-project/\"\u003eGood Jobs \u0026amp; Equity Project\u003c/a\u003e. The initiative, supported by the \u003ca href=\"https://familiesandworkers.org/\"\u003eFamilies and Workers Fund\u003c/a\u003e, helps state, local and tribal governments use federal recovery investments from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) improve job quality and advance workforce equity.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Good Jobs \u0026amp; Equity Project was created to support communities in using data to invest in creating higher quality jobs in their communities, particularly for historically underserved residents. Participants will review what constitutes a \u003ca href=\"https://results4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Good-Jobs-Equity-Project-JQP-Framework-Excerpt.pdf\"\u003egood job\u003c/a\u003e, including everything from basic needs and economic drivers to compensation, benefits and safety \u0026ndash; all of which have a direct link to equity.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s an honor to be a part of this project because one of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s core tenets is helping Atlantans build careers through good, middle-income jobs,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Good jobs are not only the foundation to building generational wealth, but also fortify local economies, strengthen our communities and narrow the equity gap.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBringing together leaders from across the country to meet with national experts, the initiative will offer hands-on learning, personal coaching and ready-made resources that provide the knowledge and tools to invest in evidenced-based job quality programs with existing ARP or IIJA funding. Leaders will develop a deeper understanding of the historical connection between job quality, equity and discrimination, and will identify opportunities to create change.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Results for America is thrilled to work with a few select communities to develop new data-driven models to create higher quality jobs \u0026ndash; jobs that are fundamental to the long-term growth and prosperity of communities,\u0026rdquo; said Zachary Markovits, Results for America\u0026rsquo;s Vice President and Local Practice Lead. \u0026ldquo;This is an historic opportunity to reimagine and rebuild a more equitable society.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe first phase of the project will begin in June and run through November 2022.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information, visit \u003ca href=\"http://results4america.org/\"\u003eresults4america.org\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":444,"title":"New Small Business Loan Program Opens ","promo_title":"New Small Business Loan Program Opens ","published_date":"2022-06-22","featured_image":{"id":1958,"parent_id":7,"resource_file_name":"tk_atlanta_open_for_business_fund_site_mantle6_page_2.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":638493,"resource_updated_at":"2022-06-13T13:45:55.526-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-06-13T13:45:56.416-04:00","updated_at":"2023-07-24T13:39:56.160-04:00","filename_hash":"tk_atlanta_open_for_business_fund_site_mantle6_page_2_4BDVEJm.png","width":1306,"height":500},"filename":"new-small-business-loan-program-opens","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"rZr2wg","created_at":"2022-06-22T17:11:59.064-04:00","updated_at":"2022-06-22T17:11:59.064-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWith support from Wells Fargo, Invest Atlanta and United Way of Greater Atlanta (UWGA) launched a new loan program to help Atlanta small businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta Recovery Loan Program is a $5.7 million program, offering low-cost loans to help small businesses grow ownership of tangible assets to help them build wealth and avoid displacement due to changing economic conditions. It is the first of four initiatives Invest Atlanta and UWGA will roll out as a part of the Atlanta Open for Business Fund.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Without adequate financing to survive disruptions like the pandemic, most small businesses struggle to maintain their companies, let alone attain assets to grow them,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;This program will serve as yet another invaluable asset to help Atlantans build a resilient foundation for their companies.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This resource is a strategy to help small businesses purchase commercial property and assets for growth so they can develop generational wealth and increase economic mobility that enhances their communities,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;This loan program will help more businesses recover quickly and open a pathway to growth for all.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEligible businesses include existing businesses with less than 500 employees, partnerships or sole proprietorships and nonprofits with a focus on diverse-led or supporting diverse communities. Businesses in all commercial areas in the city of Atlanta, including those operating on City of Atlanta-owned property, are eligible.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe maximum direct loan amount is $25,000 - $100,000 at an interest rate not to exceed 3% repaid monthly over a term not to exceed seven years, providing businesses access to lower-cost, fixed-rate capital in a market where interest rates are rising.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta Open for Business Fund is made possible through a $20 million donation from Wells Fargo, offering a mix of grants and loan programs with a focus on diverse-owned businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more about the Atlanta Recovery Loan Program and to apply, visit \u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/atlantarecovery\"\u003ewww.investatlanta.com/atlantarecovery\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":441,"title":"New Primary Care Facility to Open in the Westside","promo_title":"New Primary Care Facility to Open in the Westside","published_date":"2022-05-26","featured_image":{"id":1939,"parent_id":115,"resource_file_name":"propco.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":275397,"resource_updated_at":"2022-05-26T09:50:20.902-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-05-26T09:50:21.677-04:00","updated_at":"2022-05-26T12:42:33.135-04:00","filename_hash":"propco_ooraeNr.png","width":489,"height":279},"filename":"new-primary-care-facility-to-open-in-the-westside","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"N2HVXg","created_at":"2022-05-26T09:50:48.149-04:00","updated_at":"2022-05-26T12:42:33.103-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n A blighted property that has been vacant for more than 20 years will soon be transformed into a full-service healthcare entity serving the Grove Park and greater Westside communities.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA blighted property, that has been vacant for more than 20 years, will soon be transformed into a full-service healthcare entity, serving the Grove Park and greater Westside communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta closed on a $500,000 Perry Bolton Tax Allocation District (TAD) grant to Ames Properties, LLC.\u0026nbsp; Owner and entertainment attorney, Jonathan Leonard, acquired the 11,000 square-foot commercial property located at 2056 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway in 2021 with the intent to renovate.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow under development, the property will be leased to a full-service healthcare entity, Primary Care Cohort 2 PropCo, which is an affiliate of Humana, Inc.\u0026nbsp;In addition to the nearly $1.8 million investment, supporting the whitebox construction\u0026nbsp;PropCo will invest capital to complete the buildout of its offices, which are scheduled to open in September 2022. The remaining 2,500 square footage will be available for lease to a compatible business.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This is a much-welcomed amenity to the corridor,\u0026rdquo; says Semira Ajani, assistant director, Westside Initiatives. \u0026ldquo;The project is the first Resurgence\u0026nbsp;Grant to be awarded in the Perry Bolton TAD and represents an outstanding win for the Grove Park neighborhood and the greater Westside.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":443,"title":"Affordability at Arden Avenue","promo_title":"Affordability at Arden Avenue","published_date":"2022-05-26","featured_image":{"id":1942,"parent_id":115,"resource_file_name":"1055_arden_2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":86605,"resource_updated_at":"2022-05-26T15:14:14.174-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-05-26T15:14:14.996-04:00","updated_at":"2022-05-26T15:15:17.558-04:00","filename_hash":"1055_arden_2_aWgqLRm.jpg","width":1004,"height":668},"filename":"affordability-at-arden-avenue","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"KqSA3A","created_at":"2022-05-26T15:15:17.523-04:00","updated_at":"2022-05-26T15:15:17.523-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA $2 million loan\u0026nbsp;from the BeltLine Affordable Housing Trust Fund will pave the way for the new construction of 58 multifamily housing units in the Capitol View neighborhood \u0026ndash; 48 of which will be affordable.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocated at 1055 Arden Ave., the development will include 2,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor, which could accommodate a restaurant or community grocery store. Affordability will include 28 units at 50% area median income (AMI), 20 units at 60% AMI and 10 units at market rate.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":440,"title":"Always with Passion","promo_title":"Always with Passion","published_date":"2022-05-26","featured_image":{"id":1938,"parent_id":115,"resource_file_name":"24232868_1980548812183073_774213409919875210_n.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":34108,"resource_updated_at":"2022-05-26T09:38:24.824-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-05-26T09:38:26.481-04:00","updated_at":"2022-05-26T09:42:36.013-04:00","filename_hash":"24232868_1980548812183073_774213409919875210_n_lPaVBoe.png","width":500,"height":500},"filename":"always-with-passion","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"2iJoNA","created_at":"2022-05-26T09:39:00.832-04:00","updated_at":"2022-05-26T09:42:35.944-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAZ Yeamen is a natural-born storyteller, who believes great screenwriting is never heard, never read; it\u0026rsquo;s felt.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAn established writer and producer, Yeamen is the founder and executive director of Bridge 17 Scriptwriters Studio, where she pursues her own career in script and story development and shares her love of craft with others.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYeamen established Bridge 17 Scriptwriters in 2009, offering a range of services to facilitate the creative process, including workshops, seminars, writer-for-hire services, as well as a flexible workspace for the creative community. \u0026ldquo;Bridge 17 answers a need,\u0026rdquo; says Yeamen. \u0026ldquo;My goal is to make writing sexy and provide a collaborative space for diverse voices that\u0026rsquo;s unique to Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocal writers use the 1,650-square-foot loft office located in the heart of the historic Castleberry Hill district as a place to work, learn and find inspiration. \u0026quot;If it is in any way connected to the craft of storytelling, we accommodate it here,\u0026quot; explains Yeamen. \u0026ldquo;We understand the world of the writer because we are writers.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Yeamen, Invest Atlanta was integral to her transition to become a full-fledged business with contractors and employees. Not only did Invest Atlanta help her secure a loan to build out the Bridge 17 space, it also provided critical support during COVID-19, including a Resurgence Grant and guidance on transitioning from in-person to an online community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Support from Invest Atlanta feels personal, like a partnership,\u0026rdquo; says Yeamen. \u0026ldquo;They were the only ones who really understood my vision from the start and have helped me serve the creative community in ways I never could\u0026rsquo;ve imagined.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":442,"title":"Invest Atlanta and Urban League of Greater Atlanta Host Roundtable with EXIM Bank President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis ","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta and Urban League of Greater Atlanta Host Roundtable with EXIM Bank President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis ","published_date":"2022-05-26","featured_image":{"id":1941,"parent_id":115,"resource_file_name":"283140448_385187156981941_3339691852623982078_n.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":246680,"resource_updated_at":"2022-05-26T09:58:34.524-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-05-26T09:58:34.562-04:00","updated_at":"2022-05-26T12:41:57.103-04:00","filename_hash":"283140448_385187156981941_3339691852623982078_n_g36Vey3.jpg","width":1425,"height":801},"filename":"invest-atlanta-and-urban-league-of-greater-atlanta-host-roundtable-with-exim-bank-president-and-chair-reta-jo-lewis","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"rAfOkA","created_at":"2022-05-26T09:59:45.842-04:00","updated_at":"2022-05-26T12:41:57.065-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta and the Urban League of Greater Atlanta hosted EXIM President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis (EXIM) for a roundtable discussion on May 20 with Atlanta-based minority and women business leaders who export to share information on exporting and how that can help businesses achieve sustainable growth and compete effectively in the global marketplace.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and the Urban League of Greater Atlanta hosted EXIM President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis (EXIM) for a roundtable discussion on May 20 with Atlanta-based minority and women business leaders who export to share information on exporting and how that can help businesses achieve sustainable growth and compete effectively in the global marketplace.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eChairman Lewis led the roundtable discussion in Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s offices, where she was joined by Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO, Invest Atlanta and Nancy Flake Johnson, president and CEO, Urban League of Greater Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough partnerships like EXIM Bank, Invest Atlanta is building pathways for small- and large-scale manufacturers to access export financing and overseas markets.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccess to these resources will increase the global competitiveness of our local economy by empowering local businesses to participate in the global marketplace.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Hosting EXIM President and Chair Lewis for this important discussion is the kind of insightful programming that we understand helps give small businesses the tools they need to compete in the global marketplace,\u0026rdquo; said\u0026nbsp;Klementich. \u0026ldquo;Small businesses make up nearly 90% of Georgia exporters, and we are eager to assist those in Atlanta improve their success by selling products globally.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Urban League of Greater Atlanta is honored to be a key partner that helps facilitate the focus on Atlanta-based small, women and minority-owned business owners\u0026rsquo; access to the Export-Import Bank of the United States\u0026rsquo; portfolio of services and resources,\u0026rdquo; said\u0026nbsp;Johnson.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEXIM is the official Export Credit Agency (ECA) of the United States that focuses on maintaining and creating U.S. jobs through exports. In May, Lewis announced the creation of a new Council on Small Business, which will be a subcommittee of EXIM\u0026rsquo;s Advisory Committee and provide recommendations on ways EXIM can help more American small business exporters find new markets, achieve more sales, and lower the risk of selling internationally.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2021, EXIM authorizations for minority- and women-owned businesses increased 10 percent. Eighty-seven percent of EXIM\u0026rsquo;s transactions directly benefitted U.S. small business exporters and 33 percent of total direct export value supported small businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":439,"title":"Construction Underway for Two Affordable Housing Developments","promo_title":"Construction Underway for Two Affordable Housing Developments","published_date":"2022-03-29","featured_image":{"id":1887,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"the_trust_at_oakland_city1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":108258,"resource_updated_at":"2022-03-29T12:07:23.747-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-03-29T12:07:23.789-04:00","updated_at":"2022-03-29T12:08:01.495-04:00","filename_hash":"the_trust_at_oakland_city1_7JLyRoL.jpg","width":1335,"height":498},"filename":"construction-underway-for-two-affordable-housing-developments","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"XUrAng","created_at":"2022-03-29T12:08:01.438-04:00","updated_at":"2022-03-29T12:08:01.438-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Invest Atlanta CEO Eloisa Klementich and other city leaders gathered for groundbreaking ceremonies for two affordable housing developments \u0026ndash; Skyline Apartments and The Trust at Oakland City.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Invest Atlanta CEO Eloisa Klementich and other city leaders gathered for groundbreaking ceremonies for two affordable housing developments \u0026ndash; Skyline Apartments and The Trust at Oakland City.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSkyline Apartments\u003c/strong\u003e will be located on Hank Aaron Drive in the Peoplestown neighborhood. The project received a $40 million tax exempt loan from Invest Atlanta for the construction of 250 units, which will include 46 studios, 101 one-bedroom apartments and 103 two-bedroom apartments. Skyline will be affordable to people earning 60% or less of the area median income (AMI) \u0026ndash; about $52,000 for a family of four in metro Atlanta \u0026ndash; and will remain affordable for 20 years.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePeoplestown is one of the oldest and most culturally rich historically African-American neighborhoods in Atlanta and is in close proximity to Downtown Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;When we enable more people to live in town near Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s job centers, we can reduce the time and expense of commuting and, in turn, increase their economic mobility,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Dickens during the groundbreaking ceremony. \u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m extremely proud to be a part of a city and its partners who have stepped up with affordable housing solutions to meet the needs of our residents, retain potential workers and stimulate growth in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Trust at Oakland City\u003c/strong\u003e received $1.48 million from the Beltline Tax Allocation District (TAD) Increment for the new construction of 21 affordable, for-sale townhomes. Located on Donnelly Avenue in Oakland City, this development will feature six units at 60% AMI, seven units at 80% AMI, eight units at 100% AMI and 21 units at market rate. All 21 affordable units will remain permanently affordable via the Atlanta Land Trust.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":437,"title":"Affordability Preserved","promo_title":"Affordability Preserved","published_date":"2022-03-29","featured_image":{"id":1885,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"urfa_-_villas_lakewood_fact_sheet_-_sale__3-3-2022_final1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":196918,"resource_updated_at":"2022-03-29T10:33:00.911-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-03-29T10:33:01.027-04:00","updated_at":"2022-03-29T12:46:04.968-04:00","filename_hash":"urfa_-_villas_lakewood_fact_sheet_-_sale__3-3-2022_final1_W16N6lY.jpg","width":1502,"height":1043},"filename":"affordability-preserved","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"91VhGA","created_at":"2022-03-29T10:33:31.104-04:00","updated_at":"2022-03-29T12:46:04.943-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board approved the sale and change of ownership for the Villas at Lakewood, formally known as Amal Heights Townhomes, preserving 192 units of affordable housing.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2000","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board approved the sale and change of ownership for the Villas at Lakewood, formally known as Amal Heights Townhomes, preserving 192 units of affordable housing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Starwood Capital Group (SCG) assumed ownership of the property located at 1700 Giben Road. The company, which has entities in the hotel, real estate and multifamily housing industries, has committed $1.2 billion in affordable housing throughout the United States, with 98% of the residents at 60% area median income (AMI). In 2020 alone, SCG committed over $645 million in affordable housing through the acquisition of 32 properties.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis change of ownership continues affordability at the Villas at Lakewood, which includes five units at 50% AMI, 158 units at 60% AMI and 29 units at market rate.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Renting\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":438,"title":"Mayor Dickens, Invest Atlanta and Ygrene Announce Completion of Major Green Building Project ","promo_title":"Mayor Dickens, Invest Atlanta and Ygrene Announce Completion of Major Green Building Project ","published_date":"2022-03-22","featured_image":{"id":1886,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"20220322-ygrene-investatlanta_laurenlizphoto-3015_-1-.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":5987289,"resource_updated_at":"2022-03-29T10:40:04.845-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-03-29T10:40:05.369-04:00","updated_at":"2022-04-25T14:28:49.011-04:00","filename_hash":"20220322-ygrene-investatlanta_laurenlizphoto-3015_-1-_r6xExRV.jpg","width":7233,"height":4822},"filename":"mayor-dickens-invest-atlanta-and-ygrene-announce-completion-of-major-green-building-project","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"nkwohA","created_at":"2022-03-29T10:41:22.189-04:00","updated_at":"2022-04-25T14:28:48.957-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n One of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s largest green construction projects has been completed at Pullman Yards as part of a partnership between Invest Atlanta and Ygrene, one of the nation\u0026rsquo;s leading property improvement financing providers.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOne of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s largest green construction projects has been completed at Pullman Yards as part of a partnership between Invest Atlanta and Ygrene, one of the nation\u0026rsquo;s leading property improvement financing providers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWorking with Invest Atlanta, Ygrene helped Atomic Entertainment, owner of Pullman Yards, secure $3.8 million in retroactive financing for a new roof and insulation for one of the buildings on the historic property. This financing allowed Atomic Entertainment to recoup its costs for reinvestment in future upgrades, including energy-efficient plumbing, heating and air conditioning, electrical systems, LED lighting, and windows and doors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMaureen Muelen of Atomic Entertainment says the opportunity to retroactively finance nearly $4 million in construction costs has made it possible to reinvest even more in the local community and further develop Pullman Yards as a cultural asset and economic driver for Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;This partnership between Invest Atlanta and Ygrene is a game-changer for commercial property owners like us,\u0026rdquo; said Muelen. \u0026ldquo;It is an incredible opportunity for every business in Atlanta to do their part to help the city meet its climate and energy goals.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, in partnership with Invest Atlanta, the City authorized up to $500 million in bonds to finance commercial property improvements through the Ygrene. \u0026ldquo;Five years ago, the City approved the creation of this commercial PACE program that included a public and private partnership agreement with Ygrene Energy Fund,\u0026rdquo; said Dickens. \u0026ldquo;The City\u0026rsquo;s program provides financing for energy-efficiency and renewable energy building improvements \u0026ndash; since the cheapest energy is not wasting energy \u0026ndash; and this program helps move Atlanta forward toward its \u0026lsquo;100% clean energy goals\u0026rsquo; by the year 2035.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis project, in fact, is a prime example of how public-private partnerships continue to grow and support the Atlanta economy, while also helping the city reach its climate and economic mobility goals\u003cstrong\u003e.\u003c/strong\u003e \u0026ldquo;With the partnership, we have another economic development tool to not only make buildings more efficient but also to increase affordable housing and support small business development while creating good, sustainable jobs in a growing industry,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough the Ygrene program in Atlanta, commercial property owners can access smart capital to finance \u0026ndash; or retroactively finance \u0026ndash; hundreds of energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation upgrades, such as solar and battery storage, energy-efficient roofing, windows and doors and more. Ygrene provides flexibility and quick approvals, with up to 95% non-recourse financing and extended terms of up to 20 years.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are thrilled to partner with the City of Atlanta on this important project and help cement Atlanta as a cultural and economic hub for years to come,\u0026rdquo; said Ygrene CEO Jim Reinhart. \u0026ldquo;Working with our exceptional partners at Invest Atlanta, we will continue to build on this collaboration and help more property owners lighten the financial burden of revitalizing their buildings while making strides toward a cleaner, greener future for Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe launch of the Ygrene program is part of a broader push by Atlanta to lead on climate action and was supported by the Bloomberg Philanthropies American Cities Climate Challenge. Atlanta is one of the 25 winning cities in the Climate Challenge, which is helping cities set and surpass ambitious climate goals by ramping up action in the two highest-emitting sectors in cities: transportation and buildings.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more about Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s C-PACE program, visit \u003ca href=\"http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=hwe88iervpEfD8oLRdxVjejo26GUfl3s-2FaNDvjuBCA6keBCQmlJd2RIl1B6BrB2ZJKcA_bSpLi9k3QAq1gZUM1FutbjEIZ2EKTN7Y8pZ0zakRI79vnkyZykxUwLMnNLXx-2B-2Bja2aEiqduz-2FBq1kxIUGpcz0XsbJgdn414rDaeOdfsPWtSvMpoLF6zEYhs3T2dJ2hg5qj9VVmsYHPKwNlWua-2BPDSONdWWa5LC4wqMhPDrJWVsGnx5C3y8L08s4bJmALHR1-2FgxSuX6wdTucAz5TBTJze88sZLOo31b4Y-2BrkwSNe-2BsVKRBIP350Pf5KQmiF5OWwPlbw07KyNyQM4wE9JxZmB0vwM1twk-2FXwAPnB36dVOvk3IXttfIBhkEU9h2vDK13TU-2FlBZt-2Fa53RxZaSeQqMyT43Rjyps4dNRPck920yYLGgZJy0gEeym7DihqDDTiJAW3pTqLhniGge20xIWfkTJVw6Q-3D-3D\"\u003ewww.investatlanta.com/pace\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":436,"title":"Tax Allocation District (TAD) Investments at Work","promo_title":"Tax Allocation District (TAD) Investments at Work","published_date":"2022-02-23","featured_image":{"id":1856,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"umc1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":342480,"resource_updated_at":"2022-02-23T11:09:54.918-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-02-23T11:09:55.112-05:00","updated_at":"2022-02-23T11:10:52.986-05:00","filename_hash":"umc1_jpPDl1V.jpg","width":2200,"height":1166},"filename":"tax-allocation-district-tad-investments-at-work","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"PdsFCg","created_at":"2022-02-23T11:10:52.913-05:00","updated_at":"2022-02-23T11:10:52.913-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board has approved $3.51 million across three TAD grant funds to help finance projects that increase affordable housing and revitalize a commercial building along a key Atlanta corridor.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $250,000 grant from the\u003cstrong\u003e Eastside TAD Pre-Development Loan\u003c/strong\u003e (Evergreen) was approved to begin Phase 1 of development for \u003cstrong\u003e360 Peachtree\u003c/strong\u003e. Located on Atlanta First United Methodist Church\u0026rsquo;s surface parking lots, the 16-story building will be constructed over a shared, four-story podium building and feature the new Atlanta First Day School (AFDS) and Ansley School building, a parking garage, approximately 5,000 square feet of retail space, as well as 170 units of housing. Housing affordability will include 42 units at 30% AMI, 85 units at 50% AMI, 19 units at 60% AMI and 24 units at market rate.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eUp to $2.6 million in Pay-As-You-Go financing from the \u003cstrong\u003eCampbellton Road TAD,\u003c/strong\u003e along with $25 million in tax exempt bonds, will pave the way for the new construction of \u003cstrong\u003eBrentwood Commons.\u003c/strong\u003e The modern, 113-unit, three-story housing development will bring workforce and affordable housing to the Campbellton Road neighborhood. Affordability will include 36 units at 50% AMI, 54 units at 60% AMI and 18 units at 80% AMI. Five units will be sold at market rate.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA \u003cstrong\u003eWestside TAD Resurgens Fund\u003c/strong\u003e totaling $660,000 will aid in the renovation of a commercial building in the Vine City neighborhood. The property, located at \u003cstrong\u003e201 Joseph E. Lowery\u003c/strong\u003e, is owned by experienced entrepreneurs with roots in the neighborhood who are wanting to operate their businesses from a single location. The original house was constructed in 1930 and a large addition was completed in 1961. The property has been vacant for more than 15 years. The total leasable space is approximately 11,724 square feet, and the owners will lease 8,400 square feet for their financial services, accounting, martial arts and nonprofit businesses. Up to 16 spaces of various sizes will be created for small businesses with compatible services, and there will be roughly 1,600 square feet of meeting/event space available.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":433,"title":"New Markets Tax Credit Program Helps Finance New Trees Atlanta Headquarters","promo_title":"New Markets Tax Credit Program Helps Finance New Trees Atlanta Headquarters","published_date":"2021-12-20","featured_image":{"id":1772,"parent_id":86,"resource_file_name":"covid_volunteer_pruning_-_credit_trees_atlanta.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":122698,"resource_updated_at":"2021-12-20T14:54:04.664-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-12-20T14:54:04.710-05:00","updated_at":"2021-12-21T10:03:42.269-05:00","filename_hash":"covid_volunteer_pruning_-_credit_trees_atlanta_5EaWZBO.jpg","width":768,"height":373},"filename":"new-markets-tax-credit-program-helps-finance-new-trees-atlanta-headquarters","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"SLUc7w","created_at":"2021-12-20T15:05:27.654-05:00","updated_at":"2021-12-21T10:03:42.246-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Trees Atlanta will receive $13 million in New Markets Tax Credits funding to support its new headquarters at 825 Warner St. SW in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTrees Atlanta will receive $13 million in New Markets Tax Credits funding to support its new headquarters at 825 Warner St. SW in Atlanta (adjacent to Murphy Crossing in between Pittsburgh and the West End). Founded in 1985, Trees Atlanta works to protect and expand metro Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s tree canopy through forest restoration, youth education, and advocacy. The organization impacts 4,200 youth annually through its programming, including workforce development programs aimed at preparing high school students for green careers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe new 22,000-square-foot facility will allow Trees Atlanta to plant 9,500 trees annually, reach more than 9,000 students per year, directly employ 95 high school students annually, and create 20 full-time equivalent\u0026nbsp;jobs. Trees Atlanta has made a deliberate effort to focus tree planting and youth education in Council District 11 in Southwest Atlanta. With a 20% unemployment rate and median household income of less than $42,000, the district includes many of the city\u0026rsquo;s most disadvantaged neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEquity undergirds all of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s efforts\u0026mdash;including environmental equity. Urban tree canopies improve air quality by capturing carbon emissions and other pollutants\u0026mdash;a single tree can absorb up to 150 kg of CO2 per year. Tree canopies also greatly reduce flooding and mitigate the heat island effect by cooling summer air temperatures by up to 5 degrees, reducing air conditioning needs by 30% and heating needs by up to 50%. Trees have also been found to improve physical and mental health by decreasing blood pressure and stress.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Trees Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s new headquarters project aligns perfectly with Atlanta Emerging Markets\u0026rsquo; mission to foster job creation and neighborhood revitalization\u0026rdquo; said Stephen McRae, president, Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. and manager of Investment Services. \u0026ldquo;Equity drives our work at Invest Atlanta and AEMI, however environmental equity sometimes flies under the radar. This project, and the work of Trees Atlanta, will create workforce development opportunities for in-demand green jobs and ensure that all areas of Atlanta have access to cleaner air and a healthier environment.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":435,"title":"National Center for Civil and Human Rights Expansion Will Scale Impact","promo_title":"National Center for Civil and Human Rights Expansion Will Scale Impact","published_date":"2021-12-20","featured_image":{"id":1771,"parent_id":86,"resource_file_name":"ncchr_1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":64416,"resource_updated_at":"2021-12-20T14:53:53.609-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-12-20T14:53:53.642-05:00","updated_at":"2021-12-21T09:27:22.335-05:00","filename_hash":"ncchr_1_OP9Wa9p.jpg","width":902,"height":576},"filename":"national-center-for-civil-and-human-rights-expansion-will-scale-impact","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"6NgaUQ","created_at":"2021-12-20T15:11:50.524-05:00","updated_at":"2021-12-21T09:27:22.313-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s board of directors approved a $250,000 grant from the Westside TAD Ascension Fund for the planned 23,898-square-foot expansion of National Center for Civil and Human Rights (NCCHR).\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Board of Directors approved a $250,000 grant from the Westside Tax Allocation District Ascension Fund for the planned 23,898-square-foot expansion of National Center for Civil and Human Rights (NCCHR).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBuilt in 2014 and operated primarily as a museum, the NCCHR not only houses museum exhibits, including the papers and artifacts of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,\u0026nbsp;but also serves as a training, education, conference, and performance facility.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The NCCHR is seeking to expand their local attraction to a national cultural institution that will serve as an education, training, conference and performance hub focused on human dignity, human rights and human justice,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;This expansion is both a physical and a programmatic expansion. This transformation will help them deliver impact, it will help them reach their mission and it expands on the diversity conversation.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe enlarged footprint and new educational offerings will fundamentally shift the Center\u0026rsquo;s business model going forward \u0026ndash; increase annual admissions from approximately 202,000 to over 250,000; adding new revenue streams from corporate and law enforcement trainings; and increasing its rental income for external events.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNCCHR\u0026rsquo;s buildout includes the addition of an east wing to house an Innovation Lab including 5,000 square feet of flexible classrooms for students and teacher training, especially for underserved schools; training facilities for non-profit and corporate Diversity, Equity\u0026nbsp;and Inclusion (DEI) experiences; and human rights training facilities for courses for police officers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe new facilities will also allow the center to grow its Operation Inspiration Program to provide free and subsidized admission and transportation to up to 35,000 low-income (Title I-qualified) students annually.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We desperately want to build these wings because one of them will be devoted to having the kinds of conversations that bring community together in this space with the papers of Dr. King making progress on issues of equity, and diversity and inclusion like no other space can,\u0026rdquo; said Jill Savitt, president and CEO of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. \u0026ldquo;We are seeking to be the hub of that in downtown Atlanta so people can come together and hash out these challenges.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":432,"title":"The Push for Affordable Housing Continues","promo_title":"The Push for Affordable Housing Continues","published_date":"2021-12-20","featured_image":{"id":1770,"parent_id":86,"resource_file_name":"mcauley_2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":110357,"resource_updated_at":"2021-12-20T14:53:52.879-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-12-20T14:53:53.581-05:00","updated_at":"2021-12-21T09:10:05.767-05:00","filename_hash":"mcauley_2_OP9Wa9p.jpg","width":886,"height":538},"filename":"the-push-for-affordable-housing-continues","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"uCORGw","created_at":"2021-12-20T14:54:51.470-05:00","updated_at":"2021-12-21T09:10:05.700-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n As part of the goal to create or preserve 20,000 units of affordable housing by 2026, the Invest Atlanta Board is pushing forward with an additional 346 units of affordable housing across two developments, McAuley Park and Trinity Central Flats\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAs part of the goal to create or preserve 20,000 units of affordable housing by 2026, the Invest Atlanta Board is pushing forward with an additional 346 units of affordable housing across two developments.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAn approved $26 million\u0026nbsp;tax-exempt loan paves the way for the new construction of \u003cstrong\u003eMcAuley Park\u003c/strong\u003e, which will feature 170 multifamily housing units in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood. Located on Gartrell Street, the development will include 30 units at 30% area median income (AMI), 101 units at 60% AMI and 29 units at 80% AMI, serving individuals making $18,000 to $48,000 a year. In addition, Saint Joseph\u0026rsquo;s Mercy Care Services will support 10 respite units within the project for patients who need affordable housing near the clinic for healthcare services.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Board also approved the disposition of a city-owned property to Vecino Group Southeast and Capitol Hill Neighborhood Development Corporation to build new affordable and workforce residential housing on a vacant lot across from Atlanta City Hall. \u003cstrong\u003eTrinity Central Flats\u003c/strong\u003e will feature 218 units, 186 of which will be affordable long term. The eight-story, mixed-use building will offer a diversity of unit arrangements that maximize affordability, increase density, and capture a wide range of income levels and household types. In addition, ground floor retail space will provide lifestyle amenities and essential services, with a focus on creating local business opportunity and affordable rents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Renting\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":434,"title":"Micron Technology Chooses Atlanta for Research Center, Creates 500 Jobs","promo_title":"Micron Technology Chooses Atlanta for Research Center, Creates 500 Jobs","published_date":"2021-12-20","featured_image":{"id":1786,"parent_id":86,"resource_file_name":"untitled_design_-1-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":15125,"resource_updated_at":"2022-01-19T10:50:18.773-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-01-19T10:50:19.384-05:00","updated_at":"2022-01-19T10:50:29.070-05:00","filename_hash":"untitled_design_-1-_RJo5Ozl.png","width":600,"height":200},"filename":"micron-technology-chooses-atlanta-for-research-center-creates-500-jobs","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"DNt5kw","created_at":"2021-12-20T15:08:37.159-05:00","updated_at":"2022-01-19T10:50:29.014-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Micron Technology Inc., one of the world\u0026rsquo;s largest semiconductor manufacturers and the only U.S.-based manufacturer of memory, will open a state-of-the-art memory design center in Midtown Atlanta in January 2022. The new center will include offices, a data center, and research and development operations, creating 500 jobs in the metro Atlanta region.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMicron Technology Inc., one of the world\u0026rsquo;s largest semiconductor manufacturers and the only U.S.-based manufacturer of memory, will open a state-of-the-art memory design center in Midtown Atlanta in January 2022. The new center will include offices, a data center, and research and development operations, creating 500 jobs in the metro Atlanta region.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMicron is an industry leader in memory and storage solutions with operations across 17 countries. The Fortune 500 company delivers innovations that fuel the data economy in key areas, including artificial intelligence (AI), 5G applications, data center, intelligent edge, and across the client and mobile user experience. This new design center will be a key component to the company\u0026rsquo;s global technology and product development infrastructure, which has existing centers of excellence in multiple countries around the world, as well as in several U.S. locations, including Micron\u0026rsquo;s corporate headquarters and world-leading technology development center in Boise, Idaho.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta has become an emerging hub for high-tech, characterized by a rich culture and university ecosystem,\u0026rdquo; said Scott DeBoer, Executive Vice President of Technology and Products at Micron. \u0026ldquo;Establishing a memory design center in Atlanta enables us to partner closely with world-class universities on leading-edge technology development and expand our talent pool with people who can bring different ideas, backgrounds, and experiences to our R\u0026amp;D and innovation efforts.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Technology companies are drawn to our city for its diverse and fast-growing pool of tech talent,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;With the addition of Micron Technology\u0026rsquo;s engineering center in Atlanta, we gain another world-class company within our thriving technology sector and a valuable partner in our efforts to create good-paying jobs.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe new 93,000-square-foot site will open its doors for business in January 2022. Micron plans to create jobs across various disciplines in memory and storage research and development; computer hardware, electrical and electronic engineering; modeling and simulation development; and business support roles with this expansion project. Individuals interested in career opportunities with Micron are encouraged to visit \u003ca href=\"https://www.micron.com/\"\u003ewww.micron.com\u003c/a\u003e for additional information.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":431,"title":"Made From Scratch","promo_title":"Made From Scratch","published_date":"2021-11-23","featured_image":{"id":1758,"parent_id":83,"resource_file_name":"95328580_2594719547469048_4535995925734096896_n.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":578403,"resource_updated_at":"2021-11-22T15:56:44.251-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-11-22T15:56:44.310-05:00","updated_at":"2021-11-23T10:55:53.821-05:00","filename_hash":"95328580_2594719547469048_4535995925734096896_n_2ayyo1Y.png","width":1500,"height":500},"filename":"made-from-scratch","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"XbHSCw","created_at":"2021-11-23T10:55:53.802-05:00","updated_at":"2021-11-23T10:55:53.802-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Small business life is not foreign to Vaughn Hill. The opening of his bakery in November 2020 was a full-circle moment for the owner of yAAAs Cookies!\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSmall business life is not foreign to Vaughn Hill. Not too long ago, he spent his days self-employed as a freelance technology consultant, and established a couple of non-profit performing arts organizations in Pennsylvania. Hill realized that steering a company was natural for him; it was just a matter of finding the right niche. Little did he know, he wouldn\u0026rsquo;t have to look far. The opening of his bakery in November 2020 was a full-circle moment for the owner of yAAAs Cookies!\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHill started his journey as baker, dabbling with his grandmother Myrtle Hill\u0026rsquo;s chocolate chip cookie recipe, as a preteen.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I did not discover the recipe until many years after my grandmother\u0026rsquo;s passing,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;She passed when I was 9, and I did not find the recipe until my early teen years. It had always been there in my household, but I was the one who took it and used it the most.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEnterprising from the beginning, he began selling his fresh-baked cookies during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays\u0026mdash;a service he figured would be a welcome reprieve for cooks, planning large meals. Hill was correct, and his customer base grew to prove it.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs his entrepreneurial savvy increased, so did his product inventory, and he expanded his menu beyond the signature chocolate chip cookies, adding white chocolate chip, oatmeal, vegan, skinny cookies and gluten-free. His first foray as an online vendor began under the name \u0026ldquo;VaughnChris Cookies.\u0026rdquo; However, a few setbacks, including two relocations and finishing an Information Sciences and Technology degree, delayed Hill\u0026rsquo;s dream of one day owning a storefront. But he wasn\u0026rsquo;t deterred, not even by the pandemic, which was in full swing as he was preparing for an official launch.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We started our business during the pandemic, and I didn\u0026rsquo;t have anything to compare to once the pandemic happened,\u0026rdquo; he explained. \u0026ldquo;So, I had no choice but to learn how to operate during the pandemic. Now, I feel as though, if I can operate during these crazy times, I can make it through anything.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe years of fine-tuning his family recipe to make it his own and building a loyal customer base as the launching pad for the company have made his life-long dream a thriving reality.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;When I was about 24, I added different ingredients to the recipe to divert from the original and create a signature cookie for myself,\u0026rdquo; explained Hill. \u0026ldquo;Once I had \u0026lsquo;my\u0026rsquo; recipe the way I wanted it, I started adding different toppings and building off of that original recipe to create different flavors. Now I have over 40 flavors at the bakery.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEvery batch of cookies is\u0026nbsp;individually hand-scooped with real ingredients and freshly baked-to-order. An Invest Atlanta loan funded all the equipment that Hill would need to outfit his East Atlanta bakery and shop.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It started out as a late-night activity because we were movie watchers back in the day,\u0026rdquo; Hill said. \u0026ldquo;It was all about popcorn, some sweets, and I was always ready to whip up some cookies real quick. Originally, it was only something to do at the house for my immediate family, and then it grew to cousins, neighbors, friends, friends of friends and now the world.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":428,"title":"Enhancing the English Avenue Corridor","promo_title":"Enhancing the English Avenue Corridor","published_date":"2021-11-22","featured_image":{"id":1757,"parent_id":83,"resource_file_name":"557_lindsay_street.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":66048,"resource_updated_at":"2021-11-22T15:56:43.748-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-11-22T15:56:44.238-05:00","updated_at":"2021-11-22T16:14:08.979-05:00","filename_hash":"557_lindsay_street_2ayyo1Y.jpg","width":1029,"height":570},"filename":"enhancing-the-english-avenue-corridor","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Zy4YhQ","created_at":"2021-11-22T16:14:08.959-05:00","updated_at":"2021-11-22T16:14:08.959-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board voted to approve a grant up to $534,000 from the Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) to oaksATL Community Development LLC for the development of a neighborhood-scale, mixed-use development on Lindsay Street.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board voted to approve a grant up to $534,000 from the Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) to oaksATL Community Development LLC for the development of a neighborhood-scale, mixed-use development on Lindsay Street.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eoaksATL is a non-profit development entity associated with Peace Preparatory Academy in the English Avenue neighborhood. Together they support low-income families holistically through access to quality education, safe and affordable housing and proximity to parks and employment. Housed in the Lindsey Street Baptist Church directly across from the future development, Peace Preparatory Academy serves school-aged children from pre-K through fifth grade.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce complete, 557 Lindsay Street will be a three-story development that includes affordable multifamily units over a ground floor retail and office space. The development will feature six, two-bedroom, two-bath units priced for households earning between 50-60% area median income, about $47,000 a year for a four-person family. The ground floor will contain community-oriented retail and office space, in addition to a community laundry facility.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I want to draw attention to the fact that [oaksATL] is creating housing for families who are attending the school,\u0026rdquo; said Fred O. Smith, Invest Atlanta Board member. \u0026ldquo;One challenge when it comes to education is that housing instability causes people to move from school to school to school, and it\u0026rsquo;s really difficult for kids to keep up. This is really one of the most exciting [projects] at this level of affordability. It\u0026rsquo;s exciting that we can be a part of it.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2020, oaksATL was awarded $1 million in Westside TAD Community Improvement Fund grants to finance the renovation of 31 deeply affordable multifamily units in three buildings in English Avenue, which are complete and fully leased. The Lindsay Street project will augment these existing developments.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":427,"title":"Preserving Grove Park Affordability","promo_title":"Preserving Grove Park Affordability","published_date":"2021-11-22","featured_image":{"id":1760,"parent_id":83,"resource_file_name":"gpf_map.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":143631,"resource_updated_at":"2021-11-22T15:56:44.360-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-11-22T15:56:44.392-05:00","updated_at":"2021-11-22T16:04:55.029-05:00","filename_hash":"gpf_map_2ayyo1Y.jpg","width":914,"height":814},"filename":"preserving-grove-park-affordability","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"235l1g","created_at":"2021-11-22T16:04:54.985-05:00","updated_at":"2021-11-22T16:04:54.985-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n With a $1 million grant approved by the Invest Atlanta Board, the Grove Park Foundation is helping to preserve and deepen affordability in the Grove Park neighborhood.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWith a $1 million grant approved by the Invest Atlanta Board, the Grove Park Foundation is helping to preserve and deepen affordability in the Grove Park neighborhood.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Grove Park Foundation is implementing its neighborhood housing strategy through a phased approach of acquiring and rehabilitating homes in the Grove Park neighborhood. Over a three-year period, the foundation aims to acquire and rehabilitate properties near the Westside Reservoir Park to ensure long-term, permanent affordability.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFunding from the Perry Bolton Tax Allocation District (TAD) paves the way for the construction of 14 for-sale homes and will help the Grove Park Foundation offer these homes to income-qualified homebuyers, many of whom are existing Grove Park residents, at no more than 80% area median income.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDawn Arnold, executive vice president and COO of Invest Atlanta, believes this project is vital because much of the inventory in the neighborhood consists of aging, single-family homes. \u0026ldquo;Many of the current occupants could be pushed out if we don\u0026rsquo;t do something,\u0026rdquo; said Arnold. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s great to see the work that the Grove Park Foundation is doing, especially given the pressures of gentrification. We are being respectful and intentional about retaining these legacy residents.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It literally costs more to construct these homes then they\u0026rsquo;re able to sell them at,\u0026rdquo; added Invest Atlanta Board Member Randy Hazelton. \u0026ldquo;This grant really helps to close that gap. This also speaks to the pure intentionality of affordability in that [the Grove Park Foundation] is making no profit. I commend the effort and intention.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":429,"title":"Norfolk Southern Opens Atlanta Headquarters","promo_title":"Norfolk Southern Opens Atlanta Headquarters","published_date":"2021-11-22","featured_image":{"id":1761,"parent_id":83,"resource_file_name":"true_light_haven_-3-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":795082,"resource_updated_at":"2021-11-22T15:56:44.404-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-11-22T15:56:44.455-05:00","updated_at":"2021-11-22T16:21:35.034-05:00","filename_hash":"true_light_haven_-3-_2ayyo1Y.png","width":810,"height":540},"filename":"norfolk-southern-opens-atlanta-headquarters","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"_YMRqQ","created_at":"2021-11-22T16:21:35.004-05:00","updated_at":"2021-11-22T16:21:35.004-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Norfolk Southern Corporation officially opened its state-of-the-art headquarters in Midtown Atlanta, right in the heart of Tech Square.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNorfolk Southern Corporation officially opened its state-of-the-art headquarters in Midtown Atlanta, right in the heart of Tech Square.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe company, which provides freight transportation for industrial, agriculture, energy, consumer products and e-commerce, employs 19,000 employees across its footprint \u0026ndash; 3,000 of whom will operate out of the new Atlanta headquarters.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;There are many reasons we are proud to call Atlanta home,\u0026rdquo; said Jim Squires, chairman, president and CEO of Norfolk Southern. \u0026ldquo;The city is diverse and culturally rich, with amenities that will ensure our employees and their families thrive. We are committed that Norfolk Southern and its people will be more than just residents of Atlanta \u0026ndash; we plan to be engaged community partners, committed to the future of our new home.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 750,000-square-foot building was specifically designed for sustainability and employee health and wellness. Built to LEED version 4 specifications, the Norfolk Southern headquarters aims to be one of the first LEED Gold certified office buildings in Georgia. Building features include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTwo modern architecture glass towers with a connecting campus-style hub\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTouchless technology from top to bottom\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eOpen workspaces, street-level plazas and rooftop terraces\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eEmployee amenities, including a restaurant-like food hall, 24/7 fitness center, on-site daycare, coffee shop, art installations and an artist in residence studio\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen Norfolk \u0026amp; Western merged with Southern Railway in 1982 to form Norfolk Southern, the headquarters was in Norfolk, Va., while the company\u0026rsquo;s operations and technology leadership was located in Atlanta. The new headquarters building enhances the company\u0026rsquo;s presence in Georgia, which dates to the mid-1840s.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Norfolk Southern\u0026rsquo;s presence will help accelerate the city\u0026rsquo;s competitive advantage in technology. Today our data scientists, engineers and IT professionals are using artificial intelligence, machine vision and advanced analytics to make the railroad industry safer, and improve service for our customers,\u0026rdquo; added Squires. \u0026ldquo;At the same time, we will continue to lead our industry in sustainability. Today\u0026rsquo;s locomotives are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight over land.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":430,"title":"Community Navigator Grant Supports Small Business Outreach","promo_title":"Community Navigator Grant Supports Small Business Outreach","published_date":"2021-11-22","featured_image":{"id":1759,"parent_id":83,"resource_file_name":"community-navigator-icon_original.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":51843,"resource_updated_at":"2021-11-22T15:56:44.321-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-11-22T15:56:44.350-05:00","updated_at":"2021-11-23T16:25:21.730-05:00","filename_hash":"community-navigator-icon_original_2ayyo1Y.png","width":624,"height":327},"filename":"grant-to-support-small-business-outreach","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"8szMdQ","created_at":"2021-11-22T16:48:32.555-05:00","updated_at":"2021-11-23T16:25:21.703-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board voted to accept a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The grant was awarded to the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network (GMEN) as a Tier 2 Hub for the Community Navigator Pilot Program, with Invest Atlanta serving as one of its participating \u0026quot;spokes.\u0026rdquo;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board voted to accept a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The grant was awarded to the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network (GMEN) as a Tier 2 Hub for the Community Navigator Pilot Program, with Invest Atlanta serving as one of its participating \u0026quot;spokes.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eUtilizing a \u0026ldquo;hub and spoke\u0026rdquo; model from public health care federal programming,\u0026nbsp;the Community Navigator\u0026nbsp;Pilot Program\u0026nbsp;will help level the playing field for entrepreneurs, especially underserved women, people of color,\u0026nbsp;veterans,\u0026nbsp;and rural and low-income communities.\u0026nbsp;Grantee\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;hubs\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;will serve as\u0026nbsp;centralized, lead organizations,\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;will incorporate \u0026ldquo;spokes\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;leverage\u0026nbsp;partnerships\u0026nbsp;with deeply trusted community-based organizations\u0026nbsp;to help small businesses navigate government resources and\u0026nbsp;tap into\u0026nbsp;critical resources.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough the Community Navigator Pilot Program, SBA is engaging with states, local governments, resource partners and other organizations in targeted outreach for small businesses in underserved communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, the\u0026nbsp;SBA has been focused on providing more tools\u0026nbsp;to help small businesses \u0026ndash; especially those in disinvested communities. \u0026ldquo;Through this partnership with the Georgia Microenterprise Network, Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE)\u0026nbsp;and the Metro Atlanta Chamber, we\u0026rsquo;re going to be able to provide technical assistance support to our businesses specifically in underinvested parts of town,\u0026rdquo; said Klementich. \u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m excited about this relationship, excited about more funds coming to the city to support our businesses and excited to see what this investment will mean to a lot of our underserved communities and businesses.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026lsquo;Hubs\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;Spokes\u0026rdquo; will partner to connect to specific sectors of the entrepreneurial community to assistance during economic recovery, including financial assistance and access to capital; contracting and procurement; marketing, operations, business development and exporting; as well as industry-specific training.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv id=\"_com_4\" uage=\"JavaScript\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":424,"title":"Invest Atlanta Board Approves 579 Affordable Housing Units","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Board Approves 579 Affordable Housing Units","published_date":"2021-10-25","featured_image":{"id":1731,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"ada_-_eastside_tad_-_front_porch_on_auburn_fact_sheet.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":191776,"resource_updated_at":"2021-10-25T15:23:51.907-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-10-25T15:23:52.070-04:00","updated_at":"2021-10-26T13:22:48.784-04:00","filename_hash":"ada_-_eastside_tad_-_front_porch_on_auburn_fact_sheet_382z39R.jpg","width":962,"height":541},"filename":"invest-atlanta-board-approves-579-affordable-housing-units","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"1UZgpg","created_at":"2021-10-25T15:24:12.118-04:00","updated_at":"2021-10-26T13:22:48.670-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt its October meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board approved financing for five affordable housing developments that will add a total of 579 new and rehabilitated units to the market in 2023. Atlanta Housing Authority is deepening the affordability of these projects with rental assistance through homeowner vouchers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Barge\u003c/strong\u003e, located in the Mellwood neighborhood, will feature 129 senior housing units at 60% area median income (AMI). The Invest Atlanta Board approved an $8 million tax-exempt loan and a $3 million tax-exempt bond for the acquisition and rehabilitation of this development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Villages at Castleberry Hill Phase II\u003c/strong\u003e will feature 114 units at 60% AMI and 56 units at market rate. The Invest Atlanta Board approved a $36 million tax-exempt loan and $10 million taxable loan for the acquisition and rehabilitation of the 284-unit multi-family development on McDaniel Street and Greensferry\u0026nbsp;Avenue in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocated on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in the Harland Terrace neighborhood, \u003cstrong\u003eHightower Manor\u003c/strong\u003e will feature 129 senior housing units at 60% AMI. The Invest Atlanta Board approved a $19.2 million tax-exempt loan for the acquisition and renovation of this development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board amended a previously approved 2019 Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Ascension Fund grant from $2 million to $3 million to help finance an expanded development plan for \u003cstrong\u003eFront Porch\u003c/strong\u003e on Auburn Avenue. Located in the heart of the Sweet Auburn District, the mixed-use development will feature 84 units of housing and 31,000 square feet of retail space. There will be 49 units available at 60% AMI and four units at 80% AMI. Four of the 14 for-sale units will be affordable.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board also approved a $2 million Housing Opportunity Bond/Non-Profit Loan for the new construction of 40 permanently affordable, for-sale townhome units in the East Lake neighborhood. Located on Fayetteville Road, \u003cstrong\u003eThe Trust at East Lake Townhomes \u003c/strong\u003ewill include common area gathering spaces, private courtyards, and direct access to an adjacent Publix grocery store.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe development will be complete in 2024, with 20 units available at 80% AMI\u0026nbsp;and 20 units at 120% AMI. All units will be committed to the Atlanta Land Trust to maintain permanent affordability. As well, qualified prospective homeowners will have access to down payment assistance, offering deeper levels of affordability.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This is yet another opportunity for us to work with Atlanta Land Trust to create permanent affordability in the home ownership space,\u0026rdquo; said Alan Ferguson, senior vice president of Community Development at Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;This is a very strong community that provides a lot of amenities and opportunities for families.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Renting\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":425,"title":"Cisco, Capital on Tap Propel Job Growth in Atlanta’s Tech Sector","promo_title":"Cisco, Capital on Tap Propel Job Growth in Atlanta’s Tech Sector","published_date":"2021-10-25","featured_image":{"id":1732,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"07-19-stream-portman-codaplaza-8107-pano-edit-1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":23663565,"resource_updated_at":"2021-10-25T16:27:14.722-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-10-25T16:27:16.408-04:00","updated_at":"2024-08-05T10:59:14.819-04:00","filename_hash":"07-19-stream-portman-codaplaza-8107-pano-edit-1_98aZxnV.jpg","width":8901,"height":5011},"filename":"cisco-capital-on-tap-propel-job-growth-in-atlantas-tech-sector","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"xFvdmw","created_at":"2021-10-25T16:29:41.077-04:00","updated_at":"2021-10-25T16:43:49.497-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003ch4\u003eCisco to Open Talent and Collaboration Center\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBuilding on what already is a strong pipeline of talent among Georgia colleges and universities, Cisco has announced that it will invest up to $41 million to open a Talent and Collaboration Center in the Coda building in Midtown Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCisco, a\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eFORTUNE\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e100 company and worldwide leader in technology that powers the Internet, currently employs more than 1,000 Georgians across the state. The expansion project is expected to open in the summer of 2022, leading to the creation of up to 700 jobs in the metro region.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Cisco Chief Financial Officer Scott Herren, the company\u0026rsquo;s growth plans are guided by its purpose to power an inclusive future for all. \u0026ldquo;This means building a workforce that is truly reflective of the world we live in,\u0026rdquo; said Herren. \u0026ldquo;Building on our deep roots in Georgia, we can\u0026rsquo;t wait to open our doors and begin hiring, and building that pipeline of diverse talent, while offering family-sustaining wages.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor the last two years, Atlanta has ranked as the No. 1 Tech Hub by\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eBusiness Facilities\u003c/em\u003e, and it continues to outpace the national average in both attracting and educating tech talent. Cisco will be tapping that talent, hiring in a variety of areas and skillsets, including engineering, customer experience and finance. Career opportunities also will be available to students and those early in their careers, as well as to more experienced professionals.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s skilled, diverse talent base and welcoming business environment make the city an ideal location for leading global companies to grow,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;This significant investment from Cisco will provide good job opportunities for residents while expanding Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s technology sector.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003eCapital on Tap to Open U.S. Headquarters in Atlanta\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eU.K.-based Capital on Tap, an award-winning FinTech and payments company, will open its official U.S. headquarters in Atlanta to support its continued expansion in the U.S. The company plans to create approximately 50 new jobs by the end of 2021 and an additional 100 jobs by the end of 2022.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHeadquartered in London, Capital on Tap currently has an Atlanta office in Ponce City Market where it has grown to 15 people. The company is already outgrowing that space after moving into it during summer 2021 and is searching for a new Atlanta location.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Zoe Newman, U.S. managing director for Capital on Tap, the company selected Atlanta as its U.S. headquarters because of its reputation as a FinTech and payments hub. \u0026ldquo;There is a depth of talent and experience here that will be invaluable to our continued hyper growth in the U.S.,\u0026rdquo; said Newman. \u0026ldquo;The local universities in and around Atlanta provide an incredible recruiting ground for us to build our business. The growth that we have seen with the U.S. launch has been incredible\u0026ndash;showing that the credit card is addressing a real market need for small businesses across the country.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe United Kingdom, in fact, has been one of the most important markets for international investment in Georgia, leading to the creation of tens of thousands of jobs across the state. Capital on Tap is currently hiring for positions in customer operations and compliance. It also plans to begin hiring for careers in digital marketing, engineering, and others as it expands.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Seventy percent of financial transactions on a global scale pass through companies in Georgia, which makes Atlanta a logical fit for Capital on Tap\u0026rsquo;s U.S. headquarters,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;We are proud to welcome Capital on Tap to the city, where they will benefit from access to top talent, global connectivity through the Atlanta airport, and the welcoming, international business community the city offers.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCapital on Tap is focused on making the lives of small- and medium-sized business owners easier through the Capital on Tap business credit card, issued by WebBank. It aims to provide access to more than $2 billion in funding to businesses across the United States over the next 18 months.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIndividuals interested in working with Capital on Tap are encouraged to visit \u003ca href=\"https://boards.greenhouse.io/capitalontap\"\u003ehttps://boards.greenhouse.io/capitalontap\u003c/a\u003e or email \u003ca href=\"mailto:jacqueline.hart@capitalontap.com\"\u003ejacqueline.hart@capitalontap.com\u003c/a\u003e for more information.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":426,"title":"Fifth Third Announces $20 Million Neighborhood Investment to Accelerate Revitalization in Grove Park","promo_title":"Fifth Third Announces $20 Million Neighborhood Investment to Accelerate Revitalization in Grove Park","published_date":"2021-10-25","featured_image":{"id":1735,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"fbwczlkwyammxue.jpeg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":673692,"resource_updated_at":"2021-10-26T10:54:32.605-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-10-26T10:54:32.874-04:00","updated_at":"2021-10-26T10:55:28.585-04:00","filename_hash":"fbwczlkwyammxue_E6KnE4q.jpeg","width":2064,"height":1376},"filename":"fifth-third-announces-20-million-neighborhood-investment-to-accelerate-revitalization-in-grove-park","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"w5B0nQ","created_at":"2021-10-26T10:55:28.515-04:00","updated_at":"2021-10-26T10:55:28.515-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Last week, Fifth Third Bank and Enterprise Community Partners announced the launch of a $180 million neighborhood program to accelerate revitalization in nine key majority-Black communities across seven states that have experienced disinvestment \u0026ndash; including Grove Park in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLast week, Fifth Third Bank and Enterprise Community Partners announced the launch of a $180 million neighborhood program to accelerate revitalization in nine key majority-Black communities across seven states that have experienced disinvestment \u0026ndash; including Grove Park in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFifth Third intends to commit up to $20 million in lending, investments, and philanthropic support, including grants from the Fifth Third Foundation to the Grove Park neighborhood. The investment will include $2 million in grants and $18 million in affordable financing from housing to small business loans.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The gift received by the Grove Park Foundation from Fifth Third Bank is a tremendous investment in the amazing residents of Grove Park and a vote of confidence to all who serve each day in this historic community,\u0026rdquo; said Gavin McKinney, executive director of the Grove Park Foundation. \u0026ldquo;It is a commitment to youth and families that says we believe in you and your dreams, and we want to provide adequate resources and support to make home ownership, starting a business and wealth building a reality.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe bank is collaborating with Enterprise Community Partners, a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for millions of families without one. Together, they managed a criteria-based, invitation-only application process to select nine majority-Black neighborhoods that have seen a sustained period of disinvestment. Enterprise will provide technical assistance to support each neighborhood in developing and implementing a plan tailored to the unique challenges it faces. The national nonprofit will then assist with assessing the plan\u0026rsquo;s effectiveness at improving the economic well-being of residents and small locally owned businesses. Among other solutions, the program will include investments in small businesses, homeownership, and workforce development to create successful outcomes such as increased employment, economic stability, and growth.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOver a three-year period, the program will focus on organizations that create cross-sector partnerships to serve the communities within Fifth Third\u0026rsquo;s retail banking footprint.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":423,"title":"Community Builders Revitalize the Westside","promo_title":"Community Builders Revitalize the Westside","published_date":"2021-09-23","featured_image":{"id":1695,"parent_id":78,"resource_file_name":"ada_-_75_griffin_st.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":61863,"resource_updated_at":"2021-09-23T11:39:18.167-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-09-23T11:39:18.202-04:00","updated_at":"2021-09-23T12:25:36.375-04:00","filename_hash":"ada_-_75_griffin_st_gvwMJeN.jpg","width":944,"height":577},"filename":"community-builders-revitalize-the-westside","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"_oOIoQ","created_at":"2021-09-23T12:25:36.352-04:00","updated_at":"2021-09-23T12:25:36.352-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRoyal Family Properties serves as a perfect example of how Invest Atlanta programs are working together to build community capacity for Westside revitalization and encouraging private investment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta launched the Community Builders program in 2017 to train Westside resident property owners and other community stakeholders in core property redevelopment skills. A year later, the Invest Atlanta Board approved the creation of a $150,000 Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Community Builders Pre-Development Fund to provide graduates of the program with grants for eligible expenses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow, with help from a recently approved $36,000 Westside TAD Community Builders Grant, Royal Family Properties is able to finance improvements to a residential property on Griffin Street in Vine City. Plans include adding two, one-bed/one-bath living units to the owner-occupied, single-family property. Each unit will be approximately 400 square feet and will be rented to local residents for rates at or below 50% of the area median income for one person.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eApproximately 850 square feet will be added to the existing home, and a new entry will be created for the new dwelling units, with a shared hallway that opens to both new and existing bedrooms. Each new dwelling unit will contain a bathroom, laundry room, closet space and eating area. The existing kitchen will be reconfigured to accommodate use by both the existing bedroom and the new dwelling units.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This program represents what true community engagement and wealth-building means,\u0026rdquo; said Alan Ferguson, senior vice president of Community Development at Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;It ensures that our residents and stakeholders are involved in the transformation that\u0026rsquo;s occurring within their communities and are not just observers. We are hoping to repeat and expand the program in the future.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRandy Hazelton, Invest Atlanta Board member, agreed saying: \u0026ldquo;This project is fulfilling the goal of retaining our legacy communities and doing it at a scale that\u0026rsquo;s accessible to folks who can\u0026rsquo;t come in as a big developer. It\u0026rsquo;s a good step in community engagement that will hopefully build capacity over time in our neighborhoods, and I appreciate the work.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Renting\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":422,"title":"Atlanta Organizations Come Together to Empower Women","promo_title":"Atlanta Organizations Come Together to Empower Women","published_date":"2021-09-23","featured_image":{"id":1700,"parent_id":78,"resource_file_name":"witwweb.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":269253,"resource_updated_at":"2021-09-23T11:39:18.436-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-09-23T11:39:18.483-04:00","updated_at":"2021-09-23T11:42:26.254-04:00","filename_hash":"witwweb_gvwMJeN.png","width":1280,"height":600},"filename":"atlanta-organizations-come-together-to-empower-women","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"r6u6_w","created_at":"2021-09-23T11:42:26.235-04:00","updated_at":"2021-09-23T11:42:26.235-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n According to Monica Hooks, executive director of the Women\u0026#39;s Entrepreneurship Initiative, the campaign is designed to identify, mobilize and spotlight partner solutions targeting gaps in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s underserved communities made evident by the pandemic.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStatistics show that working women have been disproportionately affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, in January 2021 alone, some 275,000 women\u0026mdash;accounting \u0026nbsp;for nearly 80% of all workers over age 20 \u0026ndash; left the workforce.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBut several Atlanta organizations have joined together to provide women with guidance and tactical tools to help combat this dip in employment. The Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), in partnership with Invest Atlanta, WorkSource Atlanta, the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs (MOIA) and One Atlanta, launched \u0026ldquo;Women in the Workplace\u0026rdquo; \u0026ndash; a hybrid roundtable and marketplace initiative featuring monthly programming to serve women throughout the city.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Monica Hooks, executive director of the Women\u0026#39;s Entrepreneurship Initiative, the campaign is designed to identify, mobilize and spotlight partner solutions targeting gaps in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s underserved communities made evident by the pandemic.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe kickoff event, held Sept. 13-17, featured citywide programs and resources specific to women. Monthly programming will continue to serve women throughout Atlanta by addressing five areas of focus: Economic Mobility; Mental Health; Entrepreneurship; Families \u0026amp; Childcare; and Capital Investment \u0026amp; Resource Allotment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The risk of women leaving the labor force and reducing work hours in order to assume caretaking responsibilities amounts to tens of billions of dollars per year in lost wages and economic activity,\u0026rdquo; explained Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;For a healthy, equitable economy, women, particularly those in underserved communities, need access to resources like \u0026lsquo;Women in the Workplace\u0026rsquo; so they can continue to be strong financial contributors while also caring for their loved ones.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more or to register for the event, visit \u003ca href=\"http://www.weiatlanta.com/womenintheworkplace\"\u003ewww.weiatlanta.com/womenintheworkplace\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003chr size=\"1\" /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":421,"title":"Permanent Affordability Comes to Westside Park Neighborhoods","promo_title":"Permanent Affordability Comes to Westside Park Neighborhoods","published_date":"2021-09-23","featured_image":{"id":1699,"parent_id":78,"resource_file_name":"picture1.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":749014,"resource_updated_at":"2021-09-23T11:39:18.372-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-09-23T11:39:18.424-04:00","updated_at":"2021-09-23T11:40:39.616-04:00","filename_hash":"picture1_gvwMJeN.png","width":1047,"height":820},"filename":"permanent-affordability-comes-to-westside-park-neighborhoods","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"xQvV5Q","created_at":"2021-09-23T11:40:39.588-04:00","updated_at":"2021-09-23T11:40:39.588-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Urban Oasis Catalyst, LLC, has closed on a $2.6 million forgivable loan from the Perry Bolton Tax Allocation District (TAD) to finance the acquisition and development of new affordable and workforce housing in Northwest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2000","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Urban Oasis Catalyst, LLC, has closed on a $2.6 million forgivable loan from the Perry Bolton Tax Allocation District (TAD) to finance the acquisition and development of new affordable and workforce housing in Northwest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe housing will feature single-family options in the Carey, Almond, and Grove Park neighborhoods, including duplexes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). It will create much-needed permanent affordability, through a partnership with the Atlanta Land Trust.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eUrban Oasis purchased nearly 12 acres of largely undeveloped land and five vacant homes, and will create 65 housing units\u0026mdash;10 rental and 55 for sale. Homes will be built to Earthcraft specifications, and 30 of the available units will maintain permanent affordability.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Affordable housing is not just a goal, it is our passion,\u0026rdquo; says Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;I am proud that we have achieved another permanent, equitable and affordable housing development for families in our city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, homebuyers at 80% Area Median Income (AMI) and below, purchasing permanently affordable units, are eligible for $20,000 in down payment assistance from the newly approved Perry Bolton TAD Mortgage Assistance Program. Homebuyers over 80% and up to 120% AMI are eligible for $10,000 in down payment assistance.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eUrban Oasis has engaged in ongoing conversations with a broad group of community stakeholders, including the Grove Park Neighborhood Association\u0026mdash;all of which have expressed their support for this project.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe project is significant because for-sale affordability can be difficult to create and preserve. It is a good example of how Invest Atlanta and its partners work together for the greater good of the community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":420,"title":"Birds of a Feather","promo_title":"Aviary Beauty + Wellness Opens Second Location After Receiving Invest Atlanta Business Improvement Grant","published_date":"2021-09-17","featured_image":{"id":1689,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"286.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1563837,"resource_updated_at":"2021-09-17T11:44:19.274-04:00","caption":"aviary","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-09-17T11:44:19.456-04:00","updated_at":"2021-09-17T15:02:59.083-04:00","filename_hash":"286_zmZpnl8.jpg","width":2000,"height":1333},"filename":"birds-of-a-feather","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"bg7Eww","created_at":"2021-09-17T11:47:09.214-04:00","updated_at":"2021-09-17T15:02:59.061-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Aviary Beauty + Wellness has been a direct reflection of the freedom Amy embraced to become an entrepreneur and how she operates her growing business. In the process of creating a space for her professional philosophy, Amy also established the gold standard for stylists, estheticians and artists longing to break from the mold.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAmy Bransford was struggling to find a name for her new business, which was about to open in a loft development on Auburn Avenue back in 2009. \u0026ldquo;As I was sitting in the courtyard at Studioplex, a bird flew by,\u0026rdquo; remembers Amy. \u0026ldquo;It felt as though I was in an aviary.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt was a lightbulb moment for the young esthetician who had grown frustrated in an industry\u0026rsquo;s one-size-fits-all approach to skin care and made the bold decision to branch out on her own. \u0026ldquo;There wasn\u0026rsquo;t a salon or spa space where I felt I fit in or could identify with,\u0026rdquo; she explains. \u0026ldquo;I had to create it for myself and, later, for my employees.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEver since, Aviary Beauty + Wellness has been a direct reflection of the freedom Amy embraced to become an entrepreneur and how she operates her growing business. In the process of creating a space for her professional philosophy, Amy also established the gold standard for stylists, estheticians and artists longing to break from the mold.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFocused on skin care and hair services, Aviary operates as a collective of like-minded professionals who share Amy\u0026rsquo;s belief that beauty is not skin deep; that the way we look and feel is deeply and directly influenced by the lives we lead.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The two go very well together as our clients often seek expertise in both areas,\u0026rdquo; says Amy. \u0026ldquo;I have a collective of employees and independents and, through the years, I have personally evolved into a mentor and people grower. I love how my flock works together.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAviary is a highly personalized, boutique studio. There are two treatment rooms and a handful of styling stations where beauty and wellness professionals create a peaceful environment using handpicked products to deliver customizable treatments.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAmy had considered expanding her business before the pandemic, but set the idea aside during the uncertainty of the times. She applied for, and received, an Invest Atlanta Resurgence Grant, which helped her pivot to accommodate new COVID protocols and begin delivering products to her clients.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt soon became clear people were seeking self-care more than ever before. One day while walking with her husband in the Summerhill community, Amy had another lightbulb moment \u0026ndash; this time it was the very spot for Aviary\u0026rsquo;s second location.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I love Summerhill\u0026rsquo;s storefronts and history,\u0026rdquo; says Amy. \u0026ldquo;The neighborhood has been there since 1865 and was home to the first emancipated slaves and later immigrants. The residents at that time were among the city\u0026rsquo;s first minority business owners.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBefore she could expand, Amy immersed herself in the Small Business Development Center in Dekalb County (SBDC) where she created a business plan, accessed her financials and re-evaluated her operational practices. She also applied for an Invest Atlanta Business Improvement Loan to help with operating expenses and inventory.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The funds allow me to keep inventory on the shelves and maintain a profitable business during those first few months,\u0026rdquo; says Amy. \u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;ve been amazed by the support from Invest Atlanta and can\u0026rsquo;t believe I owned a business for a decade without knowing about their services.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTrue to her independent spirit, Amy tapped local artists and contractors to build a unique space for her Summerhill location, which features a mural and custom millwork. \u0026ldquo;I love that I was able to create jobs at a granular level during a tough economic time,\u0026rdquo; says Amy. \u0026ldquo;I have 20 employees between both locations and my build-out radiated even further to include designers, electricians, painters and plumbers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Working with Invest Atlanta has been so fulfilling,\u0026rdquo; continues Amy. \u0026ldquo;I realized people truly believe small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. At every turn, I had cheerleaders to champion my business and dreams of growing.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLearn more about Aviary Beauty + Wellness:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.aviarybeauty.com/\"\u003ehttps://www.aviarybeauty.com/\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":419,"title":"Reimagine Opportunity Cohort Announces Participants","promo_title":"Digital Accelerator Helps Lift Up Small Businesses","published_date":"2021-08-25","featured_image":{"id":1676,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"final_6.28.21__ia-rockefeller_small_business_header_-1-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1134327,"resource_updated_at":"2021-08-26T11:45:47.096-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-08-26T11:45:47.169-04:00","updated_at":"2021-08-26T11:58:10.347-04:00","filename_hash":"final_6.28.21__ia-rockefeller_small_business_header_-1-_ymKKZMn.png","width":1280,"height":720},"filename":"reimagine-opportunity-cohort-announces-participants","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"hh8jvQ","created_at":"2021-08-26T11:48:45.804-04:00","updated_at":"2021-08-26T11:58:10.322-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eInvest Atlanta is helping small businesses rise, recover and soar following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic through the 2021 Reimagine Opportunity Small Business Cohort.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;no-cost, 12-week program for Atlanta small business owners\u0026nbsp;is supported by The Rockefeller Foundation, with curriculum provided by the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG).\u0026nbsp;Program topics include\u0026nbsp;managing\u0026nbsp;financial\u0026nbsp;statements,\u0026nbsp;utilizing\u0026nbsp;artificial\u0026nbsp;intelligence,\u0026nbsp;e-commerce,\u0026nbsp;managing a\u0026nbsp;remote\u0026nbsp;team,\u0026nbsp;raising\u0026nbsp;capital,\u0026nbsp;marketing, and\u0026nbsp;branding,\u0026nbsp;legal,\u0026nbsp;SEO\u0026nbsp;optimization,\u0026nbsp;cyber\u0026nbsp;security and more.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;Small businesses\u0026nbsp;are asking for\u0026nbsp;deep-dive\u0026nbsp;technical assistance,\u0026rdquo; said\u0026nbsp;Dr.\u0026nbsp;Eloisa\u0026nbsp;Klementich,\u0026nbsp;president, and\u0026nbsp;CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;This is a comprehensive way to help\u0026nbsp;fortify\u0026nbsp;our businesses\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;key to\u0026nbsp;our\u0026nbsp;economic\u0026nbsp;mobility strategy.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eParticipating\u0026nbsp;small businesses include:​\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eAlicia Gibbons \u0026ndash; Fruity Ice and Treats\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eAngela Ashley \u0026ndash; Angelic\u0026rsquo;s Gourmet\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eAngelic Keels \u0026ndash; Zeal Consultants\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eChantel Henry \u0026ndash; Our Legacy Project\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eDawn Johnson \u0026ndash; DCJ Consulting\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eDeandrea Byrd \u0026ndash; Tutu Maniac\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eKhadija Head \u0026ndash; Heads Plumbing\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eLatasha Thym \u0026ndash; Restoration Hero\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eMarion Hargett \u0026ndash; Jamal\u0026rsquo;s Wings\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eSheyil Rena Taylor \u0026ndash; Administrative Professional Services\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eSonya Gilkey \u0026ndash; Wrapaloc\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eTariq Abdullah \u0026ndash; Tarchitects\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{93c86ae0-c0c1-40c6-9595-c3342e878fa5}{217}\" paraid=\"761928110\"\u003eTess Vismale \u0026ndash; iSocial Execution\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":418,"title":"Walking With Heroes in Sweet Auburn","promo_title":"Walking With Heroes in Sweet Auburn","published_date":"2021-08-25","featured_image":{"id":1675,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"hero_walk.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":10365430,"resource_updated_at":"2021-08-26T11:28:42.340-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-08-26T11:28:43.253-04:00","updated_at":"2021-08-26T11:37:02.645-04:00","filename_hash":"hero_walk_YBeerem.png","width":6912,"height":3456},"filename":"hero-walk","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"i4iDvA","created_at":"2021-08-26T11:35:31.619-04:00","updated_at":"2021-08-26T11:37:02.625-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n New improvements are coming soon to the Historic Sweet Auburn District.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{569d2d0a-1edb-40d6-a01d-29f94df3073e}{116}\" paraid=\"70717950\"\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;revitalization of the\u0026nbsp;Historic Sweet Auburn District\u0026nbsp;continues with plans for\u0026nbsp;a new Hero Walk,\u0026nbsp;thanks to\u0026nbsp;funding\u0026nbsp;support\u0026nbsp;from\u0026nbsp;a $200,000\u0026nbsp;Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD)\u0026nbsp;grant approved by the Invest Atlanta Board.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{569d2d0a-1edb-40d6-a01d-29f94df3073e}{116}\" paraid=\"70717950\"\u003eWalking With Heroes\u0026nbsp;is a\u0026nbsp;first-ever capital campaign\u0026nbsp;created to\u0026nbsp;enhance the public experience in the Sweet Auburn Historic District for key neighborhood revitalization and historic preservation projects. The\u0026nbsp;campaign\u0026nbsp;will\u0026nbsp;spotlight\u0026nbsp;Sweet Auburn\u0026rsquo;s identity with\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;curated pedestrian\u0026nbsp;walk\u0026nbsp;that tells\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;stories of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Black heroes\u0026nbsp;both\u0026nbsp;past and present.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{569d2d0a-1edb-40d6-a01d-29f94df3073e}{116}\" paraid=\"70717950\"\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;1.1-mile Hero Walk will navigate participants from the Jackson Street Bridge to the Historic Oakland Cemetery and pay homage to the late Congressman John Lewis within the broader context of many notable spiritual, civic and political leaders whose legacies also are rooted in Sweet Auburn.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{569d2d0a-1edb-40d6-a01d-29f94df3073e}{116}\" paraid=\"70717950\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s true not just for visitors but for those who live here to have a place to help us reflect on who came before us,\u0026rdquo; said\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta Board Member Fred Smith.\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;This is an area that goes to the heart of our identity as a city.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{569d2d0a-1edb-40d6-a01d-29f94df3073e}{116}\" paraid=\"70717950\"\u003eThe Historic Sweet Auburn District will also\u0026nbsp;receive\u0026nbsp;streetscape\u0026nbsp;enhancements, along Edgewood and Auburn Avenues, to support redevelopment initiatives and increase commercial and residential\u0026nbsp;activity.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{569d2d0a-1edb-40d6-a01d-29f94df3073e}{116}\" paraid=\"70717950\"\u003eThe Sweet Auburn Community Infrastructure Initiative, supported by Central Atlanta\u0026nbsp;Progress, received\u0026nbsp;a $2.5 million Eastside TAD\u0026nbsp;grant to\u0026nbsp;help finance sidewalks, traffic calming measures, wayfinding, lighting, security and vacant lot activation, a retail accelerator fund for entrepreneurs of color in the district, and capacity building for Sweet Auburn Works.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{569d2d0a-1edb-40d6-a01d-29f94df3073e}{116}\" paraid=\"70717950\"\u003eTogether, these projects will create synergies between existing assets, investments, and stakeholders, and mobilize a broader community-driven vision for the future of Sweet Auburn\u0026mdash;ultimately bringing what was once the heart of Atlanta to new levels of growth.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{569d2d0a-1edb-40d6-a01d-29f94df3073e}{116}\" paraid=\"70717950\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;I walked the corridor last week, and it\u0026rsquo;s great to see a number of people visiting the city and also those who live in the city who clearly have an interest in this area and learning more,\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta Board\u0026nbsp;Member\u0026nbsp;Todd Greene. \u0026ldquo;This is a much-needed amenity that will hopefully catalyze some of the other redevelopment efforts needed to preserve\u0026nbsp;and celebrate\u0026nbsp;our history.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Sweet Auburn\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":417,"title":"Funding Approved for 600 Affordable Housing Units","promo_title":"Funding Approved for 600 Affordable Housing Units","published_date":"2021-08-25","featured_image":{"id":1674,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"image.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":466388,"resource_updated_at":"2021-08-26T10:51:14.531-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-08-26T10:51:15.011-04:00","updated_at":"2021-08-26T11:00:51.482-04:00","filename_hash":"image_qNggJDo.png","width":627,"height":367},"filename":"funding-approved-for-600-affordable-housing-units","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"CdSF0g","created_at":"2021-08-26T10:53:36.373-04:00","updated_at":"2021-08-26T11:00:51.463-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{bb7ef10d-f3bd-495a-a35b-923df5b44945}{141}\" paraid=\"1111631109\"\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board has approved $72.6 million in resolutions to fund a variety of multifamily and single-family housing options and provide deeper affordability in growing areas of the city where rents are increasing.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{bb7ef10d-f3bd-495a-a35b-923df5b44945}{141}\" paraid=\"1111631109\"\u003eThe approved resolutions will help finance the creation and rehabilitation of 600 new affordable housing units in several Atlanta neighborhoods, including\u0026nbsp;Peoplestown, Old Fourth Ward, Vine City and\u0026nbsp;Reynoldstown. Rental rates will range from 30 to 80% of the area median income (AMI) or below.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4 paraeid=\"{bb7ef10d-f3bd-495a-a35b-923df5b44945}{141}\" paraid=\"1111631109\"\u003eSkyline Apartments\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{bb7ef10d-f3bd-495a-a35b-923df5b44945}{141}\" paraid=\"1111631109\"\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board approved a $40 million tax exempt bond and $2 million in grant financing for the new construction of 250 multifamily housing units in Peoplestown. Skyline Apartments will include a community room, units prewired for security, structured parking, gated community with card entry, central laundry facility and access to public transportation. All 250 units \u0026ndash; planned by Exact Capital Group \u0026ndash; will be available at 60% AMI or below.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4 paraeid=\"{bb7ef10d-f3bd-495a-a35b-923df5b44945}{141}\" paraid=\"1111631109\"\u003eCity Lights Boulevard North\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{bb7ef10d-f3bd-495a-a35b-923df5b44945}{141}\" paraid=\"1111631109\"\u003eCity Lights Boulevard North, a project by Wingate Companies, includes the new construction of 88 multifamily housing units in the Old Fourth Ward that will be offered at 60% AMI or below. The Invest Atlanta Board approved a $1.5 million gap loan for the development.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4 paraeid=\"{bb7ef10d-f3bd-495a-a35b-923df5b44945}{141}\" paraid=\"1111631109\"\u003eParkView\u0026nbsp;Townhomes\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{bb7ef10d-f3bd-495a-a35b-923df5b44945}{141}\" paraid=\"1111631109\"\u003eRiddle Property Group was approved for $2 million of Tax Allocation District (TAD) financing for the rehabilitation and construction of 70 for-sale townhomes in Vine City \u0026ndash; 21 of which will be permanently affordable. Located 0.4 miles from the Vine City MARTA station and steps away from the Westside Beltline Connection,\u0026nbsp;ParkView\u0026nbsp;supports Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s transit-oriented development goals.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4 paraeid=\"{bb7ef10d-f3bd-495a-a35b-923df5b44945}{141}\" paraid=\"1111631109\"\u003eHenderson Place\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{bb7ef10d-f3bd-495a-a35b-923df5b44945}{141}\" paraid=\"1111631109\"\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board approved a $11.5 million tax exempt loan for the demolition and new construction of 76 multifamily housing units in the Old Fourth Ward by Mercy Housing Southeast, Atlanta Housing and Historic Downtown Development Corporation. All 76 units of Henderson Place will be available at 50 to 60% AMI or below, and the development will feature a clubhouse, business center, fitness center, central laundry facility, as well as additional commercial components to include a small grocery store.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4 paraeid=\"{bb7ef10d-f3bd-495a-a35b-923df5b44945}{141}\" paraid=\"1111631109\"\u003eMadison\u0026nbsp;Reynoldstown\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{bb7ef10d-f3bd-495a-a35b-923df5b44945}{141}\" paraid=\"1111631109\"\u003eLocated in\u0026nbsp;Reynoldstown, Madison\u0026nbsp;Reynoldstown\u0026nbsp;will feature the construction of 116 new multifamily housing units, which will be available for rent at 30 to 80% AMI or below. The Invest Atlanta Board approved a $21.5 million tax exempt loan for the development led by Rea Ventures Group in partnership with Atlanta Housing. It will include a business center with computer stations, community rooms, fitness center, central laundry facility and access to public transportation.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{bb7ef10d-f3bd-495a-a35b-923df5b44945}{141}\" paraid=\"1111631109\"\u003eAccording to Dr. Eloisa\u0026nbsp;Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, the approval of these 600 affordable housing units is a realization of the mayor\u0026rsquo;s vision to ensure equitable growth and long-term resilience in Atlanta \u0026ndash; even during the pandemic. \u0026ldquo;As we continue to seek thoughtful and relevant solutions to provide pathways to wealth creation, these exciting projects reflect the city\u0026rsquo;s economic mobility strategy being fulfilled through neighborhood investment with the development of affordable residences near transit,\u0026rdquo; said\u0026nbsp;Klementich, \u0026ldquo;thereby increasing access to job opportunities.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Renting\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":416,"title":"Carbice Corporation Continues to Grow","promo_title":"With funding from AEMI, Carbice Corporation is continuing to grow","published_date":"2021-08-19","featured_image":{"id":1672,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"img_4744-scaled.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":604179,"resource_updated_at":"2021-08-19T16:33:14.826-04:00","caption":"carbice","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-08-19T16:33:15.189-04:00","updated_at":"2021-08-19T16:44:13.906-04:00","filename_hash":"img_4744-scaled_jpjzDRW.jpg","width":2560,"height":1707},"filename":"carbice-corporation","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"df3saw","created_at":"2021-08-19T16:38:00.323-04:00","updated_at":"2021-08-19T16:44:13.887-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2000","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCarbice Corporation\u0026rsquo;s aim is to redefine the thermal material market, and Atlanta Emerging Markets Inc. (AEMI), in partnership with Invest Atlanta, is investing $1 million to help the company get one step closer to that goal. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta start-up, founded by heat transfer expert and Georgia Tech professor Baratunde Cola, has developed Carbice\u0026reg; Carbon\u0026mdash;a thermal management material that cools devices, so they don\u0026rsquo;t overheat. Carbice Carbon can be found inside electronics, ranging from smart phones to satellites, and the product has even been tested on the International Space Station.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAEMI\u0026rsquo;s funding will support Carbice\u0026rsquo;s purchase of a critical piece of equipment for its newly leased laboratory and manufacturing hub, a new 20,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the city of Atlanta. The new equipment and facility will allow the organization to serve a larger customer base, retain and increase its local talent, and become an influential local employer and technology company in Atlanta. The corporation currently has 14 employees and plans to increase this number by severalfold by 2024 by tapping into WorkSource Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s pipeline.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;We are so excited to team with Atlanta Emerging Markets and Invest Atlanta to support our mission of helping our customers, stakeholders, and community achieve more with confidence,\u0026rdquo; said Baratunde Cola, Carbice founder and CEO. \u0026ldquo;Carbice enables the future of electronics, and through this work, we achieve our mission.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAn active participant in Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Students2Startup program, Carbice also plans to partner with local universities and state colleges to create a nanomaterial manufacturing training program to help pre-qualify people for jobs at Carbice with higher pay.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAEMI\u0026rsquo;s investment in Carbice aligns with its mission to increase the access to capital for entrepreneurs, that are creating accessible jobs and social impact in historically disinvested neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFor more information on AEMI, visit\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://atlantaemergingmarkets.org/\"\u003ehttps://atlantaemergingmarkets.org/\u0026nbsp;\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFor more information on the Carbice Corporation, visit\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://carbice.com/\"\u003ehttps://carbice.com/\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":414,"title":"Journey to Homeownership ","promo_title":"Journey to Homeownership","published_date":"2021-07-23","featured_image":{"id":1659,"parent_id":39,"resource_file_name":"copy_of_national_homeownership_month.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":981860,"resource_updated_at":"2021-07-23T14:26:46.155-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-07-23T14:26:46.297-04:00","updated_at":"2021-07-23T14:29:47.531-04:00","filename_hash":"copy_of_national_homeownership_month_lpQ6gag.png","width":1200,"height":800},"filename":"journey-to-homeownership","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"UW-vGQ","created_at":"2021-07-23T14:27:26.987-04:00","updated_at":"2021-07-23T14:29:47.510-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta, in partnership with\u0026nbsp;Rolling Out\u0026nbsp;magazine, recognized June as National Homeownership Month by co-hosting \u0026ldquo;Journey to Homeownership Virtual Conference.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b69c0f6e-ebc2-43ac-b7aa-810db848d7df}{62}\" paraid=\"937172860\"\u003eInvest Atlanta, in partnership with\u0026nbsp;Rolling Out\u0026nbsp;magazine, recognized June as National Homeownership Month by co-hosting \u0026ldquo;Journey to Homeownership Virtual Conference.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b69c0f6e-ebc2-43ac-b7aa-810db848d7df}{62}\" paraid=\"937172860\"\u003eMore than 600 prospective homebuyers attended the event, which was part of the Star Studio \u0026amp; Home Ownership Virtual Conference presented by\u0026nbsp;Rolling Out. Attendees received insightful information to prepare for homeownership and helpful resources on everything from understanding your credit and mortgage lenders to the ins and outs of loan paperwork, working with a real estate agent and the closing process.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b69c0f6e-ebc2-43ac-b7aa-810db848d7df}{62}\" paraid=\"937172860\"\u003eInvest Atlanta also shared information on the incentives and down payment assistance available to potential homebuyers.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b69c0f6e-ebc2-43ac-b7aa-810db848d7df}{62}\" paraid=\"937172860\"\u003eAccording to Anita Allgood, director, Single-Family \u0026amp; Homeownership Services for Invest Atlanta, many participants are first time homebuyers who find the process intimidating.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;By breaking down each step into interactive sessions with stellar partners, we remove all the unknowns and give people the confidence to move forward,\u0026rdquo; said Allgood. \u0026ldquo;It really is about exposure. Invest Atlanta has become a premiere resource for providing in depth information about the homebuying process, including our incentives. Partnering with\u0026nbsp;Rolling Out\u0026nbsp;and similar organizations allows us to expose their fan base to our incentives and reach people who may not have known about Invest Atlanta and what we have to offer.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":413,"title":"(Tech) Tip Off Pitch Competition Awards $60,000 to Women Entrepreneurs","promo_title":"Grants Awarded to Fuel Women Entrepreneurs","published_date":"2021-07-23","featured_image":{"id":1658,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"wei_pitches_6.24.2021-59_-002-.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":3132697,"resource_updated_at":"2021-07-23T11:40:13.034-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2021-07-23T11:40:14.019-04:00","updated_at":"2021-07-26T11:45:15.615-04:00","filename_hash":"wei_pitches_6.24.2021-59_-002-_gv2oK2Z.jpg","width":5797,"height":4160},"filename":"tech-tip-off-awards-2021","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"D9lDXw","created_at":"2021-07-23T12:19:14.929-04:00","updated_at":"2021-07-26T11:45:15.569-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Local healthy snack startup owner\u0026nbsp;Akissi\u0026nbsp;Stokes uses an insect farm model that incorporates IoT technology to harvest insects as a micro-livestock. She is one of six Atlanta women entrepreneurs who have been awarded a total of $60,000 in grants as part of The (Tech) Tip Off pitch competition.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003eLocal healthy snack startup owner\u0026nbsp;Akissi\u0026nbsp;Stokes uses an insect farm model that incorporates IoT technology to harvest insects as a micro-livestock. She is one of six Atlanta women entrepreneurs who have been awarded a total of $60,000 in grants as part of The (Tech) Tip Off pitch competition.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003eThe competition, powered by the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) and the Atlanta Hawks Foundation, was created to help Atlanta women entrepreneurs raise their profiles, earn grants to support their business dreams, and learn from tech companies across the city. Competing entrepreneurs were evaluated by a panel of judges representing Atlanta business and community leaders.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s not just the workshops that make the WEI program so impactful; it\u0026rsquo;s the wrap around services, the network of women and\u0026nbsp;the opportunity to actually apply what you learn to your business,\u0026rdquo; said Stokes. \u0026ldquo;This experience is a milestone for me, because today I\u0026rsquo;m comfortable pitching my business and one year ago, I was not.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003eThe (Tech) Tip Off grants were awarded in two categories: the first for current WEI Cohort members participating in the competition, and the second for other Atlanta-based entrepreneurs. First place winners in both categories received a $15,000 grant; second place winners received a $10,000 grant; and third place winners received a $5,000 grant.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;As an organization, we are always looking for ways to elevate women entrepreneurs,\u0026rdquo; said Monica Delores Hooks, executive director of Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative, the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s business incubator for early stage, women-owned businesses. \u0026ldquo;Developing these workshops and the pitch competition offered a way to help our key audiences launch and grow a successful start-up by leveraging technology.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003eAs part of this effort, Atlanta Hawks Foundation donated $100,000 from the proceeds of the sales of its historic 2020-21 MLK Nike City Edition Jersey to WEI to fund business workshops, the pitch competition, and grants for metro area women entrepreneurs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Atlanta Hawks understand how vitally important it is to not only provide funding, but the exposure to the right contacts and the right technology in helping new businesses be set up for success,\u0026rdquo; said David Lee, executive vice president of External Affairs for the Atlanta Hawks and executive director of the Hawks Foundation. \u0026ldquo;Our foundation is proud to support the work of WEI and play a part in launching a new crop of female-led businesses in our city.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3 paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003eAward winners:\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003ch4 paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{182}\" paraid=\"36386340\"\u003eAtlanta-Based Entrepreneur Category\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{193}\" paraid=\"1290199361\"\u003e1st\u0026nbsp;Place: Claudine Miles of Restore More building capacity through restorative practice, anti-racism, and social emotional learning for students, educators, and parents.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{193}\" paraid=\"1290199361\"\u003e2nd\u0026nbsp;Place: Tia Robinson of Vertical Activewear supporting inner and outer well-being through sustainable and size-inclusive activewear for yoga, dance, and meditation.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{193}\" paraid=\"1290199361\"\u003e3rd\u0026nbsp;Place: Elissa Russell of READI Consulting providing a tech-enabled workforce readiness solution to upskill and reskill entry level workers.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4 paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{193}\" paraid=\"1290199361\"\u003eWEI Cohort Category\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{253}\" paraid=\"1016074250\"\u003e1st\u0026nbsp;Place:\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Akissi\u0026nbsp;Stokes of\u0026nbsp;WUNDERgrubs\u0026nbsp;producing high-quality insect protein using the Internet of Things (IoT) to disrupt the supply chain and cultivating sustainable farming practices that help restore natural resources, reduce carbon emissions, improve nutrition, and promote food security.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{253}\" paraid=\"1016074250\"\u003e2nd\u0026nbsp;Place: Sarah Marske of\u0026nbsp;Saramar\u0026nbsp;Group connecting brands to the U.S. Hispanic market through purpose-driven marketing solutions.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{253}\" paraid=\"1016074250\"\u003e3rd\u0026nbsp;Place:\u0026nbsp;Evana\u0026nbsp;and Zoe Oli of Beautiful Curly Me teaching young girls the importance of hair care, while fostering self-confidence and love through dolls and accessories.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{253}\" paraid=\"1016074250\"\u003eWEI is the only municipally-funded program of its kind in the nation that is focused on women\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurship for early-stage startups. The program was launched by the City of Atlanta in 2015 to align entrepreneurial opportunities for women in Atlanta with the City\u0026rsquo;s economic development programs. WEI is part of Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development authority, and furthers the goal of creating equity and prosperity for all of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":415,"title":"WorkSource Atlanta Appoints New Executive Director","promo_title":"WorkSource Atlanta Appoints New Executive Director","published_date":"2021-07-23","featured_image":{"id":1646,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"amy-s_headshot_edited.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":52011,"resource_updated_at":"2021-07-09T14:22:06.479-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2021-07-09T14:22:06.507-04:00","updated_at":"2021-07-23T15:20:06.348-04:00","filename_hash":"amy-s_headshot_edited_JjKrnJ4.jpg","width":266,"height":400},"filename":"worksource-atlanta-appoints-new-executive-director","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"dvX53A","created_at":"2021-07-23T15:19:26.210-04:00","updated_at":"2021-07-23T15:20:06.325-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003eAmy Lancaster-King has taken the helm as executive director of WorkSource Atlanta at the same time the agency finalizes its integration into Invest Atlanta.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003eAmy Lancaster-King has taken the helm as executive director of WorkSource Atlanta at the same time the agency finalizes its integration into Invest Atlanta.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003eWorkSource Atlanta is the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s workforce development agency. It partners with federal, state and local governments, as well as colleges, schools and community and faith-based organizations, to deliver workforce development services to job seekers and employers looking for skilled talent. Lancaster-King will focus on improving the delivery of these services while also expanding WorkSource Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s capabilities under the direction of Invest Atlanta.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;Greater access to training and sustainable employment is vital for an equitable future,\u0026rdquo; said Lancaster-King. \u0026ldquo;I am honored to have the opportunity to lead\u0026nbsp;WorkSource\u0026nbsp;Atlanta forward at this important time as the city continues to address economic mobility challenges.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe strategy to integrate WorkSource Atlanta into Invest Atlanta is a cornerstone of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms\u0026rsquo; One Atlanta: Economic Mobility, Recovery and Resiliency Plan, which was designed to help more Atlantans build wealth through good, middle-income jobs and better serve the hiring needs to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s employers.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;Job seekers in Atlanta, especially those from underserved communities, deserve access to skill-building resources that lead to good job opportunities in sustainable career fields,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Combining WorkSource Atlanta with Invest Atlanta furthers this goal by leveraging the strengths of both organizations to create a unified workforce development strategy for the city.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nPrior to this role, Lancaster-King served as senior director of Workforce Development for the Metro Atlanta Chamber where she led a range of efforts, including authoring, mediating and lobbying to advance thoughtful and fair workforce policies at the state Capitol; directing and evangelizing key research on the supply and demand of talent; and building community partnerships to increase student, jobseeker and employer outcomes.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":411,"title":"Invest Atlanta Launches Small Business Dashboard ","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Launches Small Business Dashboard ","published_date":"2021-06-22","featured_image":{"id":1633,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"small_business_dashboard.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":516233,"resource_updated_at":"2021-06-22T20:44:52.005-04:00","caption":"Small Business Dashboard","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2021-06-22T20:44:52.063-04:00","updated_at":"2021-06-22T20:46:34.114-04:00","filename_hash":"small_business_dashboard_2avXRkr.png","width":1200,"height":628},"filename":"invest-atlanta-launches-small-business-dashboard","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"S0hVMw","created_at":"2021-06-22T20:46:12.271-04:00","updated_at":"2021-06-22T20:46:34.039-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{9fcb5324-6ddd-44c1-9308-5b5bf5bb8b7f}{234}\" paraid=\"1406345192\"\u003eEverything you need to know about Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business activity is now at your fingertips.\u0026nbsp;Working\u0026nbsp;in conjunction with\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;Atlanta Regional Commission,\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta has\u0026nbsp;developed\u0026nbsp;a new\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/arcresearchanalytics/viz/ATL20-21SmallBusinessTracker/FSector\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSmall Business Dashboard\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;to publicly share and explore data visualizations\u0026nbsp;showing\u0026nbsp;where investment is taking place,\u0026nbsp;jobs are increasing\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;other trends.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{9fcb5324-6ddd-44c1-9308-5b5bf5bb8b7f}{234}\" paraid=\"1406345192\"\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;interactive\u0026nbsp;dashboard\u0026nbsp;provides a snapshot of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business activity\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;allows users to\u0026nbsp;search various data models, including industry sector,\u0026nbsp;North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;business\u0026nbsp;size.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{9fcb5324-6ddd-44c1-9308-5b5bf5bb8b7f}{234}\" paraid=\"1406345192\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Small Business Platform is yet another tool that allows\u0026nbsp;us to better support\u0026nbsp;Atlanta\u0026nbsp;small businesses, which lift up our communities\u0026nbsp;and drive our economy,\u0026rdquo; said\u0026nbsp;Dr. Eloisa Klementich,\u0026nbsp;president and CEO of Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;By capturing and leveraging these data\u0026nbsp;visualizations,\u0026nbsp;we can\u0026nbsp;follow trends\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;pinpoint opportunities for new programs\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;identify areas where investment is needed.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":410,"title":"Dr. Eloisa Klementich Receives Prestigious Award ","promo_title":"Dr. Eloisa Klementich Receives Prestigious Award ","published_date":"2021-06-22","featured_image":{"id":1640,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"catalyst_award.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1250278,"resource_updated_at":"2021-06-29T10:36:21.160-04:00","caption":"Catalyst Award","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2021-06-29T10:36:21.994-04:00","updated_at":"2021-06-29T10:37:11.551-04:00","filename_hash":"catalyst_award_W1vpQN2.png","width":1200,"height":628},"filename":"dr-eloisa-klementich-receives-prestigious-award","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"aQZTag","created_at":"2021-06-22T20:38:54.255-04:00","updated_at":"2021-06-29T10:37:11.476-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{9fcb5324-6ddd-44c1-9308-5b5bf5bb8b7f}{71}\" paraid=\"2121177465\"\u003eThe Atlanta Business League (ABL) has recognized Dr. Eloisa Klementich,\u0026nbsp;president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, with its 2021 Catalyst Award for her ongoing\u0026nbsp;efforts to enhance opportunities for minority-owned\u0026nbsp;businesses.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{9fcb5324-6ddd-44c1-9308-5b5bf5bb8b7f}{71}\" paraid=\"2121177465\"\u003eABL is Atlanta\u0026#39;s oldest minority business development and advocacy organization.\u0026nbsp;Each year\u0026nbsp;it\u0026nbsp;recognizes local chief executives for\u0026nbsp;their\u0026nbsp;outstanding participation in minority vendor development and community activities.\u0026nbsp;Awards spotlight\u0026nbsp;the willingness of busy executives to take on\u0026nbsp;the vital work of\u0026nbsp;establishing and building economic equality for minority enterprises.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{9fcb5324-6ddd-44c1-9308-5b5bf5bb8b7f}{71}\" paraid=\"2121177465\"\u003eJohn Hope Bryant, founder, chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE, Inc., introduced Dr. Klementich during the ceremony, sharing that\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;Atlanta is the largest economy in the South because people like Eloisa have run agencies as if it\u0026rsquo;s their own, as if it\u0026rsquo;s their home, as if their life depends on it.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":412,"title":"Irish Fintech Joins Atlanta Business Community ","promo_title":"Irish Fintech Joins Atlanta Business Community ","published_date":"2021-06-22","featured_image":{"id":1634,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"wayflyer.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":68057,"resource_updated_at":"2021-06-22T20:49:34.360-04:00","caption":"Wayflyer","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2021-06-22T20:49:34.402-04:00","updated_at":"2021-06-23T09:15:55.116-04:00","filename_hash":"wayflyer_V1BPWWe.png","width":1200,"height":628},"filename":"irish-fintech-joins-atlanta-business-community","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"7J0u2g","created_at":"2021-06-22T20:51:02.646-04:00","updated_at":"2021-06-23T09:15:55.074-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv style=\"clear:both;\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{3c2eeafc-1025-4123-945c-0562fe9c11da}{216}\" paraid=\"1319174263\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\"\u003eWayflyer\u003c/span\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u0026ndash; the revenue-based financing and growth platform for eCommerce merchants \u0026ndash; is expanding to the United States. The rapidly growing Irish startup is opening an office in Atlanta, citing the city\u0026rsquo;s extensive fintech community and growth opportunities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{3c2eeafc-1025-4123-945c-0562fe9c11da}{216}\" paraid=\"1319174263\"\u003eThe move comes on the back of\u0026nbsp;Wayflyer\u0026rsquo;s\u0026nbsp;recent $76 million all-\u0026nbsp;equity Series A raise and partnership with\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.wayflyer.com/news/wayflyer-and-adobe-announce-merchant-finance-solution-to-propel-ecommerce-industry\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAdobe Commerce\u003c/a\u003e. Currently, 75 percent\u0026nbsp;of Wayflyer\u0026rsquo;s customer base operates in the U.S., and funds from the Series A round will be used for on-the-ground U.S. expansion.\u0026nbsp;Wayflyer\u0026rsquo;s Atlanta investment is expected to create more than 50 new sales jobs by the end of 2021 in addition to positions in customer support, marketing and underwriting.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{3c2eeafc-1025-4123-945c-0562fe9c11da}{216}\" paraid=\"1319174263\"\u003eAccording to\u0026nbsp;Wayflyer U.S. Director of Sales\u0026nbsp;Jay Puentes,\u0026nbsp;despite\u0026nbsp;double-digit growth year over year\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;the eCommerce industry, eCommerce companies continue to have working capital challenges, which limit\u0026nbsp;opportunities for growth. \u0026ldquo;Wayflyer is uniquely positioned to solve these issues and help eCommerce entrepreneurs unlock their potential,\u0026rdquo; Puentes said. \u0026ldquo;In the past three weeks alone, the Wayflyer U.S. team has doubled from 7 to 15, and I look forward to leveraging the extensive local network I\u0026#39;ve built over the last decade to oversee expansion in the area.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":409,"title":"Additional Affordable Housing Coming to Southwest Atlanta ","promo_title":"Bridges at Landrum: New Affordable Housing Coming to Southwest Atlanta ","published_date":"2021-06-22","featured_image":{"id":1632,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"landrum.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":885913,"resource_updated_at":"2021-06-22T20:35:28.913-04:00","caption":"Bridges at Landrum","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2021-06-22T20:35:28.981-04:00","updated_at":"2021-06-23T09:15:12.411-04:00","filename_hash":"landrum_E68kkQq.png","width":1200,"height":628},"filename":"additional-affordable-housing-coming-to-southwest-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"1VHReA","created_at":"2021-06-22T20:36:42.604-04:00","updated_at":"2021-06-23T09:15:12.365-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv style=\"clear:both;\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{9fcb5324-6ddd-44c1-9308-5b5bf5bb8b7f}{24}\" paraid=\"1854046399\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\"\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board has approved\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\"\u003ea $26 million tax exempt bond, as well as\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;a $46.22 million lease purchase bond that will provide an estimated $2.089 million incentive for the development of\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\"\u003ethe\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\"\u003eBridges at Landru\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\"\u003em.\u003c/span\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{9fcb5324-6ddd-44c1-9308-5b5bf5bb8b7f}{24}\" paraid=\"1854046399\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\"\u003eLocated in Southwest Atlanta, the development will feature 200\u0026nbsp;newly constructed\u0026nbsp;housing units \u0026ndash; 170 of which will be available at 60% Area Median Income (AMI) or below\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;and 30 at market rate. Amenities will include a c\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\"\u003eommunity room with fitness center, business center, swimming pool and EnergyStar appliances.\u003c/span\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":408,"title":"Breaking Ground and Increasing Affordability ","promo_title":"Haven at South Atlanta Breaks Ground, London Town Homes Opens","published_date":"2021-06-22","featured_image":{"id":1631,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"haven_groundbreaking.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1734694,"resource_updated_at":"2021-06-22T20:29:53.180-04:00","caption":"Haven Homes Groundbreaking","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2021-06-22T20:29:53.719-04:00","updated_at":"2021-06-23T09:12:24.656-04:00","filename_hash":"haven_groundbreaking_r6mRREl.png","width":1200,"height":628},"filename":"breaking-ground-and-increasing-affordability","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"6vGUWA","created_at":"2021-06-22T20:31:13.986-04:00","updated_at":"2021-06-23T09:12:24.608-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{ac9e4f87-0a00-4d5a-a24b-46c5b31d9e98}{215}\" paraid=\"1083831168\"\u003eMembers of Invest Atlanta, city officials and partner agencies were all\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;part of groundbreaking ceremonies for two affordable housing developments \u0026ndash; The Haven at South Atlanta and London Townhomes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{ac9e4f87-0a00-4d5a-a24b-46c5b31d9e98}{215}\" paraid=\"1083831168\"\u003eThe Haven at South Atlanta will be an 84-unit, mixed-income community\u0026nbsp;that provides\u0026nbsp;much-needed\u0026nbsp;affordability in close proximity to\u0026nbsp;downtown Atlanta and numerous job centers and amenities. Situated on what was once a vacant lot, The Haven will be a sustainable, energy-efficient community featuring one-, two- and three-bedroom garden apartments\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;affordable units targeted at 60% and 50% of Area Median Income (AMI).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{ac9e4f87-0a00-4d5a-a24b-46c5b31d9e98}{215}\" paraid=\"1083831168\"\u003eLondon Townhomes is an existing development in the Ivan Hills neighborhood that is undergoing\u0026nbsp;extensive rehabilitation and preservation. Located on Scott Street and featuring 180 units at 60% AMI, the development will feature a computer center, fitness center, playground equipment, outdoor gathering spaces, new EnergyStar appliances (refrigerator, dishwasher) and washer/dryer hook-ups.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":405,"title":"FanDuel to Open Atlanta Office ","promo_title":"FanDuel to Open Atlanta Office ","published_date":"2021-05-25","featured_image":{"id":1603,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"fanduel_-_i_i.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":30906,"resource_updated_at":"2021-05-26T09:32:17.879-04:00","caption":"Fanduel3","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-05-26T09:32:17.927-04:00","updated_at":"2021-05-26T09:32:34.349-04:00","filename_hash":"fanduel_-_i_i_W1N8p42.png","width":1080,"height":1080},"filename":"fanduel-to-open-atlanta-office","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"InzPEQ","created_at":"2021-05-25T22:09:41.221-04:00","updated_at":"2021-05-26T09:32:34.327-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Leading sports-tech entertainment company\u0026nbsp;FanDuel Group\u0026nbsp;is investing\u0026nbsp;more than $15 million\u0026nbsp;to open\u0026nbsp;a campus in Atlanta\u0026nbsp;that is expected to create\u0026nbsp;more than 900 jobs over the next five years.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLeading sports-tech entertainment company\u0026nbsp;FanDuel Group\u0026nbsp;is investing\u0026nbsp;more than $15 million\u0026nbsp;to open\u0026nbsp;a campus in Atlanta\u0026nbsp;that is expected to create\u0026nbsp;more than 900 jobs over the next five years.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe new facility will be located in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Midtown area and will primarily focus on supporting the company\u0026rsquo;s product development, tech and IT operations. Not only will the center expand Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s digital media and e-entertainment sectors, it will also provide new job opportunities in software engineering, product development, information technology (IT), user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta continues to attract companies across many different industries looking to join our welcoming business community, that includes a highly skilled and diverse workforce,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFanDuel will support educational training programs that include Georgia\u0026rsquo;s university system, the state\u0026rsquo;s private colleges, its renowned Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other non-collegiate programs. The company plans to work closely with these institutions to create curriculums that train and educate candidates for future careers in the tech industry.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis effort\u0026nbsp;also\u0026nbsp;will\u0026nbsp;involve\u0026nbsp;an active company presence on campuses, onsite events, career fairs and networking events.\u0026nbsp;What\u0026rsquo;s\u0026nbsp;more,\u0026nbsp;FanDuel\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;establishing local community partnerships\u0026nbsp;with organizations across Atlanta to provide resume-building workshops, mock interview sessions, case studies and mentorship programs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As we grow our business in a very competitive industry, it\u0026rsquo;s critical we have access to a diverse talent pool needed to build the most innovative platform in the sector,\u0026rdquo; said Sarah\u0026nbsp;Butterfass, Chief Product Officer, FanDuel Group. \u0026ldquo;During this process, it became clear that Atlanta provided FanDuel with a winning combination of access to a thriving tech cluster, respected educational institutions we could partner with and a diverse and welcoming community eager for our arrival.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":403,"title":"TAD Grants to Fund More Affordable Housing ","promo_title":"TAD Grants to Fund More Affordable Housing ","published_date":"2021-05-25","featured_image":{"id":1596,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"may_i_i_-_proctor.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":10407621,"resource_updated_at":"2021-05-25T20:41:24.797-04:00","caption":"May TAD Grants","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2021-05-25T20:41:25.731-04:00","updated_at":"2021-05-25T20:45:10.490-04:00","filename_hash":"may_i_i_-_proctor_MYpjPEB.png","width":6912,"height":3456},"filename":"tad-grants-to-fund-more-affordable-housing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"i6tdDg","created_at":"2021-05-25T20:44:43.824-04:00","updated_at":"2021-05-25T20:45:10.442-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta\u0026nbsp;Board\u0026nbsp;board\u0026nbsp;approved more than $3\u0026nbsp;million in\u0026nbsp;Tax\u0026nbsp;Allocation\u0026nbsp;District (TAD) grants\u0026nbsp;to fund\u0026nbsp;construction\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;298\u0026nbsp;affordable housing units.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta board\u0026nbsp;approved more than $3\u0026nbsp;million in\u0026nbsp;Tax\u0026nbsp;Allocation\u0026nbsp;District (TAD) grants\u0026nbsp;to fund the construction\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;298\u0026nbsp;affordable housing units\u0026nbsp;\u0026ndash; further supporting Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms\u0026rsquo; efforts to\u0026nbsp;expand housing affordability and\u0026nbsp;drive economic mobility\u0026nbsp;in Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eUp to\u0026nbsp;$2 million\u0026nbsp;has been granted from the Westside TAD Ascension Fund\u0026nbsp;to finance a mixed-use development that will include 132 multifamily apartments and six live/work spaces\u0026nbsp;for small businesses. Located on Lindsay Street near the Donald Lee Hollowell and Joseph E. Lowery corridors,\u0026nbsp;The Proctor\u0026nbsp;will be\u0026nbsp;located\u0026nbsp;on what is\u0026nbsp;currently\u0026nbsp;a vacant lot\u0026nbsp;in the English Avenue neighborhood.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;development\u0026nbsp;will include\u0026nbsp;138\u0026nbsp;housing units,\u0026nbsp;10,000 square feet of retail space for local entrepreneurs\u0026nbsp;and is situated near the Bankhead MARTA Station, the Atlanta BeltLine, Downtown and West Midtown employment centers. The six,\u0026nbsp;for-sale units will be available at 120% area median income (AMI), while rental affordability will include 14\u0026nbsp;units\u0026nbsp;at 50% AMI, 18\u0026nbsp;units\u0026nbsp;at 80% AMI and 100\u0026nbsp;units\u0026nbsp;at market rate.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eConstruction\u0026nbsp;also\u0026nbsp;will begin on a new senior housing development in the\u0026nbsp;Chosewood\u0026nbsp;Park community\u0026nbsp;with help\u0026nbsp;from\u0026nbsp;a $1 million grant from the BeltLine TAD. Located at\u0026nbsp;1265 Lakewood Ave., this development will include\u0026nbsp;full amenities and\u0026nbsp;160\u0026nbsp;multifamily\u0026nbsp;housing units, with 48 units\u0026nbsp;available\u0026nbsp;at 50% AMI, 88\u0026nbsp;units\u0026nbsp;at 60% AMI and 24\u0026nbsp;units\u0026nbsp;at 80% AMI.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":407,"title":"WorkSource Atlanta Offers COVID-Relief Job Opportunities ","promo_title":"WorkSource Atlanta Offers COVID-Relief Job Opportunities ","published_date":"2021-05-25","featured_image":null,"filename":"worksource-atlanta-offers-covid-relief-job-opportunities","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"fjCxcw","created_at":"2021-05-25T22:18:02.379-04:00","updated_at":"2021-05-26T11:51:20.931-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003eWorkSource Atlanta is offering job opportunities through Project\u0026nbsp;ENCoRe\u0026nbsp;(Employment \u0026ndash; Networking \u0026ndash; COVID Relief) to\u0026nbsp;city of Atlanta residents or workers employed within the\u0026nbsp;city who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWorkSource Atlanta is offering job opportunities through Project\u0026nbsp;ENCoRe\u0026nbsp;(Employment \u0026ndash; Networking \u0026ndash; COVID Relief) to\u0026nbsp;city of Atlanta residents or workers employed within the\u0026nbsp;city who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eProject\u0026nbsp;ENCoRe\u0026nbsp;offers an hourly wage up to 40 hours per week\u0026nbsp;for\u0026nbsp;up to 16 weeks and includes various COVID-related job positions such as call center agents, contact tracers, PPE inventory specialists, workplace sanitation specialists, custodians, and temperature screener/social distance monitors. No experience is necessary for most positions and\u0026nbsp;pay\u0026nbsp;ranges\u0026nbsp;from $12.00\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;$23.00 an hour.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The paid work experience is designed to help job seekers earn an income while learning a new skill,\u0026rdquo; said Sonia Wilson-Westmoreland, Interim Executive Director, WorkSource Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;In some cases, these temporary positions may lead to permanent job placement.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThose who are interested can learn more by \u003ca href=\"https://bit.ly/3c7Q0iX\"\u003eattending an orientation\u0026nbsp;\u003c/a\u003eor calling a WorkSource Atlanta navigator at 404-546-3000.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":406,"title":"Overtime Elite Makes Atlanta Home ","promo_title":"Overtime Elite Makes Atlanta Home ","published_date":"2021-05-25","featured_image":{"id":1600,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"ote_-_fbli.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1102156,"resource_updated_at":"2021-05-25T22:11:28.421-04:00","caption":"Overtime Elite","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2021-05-25T22:11:28.569-04:00","updated_at":"2021-05-25T22:14:30.411-04:00","filename_hash":"ote_-_fbli_5EynRPJ.png","width":940,"height":788},"filename":"overtime-elite-makes-atlanta-home","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"wD7Rwg","created_at":"2021-05-25T22:14:06.653-04:00","updated_at":"2021-05-25T22:14:30.372-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Transformative new sports league\u0026nbsp;Overtime Elite\u0026nbsp;(OTE) has\u0026nbsp;selected Atlanta as its home\u0026nbsp;after a year-long search\u0026nbsp;that included\u0026nbsp;eight\u0026nbsp;U.S.\u0026nbsp;cities.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTransformative new sports league\u0026nbsp;Overtime Elite\u0026nbsp;(OTE) has\u0026nbsp;selected Atlanta as its home\u0026nbsp;after a year-long search\u0026nbsp;that included\u0026nbsp;eight\u0026nbsp;U.S.\u0026nbsp;cities.\u0026nbsp;OTE, which offers the world\u0026rsquo;s most talented young basketball players a better pathway to becoming professional athletes,\u0026nbsp;will begin\u0026nbsp;playing in Atlanta this September.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePlanning is underway on the construction of a new 103,000-square-foot facility\u0026nbsp;at\u0026nbsp;Atlantic Station, where OTE\u0026rsquo;s players will train,\u0026nbsp;study\u0026nbsp;and compete. This project will create up to 400 construction jobs in metro Atlanta\u0026nbsp;\u0026ndash;\u0026nbsp;at least 30% of which will be diverse hires.\u0026nbsp;To maximize efficiency and reduce waste, the structure will be built using recycled and reused components, with an energy-efficient HVAC system and green-compliant LED lighting system and outer covering. The facility will be completed in time for the league\u0026rsquo;s September debut.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOTE\u0026nbsp;also\u0026nbsp;is committed to building an inclusive,\u0026nbsp;diverse\u0026nbsp;and equitable workforce, with a focus on hiring among communities of color and employing people who live within Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s city limits.\u0026nbsp;It\u0026nbsp;is actively recruiting and hiring more than 100 people in the city\u0026nbsp;for\u0026nbsp;its\u0026nbsp;basketball, educator, residential, food service and support staff.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;If we could construct a city that would be the perfect home for Overtime Elite, it would look just like Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said\u0026nbsp;Aaron Ryan,\u0026nbsp;Overtime Elite Commissioner and President. \u0026ldquo;The city\u0026rsquo;s storied basketball history, diverse population, vibrant business community and rich culture make Atlanta a special place. OTE is committed to being an active contributor to the community.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOTE\u0026nbsp;provides a comprehensive accelerator for elite players\u0026rsquo; professional careers, preparing them for the next level in a way not possible in an ordinary high school environment. The league offers a year-round development program,\u0026nbsp;combining world-class coaching, cutting-edge sports science and performance technologies, top-notch facilities and a rigorous, highly personalized academic program that energizes and enhances each athlete\u0026rsquo;s journey from proficiency to pro.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith\u0026nbsp;longstanding personal and professional relationships within the Atlanta Hawks organization, OTE has\u0026nbsp;a deep respect for the team\u0026rsquo;s long history in the city and the role they have played to\u0026nbsp;create positive change in the community. Similarly, OTE has been inspired by\u0026nbsp;Atlanta Dream\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;the impact its players have had using their voice to increase voter participation in the 2020 election.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Overtime Elite is a welcome addition to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s rich sports tradition, elevating the city as a global center for basketball development and a cultural hub for people of all backgrounds,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Hawks player and Overtime investor Trae Young.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":404,"title":"Bond Resolutions Give Green Light for Three Affordable Housing Developments ","promo_title":"Bond Resolutions Green Light More Affordable Housing ","published_date":"2021-05-25","featured_image":{"id":1597,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"may_i_i_-1-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":925306,"resource_updated_at":"2021-05-25T20:47:50.701-04:00","caption":"Lakewood-the-mallory-populus","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2021-05-25T20:47:50.930-04:00","updated_at":"2021-05-25T20:51:20.037-04:00","filename_hash":"may_i_i_-1-_JjL2Vr6.png","width":1066,"height":460},"filename":"bond-resolutions-give-green-light-for-three-affordable-housing-developments","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"GOs7zQ","created_at":"2021-05-25T20:50:16.679-04:00","updated_at":"2021-05-25T20:51:19.987-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta board\u0026nbsp;has approved $84 million worth of\u0026nbsp;tax-exempt\u0026nbsp;bond financing \u0026ndash; $30 million of which will go toward two affordable housing developments to support Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s senior community and another $54 million for multifamily housing.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta board has approved $84 million worth of\u0026nbsp;tax-exempt\u0026nbsp;bond financing \u0026ndash; $30 million of which will go toward two affordable housing developments to support Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s senior community and another $54 million for multifamily housing.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLakewood Christian Manor\u0026nbsp;has been offered a $17.5 million tax-exempt loan for the acquisition and rehabilitation of a 250-unit senior housing development. Located on Springdale Road in the\u0026nbsp;Perkerson\u0026nbsp;neighborhood, this development will undergo a complete renovation and feature full amenities. Affordability will include 21 units at 30% area median income (AMI), 154 units at 50% AMI and 75 units at 60% AMI.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA\u0026nbsp;$12.5 million tax-exempt loan has paved the way for construction of\u0026nbsp;another senior development \u0026ndash;\u0026nbsp;The Mallory\u0026nbsp;\u0026ndash;\u0026nbsp;in the Dixie Hills community. This development will feature 116 units and full amenities. Affordability will include 20 units at 50% AMI, 86 units at 60% AMI and 10 units at 80% AMI.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, a $54 million lease-purchase bond will bring 286 new housing units to the Monroe Heights neighborhood \u0026ndash; 43 of which will be affordable.\u0026nbsp;The Populus at Westside\u0026nbsp;will feature a garden-style apartment community on what is now a vacant property on Northwest Drive. The development will include eight residential buildings on 349,199 total square feet. Affordability will include 13 units at 60% AMI and 30 units at 80% AMI.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":400,"title":"Coming to the Capitol View Neighborhood: 1055 Arden","promo_title":"Coming to the Capitol View Neighborhood: 1055 Arden","published_date":"2021-04-21","featured_image":{"id":1556,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_shot_2021-04-15_at_11.17.15_am.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2369504,"resource_updated_at":"2021-04-21T09:40:03.681-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-04-21T09:40:03.772-04:00","updated_at":"2021-04-21T09:42:16.749-04:00","filename_hash":"screen_shot_2021-04-15_at_11.17.15_am_ymaZLVb.png","width":1650,"height":1086},"filename":"coming-to-the-capitol-view-neighborhood-1055-arden","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"x3HvAg","created_at":"2021-04-21T09:42:16.719-04:00","updated_at":"2021-04-21T09:42:16.719-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n A $1.47 million grant from the Beltline Tax Allocation District (TAD) Increment Fund has been approved by the Invest Atlanta Board for the construction of 58 multifamily housing units in the Capitol View neighborhood.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-0bc502d8-7fff-f332-f355-73370b1aa661\"\u003eA $1.47 million grant from the Beltline Tax Allocation District (TAD) Increment Fund has been approved by the Invest Atlanta Board for the construction of 58 multifamily housing units in the Capitol View neighborhood.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-0bc502d8-7fff-f332-f355-73370b1aa661\"\u003eLocated on 1055 Arden Ave., the development is a partnership between Prestwick Development Company and Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, Inc. \u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m pleased to see this combination of mission-aligned groups of both for-profit and nonprofit organizations come together to sponsor this affordable workforce housing,\u0026rdquo; said Alan Ferguson, senior vice president of Community Development at Invest Atlanta.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-0bc502d8-7fff-f332-f355-73370b1aa661\"\u003eThe development will be located adjacent to, and will complement, Gateway Capitol View, which is a senior housing project that was funded and financed by Invest Atlanta and the Beltline Affordable Housing Trust Fund.\u0026nbsp;It will feature full amenities, including job training and supportive services, as well as easy access to public transportation. There will be 28 units available at 50% area median income (AMI), 20 units at 60% AMI and 10 units at market rate.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":402,"title":"Preserving Affordable Housing","promo_title":"Preserving Affordable Housing","published_date":"2021-04-21","featured_image":{"id":1558,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"hollywood___big_bethel.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":817823,"resource_updated_at":"2021-04-21T09:55:30.208-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-04-21T09:55:30.261-04:00","updated_at":"2021-04-21T09:55:45.717-04:00","filename_hash":"hollywood___big_bethel_V1amQ1N.png","width":1066,"height":460},"filename":"preserving-affordable-housing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"thKWdQ","created_at":"2021-04-21T09:55:45.692-04:00","updated_at":"2021-04-21T09:55:45.692-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board approved financing for two affordable housing preservation projects, which together will rehabilitate a total of 232 units.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-f3b7eb35-7fff-9cae-260d-2e548ec7b224\"\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board approved financing for two affordable housing preservation projects, which together will rehabilitate a total of 232 units.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-f3b7eb35-7fff-9cae-260d-2e548ec7b224\"\u003eThe Board approved $11.25 million tax exempt bond financing for the acquisition and renovation of an existing 112-unit multifamily housing development on Hollywood Road in the Almond Park neighborhood. These units will all be targeted at 60% area median income (AMI) and below, and 81 of them also will be included in a housing assistance payment contract, which provides rental subsidies through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These residents will pay no more than 30% of their income towards their housing costs.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-f3b7eb35-7fff-9cae-260d-2e548ec7b224\"\u003eThe Board also approved $12.39 million tax exempt bond financing for the acquisition and rehabilitation of Big Bethel Village, an existing property on Richard Allen Boulevard in the Fairburn Mays neighborhood. This development is targeted towards seniors with 44 units being made available at 50% area median income (AMI), 59 units at 60% AMI and 17 units at market rate.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-f3b7eb35-7fff-9cae-260d-2e548ec7b224\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;ve very excited to see the developer, National Church Residences, come back, refinance and reposition [Big Bethel Village] so they can maintain affordability and really improve and modernize the quality of the units going forward,\u0026rdquo; said Alan Ferguson, senior vice president of Community Development at Invest Atlanta.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Renting\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":401,"title":"Tax Allocation District Grants to Improve Safety in Atlanta","promo_title":"Tax Allocation District Grants to Improve Safety in Atlanta","published_date":"2021-04-21","featured_image":{"id":1557,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"apf_2021.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1029124,"resource_updated_at":"2021-04-21T09:47:55.313-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-04-21T09:47:55.384-04:00","updated_at":"2021-04-21T09:48:10.901-04:00","filename_hash":"apf_2021_qN6ark9.png","width":1066,"height":600},"filename":"tax-allocation-district-grants-to-improve-safety-in-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"A8cIZg","created_at":"2021-04-21T09:48:10.875-04:00","updated_at":"2021-04-21T09:48:10.875-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Atlanta Police Foundation has been granted $2.378 million as part of an effort to increase public safety infrastructure, reduce crime and promote new development through a focus on\u0026nbsp;safety.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-b5e9f66c-7fff-17e0-1e9f-5fe62c6c0eac\"\u003eThe Atlanta Police Foundation has been granted $2.378 million as part of an effort to increase public safety infrastructure, reduce crime and promote new development through a focus on\u0026nbsp;safety.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-b5e9f66c-7fff-17e0-1e9f-5fe62c6c0eac\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;Having a strong sense of safety and security is a fundamental element of building healthy people and healthy communities,\u0026rdquo; said Alan Ferguson, senior vice president of Community Development at Invest Atlanta.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-b5e9f66c-7fff-17e0-1e9f-5fe62c6c0eac\"\u003eThe funds, which were approved by the Invest Atlanta Board, will be distributed from seven Tax Allocation Districts (TADs), including the Campbellton Road TAD, Eastside TAD, Hollowell-ML King TAD, Metropolitan TAD, Perry Bolton TAD, Stadium TAD and Westside TAD.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-b5e9f66c-7fff-17e0-1e9f-5fe62c6c0eac\"\u003eThe funding will allow the Atlanta Police Foundation to install security cameras and license plate readers within the boundaries of the seven TADs, which will increase police visibility and feedback to the Operation Shield Video Integration Center, where Atlanta police officers have access to cameras in real-time.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-b5e9f66c-7fff-17e0-1e9f-5fe62c6c0eac\"\u003eAccording to Dave Wilkinson, president and CEO of the Atlanta Police Foundation, this investment is part of Mayor Bottoms\u0026rsquo; recently announced One Atlanta, One Atlanta Police Department (APD) plan. \u0026ldquo;This is an additional 250 cameras that will be installed throughout the city in what has been identified as priority-one hotspots by the Atlanta Police Department, city council members and community members,\u0026rdquo; said Wilkinson. \u0026ldquo;The impact of these cameras is really something special. They not only provide immediate deterrence through police visibility because the cameras go up with blue lights and signage, they also create immediate situational awareness for the police department when there is an incident or crime that\u0026rsquo;s just taken place, and they create great investigative value for the officers.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-b5e9f66c-7fff-17e0-1e9f-5fe62c6c0eac\"\u003eIn addition, studies indicate that security cameras contribute to a minimum of 20% reduction of crime in hotspots within the first year. The cameras will be installed within 90-100 days. \u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":399,"title":"Sweet Auburn Continues to Thrive","promo_title":"Sweet Auburn Continues to Thrive","published_date":"2021-04-21","featured_image":{"id":1555,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_shot_2021-04-15_at_10.47.11_am.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2747812,"resource_updated_at":"2021-04-21T09:35:09.615-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-04-21T09:35:09.811-04:00","updated_at":"2021-04-21T09:35:50.510-04:00","filename_hash":"screen_shot_2021-04-15_at_10.47.11_am_Qgr19Ek.png","width":2008,"height":1198},"filename":"sweet-auburn-continues-to-thrive","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"01XB5Q","created_at":"2021-04-21T09:35:50.482-04:00","updated_at":"2021-04-21T09:35:50.482-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board has approved financing for new, permanent supportive housing geared toward those who are transitioning out of homelessness.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-d2a8f14b-7fff-b58b-dcd1-84ee55136ce9\"\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board has approved financing for new, permanent supportive housing geared toward those who are transitioning out of homelessness.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-d2a8f14b-7fff-b58b-dcd1-84ee55136ce9\"\u003eThe $950,000 grant from the Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Ascension Fund will help finance the construction of Thrive Sweet Auburn on Decatur Street, located near the King Memorial MARTA station, Grady Memorial Hospital and Georgia State University. The mixed-use, multifamily development will contain 117 mixed-income, affordable workforce housing units, as well as commercial space on the ground floor.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-d2a8f14b-7fff-b58b-dcd1-84ee55136ce9\"\u003eAccording to Alan Ferguson, senior vice president of Community Development at Invest Atlanta, the Invest Atlanta Board previously approved an Eastside TAD grant to support the commercial portion of this project, but financing conditions and an unanticipated surge in construction costs required the developer to come back and request additional funding to complete the housing component. \u0026ldquo;Closing is imminent, and they hope to break ground and start construction in May,\u0026rdquo; said Ferguson. \u0026ldquo;These units will hopefully be available by August 2022.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-d2a8f14b-7fff-b58b-dcd1-84ee55136ce9\"\u003eAtlanta Housing is providing HomeFlex vouchers for 23 of the Thrive Sweet Auburn units, allowing those homebuyers to pay no more than 30% of their income towards their housing costs. These units also represent permanent supportive housing units for families transitioning out of homelessness. Other units will be available at 60% and 80% area median income (AMI).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":394,"title":"National League of Cities Recognizes Atlanta’s COVID Relief Programs","promo_title":"National League of Cities Recognizes Atlanta’s COVID Relief Programs","published_date":"2021-03-24","featured_image":{"id":1497,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"diversity_awards_logo.png.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1414356,"resource_updated_at":"2021-03-24T14:54:17.146-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-03-24T14:54:17.404-04:00","updated_at":"2021-03-24T16:20:02.304-04:00","filename_hash":"diversity_awards_logo.png_xDQaong.png","width":2401,"height":711},"filename":"national-league-of-cities-recognizes-atlantas-covid-relief-programs","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"gsXwZg","created_at":"2021-03-24T14:55:34.858-04:00","updated_at":"2021-03-24T16:20:02.253-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The National League of Cities (NLC) has selected Atlanta as a recipient of its 2021 Cultural Diversity Awards in recognition of the City\u0026rsquo;s\u0026nbsp;Strength in Beauty Grant Fund and creATL Relief Fund COVID-19 programs. The NLC awards, which celebrate programs that support the arts, community building and Black history, were presented at the organization\u0026rsquo;s virtual Congressional City Conference in March.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-33673052-7fff-edc9-1813-7407e7723f4e\"\u003eThe National League of Cities (NLC) has selected Atlanta as a recipient of its 2021 Cultural Diversity Awards in recognition of the City\u0026rsquo;s \u003c/span\u003eStrength in Beauty Grant Fund and creATL Relief Fund COVID-19 programs. The NLC awards, which celebrate programs that support the arts, community building and Black history, were presented at the organization\u0026rsquo;s virtual Congressional City Conference in March.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-33673052-7fff-edc9-1813-7407e7723f4e\"\u003eWorking with City leadership in the early phases of the pandemic, Invest Atlanta quickly implemented and administered several pandemic relief programs to support Atlanta businesses. The \u003c/span\u003eStrength in Beauty Grant Fund provided cosmetology professionals with $1,000 grants to help offset lost income due to business closures. And, the creATL Relief Fund provided financial relief to independent creatives through $1,000 grants.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, the economic challenges of COVID-19 have impacted women and minority communities harder than other groups. \u0026ldquo;These programs represent our commitment to equity, supporting businesses and professionals with strong minority representation through the pandemic and beyond,\u0026rdquo; said Klementich.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn total, the \u003c/span\u003eStrength in Beauty Grant Fund supported 74 cosmetology professionals with 87% of awardees being minorities while the creATL Relief Fund was awarded to 94 creatives with 76% of recipients being minorities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe City of Atlanta was one of only four communities selected for the 2021 awards.\u0026nbsp; Submissions for the awards were grouped by size and evaluated for creativity, community impact and program scope. The City of Atlanta was awarded the top prize in the \u0026ldquo;Population of 500,0001 and Above\u0026rdquo; category.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTo learn more about NLC Cultural Diversity Award winners, visit www.nlc.org.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":398,"title":"More Single-Family Affordable Housing Comes to Northwest Atlanta","promo_title":"More Single-Family Affordable Housing Comes to Northwest Atlanta","published_date":"2021-03-24","featured_image":{"id":1500,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_shot_2021-03-17_at_5.32.13_pm.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1045978,"resource_updated_at":"2021-03-24T15:36:03.975-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-03-24T15:36:04.044-04:00","updated_at":"2021-03-24T15:36:22.708-04:00","filename_hash":"screen_shot_2021-03-17_at_5.32.13_pm_1OD16Qw.png","width":1312,"height":1018},"filename":"more-single-family-affordable-housing-comes-to-northwest-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ls3F_Q","created_at":"2021-03-24T15:36:22.675-04:00","updated_at":"2021-03-24T15:36:22.675-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board has approved up to a $2.6 million forgivable loan from the Perry Bolton Tax Allocation District (TAD) to finance the acquisition and development of 40 single-family sites on a largely vacant property in Northwest Atlanta to ultimately create 65 homes in Grove Park, Carey Park and the surrounding area.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-a68bd477-7fff-8132-e843-74ce6a253b3d\"\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board has approved up to a $2.6 million forgivable loan from the Perry Bolton Tax Allocation District (TAD) to finance the acquisition and development of 40 single-family sites on a largely vacant property in Northwest Atlanta to ultimately create 65 homes in Grove Park, Carey Park and the surrounding area.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-a68bd477-7fff-8132-e843-74ce6a253b3d\"\u003eThe Urban Oasis Development and Invest Atlanta Land Trust acquired the 40 parcels throughout the Westside Park community for the development and construction of affordable housing units. The scattered site land acquisition and development will include a range of single-family housing options, including duplexes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), with 30 of the 40 affordable units maintaining permanent affordability through the Atlanta Land Trust.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-a68bd477-7fff-8132-e843-74ce6a253b3d\"\u003eThe project is the result of concerns raised by local residents in the Westside Park community about displacement amid increasing development. Under the leadership of Terry Lee, chief operating officer/chief housing officer at Atlanta Housing, and Tim Keane, Atlanta City Planning Commissioner, the Westside Equitable Task Force was formed to advance anti-displacement efforts. Those efforts led to the recently adopted legislation for inclusionary zoning for this area, a down payment assistance program within the Perry Bolton TAD, as well as the creation of new affordable housing.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-a68bd477-7fff-8132-e843-74ce6a253b3d\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;This initiative represents how different agencies and the city can bring together policy, strategy and resources to address community concerns,\u0026rdquo; said Alan Ferguson, senior vice president of Community Development at Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;This grant allows Invest Atlanta to provide the capital to create this permanent affordable housing. And, in conjunction with down payment assistance products, as well as the legislation that\u0026rsquo;s been adopted, we hope to regain efforts to help fight displacement in this community.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-a68bd477-7fff-8132-e843-74ce6a253b3d\"\u003eUp to 65 units of new construction housing will be created \u0026ndash; a majority of which will be permanently affordable. Homebuyers at 80% area median income (AMI) and below purchasing the permanently affordable units are eligible for $20,000 in down payment assistance from the newly created and approved Perry Bolton TAD Mortgage Assistance Program while homebuyers over 80% and up to 120% AMI are eligible for $10,000 in down payment assistance.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Northwest\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":397,"title":"Corner Renovation Planned for Auburn Avenue","promo_title":"Corner Renovation Planned for Auburn Avenue","published_date":"2021-03-24","featured_image":{"id":1499,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_shot_2021-03-17_at_5.28.42_pm.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2975588,"resource_updated_at":"2021-03-24T15:29:21.502-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-03-24T15:29:21.605-04:00","updated_at":"2021-03-24T15:30:32.404-04:00","filename_hash":"screen_shot_2021-03-17_at_5.28.42_pm_8mz1VWx.png","width":2260,"height":952},"filename":"corner-renovation-planned-for-auburn-avenue","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"dZehew","created_at":"2021-03-24T15:30:32.289-04:00","updated_at":"2021-03-24T15:30:32.289-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n A visible corner in the Historic Sweet Auburn District will soon be transformed into a neighborhood restaurant with help from an Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Downtown Façade Improvement Grant approved by the Invest Atlanta Board.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-72a64c9a-7fff-c73a-b649-93ee839931c5\"\u003eA visible corner in the Historic Sweet Auburn District will soon be transformed into a neighborhood restaurant with help from an Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Downtown Façade Improvement Grant approved by the Invest Atlanta Board.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginally built in 1949 as Muckle\u0026rsquo;s Grill, the historic property located at 302 Auburn Avenue will be completely refurbished into a neighborhood eatery. The $200,000 grant will fund comprehensive renovations, including everything from restoring the existing building elevations and adding covered patio seating to installing new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as roofing, windows and landscaping.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis project not only helps to preserve Sweet Auburn\u0026rsquo;s cultural legacy, it also produces an amenity for the community with direct access to public transportation and the Atlanta Streetcar route.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Sweet Auburn\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":395,"title":"Mayor Bottoms Announces $50 Million Housing Bond Closing","promo_title":"Mayor Bottoms Announces $50 Million Housing Bond Closing","published_date":"2021-03-24","featured_image":{"id":670,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"adair_court_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1425833,"resource_updated_at":"2018-07-10T09:42:45.367-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":3,"created_at":"2018-07-10T09:42:45.561-04:00","updated_at":"2024-09-30T17:57:38.171-04:00","filename_hash":"adair_court_insight_oMn2k6z.png","width":1200,"height":692},"filename":"mayor-bottoms-announces-50-million-housing-bond-closing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"vxh-4Q","created_at":"2021-03-24T15:07:53.103-04:00","updated_at":"2024-09-30T17:48:11.784-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n This month, the City of Atlanta Department of Finance closed a $50 million housing bond transaction to help advance the goals of the One Atlanta: Housing Affordability Action Plan \u0026ndash; paving the way to continue creating and preserving 20,000 affordable homes by 2026.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-c75de44c-7fff-1365-8f1e-e14f8098c0f4\"\u003eThis month, the City of Atlanta Department of Finance closed a $50 million housing bond transaction to help advance the goals of the One Atlanta: Housing Affordability Action Plan \u0026ndash; paving the way to continue creating and preserving 20,000 affordable homes by 2026.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe bond closing is the result of affordable housing legislation passed by the Atlanta City Council in January 2021, enacting the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Executive Order to invest $50 million in new bonds for affordable housing. The $50 million bond will enable the City to issue $100 million in housing bonds to fund the 2021 Housing Opportunity Program to help achieve the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s commitment to invest $1 billion for affordable housing production and preservation by 2026.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFunds will be used to support a range of affordable housing programs, including the creation of multifamily, small multifamily, single-family and permanent supportive housing, as well as homeownership, land/property assemblage and acquisition and other housing strategies.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInvest Atlanta conducted three 2021 Housing Opportunity Bond stakeholder virtual work sessions, providing the public, as well as nonprofit and small real estate developers, an opportunity to learn about the program, funding eligibility and proposed guidelines.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":396,"title":"Public Partnership Opens Doors for Affordable Housing in Reynoldstown","promo_title":"Public Partnership Opens Doors for Affordable Housing in Reynoldstown","published_date":"2021-03-24","featured_image":{"id":1498,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_shot_2021-03-24_at_3.18.30_pm.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2341173,"resource_updated_at":"2021-03-24T15:19:44.063-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-03-24T15:19:44.158-04:00","updated_at":"2021-03-24T15:21:29.614-04:00","filename_hash":"screen_shot_2021-03-24_at_3.18.30_pm_Pg2Yz5V.png","width":1842,"height":1060},"filename":"public-partnership-opens-doors-for-affordable-housing-in-reynoldstown","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"mFp8gg","created_at":"2021-03-24T15:16:58.975-04:00","updated_at":"2021-03-24T15:21:29.591-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Critical affordable housing is coming to the rapidly developing Reynoldstown community with a $18.5 million bond resolution approved by the Invest Atlanta Board.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eCritical affordable housing is coming to the rapidly developing Reynoldstown community with a $18.5 million bond resolution approved by the Invest Atlanta Board.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026ldquo;The project is a great example of partnership between public agencies,\u0026rdquo; said Alan Ferguson\u003c/span\u003e, senior vice president of Community Development at Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;We have land and property owned by Atlanta BeltLine, Atlanta Housing providing the capital structure and Atlanta HomeFlex vouchers to make the units more affordable, as well as Invest Atlanta with the conduit bond financing.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Madison at Reynoldstown, located on Memorial Drive, will feature 116 multifamily, mixed-income housing units \u0026ndash; 24 of which will be made available at 30% area median income (AMI), 68 at 60% AMI and 24 at 80% AMI. Construction will be complete in 2022, and amenities will include a business center with computer stations, community rooms, fitness center, central laundry facility and access to public transportation.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":388,"title":"BE on Edgewood","promo_title":"BE on Edgewood","published_date":"2021-02-23","featured_image":{"id":1484,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_shot_2021-02-19_at_3.50.33_pm.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1017968,"resource_updated_at":"2021-02-23T16:41:47.025-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-02-23T16:41:47.176-05:00","updated_at":"2021-03-03T15:06:16.680-05:00","filename_hash":"screen_shot_2021-02-19_at_3.50.33_pm_jpewajY.png","width":2390,"height":1202},"filename":"be-on-edgewood","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"0LsTqQ","created_at":"2021-02-23T16:42:44.574-05:00","updated_at":"2021-03-03T15:06:16.618-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Edgewood and Sweet Auburn community will soon have a fully redeveloped community space that will house tenants like the National Center for Race Amity and a children\u0026rsquo;s theatre group.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Edgewood and Sweet Auburn community will soon have a fully redeveloped community space that will house tenants like the National Center for Race Amity and a children\u0026rsquo;s theatre group.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-187f3ecb-7fff-0170-bf54-fb64492ec2dd\"\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board approved a $1.45 million grant from the Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Community Empowerment Fund to finance the redevelopment of approximately 8,091 square feet of office and community space for local businesses and nonprofits.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to Ashley Jones, assistant director of Commercial Development for Invest Atlanta,\u003c/span\u003e the building is in close proximity to the Atlanta Streetcar and will contribute to the revitalization of the Historic Sweet Auburn District. \u0026ldquo;It currently is an under-utilized space in\u0026nbsp;desperate need of repairs\u0026nbsp;that will be put back to good use,\u0026rdquo; said Jones. \u0026ldquo;The interior is in a raw form and will go through a complete gut and redevelopment.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-187f3ecb-7fff-0170-bf54-fb64492ec2dd\"\u003eThe building was constructed in 1941. When complete, it will contain 6,243 square feet of office space and 1,848 square feet of flexible community space. The primary focus of the project is to support community-oriented nonprofits and the surrounding neighborhood with quality, affordable space.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApproximately 2,500 square feet will be leased to the anchor tenant \u0026ndash; the National Center for Race Amity\u0026rsquo;s Atlanta office \u0026ndash; while the remaining office space will offer a collaborative environment for local businesses and nonprofits. The community space will be rented and leased for gatherings, readings, plays, a music venue, markets, speaker series and performances.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-187f3ecb-7fff-0170-bf54-fb64492ec2dd\"\u003eThe owner has committed to below-market rent for the 2,500-square-foot anchor tenant space, as well as 20% of additional leasable space to local nonprofits and small businesses at 20% below market value for 15 years.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to Alan Ferguson, senior vice president of Community Development at\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta, this project continues the Edgewood Avenue corridor\u0026rsquo;s ongoing revitalization. \u0026ldquo;We are very excited about this development because it involves the historic renovation of an existing property, and we\u0026rsquo;re even more excited about its purpose,\u0026rdquo; said Ferguson. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s galvanizing this area and reinforcing its importance as a cultural center for racial equity and healing throughout the world.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Sweet Auburn\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":390,"title":"Affordable Townhomes Coming to Tucker Avenue","promo_title":"Affordable Townhomes Coming to Tucker Avenue","published_date":"2021-02-23","featured_image":{"id":1486,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_shot_2021-02-23_at_4.59.11_pm.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2465412,"resource_updated_at":"2021-02-23T16:59:48.003-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-02-23T16:59:48.109-05:00","updated_at":"2021-02-23T17:00:18.033-05:00","filename_hash":"screen_shot_2021-02-23_at_4.59.11_pm_5EZqwbq.png","width":1828,"height":1004},"filename":"affordable-townhomes-coming-to-tucker-avenue","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"q4eLnQ","created_at":"2021-02-23T17:00:18.004-05:00","updated_at":"2021-02-23T17:00:18.004-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board has seized on another opportunity to create and support permanently affordable homeownership by approving a $1.17 million grant from the BeltLine Tax Allocation District (TAD) Increment Fund to the Atlanta Land Trust. This grant will allow for the development of 36 townhomes on Tucker Avenue \u0026ndash; 29 of which will be permanently affordable.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board has seized on another opportunity to create and support permanently affordable homeownership by approving a $1.17 million grant from the BeltLine Tax Allocation District (TAD) Increment Fund to the Atlanta Land Trust. This grant will allow for the development of 36 townhomes on Tucker Avenue \u0026ndash; 29 of which will be permanently affordable.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe project originally was approved in July 2019 for the creation of 23 townhome units, but according to Anita Allgood, director of Single Family \u0026amp; Homeownership Services for Invest Atlanta,\u003c/span\u003e the project team went back to the drawing board, secured a new development partner and created a new site plan that includes additional affordable units.In the first phase of the project, seven units will be offered at market rate to assist in moving the project forward.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe $1.17 million funding request is in line with Atlanta BeltLine funding guidelines at $40,000 per affordable unit and nets an additional six permanently affordable units for a total of 29 permanently affordable units \u0026ndash; 18 will be available at 80% Area Median Income (AMI), 11 will be at 100% AMI and seven will be at market rate.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePotential homebuyers who fall within these income ranges also will be eligible for down payment assistance programs from Invest Atlanta, Atlanta Housing and the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n West End\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":387,"title":"Grant Approved for Historic Prince Hall Masonic Lodge Renovation","promo_title":"Grant Approved for Historic Prince Hall Masonic Lodge Renovation","published_date":"2021-02-23","featured_image":{"id":1483,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_shot_2021-02-18_at_9.08.46_am.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":3527085,"resource_updated_at":"2021-02-23T16:32:18.567-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-02-23T16:32:19.174-05:00","updated_at":"2021-02-23T16:34:21.334-05:00","filename_hash":"screen_shot_2021-02-18_at_9.08.46_am_XJR8EE5.png","width":1790,"height":1218},"filename":"grant-approved-for-historic-prince-hall-masonic-lodge-renovation","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"_epH3g","created_at":"2021-02-23T16:34:21.300-05:00","updated_at":"2021-02-23T16:34:21.300-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The historic\u0026nbsp;Prince Hall Masonic Lodge building has been granted $1.5 million from the Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Community Empowerment Fund to finance its preservation and create space for small businesses.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-27f2054c-7fff-ff4b-e857-da8d00f92cc2\"\u003eThe historic\u003c/span\u003e Prince Hall Masonic Lodge building has been granted $1.5 million from the Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Community Empowerment Fund to finance its preservation and create space for small businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-27f2054c-7fff-ff4b-e857-da8d00f92cc2\"\u003eThe building, located at the corner of Auburn Avenue and Hilliard Street, was built in 1937 as a meeting and community space for the fraternal order. Through the years, it has housed several historical organizations, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.\u0026rsquo;s personal Southern Christian Leadership Conference office, WERD Radio Station and Madame C.J. Walker Beauty School.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe building will be renovated into approximately 16,000 square feet of multi-use space. Once completed, the basement and first floor will be leased and operated by the National Park Service as an educational and interpretive exhibit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.\u0026rsquo;s office, while the second floor and Hilliard Street storefronts will be operated by local businesses. The current owner will continue to maintain a portion of the second floor and all of the third floor for organizational activities.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-27f2054c-7fff-ff4b-e857-da8d00f92cc2\"\u003eAccording to Ashley Jones, assistant director of Commercial Development for Invest Atlanta,\u003c/span\u003e the Prince Hall Masonic Lodge building is situated among a promising cluster of businesses and will preserve Sweet Auburn\u0026#39;s cultural legacy. \u0026ldquo;It really shows the improvement, change and direction of this district,\u0026rdquo; said Jones. \u0026ldquo;Other benefits include a close proximity to the Atlanta Streetcar and bus line, the reactivation of a historic building in this corridor and the ability to provide space to small businesses and nonprofits.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026ldquo;I think all great cities respect and preserve their past,\u0026rdquo; said Invest Atlanta Board Member Bill Bozarth. \u0026ldquo;That\u0026rsquo;s what we\u0026rsquo;re doing here, and I think it\u0026rsquo;s commendable for us to be part of any opportunity we have.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInvest Atlanta Board Member Fred Smith agreed, saying: \u0026ldquo;On a monthly basis, we are investing in Sweet Auburn \u0026ndash; a site that is critical to our collective memory and also our imagination when it comes to our basic identity as a city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Sweet Auburn\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":389,"title":"Integrity Transformations CDC Receives Funding for Renovations","promo_title":"Integrity Transformations CDC Receives Funding for Renovations","published_date":"2021-02-23","featured_image":{"id":1485,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_shot_2021-02-19_at_3.30.55_pm.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":912164,"resource_updated_at":"2021-02-23T16:50:32.805-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-02-23T16:50:32.878-05:00","updated_at":"2021-02-23T16:50:59.292-05:00","filename_hash":"screen_shot_2021-02-19_at_3.30.55_pm_387qVWB.png","width":1930,"height":1168},"filename":"integrity-transformations-cdc-receives-funding-for-renovations","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"-XFUjw","created_at":"2021-02-23T16:50:59.265-05:00","updated_at":"2021-02-23T16:50:59.265-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board approved a Westside Tax Allocation (TAD) grant of up to $75,000 to Integrity Transformations CDC (ITCDC) for interior building renovations, technology infrastructure improvements and furniture upgrades at 692 Lindsay Street.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2000","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board approved a Westside Tax Allocation (TAD) grant of up to $75,000 to Integrity Transformations CDC (ITCDC) for interior building renovations, technology infrastructure improvements and furniture upgrades at 692 Lindsay Street.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-fa783640-7fff-5d22-33ac-ec0d1e66c651\"\u003eFounded in 1995, ITCDC is an established, local nonprofit whose mission is to facilitate job training, career readiness and access to jobs within English Avenue, Vine City and the surrounding neighborhoods. The approved TAD funding will be used to renovate and expand two restrooms, upgrade technology infrastructure and purchase furniture for a digital literacy lab, community resource center, training room and staff offices.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to Jennifer Fine, vice president of Planning \u0026amp; Strategic Initiatives for Invest Atlanta, these improvements and upgrades enable ITCDC to continue providing workforce readiness training and job placement services to its clients and modernize its facility. \u0026ldquo;It also will allow them to expand their services and increase capacity amid a growing demand for job placement services,\u0026rdquo; said Fine.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":393,"title":"New Grant Helps Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Expand Mission","promo_title":"New Grant Helps Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Expand Mission","published_date":"2021-02-23","featured_image":{"id":73,"parent_id":9,"resource_file_name":"wei_2x.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":56680,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-18T17:08:37.209-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2017-12-18T17:08:37.275-05:00","updated_at":"2021-02-23T17:25:03.809-05:00","filename_hash":"wei_2x_8my2wma.png","width":342,"height":198},"filename":"new-grant-helps-womens-entrepreneurship-initiative-expand-mission","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"AYcH8A","created_at":"2021-02-23T17:25:03.785-05:00","updated_at":"2021-02-23T17:25:03.785-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has awarded the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) with a $49,500 grant to expand its programming and develop a podcast series to help advance its goals.\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-7ebfbf1f-7fff-fc17-e478-8dc28232ee61\"\u003eThe Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has awarded the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) with a $49,500 grant to expand its programming and develop a podcast series to help advance its goals.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWEI has an active programming curriculum that includes Business Analysis, Learning \u0026amp; Leadership Development, Strategic Partnerships and Funding Opportunities \u0026ndash; all of which focus on startup workshops and webinars to strengthen Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurial pipeline.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWEI will receive the grant funds via Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE), which will serve as its fiscal partner. ACE is a nonprofit organization that provides loans and business development resources to help its borrowers create and grow sustainable businesses which generate jobs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026ldquo;This grant will help WEI strengthen its pipeline, which is a key goal for 2021,\u0026rdquo; said Monica Hooks, executive director for the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative. \u0026ldquo;We are looking to reach more budding entrepreneurs, and with these funds, we feel we\u0026rsquo;ll be able to touch at least 200 women-owned businesses throughout the \u003c/span\u003ecity of Atlanta and at least 120 minority-owned women businesses through workshops and webinars.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe LISC grant will not only help develop potential entrepreneurs so they can participate in incubator programs, like WEI, and/or accelerator programs within the city of Atlanta, it also will provide no-cost support for those in need of access to information, technical resources and one-on-one engagement.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWEI was launched in 2015 with support from the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta as the first, city-funded incubator to foster growth and sustainability for emerging women-owned businesses through programming, facilities, technology and other shared resources.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEntrepreneurs are competitively selected for a rigorous 15-month incubator program, during which the WEI entrepreneurs have access to practical business, education, mentorship engagement, financial literacy assistance and business support services, including co-location at the new WEI incubator space in the Flatiron Building.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSince its inception, WEI businesses have created more than 230 jobs for the city of Atlanta, and WEI entrepreneurs have garnered more than $800,000 in capital investment.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":391,"title":"Flats at Stone Hogan","promo_title":"Flats at Stone Hogan","published_date":"2021-02-23","featured_image":{"id":1487,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_shot_2021-02-19_at_3.01.55_pm.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":4129872,"resource_updated_at":"2021-02-23T17:05:55.788-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-02-23T17:05:55.936-05:00","updated_at":"2021-02-23T17:07:24.428-05:00","filename_hash":"screen_shot_2021-02-19_at_3.01.55_pm_kb7wxxe.png","width":1884,"height":1172},"filename":"flats-at-stone-hogan","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"0p-AJQ","created_at":"2021-02-23T17:07:24.394-05:00","updated_at":"2021-02-23T17:07:24.394-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Developers Zimmerman Properties, Atlanta Housing and TriStar Realty Investments have been approved for $29.5 million in Tax Exempt Loans from the Urban Residential Finance Authority for the new construction of the Flats at Stone Hogan. The development will include 256 multi-family housing units in the Continental Colony neighborhood.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eDevelopers Zimmerman Properties, Atlanta Housing and TriStar Realty Investments have been approved for $29.5 million in Tax Exempt Loans from the Urban Residential Finance Authority for the new construction of the Flats at Stone Hogan. The development will include 256 multi-family housing units in the Continental Colony neighborhood.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a companion project to the Villas at Stone Hogan, a senior housing development that was approved for inducement in October 2020. According to Alan Ferguson\u003c/span\u003e, senior vice president of Community Development at\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta, at the time, the community had expressed concerns about the amount of senior housing in their neighborhood, as well as their desire for more family housing and an open dialogue about proposed development plans. \u0026ldquo;The developer has very intently and deliberately engaged the community,\u0026rdquo; said Ferguson, \u0026ldquo;and has made tremendous progress in their plans and connections with the community.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Flats at Stone Hogan will include 75 units at 50% Average Median Income (AMI), 78 units at 60% AMI, 75 units at 70% AMI and 28 units at market rate. Wraparound services also will be provided for the families and children who attend Continental Colony Elementary School.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Flats at Stone Hogan represents the second phase of this development and construction will move concurrently with the Villas at Stone Hogan. A planned, third phase will include market-rate, for-sale townhomes, which are in alignment with community requests.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Renting\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":385,"title":"2021 Housing Opportunity Bond Program Approved","promo_title":"2021 Housing Opportunity Bond Program Approved","published_date":"2021-01-26","featured_image":{"id":1474,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"impact___insights_2021_-12-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":665956,"resource_updated_at":"2021-01-26T09:24:43.289-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-01-26T09:24:44.100-05:00","updated_at":"2021-01-26T13:16:19.244-05:00","filename_hash":"impact___insights_2021_-12-_PgaqeoK.png","width":1000,"height":529},"filename":"2021-housing-opportunity-bond-program-approved","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"epDIFQ","created_at":"2021-01-26T09:25:12.394-05:00","updated_at":"2021-01-26T13:16:19.198-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved the 2021 Housing Opportunity Bond Program, which includes $50 million Taxable Draw-Down Bonds and $100 million Taxable Revenue Bonds. This is the third and largest issuance of Housing Opportunity Bonds sponsored by the City of Atlanta to fund housing programs. Previous issuances were in 2007 and 2017, totaling $75 million.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-50f923a9-7fff-bc14-a4b4-d860921d05b1\"\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved the 2021 Housing Opportunity Bond Program, which includes $50 million Taxable Draw-Down Bonds and $100 million Taxable Revenue Bonds. This is the third and largest issuance of Housing Opportunity Bonds sponsored by the City of Atlanta to fund housing programs. Previous issuances were in 2007 and 2017, totaling $75 million.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Housing Opportunity Program has been very creative and prolific in terms of housing production in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Alan Ferguson\u003c/span\u003e, senior vice president of Community Development at Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Previous issuances have supported over 3,000 affordable housing units, and we expect that level of production and more with this issuance.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe majority of the capital will be allocated for projects and developments in the form of loans. As with previous Housing Opportunity Bond issuances, repayments to the loans are collected in a separate account and reallocated to support the needs of various programs \u0026ndash; such as additional down payment assistance and multifamily gap financing. \u0026ldquo;These funds will be recycled and will come back over time,\u0026rdquo; said Ferguson. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;ll use those proceeds to create additional units going forward.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInitially, this program was to be introduced in early 2020, about the time the pandemic hit. But\u0026nbsp; because of revenue uncertainty, it was placed on hold until another viable solution could be found. \u0026ldquo;This is a really big deal,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms at a recent Invest Atlanta board meeting, \u0026ldquo;especially in the midst of where we are with the economy and the pandemic.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":386,"title":"Bohica Development to Further Redevelopment of the Eastside","promo_title":"Bohica Development to Further Redevelopment of the Eastside","published_date":"2021-01-26","featured_image":{"id":1475,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"impact___insights_2021_-13-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":540610,"resource_updated_at":"2021-01-26T10:10:03.812-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-01-26T10:10:03.923-05:00","updated_at":"2021-01-26T13:17:58.654-05:00","filename_hash":"impact___insights_2021_-13-_ymPpBjD.png","width":1000,"height":529},"filename":"bohica-development-to-further-redevelopment-of-the-eastside","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lsyZ3g","created_at":"2021-01-26T10:11:19.525-05:00","updated_at":"2021-01-26T13:17:58.630-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n A new commercial restaurant space will be coming to 377 Edgewood Ave. with support from a $500,000 Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Resurgens Fund Grant. The grant will support the renovation, restoration and expansion of what originally was built as a Gulf gas station in 1940. The art modern-influenced building is currently boarded up and in a state of disrepair.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-558aded5-7fff-7340-6ce6-03f3f4492c1a\"\u003eA new commercial restaurant space will be coming to 377 Edgewood Ave. with support from a $500,000 Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Resurgens Fund Grant. The grant will support the renovation, restoration and expansion of what originally was built as a Gulf gas station in 1940. The art modern-influenced building is currently boarded up and in a state of disrepair.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDeveloper Bohica II, LLC will restore and expand the space to accommodate two potential restaurant concepts. The renovation will increase the space from 1,250 square feet to approximately 4,300 square feet, which includes the addition of a second story with a separate entrance. The renovation also will offer upgraded parking, a large street-side patio with a fireplace element, landscaping and new fencing. The ground floor will include an all-weather enclosed patio, and an upper-level deck will overlook the Atlanta skyline.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-558aded5-7fff-7340-6ce6-03f3f4492c1a\"\u003eThis project provides for economic development and historic preservation within the Martin Luther King Jr. Landmark District \u0026ndash; two key goals for the Eastside TAD.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Sweet Auburn\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":384,"title":"First Step Staffing: Celebrating Life \u0026 Continuing a Legacy with the Support of AEMI","promo_title":"First Step Staffing: Celebrating Life \u0026 Continuing a Legacy with the Support of AEMI","published_date":"2021-01-21","featured_image":{"id":1473,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"impact___insights_2021_-10-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":711341,"resource_updated_at":"2021-01-21T16:10:45.552-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-01-21T16:10:45.613-05:00","updated_at":"2021-01-26T09:28:58.143-05:00","filename_hash":"impact___insights_2021_-10-_NnDxOPD.png","width":1000,"height":529},"filename":"first-step-staffing-celebrating-life-continuing-a-legacy-with-the-support-of-aemi","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Dtj6YQ","created_at":"2021-01-21T16:11:29.488-05:00","updated_at":"2021-01-26T09:28:58.111-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n A recent study by the Atlanta Continuum of Care found that nearly 3,200 people experience homelessness in the city of Atlanta, but for the nonprofit workforce organization First Step Staffing, it\u0026rsquo;s more than transitioning people out of homelessness; it\u0026rsquo;s about placing them into permanent, reliable pathways to economic prosperity.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-e8d773ce-7fff-3370-5ddd-584778392718\"\u003eA recent study by the Atlanta Continuum of Care found that nearly 3,200 people experience homelessness in the city of Atlanta, but for the nonprofit workforce organization First Step Staffing, it\u0026rsquo;s more than transitioning people out of homelessness; it\u0026rsquo;s about placing them into permanent, reliable pathways to economic prosperity.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFounded in 2007, First Step Staffing currently places approximately 1,100 (570 in Atlanta) homeless men and women, including veterans and those with criminal backgrounds, in contract job assignments at customer locations daily. Through partnering with organizations like United Way, Goodwill, and MUST Ministries, the agency is able to source workers and transition them into permanent members of the workforce.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFirst Step Staffing received a $2.8 million loan from Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI)\u0026rsquo;s Advantage Loan Fund in December 2015, which allowed the non-profit to acquire a larger for-profit staffing company and expand their services and impact. They have since\u003c/span\u003e expanded to Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Nashville, Orlando and New Jersey. The organization also received a $1 million loan from AEMI in 2019.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-e8d773ce-7fff-3370-5ddd-584778392718\"\u003eGreg Block, founder and visionary of First Step Staffing, pioneered this model of purchasing for-profit staffing agencies and converting them to nonprofits under the First Step Staffing umbrella. Block, 54, passed away on August 14, 2020 due to cancer. Atlanta City Council proclaimed October 16 as \u0026ldquo;Greg Block Day\u0026rdquo; to commemorate the Atlanta leader. Amelia Nickerson assumed the role of CEO earlier this year.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026ldquo;First Step sees income as a critical component on the path out of homelessness,\u0026rdquo; said Amelia Nickerson, CEO of First Step Staffing. \u0026ldquo;Greg believed that those experiencing homelessness were not hopeless, but rather heroes who just needed a hand up to succeed. We are grateful for partnerships with groups like AEMI which have helped First Step become the largest nonprofit staffing agency in the country.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe staffing agency currently employs over 3,500 clients in Atlanta and over 8,000 clients across all six locations annually, with intentions of growing to 4,000 and 12,000 employed respectively over the next few years.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026quot;Greg\u0026rsquo;s everlasting leadership and impact both locally and nationally reinforced the importance of investing in agencies like First Step Staffing,\u0026rdquo; said Stephen McRae, President of AEMI. \u0026ldquo;Their unique model and approach to combating homelessness and encouraging economic mobility aligns with AEMI\u0026rsquo;s guiding principles. We are honored to support Greg\u0026rsquo;s vision in serving others and lifting up others in our community.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn addition to providing career opportunities, First Step Staffing also offers coaching, transportation, housing placement, uniforms, mental health referrals, financial literacy, connection to training programs. Their \u0026ldquo;Second Step\u0026rdquo; program currently includes digital literacy, basic literacy, construction training, CDL and forklift certifications\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFirst Step Staffing\u0026rsquo;s corporate headquarters is located at 236 Auburn Avenue.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Sweet Auburn\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":375,"title":"The Beat Goes On ","promo_title":"The Beat Goes On ","published_date":"2021-01-20","featured_image":{"id":1461,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"impact___insights_2021.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1237462,"resource_updated_at":"2021-01-20T14:32:32.054-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-01-20T14:32:32.691-05:00","updated_at":"2023-04-12T14:56:00.294-04:00","filename_hash":"impact___insights_2021_DNqezr1.png","width":1000,"height":529},"filename":"the-beat-goes-on","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"KHZLSw","created_at":"2021-01-20T14:33:34.460-05:00","updated_at":"2023-04-12T14:56:00.137-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Jaleesa Ledbetter was literally and figuratively on top of the world when everything began to shut down as a result of COVID-19. The event manager, producer and DJ, known as Hourglass, was performing at a ski resort on a Swiss mountaintop, with upcoming gigs in Berlin, London and Paris.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv style=\"clear:both;\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{5e2bbb65-b638-4f05-aa36-5554c534e8a8}{33}\" paraid=\"252\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eJaleesa Ledbetter was literally and figuratively on top of the world when everything began to shut down as a result of COVID-19. The event manager, producer and DJ, known as Hourglass, was performing at a ski resort on a Swiss mountaintop, with upcoming gigs in Berlin, London and Paris.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{5e2bbb65-b638-4f05-aa36-5554c534e8a8}{33}\" paraid=\"252\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;I was breaking ground and thought 2020 was the year I was going to take my career to the next level,\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;says Jaleesa.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eWe had plans to show Atlanta to the world.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{5e2bbb65-b638-4f05-aa36-5554c534e8a8}{33}\" paraid=\"252\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eJaleesa, who was an accountant in a previous life, has a motto to\u0026nbsp;\u0026quot;Think outside the clock.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;It\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026#39;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003es a mantra that inspired her to pursue music full time and never be complacent.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eWe have no idea how much time we have,\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;she says.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eThe idea of an hourglass represents how I want to live my life.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{5e2bbb65-b638-4f05-aa36-5554c534e8a8}{33}\" paraid=\"252\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eJaleesa describes herself as\u0026nbsp;\u0026quot;unapologetically black, queer and uninterested in following the norms,\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;and her music and audiences reflect that. Her confident self-identity and strong work ethic pumps in the form of future beats,\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eAfrobeats, Latin, hip-hop,\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003et\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eop 40\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;and everything in between, and\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eshe\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eearned her props as the\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eMost Lit DJ in 2020\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;by Butter ATL.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{5e2bbb65-b638-4f05-aa36-5554c534e8a8}{33}\" paraid=\"252\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eBut as Jaleesa will attest, even successful DJs aren\u0026#39;t immune to the economic downturn caused by COVID-19.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eI was scared because all of my income is tied to music and events,\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;she says.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eI was overwhelmed and didn\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026#39;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003et know what the future would hold and where I fit in.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{5e2bbb65-b638-4f05-aa36-5554c534e8a8}{33}\" paraid=\"252\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eA fellow DJ told Jaleesa about the\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ecreATL\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eRelief\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eFund that supports Atlanta\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026#39;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003es independent creative workers affected by the pandemic and encouraged her to apply.\u003c/span\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{5e2bbb65-b638-4f05-aa36-5554c534e8a8}{33}\" paraid=\"252\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;This fund helped me see th\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003ee light at the end of the tunnel,\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;says Jaleesa. It also gave her\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003ethe\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003efreedom to invest in her digital presence \u0026ndash; a space that will not only sustain her financially but also allow her to share happiness during these dark, uncertain times.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{5e2bbb65-b638-4f05-aa36-5554c534e8a8}{33}\" paraid=\"252\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;There\u0026#39;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003es so much death and sadness and tragedy,\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;says Jaleesa\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eI want to make people feel good through music.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":376,"title":"Committed to the Fight ","promo_title":"Committed to the Fight ","published_date":"2021-01-20","featured_image":{"id":1463,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"impact___insights_2021_-1-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":315038,"resource_updated_at":"2021-01-20T14:43:18.294-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-01-20T14:43:18.344-05:00","updated_at":"2021-01-26T10:13:20.695-05:00","filename_hash":"impact___insights_2021_-1-_azpeLke.png","width":1000,"height":529},"filename":"committed-to-the-fight","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"UAFe-w","created_at":"2021-01-20T14:41:52.308-05:00","updated_at":"2021-01-26T10:13:20.662-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003eKara Jacobson has been dancing since she was 2 years old. Trained in classical ballet, the Atlanta native attended the esteemed Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts at\u0026nbsp;Pebblebrook\u0026nbsp;High School and studied in New York City. She has been finding joy in dance and dance education ever since.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv style=\"clear:both;\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b26c8d7e-e15b-4980-bbfe-f7933875471e}{6}\" paraid=\"279\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eKara Jacobson has been dancing since she was 2 years old. Trained in classical ballet, the Atlanta native attended the esteemed Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts at\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ePebblebrook\u0026nbsp;High School and studied in New York City. She has been finding joy in dance and dance education ever since.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b26c8d7e-e15b-4980-bbfe-f7933875471e}{6}\" paraid=\"279\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eKara is also trained in public health and is a faculty member of the Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health. Four years ago,\u0026nbsp;she found a way to combine her two passions, public health and dance, when she opened The Atlanta Dance Academy (TADA).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b26c8d7e-e15b-4980-bbfe-f7933875471e}{6}\" paraid=\"279\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eTADA offers dance education and performance opportunities for all ages, skill levels and abilities \u0026ndash; from beginners to pre-professionals.\u0026nbsp;\u0026quot;We break down the barriers that have traditionally ruled centers of dance education,\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;says Kara.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eWe are keenly interested in movement as a form of physical and mental therapy and are committed to providing dance and movement for those with disabilities, which is hard to find in the dance world.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b26c8d7e-e15b-4980-bbfe-f7933875471e}{6}\" paraid=\"279\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eKara demonstrated resilience and keen focus\u003c/span\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eto get TADA off the ground in 2016 but soon faced a setback during the I-85 bridge collapse in 2017, which snarled traffic near the studio for months.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eWith the onset of\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;COVID-19\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e, Kara faced\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;yet\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eanother setback.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eShe\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;closed her doors on March 14 and immediately began losing revenue from class tuition\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e, fees,\u003c/span\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eperformances, studio rental\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eincome\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eand private coaching sessions\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b26c8d7e-e15b-4980-bbfe-f7933875471e}{6}\" paraid=\"279\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eAs a public health professional, Kara knows well the dangers of COVID, but she is also aware\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;how the arts and dance can provide a healthy relief for the community when stressors are high. So\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e,\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;she quickly committed herself to navigating an online dance program.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b26c8d7e-e15b-4980-bbfe-f7933875471e}{6}\" paraid=\"279\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eWe were able to pivot, but early on,\u0026nbsp;I could feel my stamina waning,\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;says Kara.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eI\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026#39;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003em a one-woman show with employees, clients and rent. I have overcome barriers before in public health, such as teaching health literacy to the underserved, but the speed that I had to pivot during COVID was like warp speed. I\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026#39;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eve done a half Ironman; this race felt like a full Ironman.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b26c8d7e-e15b-4980-bbfe-f7933875471e}{6}\" paraid=\"279\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eWhen Kara learned about the Invest Atlanta Resurgence Grant Fund, her grueling race of endurance eased. As part of the federal CARES Act, the fund provides eligible businesses with grants of up to $40,000\u0026nbsp;and a\u0026nbsp;credit of up to $10,000\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003efor\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;technical assistance to reimburse the costs associated with adapting business operations in a post-COVID environment.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b26c8d7e-e15b-4980-bbfe-f7933875471e}{6}\" paraid=\"279\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;I applied and was so impressed by the entire experience,\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;says Kara.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eInvest Atlanta offered webinars to explain the application process and even set up a helpline to answer questions over the weekend. It was very clear to me that they understand the stress small business owners are going through and are committed to helping them be successful.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b26c8d7e-e15b-4980-bbfe-f7933875471e}{6}\" paraid=\"279\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eFor Kara, the Resurgence Grant Fund not only reduces the stress of being able to cover payroll and\u0026nbsp;other expenses,\u003c/span\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eit\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003ealso\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003ehas\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003ehelped her\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003epurchase and install the technology and software upgrades necessary to implement a hybrid dance program\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{b26c8d7e-e15b-4980-bbfe-f7933875471e}{6}\" paraid=\"279\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;This business brings me great joy, and I want to make sure that dance continues to bring joy to the community,\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;especially in these challenging times,\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;says Kara.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eI\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026#39;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003em committed to making it work because I\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026#39;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003ed lose too much if I didn\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026#39;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003et \u0026ndash; physically, emotionally and financially. I want to see it through and am committed to the fight.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/span\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Buckhead\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":377,"title":"In Bloom ","promo_title":"In Bloom","published_date":"2021-01-20","featured_image":{"id":1464,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"impact___insights_2021_-2-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1014747,"resource_updated_at":"2021-01-20T14:53:47.983-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-01-20T14:53:48.047-05:00","updated_at":"2021-07-23T14:56:36.871-04:00","filename_hash":"impact___insights_2021_-2-_E63emxV.png","width":1000,"height":529},"filename":"in-bloom","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"TBc8IA","created_at":"2021-01-20T14:55:37.097-05:00","updated_at":"2021-07-23T14:56:36.845-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n As the daughter of a farmer, Cindy Tarrant grew up planting flowers on her own little plot of land. The seeds she tended as a child eventually became her life\u0026rsquo;s work, which is in full bloom at French Market Flowers.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv style=\"clear:both;\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{285397f1-d3ce-4931-b4d9-4afed6d287d4}{81}\" paraid=\"616671709\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eAs the daughter of a farmer, Cindy Tarrant grew up planting flowers on her own little plot of land. The seeds she tended as a child eventually became her life\u0026rsquo;s work, which is in full bloom at French Market Flowers.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{285397f1-d3ce-4931-b4d9-4afed6d287d4}{81}\" paraid=\"616671709\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eCindy now grows flowers on her own farm in Coweta County, where she lives with her family, two cats, a Pyrenees-Australian shepherd dog, seven sweet hens and one ornery rooster. \u0026ldquo;We are members of the\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://slowflowers.com/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eslow flower movement\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;and believe that organic, sustainable, locally grown flowers are the best for our business, community and environment,\u0026rdquo; says Cindy. \u0026ldquo;We supply these flowers whenever possible.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{285397f1-d3ce-4931-b4d9-4afed6d287d4}{81}\" paraid=\"616671709\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eFrench Market Flowers opened its doors six years ago at Krog Street Market and eventually moved to Garrett Street in Grant Park. Cindy offers everything from floral design for weddings, funerals and special events to weekly corporate and residential flower delivery, floral restaurant installations and container gardening.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{285397f1-d3ce-4931-b4d9-4afed6d287d4}{81}\" paraid=\"616671709\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003eWith weddings and special events on hold due to COVID-19, Cindy estimates that she\u0026rsquo;s lost\u0026nbsp;nearly\u0026nbsp;40% of her business, and she had to close her storefront. But she was able to shift her operations to become primarily delivery-based, which has presented a new set of challenges for her small business.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{285397f1-d3ce-4931-b4d9-4afed6d287d4}{81}\" paraid=\"616671709\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;We quickly realized that we didn\u0026rsquo;t have enough cooler space to store the flowers or a proper vehicle to deliver them,\u0026rdquo; says Cindy, who applied for an Invest Atlanta Resurgence Grant to help offset the costs of a new walk-in cooler and delivery van. She also qualified for the Resurgence Technical Assistance Program and opted for a social media advertising campaign from\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eTrevelino\u0026nbsp;Keller Group.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{285397f1-d3ce-4931-b4d9-4afed6d287d4}{81}\" paraid=\"616671709\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;This assistance was incredibly helpful and meaningful,\u0026rdquo; says Cindy. \u0026ldquo;Not only could we present ourselves in a more professional manner, it\u0026nbsp;also increased our delivery business and allowed us to keep all of our employees.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{285397f1-d3ce-4931-b4d9-4afed6d287d4}{81}\" paraid=\"616671709\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;This business has a lot of heart, and we\u0026rsquo;ve worked so hard over the past six years to stay afloat,\u0026rdquo; adds Cindy. \u0026ldquo;It means so much to know that people care about small, local businesses. We are grateful for the support.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":374,"title":"Atlanta Mission to Open their First Low-Barrier Homeless Shelter with Help from AEMI","promo_title":"Atlanta Mission to Open their First Low-Barrier Homeless Shelter with Help from AEMI","published_date":"2021-01-04","featured_image":{"id":1454,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"atlanta_mission.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":219801,"resource_updated_at":"2021-01-04T14:20:12.021-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-01-04T14:20:12.645-05:00","updated_at":"2021-01-04T14:20:36.059-05:00","filename_hash":"atlanta_mission_4XzR8oE.jpg","width":1500,"height":1000},"filename":"atlanta-mission-to-open-their-first-low-barrier-homeless-shelter-with-help-from-aemi","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"FnTI0w","created_at":"2021-01-04T14:04:30.503-05:00","updated_at":"2021-01-04T14:20:36.032-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003cbr /\u003e\r\nOn December 10, Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc., in partnership with Invest Atlanta, closed a $5.5 million New Markets Tax Credit transaction with the Atlanta Mission to support Restoration House, a new $19 million shelter facility for homeless women and children.\u0026nbsp;\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOn December 10, Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc., in partnership with Invest Atlanta, closed a $5.5 million New Markets Tax Credit transaction with the Atlanta Mission to support Restoration House, a new $19 million shelter facility for homeless women and children.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nLocated off Northside Drive, this low-barrier homeless shelter for women and children will serve over 1,200 individuals by providing 100 new shelter beds and critically important wrap-around services, including job training, childcare, and healthcare to Atlanta\u0026#39;s most vulnerable homeless population.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;Low-barrier\u0026rdquo; indicates that the shelter will accept all individuals as long as they are not a risk to themselves or others, whereas traditional shelters typically can only be accessed by individuals who meet restrictive admissions regulations such as sobriety, medication compliance, and identification.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nFounded in 1938, the Atlanta Mission is the oldest and largest provider of support services for metro Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s homeless. The organization served over 7,000 individuals last year alone, including 248,000 nights of shelter, 657,000 meals served, 153 clients connected with employment, and 154 connected with permanent housing.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Northwest\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":368,"title":"Kainos to Open Sales and IT Hub In Atlanta","promo_title":"Kainos to Open Sales and IT Hub In Atlanta","published_date":"2020-12-21","featured_image":{"id":1448,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"kainos.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":170900,"resource_updated_at":"2020-12-21T11:28:37.865-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-12-21T11:28:38.300-05:00","updated_at":"2020-12-21T11:34:13.607-05:00","filename_hash":"kainos_ZO165bX.png","width":600,"height":300},"filename":"kainos-to-open-sales-and-it-hub-in-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"NvKNBw","created_at":"2020-12-21T11:34:13.580-05:00","updated_at":"2020-12-21T11:34:13.580-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Global digital technology company Kainos is investing $1.2 million to open a North American sales and IT hub in Buckhead, bringing 137 jobs to the city.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-bc66f86c-7fff-ede3-54f6-ddb7c83f3c95\"\u003eGlobal digital technology company Kainos is investing $1.2 million to open a North American sales and IT hub in Buckhead, bringing 137 jobs to the city.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeadquartered in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Kainos specializes in digital transformation and the deployment of Workday\u0026rsquo;s innovative Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software suite. The company builds agile, customized digital services for public, commercial and healthcare organizations. And, as a specialized Workday partner, Kainos manages complex deployment and integrations and is the leader in Workday test automation.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to Nigel Hutchinson,\u003c/span\u003e vice president of Kainos, North America, the company chose Atlanta not only because it was recently named the No. 1 Tech Hub, but also because of its thriving business community and available talent supported by investment in technology education and infrastructure.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s a great cultural fit too,\u0026rdquo; said Hutchinson. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re open and supportive, ambitious and solutions-oriented, and people who join us here in Atlanta will find they\u0026rsquo;re joining a global team eager to share knowledge and build on success that has been in development for over 30 years.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Buckhead\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":367,"title":"Boston Consulting Group Doubles Atlanta Presence","promo_title":"Boston Consulting Group Doubles Atlanta Presence","published_date":"2020-12-21","featured_image":{"id":269,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"bcg_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":65587,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:01:25.555-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2017-12-21T11:01:25.708-05:00","updated_at":"2020-12-21T10:59:54.459-05:00","filename_hash":"bcg_feature_MYq4Dyj.jpg","width":736,"height":552},"filename":"boston-consulting-group-doubles-atlanta-presence","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"-p_LIA","created_at":"2020-12-21T10:59:54.413-05:00","updated_at":"2020-12-21T10:59:54.413-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is investing $18 million to expand its Atlanta Business Services Center, Nexus. This investment will add nearly 60,000 square feet to its current office located in Downtown Atlanta on Peachtree Street and will more than double its Atlanta presence.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-7f0f58da-7fff-f3da-4b89-e1c6e819abad\"\u003eBoston Consulting Group (BCG) is investing $18 million to expand its Atlanta Business Services Center, Nexus. This investment will add nearly 60,000 square feet to its current office located in Downtown Atlanta on Peachtree Street and will more than double its Atlanta presence. It also will create 331 additional jobs in the city, including opportunities in administrative services, human resources, finance, information technology, operations and design.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs one of the world\u0026rsquo;s leading management consulting firms, BCG first opened an Atlanta office in 1995 and later established Nexus in 2017, creating 268 new jobs. BCG also owns BrightHouse, an Atlanta-based global creative consultancy located in Ponce City Market that focuses on brand strategy. When its expansion in Atlanta is complete, BCG and BrightHouse will employ more than 900 people across three metro Atlanta offices.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026ldquo;BCG has been proud to be part of the fabric of the Atlanta community since 1995,\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;said Rodrigo Garcia-Escudero, BCG managing director and partner. \u0026ldquo;We are eager to play our part in helping Atlanta continue to thrive and be a leading location for business in the post-COVID reality.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":372,"title":"New BeltLine-Adjacent Affordable Housing","promo_title":"New BeltLine-Adjacent Affordable Housing","published_date":"2020-12-21","featured_image":{"id":1452,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_shot_2020-12-21_at_1.04.38_pm.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":3061123,"resource_updated_at":"2020-12-21T13:05:58.999-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-12-21T13:05:59.120-05:00","updated_at":"2020-12-21T13:10:22.321-05:00","filename_hash":"screen_shot_2020-12-21_at_1.04.38_pm_zmBlEbD.png","width":1958,"height":1270},"filename":"new-beltline-adjacent-affordable-housing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"YSVlvg","created_at":"2020-12-21T13:10:22.295-05:00","updated_at":"2020-12-21T13:10:22.295-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Construction of 160 new, mixed-income affordable housing targeted for seniors will soon begin at 1265 Lakewood Ave. The development, located adjacent to the BeltLine in the Chosewood Park community, was approved for final bond resolution by the Invest Atlanta Board.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-4e4eb38e-7fff-bfcc-08cf-31c06569af61\"\u003eConstruction of 160 new, mixed-income affordable housing targeted for seniors will soon begin at 1265 Lakewood Ave. The development, located adjacent to the BeltLine in the Chosewood Park community, was approved for final bond resolution by the Invest Atlanta Board.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmenities will include a community room with kitchen, fitness center, business center, wellness room, interior gathering areas, laundry room and a community garden. There also will be ongoing residential activities designed to meet the needs of the community.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to Alan Ferguson\u003c/span\u003e, senior vice president of Community Development at\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta, seniors are one of the fastest-growing demographics in Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;The demand for affordable senior housing is tremendous,\u0026rdquo; said Ferguson. \u0026ldquo;Every project that we\u0026rsquo;ve completed over the past seven years focused on senior housing has leased up within less than 60 days, without exception. We expect this project to perform similarly well.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":371,"title":"Mixed Income, Mixed Opportunities at Stanton Park","promo_title":"Mixed Income, Mixed Opportunities at Stanton Park","published_date":"2020-12-21","featured_image":{"id":1451,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_shot_2020-12-18_at_10.01.44_am.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":3354350,"resource_updated_at":"2020-12-21T13:01:23.308-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-12-21T13:01:23.430-05:00","updated_at":"2020-12-21T13:02:35.812-05:00","filename_hash":"screen_shot_2020-12-18_at_10.01.44_am_XJZ5y64.png","width":1976,"height":1134},"filename":"mixed-income-mixed-opportunities-at-stanton-park","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"FOfuzA","created_at":"2020-12-21T13:02:35.787-05:00","updated_at":"2020-12-21T13:02:35.787-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Financing for the construction of 56 new, multifamily affordable housing units located on Hank Aaron Drive in the Peoplestown neighborhood has been approved by the Invest Atlanta board through a $6.5 million tax-exempt loan. Affordability will range from 80% Area Median Income (AMI) to 30% AMI.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-5446f808-7fff-28ac-05c0-1d050fbdcb85\"\u003eFinancing for the construction of 56 new, multifamily affordable housing units located on Hank Aaron Drive in the Peoplestown neighborhood has been approved by the Invest Atlanta board through a $6.5 million tax-exempt loan. Affordability will range from 80% Area Median Income (AMI) to 30% AMI.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to Alan Ferguson\u003c/span\u003e, senior vice president of Community Development at\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta, the units earmarked for 30% AMI are for participants in the Partners for HomeFirst program and will be available for families and households transitioning from homelessness into permanent supportive housing. They also will receive vouchers from Atlanta Housing, the city\u0026rsquo;s housing authority.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026ldquo;We like to see a mix of incomes in regards to affordability, as well as opportunities to incorporate permanent supportive housing in our developments,\u0026rdquo; said Ferguson. \u0026ldquo;This truly creates a mixed-income, mixed-opportunity housing environment for our residents in the City of Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Peoplestown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":370,"title":"New Affordable Housing Coming to Greenbriar Community","promo_title":"New Affordable Housing Coming to Greenbriar Community","published_date":"2020-12-21","featured_image":{"id":1450,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"greenbriar_developments.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":347461,"resource_updated_at":"2020-12-21T11:53:40.252-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-12-21T11:53:40.291-05:00","updated_at":"2020-12-21T11:54:59.625-05:00","filename_hash":"greenbriar_developments_1O7m2K2.png","width":600,"height":300},"filename":"new-affordable-housing-coming-to-greenbriar-community","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"VMza2Q","created_at":"2020-12-21T11:54:59.590-05:00","updated_at":"2020-12-21T11:54:59.590-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n District 11 and the Greenbriar neighborhood will soon have two new affordable housing developments \u0026ndash; one being a multifamily, mixed-income housing unit and another targeted for seniors.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-1b69d33a-7fff-6ef7-5936-5183e4723d2b\"\u003eDistrict 11 and the Greenbriar neighborhood will soon have two new affordable housing developments \u0026ndash; one being a multifamily, mixed-income housing unit and another targeted for seniors.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe construction of a new, 240-unit, multifamily, mixed-income housing development on Greenbriar Parkway was approved by the Invest Atlanta Board using a $29.5 million tax-exempt loan from the Urban Residential Finance Authority. Affordability ranges from 80% Area Median Income (AMI) to 50% AMI.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board also approved a $28.5 million tax-exempt loan for the construction of a new, 244-unit senior housing development on Greenbriar Parkway. Affordability ranges from 80% Area Median Income (AMI) to 50% AMI.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026ldquo;We believe this level of income and this level of units will be tremendously beneficial in terms of supporting other services and retail within the Greenbriar corridor,\u0026rdquo; said Alan Ferguson\u003c/span\u003e, senior vice president of Community Development at\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;This is a big day for District 11 and the Greenbriar area. It\u0026rsquo;s bringing a lot of rooftops and a lot of new quality housing to the community.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":373,"title":"A Much-Needed Lifeline","promo_title":"COVID-19 Relief Grant: A Much-Needed Lifeline for a Downtown Restaurant","published_date":"2020-12-21","featured_image":{"id":1453,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"eu8c4443.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1047815,"resource_updated_at":"2020-12-21T13:34:15.189-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-12-21T13:34:15.335-05:00","updated_at":"2021-03-05T14:57:28.996-05:00","filename_hash":"eu8c4443_kbBV5ZO.jpg","width":3600,"height":2400},"filename":"a-much-needed-lifeline","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"H2Epow","created_at":"2020-12-21T13:34:35.197-05:00","updated_at":"2021-03-05T14:57:28.970-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Jose Navarro and Mat Tainow had a vision to bring a local, small-town vibe to the concrete jungle of Downtown Atlanta.\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-e1c66b3d-7fff-d17e-382f-444f1dcf8993\"\u003eJose Navarro and Mat Tainow had a vision to bring a local, small-town vibe to the concrete jungle of Downtown Atlanta.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-e1c66b3d-7fff-d17e-382f-444f1dcf8993\"\u003eIn 2003, the two friends pioneered a neighborhood bar in the Fairlie-Poplar district with their first venture, Sidebar. A few years later they opened Park Bar, just steps away from Centennial Park.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-e1c66b3d-7fff-d17e-382f-444f1dcf8993\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;We felt like downtown was missing something back then,\u0026rdquo; says Jose. \u0026ldquo;Surprisingly, we found that a lot of local residents and workers really loved their downtown and were very supportive of us opening a neighborhood bar.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-e1c66b3d-7fff-d17e-382f-444f1dcf8993\"\u003eSpecializing in great burgers and known for its speciality drinks, Park Bar has since established itself as a downtown staple for Atlanta residents and visitors alike. \u0026ldquo;We like to think of ourselves as your local bar, even if you live elsewhere,\u0026rdquo; says Jose. \u0026ldquo;We are a place to gather and socialize. We are the place to join others for a pre-game beverage before cheering on Atlanta United, or where to meet friends before seeing your favorite artist perform at State Farm Arena.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBut 2020 put a halt to all that, throwing Park Bar a one-two punch. After being closed for a couple months because of pandemic-related restrictions, the bar was just reopening in a limited capacity when the initial days and nights of social unrest shut it down again for another week.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026ldquo;We were fortunate in that we only had graffiti on a lot of the building,\u0026rdquo; says Mat. \u0026ldquo;We weren\u0026#39;t broken into and, most importantly, none of our staff was hurt.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe financial impact, however, has been profound, leading Mat and Jose to apply for both the Invest Atlanta \u003c/span\u003eResurgence Grant Fund and the City of Atlanta Recovery Fund, which provides up to $10,000 in grants to businesses that were adversely impacted during Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s demonstrations.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026ldquo;There was absolutely\u0026nbsp;no way we could\u0026nbsp;have afforded the expense to remove and repaint the walls affected by the graffiti,\u0026rdquo; says Mat. \u0026ldquo;With COVID decimating our business, the building would have remained scarred without the help from Invest Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat assistance, in fact, has been a much-needed lifeline for Park Bar. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s been integral to us treading water until the pandemic subsides and the big downtown events return,\u0026rdquo; says Jose. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta has been very diligent in getting out and helping the business community, and we are truly grateful for the rescue.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":369,"title":"New Medical and Retail Development Comes to Southwest Atlanta","promo_title":"New Medical and Retail Development Comes to Southwest Atlanta","published_date":"2020-12-21","featured_image":{"id":1449,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_shot_2020-12-17_at_10.11.58_am.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2450319,"resource_updated_at":"2020-12-21T11:37:48.358-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-12-21T11:37:48.470-05:00","updated_at":"2020-12-21T11:46:44.516-05:00","filename_hash":"screen_shot_2020-12-17_at_10.11.58_am_LglqXZJ.png","width":2384,"height":942},"filename":"new-medical-and-retail-development-comes-to-southwest-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"QTXDug","created_at":"2020-12-21T11:46:44.486-05:00","updated_at":"2020-12-21T11:46:44.486-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board approved a $14 million lease-purchase bond to provide an operational subsidy for the Briarwood Medical Office and Commercial Retail development, as well as a $1.2 million grant from the Campbellton Road Tax Allocation District (TAD) to provide gap financing.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-9551da03-7fff-8a61-dce3-36c4979c3467\"\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board approved a $14 million lease-purchase bond to provide an operational subsidy for the Briarwood Medical Office and Commercial Retail development, as well as a $1.2 million grant from the Campbellton Road Tax Allocation District (TAD) to provide gap financing.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe project will convert approximately six acres in Southwest Atlanta into a $13,039,818 development consisting of 30,000 square feet of medical office space and 17,000 square feet of commercial retail space.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Briarwood Medical Office and Commercial Retail project is part of an 11-acre development immediately across from Greenbriar Mall, which will eventually become a mixed-use district that also includes housing, commercial and other public amenities. It also provides necessary medical services and quality jobs to a census tract\u003c/span\u003e deemed as a Designated Health Professional Shortage Area.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-9551da03-7fff-8a61-dce3-36c4979c3467\"\u003eAccording to Alan Ferguson\u003c/span\u003e, senior vice president of Community Development at\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta, the mixed-use development goes back to 2019 when Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta and partner agencies came together to identify potential projects that could be marketed for investment under the Better Opportunities Loan Program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-9551da03-7fff-8a61-dce3-36c4979c3467\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re now at the point to provide incentives to bring this project forth to construction and fruition,\u0026rdquo; said Ferguson. \u0026ldquo;We feel the delivery of these healthcare and medical services during a time of COVID-19 recovery will be essential for this area.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":363,"title":"Board Greenlights Invest Atlanta-WorkSource Atlanta Integration","promo_title":"Board Greenlights Invest Atlanta-WorkSource Atlanta Integration","published_date":"2020-11-24","featured_image":{"id":1440,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"wsa_ia_-1-.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1372178,"resource_updated_at":"2020-11-24T16:38:22.417-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-11-24T16:38:22.508-05:00","updated_at":"2021-06-23T11:47:24.993-04:00","filename_hash":"wsa_ia_-1-_6apWZVe.png","width":1080,"height":905},"filename":"board-greenlights-invest-atlanta-worksource-atlanta-integration","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"fjsA6w","created_at":"2020-11-24T16:38:54.911-05:00","updated_at":"2020-11-25T09:24:51.779-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n At its November 2020 meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved the integration of WorkSource Atlanta into Invest Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-9a1f2dcf-7fff-4ebc-359b-92ea909576f6\"\u003eAt its November 2020 meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved the integration of WorkSource Atlanta into Invest Atlanta.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe integration \u003c/span\u003ealigns the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic and workforce development strategy, programming, implementation, reporting and accountability under one agency. Not only will it create stronger outcomes for employers, residents and efficiencies for both agencies, it also advances the City\u0026rsquo;s overall economic growth and mobility goals.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO, Invest Atlanta, this is an important step to addressing persistent inequity and achieving better outcomes for Atlanta residents and is a key component of the recently released \u003c/span\u003eOne Atlanta: Economic Mobility, Recovery and Resiliency Plan.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026ldquo;The decision to bring together the City\u0026rsquo;s workforce development and economic development arms will ensure that Atlanta not only is attracting new business and creating more jobs, but also giving our residents the skills to access those jobs,\u0026rdquo; says Klementich. \u0026ldquo;For Atlanta, this is an important pathway toward equity and economic mobility.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBringing WorkSource Atlanta into Invest Atlanta was announced in June 2019 by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms as part of her administration\u0026rsquo;s One Atlanta strategy, which includes providing greater access to good jobs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":365,"title":"Invest Atlanta Board Approves Two Small Business Improvement Grants ","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Board Approves Two Small Business Improvement Grants ","published_date":"2020-11-24","featured_image":{"id":1442,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"small_business_improvement_grants_.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1433538,"resource_updated_at":"2020-11-24T17:12:59.157-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-11-24T17:12:59.237-05:00","updated_at":"2020-11-24T17:13:23.035-05:00","filename_hash":"small_business_improvement_grants__vlpZDQx.png","width":1080,"height":905},"filename":"invest-atlanta-board-approves-two-small-business-improvement-grants","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"1PLX7w","created_at":"2020-11-24T17:13:23.007-05:00","updated_at":"2020-11-24T17:13:23.007-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Two commercial properties are each receiving up to $20,000 of improvement funds from the Hollowell/ML King Tax Allocation District (TAD) Small Business Improvement Grant.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eTwo commercial properties are each receiving up to $20,000 of improvement funds from the Hollowell/ML King Tax Allocation District (TAD) Small Business Improvement Grant.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-f7285188-7fff-8a10-824e-874116a2f717\"\u003eThe building owned by Cal Properties, located on James Jackson Parkway, is a 13,125-square-foot, multiple tenant commercial center built in 2000. The structure includes eight storefronts currently occupied by seven tenants, including a beauty supply store, salon, barbershop, convenience store, social club, natural food store and a clothing store.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe grant will help complete necessary improvements such as repainting the exterior of the building and repairing the parking lot. Additional owner funds, including the required 20 percent match, will pay for security cameras around the property and landscaping.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-f7285188-7fff-8a10-824e-874116a2f717\"\u003eA. Lawson Auto Center on Donald Lee Hollowell is a 2,500-square-foot auto service garage that\u0026rsquo;s been in business for more than half a century. The son and daughter of the original owners have grown the family business over the past 16 years to include Lawson\u0026rsquo;s Florist, HA Lawson Tax \u0026amp; Office Services and Lawson Auto Sales.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrant funds will be used for the removal and replacement of damaged asphalt in front of the building and additional owner funds will pay for tree stump and root systems removal on the west side of the property.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInvest Atlanta launched the Small Business Improvement Grant in 2019 to strengthen local businesses by using tax increment for matching grants toward the improvement of commercial buildings.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026ldquo;Helping our small businesses grow and thrive enhances economic development,\u0026rdquo; says Alan Ferguson\u003c/span\u003e, senior vice president of Community Development at\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;This is one of the initiatives we\u0026rsquo;re promoting in terms of economic mobility and equity and inclusion within the city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n MLK Corridor\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":362,"title":"The Simpson Brings More Affordable Housing to Atlanta","promo_title":"The Simpson Brings More Affordable Housing to Atlanta","published_date":"2020-11-24","featured_image":{"id":1439,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_shot_2020-11-18_at_5.17.50_pm.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1107180,"resource_updated_at":"2020-11-24T16:29:48.467-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-11-24T16:29:48.923-05:00","updated_at":"2020-11-25T10:01:20.774-05:00","filename_hash":"screen_shot_2020-11-18_at_5.17.50_pm_5EJWery.png","width":2054,"height":1392},"filename":"the-simpson-brings-more-affordable-housing-to-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"7uTQxg","created_at":"2020-11-24T16:31:31.261-05:00","updated_at":"2020-11-25T10:01:20.752-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board approved a $15.5 million tax exempt loan for the new construction of 139 multi-family housing units in the Vine City neighborhood on Joseph E. Boone Boulevard.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-efee9a49-7fff-7c42-0088-fc8a26d14f04\"\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board approved a $15.5 million tax exempt loan for the new construction of 139 multi-family housing units in the Vine City neighborhood on Joseph E. Boone Boulevard. The Simpson, which is scheduled to be complete in 2023, will feature a clubhouse, fitness center, picnic area, gated entry, gazebo, business center and job training for residents.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to Alan Ferguson\u003c/span\u003e, senior vice president of Community Development at\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta, all of the units will be affordable, ranging in incomes from 80 percent Area Median Income (AMI) to 30 percent using the income-averaging strategy. \u0026ldquo;This project not only promotes income diversity,\u0026rdquo; says Ferguson, \u0026ldquo;it also allows us to serve lower income residents without the use of public subsidy.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m really excited about this project,\u0026rdquo; adds Randy Hazelton, Invest Atlanta board member. \u0026ldquo;The developer has done some particularly good work not only engaging the community but also involving them in the process to bring this project to fruition. And, it\u0026rsquo;s got a great affordable allocation.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":364,"title":"Approved Grant Allows Atlanta Beltline to Complete Westside Connector Trail","promo_title":"Approved Grant Allows Atlanta Beltline to Complete Westside Connector Trail","published_date":"2020-11-24","featured_image":{"id":1441,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_shot_2020-11-18_at_5.04.27_pm.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":3652484,"resource_updated_at":"2020-11-24T16:43:34.801-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-11-24T16:43:34.924-05:00","updated_at":"2020-11-25T10:01:34.010-05:00","filename_hash":"screen_shot_2020-11-18_at_5.04.27_pm_gv4yE7Q.png","width":1998,"height":1498},"filename":"approved-grant-allows-atlanta-beltline-to-complete-westside-connector-trail","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"vkVnyg","created_at":"2020-11-24T16:45:50.965-05:00","updated_at":"2020-11-25T10:01:33.978-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board approved a Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) grant up to $2.3 million to the Atlanta Beltline, Inc. (ABI) to complete construction of the Westside BeltLine Connector Trail.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-865578b5-7fff-8a86-9ed9-725dc702a4ca\"\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board approved a Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) grant up to $2.3 million to the Atlanta Beltline, Inc. (ABI) to complete construction of the Westside BeltLine Connector Trail.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to Alan Ferguson, senior vice president of Community Development at\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta, the grant will serve as a bridge loan to ABI, which typically funds construction efforts that fall outside the Atlanta BeltLine TAD. \u0026ldquo;Although their fundraising has been successful, it has been hampered by the current economic conditions resulting from COVID-19,\u0026rdquo; he says. \u0026ldquo;They are fully committed and believe they\u0026rsquo;ll meet their fundraising goals, but in the interim, this funding allows construction to continue unimpeded.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTargeted for completion in February 2021, the Westside BeltLine Connector Trail will be a 14-foot-wide, multi-use trail approximately three miles in length. It begins at the intersection of Joseph E. Boone Boulevard and Northside Drive and ends at the intersection of Marietta Boulevard and Huff Road.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":366,"title":"Approved Incentives Bring Jobs to Atlanta ","promo_title":"Approved Incentives Bring Jobs to Atlanta ","published_date":"2020-11-24","featured_image":{"id":1443,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"nov._board_incentives.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":171580,"resource_updated_at":"2020-11-25T08:43:52.211-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-11-25T08:43:52.286-05:00","updated_at":"2020-11-30T17:14:51.907-05:00","filename_hash":"nov._board_incentives_38LY3xe.png","width":600,"height":200},"filename":"approved-incentives-bring-jobs-to-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"YElJCw","created_at":"2020-11-25T08:45:46.911-05:00","updated_at":"2020-11-30T16:46:05.063-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n This month, the Invest Atlanta Board approved four economic incentives that will help create and retain more than 2,420 jobs in Atlanta and will bring more than $703 million in capital investment to the city.\u0026nbsp;\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThis month, the Invest Atlanta Board approved four economic incentives that will help create and retain more than\u0026nbsp;2,420\u0026nbsp;jobs in Atlanta and will bring more than $703 million in capital investment\u0026nbsp;to the city.\u0026nbsp;The incentives\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan\u003ewere awarded to the following companies:\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul style=\"list-style-type:disc;\"\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\r\n\t\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-3b058a3b-7fff-f0a4-ed41-a11b69f6df35\"\u003eBlackRock Financial Management Inc.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e \u0026ndash; The financial services and investment company headquartered in New York City has brought its iHub to Atlanta, citing the city\u0026rsquo;s diverse and deep talent pool. BlackRock will create 1,000 new jobs, 600 of which will be middle-wage jobs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\t\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\r\n\t\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-3b058a3b-7fff-f0a4-ed41-a11b69f6df35\"\u003eInvesco Group Services\u003c/span\u003e \u003c/strong\u003e\u0026ndash; The independent investment management firm has committed to retain its headquarters in Atlanta and consolidate operations following its purchase of Oppenheimer Fund. This commitment keeps 586 existing Invesco employees in the city and adds 500 new jobs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\t\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\r\n\t\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-3b058a3b-7fff-f0a4-ed41-a11b69f6df35\"\u003eNorfolk Southern Corporation\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e \u0026ndash; The North American freight railroad company is relocating its corporate headquarters to Atlanta and consolidating all its corporate staff and operation controllers in the city. This will retain 2,025 Norfolk Southern employees in the city and add 850 new jobs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\t\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\r\n\t\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-3b058a3b-7fff-f0a4-ed41-a11b69f6df35\"\u003eCoffee Café Bakery\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e \u0026ndash; The subsidiary of ZSC Enterprises and Chunara Food Group (CFG) provides donuts and bakery products to Dunkin\u0026rsquo; brand restaurants. The board approved a lease purchase bond resolution on its $10,000,000 personal property investment for the Coffee Café Bakery facility, which will create up to 70 middle-wage jobs in Southwest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\t\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":361,"title":"New Mortgage Assistance Program Approved in Perry Bolton TAD","promo_title":"New Mortgage Assistance Program Approved in Perry Bolton TAD","published_date":"2020-10-21","featured_image":{"id":319,"parent_id":15,"resource_file_name":"perry_bolton_tad_map_wide.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":533694,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:25:12.858-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:25:13.030-05:00","updated_at":"2024-12-18T11:13:21.260-05:00","filename_hash":"perry_bolton_tad_map_wide_xD2n9Jk.jpg","width":1880,"height":720},"filename":"new-mortgage-assistance-program-approved-in-perry-bolton-tad","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"e-Ru4Q","created_at":"2020-10-21T08:17:27.657-04:00","updated_at":"2020-10-21T08:17:27.657-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta received the green light to use $1 million of available increment within the Perry Bolton Tax Allocation District (TAD) to create a new down-payment assistance fund that will help bring down the cost of homeownership for income-qualified homebuyers within the TAD.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eInvest Atlanta received the green light to use $1 million of available increment within the Perry Bolton Tax Allocation District (TAD) to create a new down-payment assistance fund that will help bring down the cost of homeownership for income-qualified homebuyers within the TAD.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-712c217c-7fff-ca54-9eeb-514843111434\"\u003eThe Perry Bolton Mortgage Single-Family Assistance Program is a two-part program that provides qualified buyers with up to $20,000 in assistance in the form of a 0% soft second mortgage with a five-year affordability period.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-712c217c-7fff-ca54-9eeb-514843111434\"\u003eHomebuyers at 80% of AMI or below who are purchasing homes deemed permanently affordable are eligible to receive $20,000 in down-payment assistance. Homebuyers with household income up to 120% of AMI, who are purchasing a home that is not permanently affordable, but within the Perry Bolton TAD, are eligible to receive $10,000 in assistance.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-712c217c-7fff-ca54-9eeb-514843111434\"\u003eAccording to Alan Ferguson, senior vice president of Community Development at Invest Atlanta, there is a lot of activity and investment going on in the Perry Bolton community, subjecting it to market pressures that can lead to increased prices and risk of displacement. \u0026ldquo;As part of our overall strategy and working in partnership with the city, we want to encourage as much homeownership as possible,\u0026rdquo; says Alan. \u0026ldquo;This is a way to not only encourage homeownership, but also to build community wealth and permanency of legacy residents within this area.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":360,"title":"Coffee Café Bakery Production Facility to Supply Baked Goods and Jobs","promo_title":"Coffee Café Bakery Production Facility to Supply Baked Goods and Jobs","published_date":"2020-10-19","featured_image":{"id":1411,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"oct_i_i_coffee.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1185195,"resource_updated_at":"2020-10-19T14:03:04.355-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-10-19T14:03:04.427-04:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T14:04:31.491-04:00","filename_hash":"oct_i_i_coffee_PgllvLZ.png","width":1080,"height":720},"filename":"coffee-cafe-bakery-production-facility-to-supply-baked-goods-and-jobs","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"BdntHw","created_at":"2020-10-19T14:04:31.461-04:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T14:04:31.461-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Coffee Caf\u0026eacute; Bakery, a subsidiary of a ZSC Enterprises and Chunara Food Group (CFG) partnership, is building a new, $10 million production facility in Fulton County, which will supply goods to over 150 Dunkin\u0026rsquo; restaurants across metro Atlanta.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGeorgia is a national leader in the food industry, and Dunkin\u0026rsquo;-supplier Coffee Caf\u0026eacute; Bakery represents the latest addition to the Atlanta region\u0026rsquo;s robust foods industry.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCoffee Caf\u0026eacute; Bakery, a subsidiary of a ZSC Enterprises and Chunara Food Group (CFG) partnership, is building a new, $10 million production facility in Fulton County, which will supply goods to over 150 Dunkin\u0026rsquo; restaurants across metro Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocated at Browns Mill Road Southeast in one of Georgia\u0026rsquo;s Federal Qualified Opportunity Zones, Coffee Caf\u0026eacute; Bakery\u0026rsquo;s 31,150-square-foot facility will include high-tech production lines and equipment used for mixing, frying, glazing and finishing baked goods, including the brand\u0026rsquo;s signature donuts. The facility will create up to 70 middle-wage job opportunities for local residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Nathan Regan, senior vice president of Economic Development for\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta, Invest Atlanta worked closely with the company and put together as many products as it could to make a normally slim-margin food manufacturing facility work inside the city of Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;This is an investment in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Southside,\u0026rdquo; says Nathan. \u0026ldquo;They\u0026rsquo;ve agreed to hire workers from WorkSource Atlanta and will be training employees on this new type of equipment, which will provide good and promising jobs. This is a win, win, win for everyone involved.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCFG, a Georgia Minority Business Award recipient, was established in 1989 by a former hourly Taco Bell employee. Today, this family-owned and operated enterprise includes more than 75 restaurants under its umbrella, such as Checkers, Popeyes, TGI Friday\u0026rsquo;s, Church\u0026rsquo;s Chicken, Dunkin\u0026rsquo; Brands and Take 5 franchises. CFG partner ZSC Enterprises is one of the fastest-growing Dunkin\u0026rsquo; franchisees in Georgia.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith control of just under 50 Dunkin\u0026rsquo; restaurants in the Atlanta area, CFG and ZSC are expanding to ensure their restaurants and the broader Atlanta market will have an ample supply of baked goods as Dunkin\u0026rsquo; continues growing across the state.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":356,"title":"Coming to the Chosewood Park Community: Affordable Senior Housing","promo_title":"Coming to the Chosewood Park Community: Affordable Senior Housing","published_date":"2020-10-19","featured_image":{"id":1408,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"chosewood_park.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":5187896,"resource_updated_at":"2020-10-19T13:21:33.273-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-10-19T13:21:33.439-04:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T13:21:57.945-04:00","filename_hash":"chosewood_park_r6QQ1lR.png","width":2124,"height":1506},"filename":"coming-to-the-chosewood-park-community-affordable-senior-housing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Hcotiw","created_at":"2020-10-19T13:21:57.920-04:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T13:21:57.920-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Seniors represent one of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s fastest-growing demographics, and construction of a 160-unit, multi-family housing development will create more affordable housing for them, thanks to a $1 million BeltLine Tax Allocation District (TAD) \u0026ndash; Affordable Housing Increment Fund Grant.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSeniors represent one of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s fastest-growing demographics, and construction of a 160-unit, multi-family housing development will create more affordable housing for them, thanks to a $1 million BeltLine Tax Allocation District (TAD) \u0026ndash; Affordable Housing Increment Fund Grant.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe project, located on Lakewood Avenue, had been previously induced for tax-exempt loan bond financing, but development was delayed due to an increase in construction costs. The BeltLine TAD grant will help fill the financing gap and allow the project to close and move forward.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere will be 26 units available at 50% AMI or below, 121 at 60% AMI or below and 13 at 80% AMI or below. Residents will pay no more than 30% of their income.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocated in the Chosewood Park community, the Lakewood development will include a community room with kitchen, fitness center, business center with computer stations, wellness room, interior gathering areas, laundry room and community garden.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Renting\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":355,"title":"Funding Approved for Renovations to The New Villages of Castleberry Hill","promo_title":"Funding Approved for Renovations to The New Villages of Castleberry Hill","published_date":"2020-10-19","featured_image":{"id":1407,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_shot_2020-10-19_at_9.57.59_am.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":3024383,"resource_updated_at":"2020-10-19T13:06:36.592-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-10-19T13:06:37.380-04:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T13:08:46.337-04:00","filename_hash":"screen_shot_2020-10-19_at_9.57.59_am_QgjjEE2.png","width":1672,"height":974},"filename":"funding-approved-for-renovations-to-the-new-villages-of-castleberry-hill","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"nMw8aA","created_at":"2020-10-19T13:08:46.305-04:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T13:08:46.305-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Tapestry Development Group and H.J. Russell \u0026amp; Company will begin the rehabilitation of The New Villages of Castleberry Hill on Greensferry Avenue. The 28-acre, 284-unit community was built in 2000 and is located blocks away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Georgia Aquarium, Centennial Olympic Park and the downtown area.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTapestry Development Group and H.J. Russell \u0026amp; Company will begin the rehabilitation of The New Villages of Castleberry Hill on Greensferry Avenue. The 28-acre, 284-unit community was built in 2000 and is located blocks away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Georgia Aquarium, Centennial Olympic Park and the downtown area.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $29,500,000 Tax Exempt Loan Inducement Resolution and a $12,525,000 Series B Taxable Bond Loan approved by the Invest Atlanta Board greenlights Phase II rehabilitation to upgrade the units and position them for continued sustainability and marketability.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I want to thank Invest Atlanta for supporting this project,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta City Councilmember Cleta Winslow, District 4, at Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s September 2020 board meeting. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s an important project for Southwest Atlanta. It speaks to what Mayor Bottoms has continuously said about affordable housing, and even though it\u0026rsquo;s not adding housing, it\u0026rsquo;s stabilizing the affordable housing units that we already have, which is important.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRenovations will take place over 18 months and will include new appliances, painting, flooring, additional building lighting, site work and system upgrades. There are 114 units at or below 50% AMI, 57 units at or below 60% AMI, 57 at or below 80% AMI and 56 units at market rate.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Renting\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n South Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":354,"title":"Goodwill Receives AEMI Investment to Support First Job Training Center in the City of Atlanta","promo_title":"Goodwill Receives AEMI Investment to Support First Job Training Center in the City of Atlanta","published_date":"2020-10-19","featured_image":{"id":1068,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"goodwill_insights.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1078421,"resource_updated_at":"2019-11-22T08:59:19.641-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":3,"created_at":"2019-11-22T08:59:19.791-05:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T08:25:20.787-04:00","filename_hash":"goodwill_insights_zmKa8yX.png","width":1200,"height":725},"filename":"goodwill-receives-aemi-investment-to-support-first-job-training-center-in-the-city-of-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Q_Q1sw","created_at":"2020-10-19T08:24:18.378-04:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T08:24:55.846-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"https://atlantaemergingmarkets.org/\"\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc.\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;(AEMI), in partnership with Invest Atlanta, recently closed a $10 million deal to support the construction of Goodwill of North Georgia\u0026rsquo;s new 12,000-square-foot Center for Workforce Innovation, a job training and career services facility, located at 2160 Metropolitan Parkway.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-ee7da65a-7fff-3cc2-e1fa-582b955b0152\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://atlantaemergingmarkets.org/\"\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (AEMI), in partnership with Invest Atlanta, recently closed a $10 million deal to support the construction of Goodwill of North Georgia\u0026rsquo;s new 12,000-square-foot Center for Workforce Innovation, a job training and career services facility, located at 2160 Metropolitan Parkway.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-ee7da65a-7fff-3cc2-e1fa-582b955b0152\"\u003eThe Center for Workforce Innovation will provide job training and career support to 8,300 people facing barriers to employment annually by providing graduates with the necessary certifications to attain entry-level jobs and services like free computer access, job fairs, and r\u0026eacute;sum\u0026eacute; writing workshops.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-ee7da65a-7fff-3cc2-e1fa-582b955b0152\"\u003eThis is Goodwill\u0026rsquo;s first job training facility in the city of Atlanta. The space will also feature a 22,000-square-foot retail store, providing both accessible job training and affordable retail in Southwest Atlanta, a priority area for increasing economic mobility.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-ee7da65a-7fff-3cc2-e1fa-582b955b0152\"\u003eInvest Atlanta has also supported this important project with $500,000 from the Economic Opportunity Fund (EOF) earlier this year and $150,000 from the Metropolitan Parkway Tax Allocation District (TAD) fund in 2019 to help more Atlantans prepare for and find good and promising jobs. These additional economic incentives have helped to create 50 new jobs in Southwest Atlanta.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-ee7da65a-7fff-3cc2-e1fa-582b955b0152\"\u003eEstablished in 1925, Goodwill of North Georgia (GNG) currently operates 65 thrift stores and 13 career centers across 45 North Georgia counties and has placed over 100,000 people facing barriers to employment in jobs over the past five years. \u003c/span\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":357,"title":"Relief Coming to Mechanicsville Retail Property Owner: $20,000 TAD Grant for Renovations","promo_title":"Relief Coming to Mechanicsville Retail Property Owner: $20,000 TAD Grant for Renovations","published_date":"2020-10-19","featured_image":{"id":1409,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_shot_2020-10-14_at_11.54.25_am.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1283397,"resource_updated_at":"2020-10-19T13:28:55.676-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-10-19T13:28:55.766-04:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T13:30:32.815-04:00","filename_hash":"screen_shot_2020-10-14_at_11.54.25_am_vlxxLyW.png","width":2462,"height":1448},"filename":"relief-coming-to-mechanicsville-retail-property-owner-20000-tad-grant-for-renovations","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Zr2bPw","created_at":"2020-10-19T13:30:32.761-04:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T13:30:32.761-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n A $20,000 grant from the Stadium Tax Allocation District (TAD) will help rehabilitate a 4,280-square-foot, multiple-occupancy retail commercial property in the Mechanicsville neighborhood on Pryor Street, which was damaged by heavy rain in 2018.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA $20,000 grant from the Stadium Tax Allocation District (TAD) will help rehabilitate a 4,280-square-foot, multiple-occupancy retail commercial property in the Mechanicsville neighborhood on Pryor Street, which was damaged by heavy rain in 2018.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStadium TAD funds will be used for window replacement on the property, and insurance proceeds will cover the cost of roof and gutter replacement. The owner\u0026rsquo;s required 20% contribution, plus additional owner equity, will provide funding for a full interior rehabilitation of the three units, including replacing damaged drywall, ceiling tiles and flooring.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe owner also received Annie E. Casey NPU V Small Business Improvement Grant funds to paint the building\u0026rsquo;s exterior.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re encouraged and excited about the uptick in these kinds of projects using TAD dollars to impact small businesses and small commercial redevelopment,\u0026rdquo; says Jennifer Fine, vice president of Planning \u0026amp; Strategic Initiatives for Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Word of mouth is raising awareness of this program, and people are tapping into this resource.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":358,"title":"Annie E. Casey Foundation Funds NPU V Small Business Improvement Grant Projects","promo_title":"Annie E. Casey Foundation Funds NPU V Small Business Improvement Grant Projects","published_date":"2020-10-19","featured_image":{"id":1410,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"oct_i_i_annie_foundation.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1647329,"resource_updated_at":"2020-10-19T13:46:45.714-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-10-19T13:46:45.925-04:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T13:47:22.680-04:00","filename_hash":"oct_i_i_annie_foundation_r6QQ1yB.png","width":1080,"height":905},"filename":"annie-e-casey-foundation-funds-npu-v-small-business-improvement-grant-projects","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"3AFy6Q","created_at":"2020-10-19T13:47:22.654-04:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T13:47:22.654-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n In 2019, Invest Atlanta was awarded a $65,000 grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation to administer and market a small business improvement program for property owners. The fund is intended to help owners make improvements to their buildings, increase the value of their property, ensure buildings are fit for tenants and create beautification in the commercial corridors.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eIn 2019, Invest Atlanta was awarded a $65,000 grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation to administer and market a small business improvement program for property owners. The fund is intended to help owners make improvements to their buildings, increase the value of their property, ensure buildings are \u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003efit for tenants\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e and create beautification in the commercial corridors.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-bb1c6fba-7fff-bdf8-89bf-221286b3a156\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eInvest Atlanta is now awarding the first of these grants to four different properties in the Pittsburgh, Peoplestown, and Mechanicsville neighborhoods for a total of $40,000. Three of the properties are clustered around McDaniel Street, which is a key corridor in the Pittsburgh neighborhood, and the fourth is on nearby Pryor Street.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re happy to have projects within such close proximity to each other,\u0026rdquo; says Jennifer Fine, \u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003evice president of Planning \u0026amp; Strategic Initiatives for Invest Atlanta\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e. \u0026ldquo;These property owners take great pride in their buildings, and we\u0026rsquo;re pleased the funding will serve different types of projects within this community.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRecipients will use the grants for window and door replacement, gates and fencing, as well as waterproofing for much-wanted restaurant space in the community.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Peoplestown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":359,"title":"Additional EPA Brownfield Funding Approved to Develop Pullman Yard ","promo_title":"Additional EPA Brownfield Funding Approved to Develop Pullman Yard ","published_date":"2020-10-19","featured_image":{"id":980,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"pullman_yards_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1331563,"resource_updated_at":"2019-08-15T13:42:17.428-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":4,"created_at":"2019-08-15T13:42:17.583-04:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T13:53:27.002-04:00","filename_hash":"pullman_yards_insight_W14ZmJo.png","width":1200,"height":587},"filename":"additional-epa-brownfield-funding-approved-to-develop-pullman-yard","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lNEWPg","created_at":"2020-10-19T13:53:26.974-04:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T13:53:26.974-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board has approved an additional $200,000 in Brownfield Loan Fund grants for Atomic Entertainment Development, LLC to clean up Pullman Yard, located on Rogers Street in northwest Atlanta. This brings the total loan from $950,000 to $1,150,000, which is funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board has approved an additional $200,000 in Brownfield Loan Fund grants for Atomic Entertainment Development, LLC to clean up Pullman Yard, located on Rogers Street in northwest Atlanta. This brings the total loan from $950,000 to $1,150,000, which is funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtomic Entertainment Development conducted multiple environmental site assessments and requested more funds to compensate for additional asbestos that was uncovered, an increase in cost of materials and the need to add two new sets of buildings to the project for clean-up. Previous assessments identified Asbestos Containing Material and Lead Based Paint in the site\u0026rsquo;s industrial buildings.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 27-acre Pullman Yard site in Kirkwood was the site of an active manufacturing facility starting in 1904. From the 1920s to the 1950s, Pullman Rail Car Company operated a repair and storage yard at the site. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, the site was severely underused. The State of Georgia acquired the site and, for the last 30 years, it has remained inactive.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2017, Atomic Entertainment purchased the site, including the historically significant industrial buildings, associated small structures and paved areas through a public bid. It intends to remediate and redevelop the property for a mixed-used entertainment and arts district in five phases. The first phase will focus on remediating and redeveloping existing buildings for commercial uses, such as film production, office and mixed-income residential. Other areas of the property will be redeveloped into wellness facilities, dining and open and entertainment spaces.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This will become an excellent mixed-use entertainment and arts district,\u0026rdquo; says Nathan Regan, senior vice president of Economic Development for\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;The site is decrepit at the moment, but the historical buildings will be beautiful once they are remediated.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Northwest\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":352,"title":"Financing Approved to Renovate and Develop Affordable Housing","promo_title":"Financing Approved to Renovate and Develop Affordable Housing","published_date":"2020-09-21","featured_image":{"id":1380,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"sept_board_affordable_housing_update.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":443242,"resource_updated_at":"2020-09-21T13:28:51.359-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-09-21T13:28:51.403-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-23T13:31:24.885-04:00","filename_hash":"sept_board_affordable_housing_update_qNDV52l.png","width":600,"height":400},"filename":"financing-approved-to-renovate-and-develop-affordable-housing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"IPkpJg","created_at":"2020-09-21T13:29:10.474-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-23T13:31:24.862-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved financing for Town West Manor and City Lights II \u0026ndash; two housing projects that will build and renovate almost 200 units of affordable housing.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2000","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved financing for Town West Manor and City Lights II \u0026ndash; two housing projects that will build and renovate almost 200 units of affordable housing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eTown West Manor\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board approved a $13,000,000 Tax Exempt Loan Bond Resolution for the acquisition and rehabilitation of 108 units of multifamily housing in Council District 10.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocated at 330 Brownlee Rd.,Towne West Manor is an existing multifamily complex. Upgrades will include replacing heating units and A/Cs, pole lights, outdated smoke detectors and upgrading kitchen units.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe current design and unit mix are garden style and townhome. Amenities include a central laundry facility, washer/dryer connections, picnic area and access to public transportation. There are five units at or below 50% Area Median Income (AMI), 98 units at or below 60% and five units at or below 70% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eCity Lights II\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta Development Authority received financing approval for the construction of a new, five-story building in the Old Fourth Ward community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCity Lights will be easily accessible and conveniently located near several MARTA bus stops, restaurants and the Historic Fourth Ward Park. It will have 88 units of multifamily housing \u0026ndash; all of which will be at 60% Area Median Income or below.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eProperty amenities will include a community room, fitness center, business center with computer stations, private courtyard, after-school program, central laundry facility on each floor and access to public transportation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2020 to date, Invest Atlanta has closed 10 multifamily housing transactions that will create 1,016 affordable housing units in neighborhoods where additional housing options are needed.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Renting\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Old Fourth Ward\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":353,"title":"Atlanta Beautician Utilizes Strength in Beauty Fund to Stay Afloat","promo_title":"Atlanta Beautician Utilizes Strength in Beauty Fund to Stay Afloat","published_date":"2020-09-21","featured_image":{"id":1381,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"cosmetology_relief_grant_-_jasmine_smith.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":517822,"resource_updated_at":"2020-09-21T17:01:32.171-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-09-21T17:01:32.243-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-23T13:31:03.517-04:00","filename_hash":"cosmetology_relief_grant_-_jasmine_smith_2aMJwBK.png","width":600,"height":400},"filename":"atlanta-beautician-utilizes-strength-in-beauty-fund-to-stay-afloat","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"OfUNDQ","created_at":"2020-09-21T17:02:30.299-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-23T13:31:03.493-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Beautician Jasmine Smith was just finishing her maternity leave following the birth of her first child when the pandemic forced her business, Beya Salon Studio \u0026amp; Allie, to shut down.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBeautician Jasmine Smith was just finishing her maternity leave following the birth of her first child when the pandemic forced her business, Beya Salon Studio \u0026amp; Allie, to shut down. At the time, Smith, who holds a license in cosmetology, had been in the process of growing and expanding her business. Instead, she found herself struggling to make ends meet.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSmith applied for the Strength in Beauty Fund, a relief effort supporting Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s cosmetology industry workers who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta was a huge comfort to me,\u0026rdquo; says Smith. \u0026ldquo;Everyone there was great.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBeing a recipient of the fund has helped Smith maintain her bills and recoup some of the losses resulting from wasted supplies, as well as cancellations. Additionally, the fund has enabled her to subscribe to some paid marketing platforms to promote her business on social media.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The fund helped me keep things afloat,\u0026rdquo; says Smith. \u0026ldquo;And here we are, six months in, and still not back to normal. So the fund has really helped.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":351,"title":"Predevelopment Loan Fund Helps Small Developers in Eastside TAD","promo_title":"Predevelopment Loan Fund Helps Small Developers in Eastside TAD","published_date":"2020-09-21","featured_image":{"id":298,"parent_id":15,"resource_file_name":"eastside_tad_map_wide.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":497156,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:59:16.221-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:59:16.422-05:00","updated_at":"2024-12-18T11:11:32.740-05:00","filename_hash":"eastside_tad_map_wide_4X3JrB7.jpg","width":1880,"height":720},"filename":"predevelopment-loan-fund-helps-small-developers-in-eastside-tad","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"IOgGHw","created_at":"2020-09-21T11:48:44.541-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-21T11:48:44.541-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board of Directors authorized $1.5 million in funding from the Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Increment to establish a Predevelopment Assistance Fund to support residential and commercial real estate development within the Eastside TAD.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors authorized $1.5 million in funding from the Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Increment to establish a Predevelopment Assistance Fund to support residential and commercial real estate development within the Eastside TAD.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe program is intended to help small developers and property owners, outside the Sweet Auburn TAD, seeking to develop or significantly rehabilitate residential, commercial and mixed-use properties. The fund will help secure capital needed to complete the work necessary to bring projects to a level of financing viability.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere currently is a predevelopment assistance fund in the Eastside TAD dedicated to development in the Sweet Auburn Corridor. This program will serve the remainder of the TAD.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Alan Ferguson, Senior Vice President of Community Development at\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta, there have been several requests from property owners and developers who want to activate their property. \u0026ldquo;The fund is designed to help small investors and developers activate their properties and fill in those final steps from a technical side to advance their projects from idea and concept and bring them into fruition,\u0026rdquo; says Ferguson. \u0026ldquo;This will be a new solution to assist those developers and projects.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe program, which mirrors aspects of similar programs launched within the Campbellton Road TAD, the Perry-Bolton TAD and the Westside TAD, will provide funding to for-profit and nonprofit developers and property owners with annualized revenues less than $2 million and less than 50 employees to advance their projects towards construction and development. Funding will support feasibility and financial analysis, design and cost estimation services.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":350,"title":"Two Atlanta Brownfield Projects Get the Greenlight","promo_title":"Two Atlanta Brownfield Projects Get the Greenlight","published_date":"2020-09-21","featured_image":{"id":1379,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"board_brownfield_image.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":251545,"resource_updated_at":"2020-09-21T11:32:42.106-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-09-21T11:32:42.670-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-23T13:30:19.170-04:00","filename_hash":"board_brownfield_image_ZOnQjQ9.png","width":600,"height":200},"filename":"two-atlanta-brownfield-projects-get-the-greenlight","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"85vjKg","created_at":"2020-09-21T11:35:55.558-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-23T13:30:19.148-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n At the September 2020 meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors awarded two Brownfield Loan Fund (BRLF) grants \u0026ndash; one to The Conservation Fund for the Paul Avenue Project and another to Trees Atlanta for the Warner Avenue Project.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt the\u0026nbsp;September 2020 meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors awarded two Brownfield Loan Fund (BRLF) grants \u0026ndash; one to The Conservation Fund for the Paul Avenue Project and another to Trees Atlanta for the Warner Avenue Project.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA brownfield is a property whose expansion, reuse or redevelopment may be complicated by the presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant. Not only do brownfields contribute to potential health risks and environmental contamination, they also act as a barrier between communities and limit the full tax value of properties.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe BRLF is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). After the City of Atlanta received an initial $1 million in 2009, the EPA awarded another $1.9 million in supplemental funding.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Avenue Project\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Conservation Fund, a national nonprofit focused on land and water conservation, received an $80,000 brownfield clean-up sub-grant grant for the remediation of 0 Paul Avenue, located in the Riverside Neighborhood of NPU D and in Council District 9.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 0.2-acre parcel, along with other adjoining parcels on Paul Avenue, will become a 10-acre park owned and managed by the City of Atlanta Parks and Recreation Department.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe clean-up will allow the conversion of a contaminated site into a future public asset for the community that includes a new greenspace for the Riverside neighborhood, while also creating key trail connections for both the Whetstone Creek Trail and the future Chattahoochee River Trail. This project is also a key part of the larger Riverwalk Vision located in the Northwest Atlanta and Chattahoochee area.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This is a real win for the city,\u0026rdquo; says Nathan Regan, Senior Vice President of Economic Development\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;We are excited about the ability to clean up this site and view this as another way to make Atlanta a better and more attractive place to live.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWarner Avenue Project\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTrees Atlanta Inc. was awarded a $150,000 brownfield clean-up sub-grant for 825 Warner Street in Fulton County. The property includes approximately 2.9 acres of land and is developed with a one-story, 23,000-square-foot warehouse building constructed in 1952.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBefore acquiring the property in July 2019, Trees Atlanta filed for a limit of liability protection under the Georgia Brownfield Act. A provisional limit of liability was issued to Trees Atlanta by the Georgia EPD for concerns of lead in the soil.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs a result of this clean-up project, the Trees Atlanta Urban Ecology Center will have indoor and outdoor programming, including a 21,000 square-foot facility for office spaces, community education spaces, as well as storage and workspace for tree planting implementation. Office space for other community-based nonprofits also will be available in the building.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;What\u0026rsquo;s really amazing about this project is that it\u0026rsquo;s currently an industrial site,\u0026rdquo; says Nathan Regan, Senior Vice President of Economic Development\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;This grant will allow Trees Atlanta to remediate the site and turn it into a better use for the community and the city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Northwest\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":349,"title":"Atlanta Breakfast Club Opens Second Location in the Eastside TAD","promo_title":"Atlanta Breakfast Club Opens Second Location in the Eastside TAD","published_date":"2020-09-11","featured_image":{"id":1375,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"atlanta-breakfast-club_640v2.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":18780,"resource_updated_at":"2020-09-11T14:54:27.165-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-09-11T14:54:27.197-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-23T13:31:40.057-04:00","filename_hash":"atlanta-breakfast-club_640v2_YB85k4L.png","width":640,"height":300},"filename":"atlanta-breakfast-club-opens-second-location-in-the-eastside-tad","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"bEnVvg","created_at":"2020-09-11T14:57:28.497-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-23T13:31:40.033-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/457046392","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"https://atlantabreakfastclub.com/\" style=\"text-decoration-line: none;\"\u003eAtlanta Breakfast Club\u003c/a\u003e, in partnership with \u003ca href=\"https://www.goodplaces.io/\" style=\"text-decoration-line: none;\"\u003eGood Places\u003c/a\u003e, held a virtual Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on September 5, 2020 for the grand opening of its second location amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual event coincided with \u003ca href=\"https://blackrestaurantweeks.com/atlanta-directory/\" style=\"text-decoration-line: none;\"\u003eBlack Restaurant Week\u003c/a\u003e, which kicked off September 4 and is now celebrating 4 years in the Atlanta community.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-72c42322-7fff-815c-6164-1ad7280e7203\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://atlantabreakfastclub.com/\"\u003eAtlanta Breakfast Club\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e, in partnership with \u003ca href=\"https://www.goodplaces.io/\"\u003eGood Places\u003c/a\u003e, held a virtual Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on September 5, 2020 for the grand opening of its second location amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual event coincided with \u003ca href=\"https://blackrestaurantweeks.com/atlanta-directory/\"\u003eBlack Restaurant Week\u003c/a\u003e, which kicked off September 4 and is now celebrating 4 years in the Atlanta community.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-72c42322-7fff-815c-6164-1ad7280e7203\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Civil Rights District and the revitalizing area of Sweet Auburn and the Old Fourth Ward is the ideal spot for our second location,\u0026rdquo; said Osiris Ballard \u0026amp; Chef Anthony Sanders, owners of ABC. \u0026ldquo;We are honored to be a part of this catalytic development with Good Places and Invest Atlanta, helping revitalize an area with such a powerful historical beauty.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-72c42322-7fff-815c-6164-1ad7280e7203\"\u003eInvest Atlanta allocated nearly $550,000 from the Eastside Tax District (TAD) towards this development with Good Places and Ethical Property Group. Located at 340 Auburn Avenue, the 5,200 square-foot commercial building renovation includes not only restaurant space but an events space and \u0026ldquo;micro unit\u0026rdquo; apartments. The development is projected to have an total economic impact of $2.6 million from capital investment.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eJoined by Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich and Councilmember Amir Farokhi, the virtual celebration featured remarks from Cherie Ong of Good Places, a tour of the restaurant, and interviews with Brian Holland of \u003ca href=\"https://phoenixroasters.coffee/\"\u003ePhoenix Roasters\u003c/a\u003e and Bem Joiner of \u003ca href=\"https://aie.life/\"\u003eAtlanta Influences Everything\u003c/a\u003e among other key community leaders.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta deserves a tremendous amount of credit,\u0026rdquo; said Councilmember Farokhi in closing on Saturday. \u0026ldquo;This is an intentional investment and the type of growth is we want to see in the corridor, particularly for underinvested parts of the eastside.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-72c42322-7fff-815c-6164-1ad7280e7203\"\u003eTo view the full recording of the online Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, visit \u003c/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=317916489424491\u0026amp;extid=ohF7pbMXnQnsEPFC\"\u003eABC\u0026rsquo;s Facebook Page\u003c/a\u003e. A downloadable menu of ABC\u0026rsquo;s world-famous chicken and waffles offerings along with Phoenix Roaster\u0026rsquo;s equitably-sourced nitro craft beverages can be found on their website \u003ca href=\"https://atlantabreakfastclub.com/\"\u003ehere.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) was established in 2003 to help the City of Atlanta attract residents, jobs, and retail needed to make Downtown a vibrant 24-hour center of activity. Invest Atlanta, the city\u0026rsquo;s economic development arm, continues to accept applications for eligible projects that provide affordable housing, expand economic development, focus on historic preservation, and/or are supported by non-profit sponsors providing services with public benefits. Learn more \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/developers/opportunities-incentives/tax-allocation-district-financing/eastside\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Sweet Auburn\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":348,"title":"Executive Corner: Why Milletech Systems, Inc. Chose Atlanta for their Expansion ","promo_title":"Executive Corner: Milletech Systems, Inc. CEO Nasir Mujawar ","published_date":"2020-09-11","featured_image":{"id":1374,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_shot_2020-09-11_at_2.24.58_pm.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1170138,"resource_updated_at":"2020-09-11T14:25:38.907-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-09-11T14:25:39.556-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-11T14:29:38.184-04:00","filename_hash":"screen_shot_2020-09-11_at_2.24.58_pm_XJn9kWv.png","width":1804,"height":958},"filename":"executive-corner-milletech-systems-inc-ceo-nasir-mujawar","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"krmQxQ","created_at":"2020-09-11T14:26:42.435-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-11T14:29:38.161-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/456216836","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Milletech Systems, Inc. CEO Nasir Mujawar sat down with Invest Atlanta in the Executive Corner to share about making the move to Atlanta with the support of the City, Invest Atlanta, and State Economic Development Partners.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2000","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-2e66c836-7fff-8c2a-c2a2-a49c365b9c66\"\u003eMilletech Systems, Inc. CEO Nasir Mujawar sat down with Invest Atlanta in the Executive Corner to share about making the move to Atlanta with the support of the City, Invest Atlanta, and State Economic Development Partners.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-2e66c836-7fff-8c2a-c2a2-a49c365b9c66\"\u003eFounded in 2000, Milletech provides end-to-end business solutions through e-business suites, business intelligence solutions, cloud infrastructure, application migration services, cloud technologies, and web-based application development. Leveraging its differentiators of quality project management, thorough understanding of business practices, technical proficiency, and proven software design and delivery models, Milletech delivers a sustainable cost model while utilizing a local workforce.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-2e66c836-7fff-8c2a-c2a2-a49c365b9c66\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;Milletech\u0026rsquo;s Software Development Center will create jobs in emerging cloud technologies and software development in the city of Atlanta, instead of offshoring those opportunities to other countries. This facility is a first-of-its-kind software development center, which will provide career pathways to Georgia\u0026rsquo;s local talent pool while boosting the state economy,\u0026rdquo; said Nasir Mujawar, CEO of Milletech Systems Inc.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-2e66c836-7fff-8c2a-c2a2-a49c365b9c66\"\u003eLeveraging local talent from Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s HBCUs, Milletech plans to recruit more than 100 Georgia college graduates for full-time positions every year in collaboration with WorkSource Atlanta - the city\u0026rsquo;s workforce development agency, and the University System of Georgia.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-2e66c836-7fff-8c2a-c2a2-a49c365b9c66\"\u003eWorkSource Atlanta is in the process of integrating into Invest Atlanta to unify economic development and workforce development programs in the city of Atlanta.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":347,"title":"Invest Atlanta Approves Financing for 230 Units of Multifamily Housing in East Lake","promo_title":"230 Units of Multifamily Housing Approved for East Lake","published_date":"2020-08-26","featured_image":{"id":1372,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"tama2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":157793,"resource_updated_at":"2020-08-26T12:57:48.940-04:00","caption":"Tama Glenwood","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-08-26T12:57:48.975-04:00","updated_at":"2020-08-26T13:04:36.147-04:00","filename_hash":"tama2_Lg2X5Kr.jpg","width":1209,"height":750},"filename":"invest-atlanta-approves-financing-for-230-units-of-multifamily-housing-in-east-lake","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"869ucg","created_at":"2020-08-26T12:59:14.213-04:00","updated_at":"2020-08-26T13:04:36.114-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved lease-purchase bond financing for Tama Glenwood, a 230-unit multifamily housing and retail development on Glenwood Avenue.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eConvenient to MARTA, Publix, and the YMCA, Tama Glenwood will feature 39 units at 80 percent Annual Median Income (AMI) and approximately 8,000 SF of retail in the East Lake community. The developer, Perennial Properties, will seek local small businesses to occupy the commercial/retail space and plans to connect those businesses to services that support their growth and viability. The amenities of the property will include a co-working space with computers, community room, fitness center, pool, private courtyard and grills.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis project is a part of the comprehensive vision for Villages of East Lake to be a mixed-income community, providing an attractive housing option for moderate to middle-income households.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":343,"title":"Invest Atlanta Creates Predevelopment Assistance Fund for Beltline TAD","promo_title":"Predevelopment Assistance Fund Created for Beltline TAD","published_date":"2020-08-26","featured_image":{"id":1369,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"atlanta_beltline_tad.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":140067,"resource_updated_at":"2020-08-26T12:36:45.470-04:00","caption":"Beltline TAD","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-08-26T12:36:45.595-04:00","updated_at":"2020-08-26T13:00:47.801-04:00","filename_hash":"atlanta_beltline_tad_r64qeQV.jpg","width":869,"height":779},"filename":"invest-atlanta-creates-predevelopment-assistance-fund-for-beltline-tad","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"VuVViA","created_at":"2020-08-26T12:38:43.533-04:00","updated_at":"2020-08-26T13:00:47.766-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors has approved the authorization of up to $750,000 from the BeltLine TAD Affordable Housing Increment to establish a Predevelopment Assistance Fund. The purpose of the fund is to provide resources to help both for-profit and non-profit small developers to secure the needed capital to advance their residential real estate projects toward construction and development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Predevelopment Assistance Fund mirrors aspects of \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/ia-approves-new-predevelopment-assistance-fund-program-within-tad-areas\"\u003esimilar programs\u003c/a\u003e launched within the Campbellton Road TAD, the Perry-Bolton TAD, as well as the Westside TAD. Maximum loan amounts will be $250,000 per project. The fund is intended to support design services, cost estimation and feasibility and financial analysis.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEligible projects must provide at least one of the following criteria: New multifamily rental with 20 percent of units at or below 60 percent AMI (Area Median Income); Rehab multifamily rental with 20 percent of units at or below 60 percent AMI; New or rehab single-family for-sale with 20 percent at or below 120 percent AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe BeltLine TAD is one of 10 Tax Allocation Districts to help Atlanta grow and prosper by incentivizing development in areas needing additional investment. \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/developers/opportunities-incentives/tax-allocation-district-financing\"\u003eClick here\u003c/a\u003e for information on Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s TAD programs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":344,"title":"IA Board Approves Atlanta Cares Revolving Loan Fund (ACRLF) to Assist Small Businesses ","promo_title":"Atlanta Cares Revolving Loan Fund (ACRLF) to Assist Small Businesses ","published_date":"2020-08-26","featured_image":{"id":406,"parent_id":7,"resource_file_name":"businesses_nowaccount_mantle_940x360.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":171209,"resource_updated_at":"2018-01-02T11:14:38.564-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":3,"created_at":"2018-01-02T11:14:38.751-05:00","updated_at":"2020-09-17T12:07:19.967-04:00","filename_hash":"businesses_nowaccount_mantle_940x360_BxvkrzO.jpg","width":1880,"height":720},"filename":"ia-board-approves-atlanta-cares-revolving-loan-fund-acrlf-to-assist-small-businesses","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"RpH8Nw","created_at":"2020-08-26T12:44:22.341-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-17T12:07:19.922-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt its August board meeting, Invest Atlanta approved $760,000 of funding for the Atlanta Cares Revolving Loan Fund (ACRLF). This follows the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/invest-atlanta-authorizes-rise-atlanta-low-interest-revolving-loan-fund\"\u003eRise Atlanta Revolving Loan Fund (RARLF)\u003c/a\u003e that was just approved at July\u0026rsquo;s board meeting. As another low-interest loan option for Atlanta small businesses, the purpose of the ACRLF is to provide financial support for small and local businesses that were impacted by COVID-19.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSmall businesses are a mainstay in Atlanta and represent an integral part of the city\u0026rsquo;s economy. While there are currently 20,000 small businesses operating in Atlanta, following a major disaster, an estimated 25 percent of these businesses do not reopen according to the Institute for Business and Home Safety. To quickly address this need, the ACRLF is projected to launch in September 2020.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eQualifying businesses will receive a direct loan between the amount of $10,000 to $100,000 with a six to 12-month deferment before first payment is due. The loan is not to exceed seven years and will have an interest rate of one to three percent.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe ACRLF and RARLF will be joining 11 other current loan fund offerings for small businesses at Invest Atlanta. For more information and for eligibility requirements on these loan options, visit \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/small-business-loan-programs\"\u003ehttps://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/small-business-loan-programs\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":345,"title":"Coming Soon to Sweet Auburn: Community Office Space Empowered by the Eastside TAD Grant","promo_title":"Affordable Community Office Space Coming to Sweet Auburn","published_date":"2020-08-26","featured_image":{"id":1370,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"thrive_4.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":130899,"resource_updated_at":"2020-08-26T12:47:40.973-04:00","caption":"Thrive Sweet Auburn","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-08-26T12:47:41.008-04:00","updated_at":"2020-08-26T13:02:40.789-04:00","filename_hash":"thrive_4_8mgkz42.jpg","width":1207,"height":713},"filename":"coming-soon-to-sweet-auburn-community-office-space-empowered-by-the-eastside-tad-grant","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Wtp4yg","created_at":"2020-08-26T12:49:03.122-04:00","updated_at":"2020-08-26T13:02:40.756-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta recently approved a $715,000 from the Eastside TAD (Tax Allocation District) Community Empowerment Fund to finance Thrive Sweet Auburn. This new construction mixed-use development will provide a co-work office facility within the community for critically needed non-profit services and community-serving small businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocated at 302-284 Decatur Street, one block west of the King Memorial MARTA station, the developer Project Community Connections, Inc. (PCCI) will create approximately 15,577 square feet of new office space and 117 affordable rental units. TAD funding will assist in building out the office spaces.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe hybrid-office space includes a combination of leasable offices, desks and flexible workspace, all supported by amenities such as reservable conference rooms and a small media studio.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn July, the board also approved Eastside TAD funding for renovations on another community space located at \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/eastside-tad-financing-approved-for-community-of-hospitality-properties-on-edgewood-ave\"\u003e458 and 460 Edgewood Avenue\u003c/a\u003e. With the Eastside TAD funding guidelines requiring that a percentage of below-market, for-rent commercial spaces be available, these projects demonstrate the City\u0026rsquo;s commitment to creating affordable office space for local and disadvantaged businesses as part of its economic mobility initiative. Learn more about these projects \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/developers/opportunities-incentives/tax-allocation-district-financing/eastside\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Sweet Auburn\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":346,"title":"Invest Atlanta Approves Financing for Construction of 209 Units of Affordable Multifamily Housing","promo_title":"209 Units of Affordable Housing Coming to Bolton Road","published_date":"2020-08-26","featured_image":{"id":1371,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"the_reserve_1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":168157,"resource_updated_at":"2020-08-26T12:51:37.352-04:00","caption":"The Reserve at Bolton Road","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-08-26T12:51:37.388-04:00","updated_at":"2020-08-26T13:07:09.900-04:00","filename_hash":"the_reserve_1_QgQXr5g.jpg","width":1165,"height":725},"filename":"invest-atlanta-approves-financing-for-construction-of-209-units-of-affordable-multifamily-housing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"l2-YHQ","created_at":"2020-08-26T12:52:09.314-04:00","updated_at":"2020-08-26T13:07:09.866-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Urban Residential Finance Authority (URFA) Board of Directors, as part of Invest Atlanta, has approved financing for the construction of 209 units of affordable multifamily housing.\u0026nbsp;The Reserve at Bolton Road will be located at 1070 Bolton Road with close proximity to Interstate 285 and Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Reserve at Bolton Road, developed by KCG Development, LLC, will contain 43 units at or below 40 percent Area Median Income (AMI), 133 units at or below 69 percent AMI and 33 units at or below 80 percent AMI. The property amenities will include a clubhouse/leasing office, swimming pool, laundry facility, exercise room, picnic and playground areas.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Board approved a $22,500,000 tax-exempt\u0026nbsp;loan to finance this development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":342,"title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Atlanta Business League, a Near Century-Old Atlanta Landmark Organization Remains Strong During Pandemic ","promo_title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Atlanta Business League","published_date":"2020-08-20","featured_image":{"id":1365,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"abl.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":177717,"resource_updated_at":"2020-08-20T13:07:16.960-04:00","caption":"Atlanta Business League","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-08-20T13:07:17.031-04:00","updated_at":"2020-09-17T13:00:53.972-04:00","filename_hash":"abl_W1zLxK8.jpg","width":1420,"height":796},"filename":"atlstrong-small-business-stories-atlanta-business-league-a-near-century-old-atlanta-landmark-organization-remains-strong-during-pandemic","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"M5IlYg","created_at":"2020-08-20T13:09:11.241-04:00","updated_at":"2020-08-20T13:11:05.113-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/447178476","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta Business League (ABL) is an 87-year-old business organization focused on the growth, creation, and development of successful African American business owners in Atlanta. Leona Barr Davenport, President and CEO of the ABL, says its goal has remained the same since the enterprise\u0026rsquo;s inception in 1933: \u0026ldquo;To help our members stay connected, to highlight them in the community, to market them, and to continue to bring value in the city.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHelping its members pivot or \u0026ldquo;re-imagine\u0026rdquo; their businesses has been part of the ABL\u0026rsquo;s mission since well before the COVID-19 pandemic. Whereas luncheons, workshops, and seminars were programming staples, they\u0026rsquo;ve had to switch to utilizing more technology in order to bring information of value to their members, such as hosting weekly webinars.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has been a longstanding partner of the Atlanta Business League and, remarks Barr-Davenport, the Atlanta community as a whole. She feels the city of Atlanta is unique in providing young business owners with the opportunities to connect and build relationships with veteran, seasoned business owners.\u0026nbsp; Remarks Barr-Davenport, \u0026ldquo;I would encourage aspiring business owners to understand that building relationships is key.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":341,"title":"New Grant Program Available to Assist Small Businesses Impacted by the Pandemic","promo_title":"Resurgence Fund Launches to Assist Atlanta's Small Businesses","published_date":"2020-08-03","featured_image":{"id":1307,"parent_id":6,"resource_file_name":"resurgence_logo.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":512068,"resource_updated_at":"2020-08-03T20:35:18.564-04:00","caption":"Resurgence Logo Small","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-08-03T20:35:18.641-04:00","updated_at":"2020-08-04T07:32:03.885-04:00","filename_hash":"resurgence_logo_ZOalgLe.png","width":1080,"height":1080},"filename":"new-grant-program-available-to-assist-small-businesses-impacted-by-the-pandemic","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"BDa9Ug","created_at":"2020-08-03T20:27:01.733-04:00","updated_at":"2020-08-04T07:32:03.841-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms recently announced the new \u003ca href=\"/resurgence-fund-dashboard\"\u003eResurgence Grant Fund\u003c/a\u003e, 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.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Resurgence Grant Fund is made possible by the Atlanta City Council\u0026rsquo;s $22 million allocation of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) dollars.\u0026nbsp; A portion of the funds will also be used to recapitalize the recently launched \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/cosmetology-relief-fund-corf#:~:text=Established%20by%20Mayor%20Keisha%20Lance,in%20the%20city%20of%20Atlanta.\"\u003eStrength in Beauty Fund\u003c/a\u003e in order to continue supporting Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s cosmetology industries.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eMayor Bottoms explained the message behind the name of this new fund:\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;The City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s motto is Resurgens -- Latin for \u0026lsquo;rising again.\u0026rsquo; 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.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp; 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.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eQualified 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.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eProfessionals 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.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are listening to the needs of the business community and continue to deploy resources to help them through the impacts of COVID-19,\u0026rdquo; said Eloise Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Economic prosperity and competitiveness in Atlanta start with equity, and Atlanta\u0026rsquo;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.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eApplications 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 \u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com\"\u003ewww.investatlanta.com\u003c/a\u003e. The webinar will be available on-demand for those that cannot attend live.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":339,"title":"Eastside TAD Financing Approved for Community of Hospitality Properties on Edgewood Ave.","promo_title":"Eastside TAD Financing Approved for Community of Hospitality","published_date":"2020-07-28","featured_image":{"id":1300,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"107930547_3475903339109226_3754347603439383978_o.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":70413,"resource_updated_at":"2020-07-28T16:47:57.342-04:00","caption":"Community of Hospitality","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-07-28T16:47:57.380-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-28T16:50:30.701-04:00","filename_hash":"107930547_3475903339109226_3754347603439383978_o_OPEyWR6.jpg","width":1080,"height":634},"filename":"eastside-tad-financing-approved-for-community-of-hospitality-properties-on-edgewood-ave","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"1AWQKw","created_at":"2020-07-28T16:49:37.961-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-28T16:50:30.653-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAt its July board meeting, Invest Atlanta approved financing from the Eastside TAD (Tax Allocation District) Community Empowerment Fund up to $320,000 to fund the building renovation of 458 and 460 Edgewood Avenue.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe renovation of the adjoining properties would create 6,600 square feet of affordable retail and office space for non-profit and social impact users. The properties are owned by Community of Hospitality (COH), an intentional, faith-based organization committed to the service of others by traditionally serving the homeless and now, via this project, cultivating socially-oriented small businesses and nonprofits to further their missions.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eCOH is most known for its work at the property through Caf\u0026eacute; 458, a restaurant concept that provided employment and a safe space for meals for homeless residents. The property was also home to the organization\u0026rsquo;s signature program The Edge, which provided comprehensive support services for homeless people seeking work.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e458 Edgewood is a 2,000-square-foot single-story building built in 1940, comprised of a commercial kitchen and dining area. COH intends to activate the space with a social-impact food and beverage provider focused on economic and creative empowerment. 460 Edgewood is approximately 4,600 square feet split between two floors. The ground floor will house community meeting space and private offices, with the second floor containing eight offices and a common collaborative area. Programming of the collaborative area will include community empowerment programming, educational and vocational classes, skills sharing, and community organizing.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn accordance with the Eastside TAD funding guidelines, 20 percent of leasable square footage\u0026nbsp;will be restricted to rents that are equal to or less than 20 percent of the area\u0026rsquo;s market rate.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":340,"title":"Invest Atlanta Approves Financing for Construction of 108 Units of Affordable Senior Housing","promo_title":"108 Units of Affordable Senior Housing Coming to Adamsville Neighborhood","published_date":"2020-07-28","featured_image":{"id":1301,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"109124236_3475774935788733_3898905104437609280_o.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":90174,"resource_updated_at":"2020-07-28T16:52:51.106-04:00","caption":"Harmony Bakers Ferry","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":3,"created_at":"2020-07-28T16:52:51.149-04:00","updated_at":"2025-01-09T13:46:01.065-05:00","filename_hash":"109124236_3475774935788733_3898905104437609280_o_p5yN4bj.jpg","width":1080,"height":680},"filename":"invest-atlanta-approves-financing-for-construction-of-108-units-of-affordable-senior-housing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"6QpiUw","created_at":"2020-07-28T16:54:32.893-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-28T16:55:04.129-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved financing for Harmony at Bakers Ferry, a 108-unit affordable housing development for seniors aged 55 and over. All 108 units will be available at 60 percent Area Median Income (AMI).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eLed by GNTH Developments, LLC and Atlanta Housing, this new construction will be located at 3650 Bakers Ferry Road in the Adamsville neighborhood. The three-story building will offer units equipped with HVAC, energy star refrigerators and dishwashers, stove, microwave oven and a powder-based stovetop fire suppression canister installed above the range cook-top. The amenities will include a community room, computer center, on-site laundry, exercise room, covered drop-off/pick-up area, and covered picnic area with grills.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Board approved a $15 million tax-exempt loan for this development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":338,"title":"Invest Atlanta Authorizes Rise Atlanta Low-Interest Revolving Loan Fund","promo_title":"Rise Atlanta Low-Interest Revolving Loan Fund","published_date":"2020-07-28","featured_image":{"id":1299,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"109501484_3475911559108404_6805835519922468004_o.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":75521,"resource_updated_at":"2020-07-28T16:41:26.895-04:00","caption":"Rise Atlanta Loan Fund","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-07-28T16:41:27.194-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-28T16:45:38.412-04:00","filename_hash":"109501484_3475911559108404_6805835519922468004_o_7J2gWo6.jpg","width":1080,"height":720},"filename":"invest-atlanta-authorizes-rise-atlanta-low-interest-revolving-loan-fund","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"K9Z6xQ","created_at":"2020-07-28T16:45:08.100-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-28T16:45:38.366-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eInvest Atlanta recently authorized the creation of the new Rise Atlanta Revolving Loan Fund (RARLF). The purpose of the RARLF is to provide a public benefit in the form of low-interest small business loans to small and local businesses engaged in trade, industry, and commerce located in Community Development Impact Areas (CDIA) of the city of Atlanta to recover from an economic shock or disaster.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eQualified applicants are eligible for direct loans between $10,000 and $50,000 over a period not to exceed seven years. Interest rates for the loan will not exceed 3 percent and the first payment may be deferred until March 1, 2021. Funds can be used for inventory, working capital, equipment, fixtures, furniture, and up to $30,000 of the loan can be used to retire high-interest rate business debt accounts\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eSmall businesses are a vital part of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy. Approximately 16,000 businesses operate in the city of Atlanta. Almost 95 percent of those businesses have less than 50 employees and/or $500K in revenue. An estimated 25 percent of businesses do not open again after a major disaster, according to the Institute for Business and Home Safety. Following a disaster, 90 percent of smaller companies fail within a year unless they can resume operations within five days.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe RARLF will help ensure the viability of small, minority and female-owned businesses located in Community Development Impact Areas (CDIA). CDIA areas of the City of Atlanta can include Auburn Ave, Donald L. Hollowell Parkway, Campbellton Rd, Kirkwood, Westend/Westview, East Atlanta, Metropolitan Avenue, Memorial Drive, Cascade Rd, Georgia Avenue, Pryor Road, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Lowery Blvd., Sylvan/Dill and surrounding areas.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":337,"title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - iWi Fresh Pivots to “Uber Self Care” During Pandemic","promo_title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - iwi Fresh","published_date":"2020-07-21","featured_image":{"id":1295,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"iwi_fresh.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":112807,"resource_updated_at":"2020-07-21T21:45:00.309-04:00","caption":"iwi Fresh","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-07-21T21:45:00.867-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-22T10:42:01.536-04:00","filename_hash":"iwi_fresh_5E6q6Oq.jpg","width":1303,"height":799},"filename":"atlstrong-small-business-stories-iwi-fresh-pivots-to-uber-self-care-during-pandemic","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"JizsPA","created_at":"2020-07-21T21:45:39.407-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-22T10:42:01.483-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/440647944","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eYolanda Owens, owner of iwi Fresh - the garden day spa located in the historic Castleberry Hill Art district - has been making her own natural skincare recipes for fourteen years. Inspired by her grandmother, Owens developed the hobby of creating skincare products and beauty creams for her family and friends. Nicknamed \u0026ldquo;The Skincare Chef,\u0026rdquo; Owens went on to open iwi Fresh in 2010, where clients can purchase their farm-based, raw ingredient products and enjoy spa treatments.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWith the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Owens developed several innovative ways to adapt, such as creating \u0026ldquo;Uber Self Care\u0026rdquo; which delivered products to customers\u0026rsquo; doorsteps. \u0026ldquo;Another pivot that we did was Quarantine Selfcare Curbside Pickup,\u0026rdquo; Owens explained, where customers could pick up products safely from outside the store.\u0026nbsp; Additionally, Owens has taken to social media to promote their products and services and hosts an Instagram Live program about self care.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe new product packages that iwi Fresh launched in order to serve its clients during the pandemic also came with extra expenses, such as packaging materials and ingredients. The Business Continuity Loan Fund (BCLF) was able to help the company with these needs. \u0026ldquo;With the [BCLF] money I was able to take care of staff, and I was able to take care of inventory,\u0026rdquo; said Owens. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta seems like the central hub for small business owners in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; remarked Owens. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s the go-to place.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":336,"title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Comedy Theater Dad’s Garage Finds Creative Ways to Survive Pandemic","promo_title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Dad's Garage","published_date":"2020-07-08","featured_image":{"id":1283,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"dadsgarage-106.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":2239695,"resource_updated_at":"2020-07-08T06:27:47.751-04:00","caption":"Dad's Garage","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-07-08T06:27:48.415-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-08T06:30:43.110-04:00","filename_hash":"dadsgarage-106_LgmWJxr.jpg","width":5716,"height":3355},"filename":"atlstrong-small-business-stories-comedy-theater-dads-garage-finds-creative-ways-to-survive-pandemic","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"1g_i1w","created_at":"2020-07-08T06:30:13.434-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-08T06:30:43.051-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHoused in a former church in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s historic Old Fourth Ward is Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage, the award-winning nonprofit theater company, now in its 25th year. All of the performers have one goal for the 450 shows they annually produce: \u0026ldquo;To transform people, communities, and perspectives using laughter.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eManaging Director Lara Smith explained that, since they cannot hold live shows, Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage has taken its content to Twitch, an online streaming platform. Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage currently streams between thirty and forty hours of content a week. Smith says they\u0026rsquo;ve received over 10 thousand viewers - much more than the number of people they would usually reach with only live performances.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the improv shows Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage produces, the company also provides classes for the general public, year-round youth programming including a summer-camp component, and training for corporations. Even during the pandemic, Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage has successfully moved their classes, youth program and summer-camp to a digital format.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSmith says one added benefit of moving online is that, \u0026ldquo;in all of these areas people can now participate from father away. We have people from all over the Southeast who are aware of Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage and now they can participate.\u0026rdquo; While the theater remains closed for the foreseeable future, Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage has created three distinct ways for people to support the company via Twitch - through a donation, a micro donation or with a subscription.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage produces some original scripted comedic works, many of which have a social justice angle - while still offering laughs. Some of these archived shows are available to rent and watch, with all proceeds going to support those on the frontlines of the respective causes.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhile Twitch is helping tremendously and paying for itself, Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage still has operating costs to maintain and employees on staff. As they began to think about reopening, Smith explained that the funding from the Business Continuity Loan Fund (BCLF) provided them with flexibility.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s allowed us to think longer term and bigger picture. For us, it\u0026rsquo;s given us the space to think long term and we can look strictly at the data as to when it\u0026rsquo;s safe to reopen. We want to make sure our audience feels safe.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp; Additionally, the funds will help pay for necessary renovations, in accordance with the Center for Disease Control\u0026rsquo;s safety requirements for businesses to reopen.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSmith feels that the company was uniquely positioned to be able to pivot gracefully from live shows to Twitch. After losing their longtime rental home in Inman Park in 2013, Dad\u0026rsquo;s Garage spent two years being \u0026ldquo;homeless.\u0026rdquo; It was during that challenging time that Smith says that they were able to reaffirm their mission. The team recognized that stage shows were not the sole way to fulfill their goal. They created other programming which they are now relying upon during the pandemic. Remarked Smith, \u0026ldquo;You can always pivot, if you get to the heart of what you\u0026rsquo;re trying to do.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":335,"title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Vine City Eatery Pivots with Business Continuity Loan Fund Assistance ","promo_title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Local Green","published_date":"2020-07-02","featured_image":{"id":1282,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"local_green.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":181867,"resource_updated_at":"2020-07-02T14:25:55.132-04:00","caption":"Local Green","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-07-02T14:25:55.569-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-06T15:37:08.024-04:00","filename_hash":"local_green_kbpbLjq.jpg","width":1363,"height":940},"filename":"atlstrong-small-business-stories-vine-city-eatery-pivots-with-business-continuity-loan-fund-assistance","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"9U9l1Q","created_at":"2020-07-02T14:26:10.068-04:00","updated_at":"2020-07-06T15:37:07.980-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/435731335?title=0\u0026byline=0\u0026portrait=0","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNative Atlantan Zak Wallace, owner, founder, and CEO of the Vine City eatery Local Green, grew up in a food desert in Southwest Atlanta. Inspired after seeing first-hand how food insecurity and poor eating habits plagued his community, in 2017 he created Local Green. The business began as a food truck and grew to become a thriving restaurant, serving healthy food to a community desperately lacking in \u0026ldquo;wholesome food options.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the pandemic hit in March, Local Green\u0026rsquo;s business plummeted drastically and took a huge financial hit. Says Wallace, \u0026ldquo;People from Invest Atlanta reached out and were able to tell me what programs were available.\u0026rdquo; Local Green received thirty thousand dollars in Business Continuity Loan Fund (BCLF) funds.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;The resources I was allotted allowed me to make sure my operational money was in place for the core of my business,\u0026rdquo; explains Wallace.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWallace says that \u0026ldquo;human interactions\u0026rdquo; have been one of the biggest changes his business has seen as a result of COVID-19. \u0026ldquo;People would come in and it was like an escape of what might be going on outside the doors. Now we are doing all digital online ordering and curbside delivery.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp; Because Local Green\u0026rsquo;s dining room remains closed due to COVID-19, Wallace is looking to expand the food truck model and form deeper connections with other communities, too. This transition will allow Local Green to continue to spread its message of health and hope across Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWallace is tremendously grateful for the BCLF and Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s overall mission.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta has been here in an ideal way,\u0026rdquo; he says.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":334,"title":"Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Announces CoA Recovery Fund for Impacted Small Businesses","promo_title":"Mayor Establishes Small Business Recovery Fund","published_date":"2020-06-23","featured_image":{"id":1239,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"closeup-photo-black-door-yes-we-are-open-signage-929245.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":4796383,"resource_updated_at":"2020-06-23T14:59:58.843-04:00","caption":"Small Business","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-06-23T14:59:59.419-04:00","updated_at":"2020-06-23T15:07:10.709-04:00","filename_hash":"closeup-photo-black-door-yes-we-are-open-signage-929245_kbwe225.jpg","width":6000,"height":4000},"filename":"mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-announces-coa-recovery-fund-for-impacted-small-businesses","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"TXPBIg","created_at":"2020-06-23T15:00:51.950-04:00","updated_at":"2020-06-23T15:07:10.672-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms recently authorized the creation of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/city-of-atlanta-recovery-fund\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCoA Recovery Fund\u003c/a\u003e to support businesses and facilities that were adversely impacted during otherwise peaceful demonstrations in response to recent incidents highlighting systemic racism in American society.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe fund offered grants to help small businesses\u0026nbsp;quickly address damages so they can continue to serve residents and communities with needed amenities and services. The fund also served to promote trade, industry, and commerce and will protect the much-needed jobs of hard-working citizens.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;The peaceful protests taking place here in Atlanta and around the world have sent a clear message on the need to address systemic racism in our nation at a deeper level,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;Unfortunately, in the midst of the peaceful protests, we witnessed a small and destructive group cause damage to businesses in our city. Thank you to Invest Atlanta for coordinating the City\u0026#39;s Recovery Fund to assist small businesses with their recovery and efforts to continue supporting our communities through jobs and the services.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nSmall businesses with a current City of Atlanta business license that sustained damages were able to apply for a grant of up to $10,000 to cover the insurance deductible or cost of actual repairs to restore the property and business operations.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":333,"title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Trophy Room Community Barbershop in Kirkwood Reopens After Two Month Covid-19 Closure","promo_title":"#ATLStrong: Small Business Stories - Trophy Room Barbershop","published_date":"2020-06-17","featured_image":{"id":1235,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"4g0a4466-edit.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":13368440,"resource_updated_at":"2020-06-17T14:08:29.040-04:00","caption":"Trophy Room - Rolando","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-06-17T14:08:29.529-04:00","updated_at":"2020-06-17T14:12:14.095-04:00","filename_hash":"4g0a4466-edit_Qgabbxl.jpg","width":3742,"height":5054},"filename":"atlstrong-small-business-stories-trophy-room-community-barbershop-in-kirkwood-reopens-after-two-month-covid-19-closure","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"gPukIg","created_at":"2020-06-17T14:11:35.468-04:00","updated_at":"2020-06-17T14:12:14.038-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRolando Rubi, owner of The Trophy Room Barber Shop, a neighborhood barber shop in Kirkwood on the east side of Atlanta, knows that his store is much more than a place where men can get a great haircut. \u0026ldquo;Our focus is really building relationships with our clients. I feel we give back to Kirkwood just that.\u0026nbsp; A very safe, clean, fun place to get a haircut but also a place where the neighbors have a chance to meet each other and create their own type of community.\u0026rdquo; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRubi turned to Invest Atlanta to help him open the shop back in 2014. After successfully repaying his loan, he was awarded with the Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s \u0026ldquo;Community Favorite\u0026rdquo; award in 2017.\u0026nbsp; When the pandemic hit this Spring, like so many businesses, Trophy Room had to temporarily close its doors, and Rubi reached out to partner with Invest Atlanta once again. Trophy Room received a twenty-five-thousand-dollar Business Community Loan Fund (BCLF) \u0026nbsp;to help fund the renovations necessary to reopen in a safe manner for both their clients and team.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to modifying and opening up the existing space to ensure that all of his five full-time barbers have the requisite socially distant space between their areas, Rubi needed to purchase PPE equipment, infrared thermometers, and air purifiers.\u0026nbsp; Additionally, the barbers themselves have had to modify their schedules so that only two barbers are working at a time, to minimize the amount of people inside the shop.\u0026nbsp; Trophy Room has always been by appointment only so this will certainly help reduce foot traffic, as they do not accept walk-ins.\u0026nbsp; And, because client safety and infection control has always been paramount to the field of cosmetology, Rubi feels the extra precautions will simply be adjusting to the \u0026ldquo;new normal.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"text-align:center\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Trophy Room Renovation\" height=\"667\" src=\"/assets/4g0a4387_QgabbEg.jpg\" width=\"1000\" /\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter being closed for two months, Trophy Room reopened in early June.\u0026nbsp; Rubi says he feels \u0026ldquo;confident that barbering is an economically stable industry where we can safely return and make an honest living.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs they were gearing up to reopen, Rubi and his staff called each and every one of their regular clients to let them know they were reopening.\u0026nbsp; Trophy Room\u0026rsquo;s loyal customer base has been helping support the shop during the two-month closure, through purchasing gift cards as well as tipping the individual barbers \u0026ldquo;very generously\u0026rdquo; via Venmo.\u0026nbsp; Rubi also credits his staff with doing their part to help flatten the curve \u0026ndash; not doing any side-jobs \u0026ndash; and waiting until it was safe before returning to work.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;Slow and steady always wins the race, and that\u0026rsquo;s what we are doing.\u0026nbsp; We are adjusting what works and changing what doesn\u0026rsquo;t.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRubi believes that his positive outlook on life and his way of handling negative situations has helped tremendously, too.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;Covid-19 came. I could\u0026rsquo;ve reacted negatively and chosen a different path, and I wouldn\u0026rsquo;t be as solvent financially, emotionally, or spiritually. I chose the positive route,\u0026rdquo; he explains.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;And also, homemade chocolate chip cookies help.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":332,"title":"#ATLStrong Small Business Stories - Virtual Coworking with Alkaloid ","promo_title":"#ATLStrong: Small Business Stories - Virtual Coworking with Alkaloid","published_date":"2020-05-26","featured_image":{"id":1222,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"alkaloid_networks_-_print-5.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":820639,"resource_updated_at":"2020-05-26T11:13:21.875-04:00","caption":"Alkaloid","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-05-26T11:13:22.059-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-28T09:22:11.644-04:00","filename_hash":"alkaloid_networks_-_print-5_6aw3b34.jpg","width":2500,"height":1841},"filename":"atlstrong-small-business-stories-virtual-coworking-with-alkaloid","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"t-oNwg","created_at":"2020-05-26T11:15:59.494-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-28T09:22:11.604-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBack in March, when the shelter-in-place order was issued, Katharine Chestnut applied to seven different places for loan assistance for her Coworking spaces business, Alkaloid Networks. Chestnut explained that Invest Atlanta was the only one that came through. \u0026ldquo;They came through when everyone else was crickets or \u0026lsquo;we don\u0026rsquo;t know what we\u0026rsquo;re doing.\u0026rsquo; \u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eLocated in a 14,000 square foot historic cotton warehouse along the Eastside Beltline, Alkaloid Networks just celebrated its fifth anniversary, though Chestnut says the celebration will have to wait. Instead of having gift bags on hand for members, she drove around the city delivering them. \u0026ldquo;Coworking is a very localized thing and I needed my members to feel connected,\u0026rdquo; she explained.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eDuring the first few weeks of the pandemic, Chestnut immediately launched a multitude of virtual events for her members, providing speakers and work-sprints.\u0026nbsp; Because Alkaloid depends completely on membership dues, Chestnut had to drastically adapt her business since, apart from some essential workers, the majority of members were unable to come in. She also offers a variety of free services because, \u0026ldquo;there are a lot of people who are suddenly working from home now for the first time!\u0026rdquo; To that end, she now offers a new level of membership for those who work from home in addition to posting her free events to LinkedIn and Facebook, and has a Slack channel which she calls \u0026ldquo;The Bright Side\u0026rdquo; \u0026ndash; for people to share positivity. The response, Chestnut says, \u0026ldquo;has been very good.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eChestnut is called \u0026ldquo;The Connector\u0026rdquo; by her current and former members, because she is known for her ability to help foster relationships amongst everyone she knows. Even when people move away or outgrow her space, many of them still keep in touch with her.\u0026nbsp; She says she thrives on seeing people and knows how hard it is to suddenly feel isolated. As such, a few weeks ago she sent out personal emails to each of her 150 members, checking in and asking them what changes they would need to see in place before returning to their spaces. Many members wrote back saying how much they appreciated the communication and the virtual services she is providing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eOne of the things Chestnut feels has helped her during this time when she went from 94% occupancy to barely breaking even, was having a plan. \u0026ldquo;If you weren\u0026rsquo;t prepared for this, it was not a good thing. I remember when 9/11 happened and I was I the events business.\u0026nbsp; It was pretty devastating, and people were very slow to return. They did, and they will now.\u0026rdquo; Still, while she\u0026rsquo;s not able to give tours and backfill her vacancies, having Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s zero percent interest financial assistance helps tremendously. But, she adds, \u0026ldquo;have a plan.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":331,"title":"Atlanta’s Women Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) 2020 Cohort Announced","promo_title":"WEI 2020 Cohort Announced","published_date":"2020-05-21","featured_image":{"id":843,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"wei-atlanta-logo-ia.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":3249,"resource_updated_at":"2019-03-21T14:15:02.703-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-03-21T14:15:02.735-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-22T14:57:48.258-04:00","filename_hash":"wei-atlanta-logo-ia_6ab7Pwe.jpg","width":194,"height":107},"filename":"atlantas-women-entrepreneurship-initiative-wei-2020-cohort-announced","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"pUqIXw","created_at":"2020-05-21T16:07:02.425-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-22T14:57:48.200-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta\u0026rsquo;s Women Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), a business incubator for early-stage, women-owned businesses, announced the fifteen members of its third cohort at the monthly meeting of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Board of Directors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe only municipally-funded program of its kind in the nation, WEI launched in 2015 with the support of the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta. The incubator fosters and promotes community and spurs business growth for female entrepreneurs in a wide range of industries, from AgTech to healthcare to retail.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince its inception, WEI businesses have created more than 230 jobs for the City of Atlanta and WEI entrepreneurs have garnered more than $800,000 in capital investment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich emphasized the importance of community support for female entrepreneurs and noted that nearly 48 percent of women cite this lack of support as a key challenge they face. \u0026ldquo;The Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative provides these entrepreneurs with resources that can help them thrive. Invest Atlanta is committed to assisting women entrepreneurs to grow their businesses so they can become the city\u0026#39;s job creators.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eParticipants benefit from co-working space in downtown Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s historic Flatiron Building for the 15-month program that includes business education, financial literacy, marketing and branding strategies, as well as other types of mentor and peer support.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe WEI 2020 cohort includes Atlanta-based women entrepreneurs representing industries in AgTech, Construction, Consumer Goods, Information Technology, Health Care, Education, Marketing \u0026amp; Advertising and Workforce Development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCalling the newest cohort \u0026ldquo;the strongest yet,\u0026rdquo; WEI Executive Director Monica Hooks said, \u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m beyond thrilled to help lead this group of extraordinary entrepreneurs. They represent Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s best and brightest. They are smart, they are agile, they are problem solvers, and their innovative solutions will help define the future of business. WEI is not just about women. It is about good business driven by women.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e2020 cohort participants include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAkissi Y. Stokes, WUNDERgrubs, LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAmanda A. Farahany, Bamboo Services LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAmber R. Lawson, Aspire Construction \u0026amp; Real Estate Consulting\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAriel Lopez, KNAC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eDenise Alexis, DESIGN-1-1 LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eEvana Oli, Beautiful Curly Me LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHannelore Berger, JOYVIAL\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJamia Ramsey, Blendz Apparel Inc\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eKristina Monique Smith, Hope for Youth, Inc\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eQuyionah Wingfield, Cool Moms Dance Too\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSarah Lindley Marske, Saramar, LLC DBA Saramar Group\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTanjuria A. Willis, eKlozet, LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTrish Miller, The William Pleshette Company\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eVeronica Woodruff, Travelsist\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eVictoria Randle, CNA Instructors Secret Cocktail\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":330,"title":"Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Establishes Grants for City’s Creative and Cosmetology Workers Impacted by COVID-19","promo_title":"Relief Grants Established for Atlanta's Creative and Cosmetology Industry Workers","published_date":"2020-05-21","featured_image":{"id":1220,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"creatl_sib.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1288981,"resource_updated_at":"2020-05-21T15:54:59.595-04:00","caption":"Creative-Cosmo Grands","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-05-21T15:54:59.676-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-21T16:10:02.572-04:00","filename_hash":"creatl_sib_kbw35Y5.png","width":1080,"height":1080},"filename":"mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-establishes-grants-for-citys-creative-and-cosmetology-workers-impacted-by-covid-19","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"NoFNMw","created_at":"2020-05-21T15:59:07.093-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-21T15:59:34.060-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms recently launched two new relief funds for the city\u0026rsquo;s creative industry and beauty industry workers who have encountered economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Invest Atlanta will serve as the program administrator for the two funds.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"/cosmetology-relief-fund-corf\"\u003eStrength in Beauty Fund \u003c/a\u003eprovides grant opportunities through a fiscal partnership with the United Way to assist the independent cosmetology workforce, including barbers, manicurists, skincare specialists and makeup artists.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta is a vibrant city and international hub for creatives and entertainment industry leaders,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;We want to ensure our talent and cultural arts sectors are stable and well-supported during this time. This fund will help our creative artists continue to enrich our lives and our communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"/creatl-relief-fund\"\u003ecreATL Relief fund\u003c/a\u003e will assist Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s creative community working in the gig economy with grants to alleviate economic hardship caused by project cancellations and other pandemic-related disruptions. The fund was launched through a public/private collaboration between the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Film and Entertainment, the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Cultural Affairs, the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of City Planning, Invest Atlanta, and City National Bank.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta has thrived on its rich history as home to some of the most skilled and creative cosmetologists and beauty brands for decades,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. As a city, we want to uplift those that take their time each day to brighten the lives of so many through their work.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBoth funds offer grants of $1,000 per applicant. Both funds are actively accepting additional donations through \u003ca href=\"https://atlstrong.org/donation/\"\u003eatlstrong.org/donation/\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":329,"title":"Predevelopment Assistance Funding Approved for Mixed-Use Redevelopment in Campbellton Road TAD","promo_title":"Predevelopment Assistance Funding for Briarwood Mixed-Use Project","published_date":"2020-05-21","featured_image":{"id":1219,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"briarwood.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1147391,"resource_updated_at":"2020-05-21T15:43:54.474-04:00","caption":"briarwood2","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-05-21T15:43:54.560-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-21T15:53:15.666-04:00","filename_hash":"briarwood_BxB3wVO.png","width":1080,"height":1080},"filename":"predevelopment-assistance-funding-approved-for-mixed-use-redevelopment-in-campbellton-road-tad","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"4wagXA","created_at":"2020-05-21T15:37:16.968-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-21T15:53:15.621-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors has approved funding from the Campbellton Road TAD Predevelopment Assistance Fund to redevelop approximately 11 acres immediately across from Greenbriar Mall.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRiddle Property Group will receive up to $250,000 to provide mezzanine loan funds for the Briarwood redevelopment project, a $42 million mixed-use district comprised of affordable housing, medical offices, retail and other public amenities.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe project will bring affordable housing, amenities and job opportunities to Southwest Atlanta, while activating a parcel of land that has been under-utilized in past years. The redevelopment includes 123 apartments, with 51 percent of those units offered at or below 60 percent AMI (Area Median Income).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta launched the \u003ca href=\"about:blank\"\u003ePredevelopment Assistance Fund\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;earlier this year to develop or significantly rehabilitate affordable workforce housing and neighborhood-scale commercial property within the Perry-Bolton TAD, Westside TAD and Campbellton Road TAD areas.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":328,"title":"EPA Awards Brownfield Grant for Cleanup of Atlanta Beltline Southside Corridor","promo_title":"EPA Awards Brownfield Grant for Atlanta Beltline Southside Corridor Clean-up","published_date":"2020-05-14","featured_image":{"id":429,"parent_id":7,"resource_file_name":"atlantabeltline_tad_mantle_940x360.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":502292,"resource_updated_at":"2018-01-05T15:35:11.809-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":3,"created_at":"2018-01-05T15:35:11.992-05:00","updated_at":"2024-10-01T10:11:21.844-04:00","filename_hash":"atlantabeltline_tad_mantle_940x360_kbWgWOO.jpg","width":1880,"height":720},"filename":"epa-awards-brownfield-grant-for-cleanup-of-atlanta-beltline-southside-corrido","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"n-eQAg","created_at":"2020-05-14T07:55:31.093-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-14T07:56:51.799-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Atlanta BeltLine\u0026rsquo;s Southside Corridor will get a major boost with a $500,000 Brownfield Cleanup Grant. The grant will fund environmental remediation of a 0.85-mile section of former railroad corridor in the Atlanta Beltline Southside Corridor, encompassing approximately 16 acres.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;The City of Atlanta has many examples, like Atlantic Station, of brownfield remediation playing a critical role in revitalizing underdeveloped areas,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;These latest grant funds will not only further development of the Atlanta Beltline\u0026rsquo;s Southside trail, but also pave the way for equity-driven investment in low-income census tracts, including the three Federal Opportunity Zones in the remediation area. We thank the U.S. Environmental Protection Division for their continued support of these strategic development efforts in our city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThis segment of the former CSX railroad corridor will weave through the emerging job center of Pittsburgh Yards; underneath the major interstate bisecting Atlanta \u0026ndash; the 75/85 Connector; and a major Atlanta Public Schools complex. It also safely crosses under a busy five-way road intersection via a beautiful, 120-year old stone railroad tunnel.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eDue to the BeltLine\u0026rsquo;s history as a former railroad, Brownfield remediation has been a core component of the Atlanta BeltLine since its official inception in 2005. Though the trains have stopped running, contamination remains. Along the corridor, an estimated 3,000 tons of soil will be excavated and transported to an appropriate off-site disposal facility.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta Beltline, Inc. is thrilled to continue our decades-long partnership with the EPA to remediate a segment of the Southside corridor and create new pathways for economic inclusion, such as the development of Pittsburgh Yards,\u0026rdquo; said Clyde Higgs, CEO of Atlanta Beltline, Inc. \u0026ldquo;Initiatives such as these strengthen workforce development efforts and incentivize nearby housing development, including new affordable units.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Atlanta BeltLine repurposes a freight rail corridor constructed approximately 100 years ago to bypass the core of Atlanta and transforms it into a 22-mile transportation corridor with a 14-foot wide multi-purpose trail that encircles the heart of the city.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIn 2009, the City of Atlanta, through Invest Atlanta, established the Brownfield Remediation Loan Fund (BRLF) to provide brownfield cleanup financing for eligible projects within the Atlanta city limits. The fund was initially capitalized by a $1 million grant from the EPA. Since 2009, the EPA has provided an additional $1.9 million to the program for a total of $2.9 million to fund additional brownfield investments. Invest Atlanta offers BRLF funds to businesses interested in or involved in the development of brownfield sites for commercial projects, including recent \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/brownfield-clean-up-loan-approved-for-pullman-yard\"\u003efinancing to Atomic Entertainment\u003c/a\u003e for environmental remediation of Pullman Yard.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;EPA\u0026rsquo;s grant funding has helped make it possible for communities across Georgia to clean up contaminated properties and benefit from the resulting economic growth,\u0026rdquo; said Richard Dunn, Director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. \u0026ldquo;Since the Georgia Brownfields Program began 17 years ago, 598 properties have been cleaned up at minimal expense to taxpayers and we are excited to add these new projects in Atlanta and Albany to that list.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eGrants awarded by EPA\u0026rsquo;s Brownfields Program provide communities across the country with an opportunity to transform contaminated sites into community assets that attract jobs and achieve broader economic development outcomes while taking advantage of existing infrastructure.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":327,"title":"TAD Funds Approved for New StationSoccer Facility at iVillage@MLK","promo_title":"New SoccerStation Facility at iVillage@MLK","published_date":"2020-04-16","featured_image":{"id":1175,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"untitled-130.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":459282,"resource_updated_at":"2020-04-16T17:08:43.343-04:00","caption":"SoccerintheStreets","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-04-16T17:08:43.392-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:50:54.954-04:00","filename_hash":"untitled-130_YBvm7Wx.jpg","width":1500,"height":860},"filename":"tad-funds-approved-for-new-stationsoccer-facility-at-ivillagemlk","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"H2ZRKA","created_at":"2020-04-16T11:22:32.477-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:50:54.915-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAt its April meeting, the board of directors of Invest Atlanta, led by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, voted to approve funding for the construction of a StationSoccer facility at\u0026nbsp;\u003ca data-saferedirecturl=\"https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/medium-large-businesses/startups-creatives/ivillage-at-mlk\u0026amp;source=gmail\u0026amp;ust=1587157259584000\u0026amp;usg=AFQjCNHhtRB9LBoz13co2xJoVPG0YkyRBA\" href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/medium-large-businesses/startups-creatives/ivillage-at-mlk\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eiVillage @ MLK\u003c/a\u003e. Invest Atlanta, MARTA,\u0026nbsp;\u003ca data-saferedirecturl=\"https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.soccerstreets.org/\u0026amp;source=gmail\u0026amp;ust=1587157259584000\u0026amp;usg=AFQjCNHaq7RPwUsvM5eWYkjRQfqkoaqT6w\" href=\"https://www.soccerstreets.org/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSoccer in the Streets\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;(SITS), Atlanta United Foundation, Local Initiatives Support Corporation(LISC) and other\u0026nbsp;local\u0026nbsp;foundations are partnering on this venture, which will provide access to quality soccer and youth development programs for the community, while also supporting increased traffic and interest in iVillage @ MLK. Construction of the facility is expected to begin in June with a projected opening date in September 2020.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eiVillage @ MLK, is the city of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s first shipping container village, providing retail and business space to entrepreneurs looking to launch or grow a business. Located at the Hamilton E. Holmes MARTA station, iVillage @ MLK was funded with almost $550,000 of Hollowell-ML King TAD (Tax Allocation District) grants allocated by Invest Atlanta and opened to the public in August 2019. Approximately $39,000 in funds from the project were authorized to construct the StationSoccer facility immediately adjacent to the iVillage @ MLK. Invest Atlanta also approved an additional allocation of $11,000 from the Hollowell-ML King TAD tax increment to support infrastructure costs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eSITS is a not-for-profit organization that works to develop young leaders so they can lead rich lives and cultivate healthy communities through sports-based youth development. It serves over 5,000 youth through partnership programs with Atlanta Public Schools and other civic groups. Founded in 1989 in Atlanta, the organization reaches kids through soccer play, work-readiness training, hands-on experiential activities, and participation in youth leadership councils. The initiative is gaining worldwide recognition for its \u0026lsquo;StationSoccer\u0026rsquo; initiative \u0026ndash; which builds soccer fields and community classrooms in and around metro transit hubs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":325,"title":"Eastside TAD Grants Approved to Support Two Renovations on Two Historic Wheat Street Properties","promo_title":"Renovations for Wheat Street Buildings","published_date":"2020-04-16","featured_image":{"id":1172,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"wheat_street.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1647927,"resource_updated_at":"2020-04-16T11:11:44.897-04:00","caption":"Wheat Street","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-04-16T11:11:45.395-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:50:29.573-04:00","filename_hash":"wheat_street_r6OJmNl.png","width":1080,"height":1080},"filename":"eastside-tad-grants-approved-to-support-two-renovations-on-two-historic-wheat-street-properties","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"O59Drw","created_at":"2020-04-16T11:13:46.487-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:50:29.531-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAt its April board meeting, Invest Atlanta approved two grants from Eastside TAD (Tax Allocation District) funds to finance the rehabilitation of two buildings in the historic Wheat Street district.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe first grant of $1.5 million from the Eastside TAD Community Empowerment Fund will support the rehabilitation of the historic Wheat Street Educational Building (WSEB). The WSEB is a historic office building that has provided Church-centered educational services since its construction in 1955. The new space will be targeted towards community-serving small businesses and non-profits and offer 21,000 square feet of office space.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta Center for Self-Sufficiency, a non-profit organization will also be permanently housed at the site. The organization provides food, job training, interview training, job placement, housing assistant and other social services and has been in operation at WSEB since 1982.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe building will be fully renovated and restored to its original condition in accords with the State of Georgia\u0026rsquo;s Historic Preservation Office\u0026rsquo;s guidelines. Improvements include all new electrical, HVAC, double-pane windows, an expanded commercial kitchen, and an elevator serving all floors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe second grant of $650,000 from the Eastside TAD Resurgens Fund will finance the rehabilitation of the historic Wheat Street American Legion Building (ALB) to provide space for local retail, restaurants and small businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe ALB, once home to the neighborhood\u0026rsquo;s American Legion post, has provided neighborhood retail and office space along Auburn Avenue since the first level was built in 1930. However, the property has been vacant and unusable for nearly 20 years. The ALB will be restored to its original condition in coordination with the State of Georgia\u0026rsquo;s Historic Preservation Office\u0026rsquo;s guidelines so that it can support retail, restaurants, small businesses and non-profits. Improvements include: a new storefront, all new electrical, HVAC, double-pane windows, and an elevator serving all floors and the roof.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWheat Street Charitable Foundation (WSCF), a 501(c)(3) formed in 1969 as a separate legal entity from Wheat Street Baptist Church, is the developer for both renovations. In accordance with the Eastside TAD funding guidelines, 20 percent of leasable square footage for both buildings will be restricted to rents that are 20 percent below the area\u0026rsquo;s market rate for 15 years. These guidelines allow WSCF to target community-serving small businesses and non-profit organizations.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Sweet Auburn\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":326,"title":"Invest Atlanta Approves Eastside TAD Grant for Multifamily Development Adjacent to Mercy Care Clinic","promo_title":"Eastside TAD Approved for Affordable Housing Near Mercy Care Clinic","published_date":"2020-04-16","featured_image":{"id":1173,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"mcauley_park.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":116348,"resource_updated_at":"2020-04-16T11:16:58.635-04:00","caption":"McAuley Park","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-04-16T11:16:58.676-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:50:42.911-04:00","filename_hash":"mcauley_park_ZOvPN39.jpg","width":1012,"height":621},"filename":"invest-atlanta-approves-eastside-tad-grant-for-multifamily-development-adjacent-to-mercy-care-clinic","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"POrtpQ","created_at":"2020-04-16T11:17:58.080-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:50:42.873-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors has approved a $4 million grant from the Eastside TAD (Tax Allocation District) Ascension Fund to support construction of the first phase of McAuley Park, a multifamily development adjacent to the Mercy Care clinic in Southeast Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe developer Pennrose, LLC (Pennrose), along with Saint Joseph\u0026rsquo;s Health System, Inc. (Mercy Care) have partnered together to improve health outcomes and decrease health care costs of traditionally underserved populations.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe first phase of McAuley Park will include a 180-unit multifamily development and 367-space parking deck that will serve both the multifamily development and the Mercy Care medical clinic. The development will offer 135 units at or below 60% AMI (Area Median Income) with 10 units controlled by Mercy Care to provide respite housing for patients.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eOnce complete, the master development will include a renovated and significantly expanded Mercy Care clinic and central office, 100 units of affordable senior housing, 180 units of mixed-income family housing and a 367-space parking deck to accommodate both the medical building and the family housing.\u0026nbsp; This multi-phased, mixed-use/mixed-income project addresses an important need and demand for affordable housing in the City of Atlanta, specifically close to downtown and MARTA rail.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eMercy Care was established in 1985 to bring healthcare to the most vulnerable, with a strong emphasis on serving the homeless. Mercy Care operates six permanent clinics as well as five mobile medical coaches throughout metro Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":324,"title":"Invest Atlanta Closes on Financing for Pullman Yard Clean-Up Loan","promo_title":"Financing Final for Pullman Yard Clean-Up Loan","published_date":"2020-04-15","featured_image":{"id":980,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"pullman_yards_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1331563,"resource_updated_at":"2019-08-15T13:42:17.428-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":4,"created_at":"2019-08-15T13:42:17.583-04:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T13:53:27.002-04:00","filename_hash":"pullman_yards_insight_W14ZmJo.png","width":1200,"height":587},"filename":"invest-atlanta-closes-on-financing-for-pullman-yard-clean-up-loan","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"u0GGrg","created_at":"2020-04-15T15:58:00.544-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:51:07.433-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eInvest Atlanta closed $950,000 in financing from the Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (BRLF) for Atomic Entertainment Development, LLC to fund environmental remediation for the historic Pratt-Pullman Yard site.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eOnce cleaned up, the site will be redeveloped into a mixed-use entertainment district called \u0026ldquo;Pratt-Pullman District.\u0026rdquo; The development will include residences, retail stores, a hotel, a digital incubator, creative offices, film production facilities, fine dining establishments, a fitness and wellness center and various points of interest. Atomic Entertainment will maintain the historic integrity of the property and has included a bike, walk, and nature paths in its design, as well as the maintenance of Woodland Preserves as a natural sanctuary. This project will create approximately 500 jobs and 10 percent affordable housing units.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe 27-acre site was the site of an active manufacturing facility starting in 1904. From the 1920s to the 1950s, Pullman Rail Car Company operated a repair and storage yard at the site. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, the site was severely underused, and for the last 30 years it has been inactive.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Brownfields Program started in 1996. Since then, the City has managed several programs and initiatives aimed at identifying, assessing and remediating brownfield sites throughout the city. Invest Atlanta oversees the Brownfield RLF program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA brownfield is a real property whose expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Examples include former industrial sites, gas stations, dry-cleaning establishments, and other industrial uses. Atlantic Station and the Atlanta BeltLine are two examples of successful brownfield cleanup and redevelopment projects in the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIn June of 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $500,000 in supplemental funding to assist the City of Atlanta in cleaning up contaminated brownfield properties. The EPA provided a total of $15.7 million in funding to 33 other existing Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grantees, helping Atlanta and other communities around the country carry out cleanup and redevelopment projects.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":323,"title":"Invest Atlanta Establishes Loan Fund for COVID-19 Affected Small Businesses","promo_title":"Emergency Funding for Small Businesses During COVID-19 Pandemic","published_date":"2020-03-24","featured_image":{"id":1149,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"90652231_3160706653962231_2741339803831238656_o.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":121874,"resource_updated_at":"2020-03-24T20:52:13.514-04:00","caption":"small business ","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-03-24T20:52:14.037-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:51:21.161-04:00","filename_hash":"90652231_3160706653962231_2741339803831238656_o_BxVNRMr.jpg","width":1080,"height":1080},"filename":"invest-atlanta-establishes-loan-fund-for-covid-19-affected-small-businesses","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"T0yaVA","created_at":"2020-03-24T20:53:47.538-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:51:21.140-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOn March 20, 2020, Invest Atlanta launched a new loan fund to ensure the viability of businesses in the city of Atlanta in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new Business Continuity Loan Fund provides zero-interest loans to help businesses sustain their employee base and maintain operations during this period of economic shock. The fund is for small businesses located in the city of Atlanta that are experiencing economic distress from COVID-19.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta acted quickly to establish the fund because small businesses account for a critical portion of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy. Of the approximately twenty thousand businesses operating in the city of Atlanta, almost 95 percent have less than fifty employees and/or $500K in revenue.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough the fund, businesses can apply for a loan between $5,000 and $30,000 to cover rent and mortgage payments, employee wages, inventory management, and for working capital. Loans have a zero percent interest rate and a 6 to 12-month deferment before the first payment is due. The loan term is not to exceed five years.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo be a qualified applicant for the BCLF, businesses must:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eBe an existing for-profit corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or non-profit with for-profit activities in the city of Atlanta that contributes to trade.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eBe current on all financial obligations related to the lease or mortgage agreement for the business.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHave 50 or fewer full-time employees, i.e., employees working at least 30 hours per week or 130 hours per month.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHave been in operations for 1 year\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHave a current City of Atlanta business license.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eBe current on all City of Atlanta taxes and fees.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to the Institute for Business and Home Safety, an estimated 25 percent of businesses do not open again after a major disaster. Additionally, following a disaster, 90 percent of smaller companies fail within a year unless they can resume operations within five days.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMore information on the BCLF program and qualifications can be found \u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/bclf\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":322,"title":"New Predevelopment Assistance Fund Launching this Year","promo_title":"New Predevelopment Assistance Fund Launching this Year","published_date":"2020-02-26","featured_image":{"id":1109,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"87063552_3091484454217785_6921540299462279168_o.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":120060,"resource_updated_at":"2020-02-26T14:26:05.869-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-02-26T14:26:05.913-05:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:51:32.723-04:00","filename_hash":"87063552_3091484454217785_6921540299462279168_o_oM8nN6r.jpg","width":1280,"height":853},"filename":"ia-approves-new-predevelopment-assistance-fund-program-within-tad-areas","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"RoF-kA","created_at":"2020-02-26T14:28:54.176-05:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:51:32.704-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has approved the establishment of a new fund to assist smaller project developers seeking to develop or significantly rehabilitate affordable workforce housing and neighborhood-scale commercial property within three Tax Allocation Districts (\u0026ldquo;TAD\u0026rdquo;).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Predevelopment Assistance Fund aims to provide resources strategically to help ameliorate identified obstacles to real estate development and economic vibrancy in the Perry-Bolton TAD, Westside TAD, and Campbellton Road TAD areas.\u0026nbsp; The majority of services the fund is expected to provide to projects fall into the following categories: Feasibility and Financial Analysis, Design Services, and Cost Estimation.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has authorized a Perry-Bolton grant as well as a Westside TAD grant, each of up to $1,000,000, for predevelopment assistance loans in the respective redevelopment areas.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe program will provide both for-profit and non-profit small developers with needed and necessary funding to advance their projects towards construction and development. Predevelopment assistance loans will be available to two types of projects, dependent upon size.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe fund is expected to launch in Q2 2020. \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/developers/opportunities-incentives/tax-allocation-district-financing\"\u003eClick here\u003c/a\u003e for information on Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s TAD programs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":321,"title":"TAD Funds to Finance Renovations for School-Adjacent Affordable Rentals ","promo_title":"School Adjacent Affordable Rentals for English Ave","published_date":"2020-02-26","featured_image":{"id":1108,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"oaksatl.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":221173,"resource_updated_at":"2020-02-26T11:16:28.767-05:00","caption":"oaksATL","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-02-26T11:16:29.169-05:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:51:45.465-04:00","filename_hash":"oaksatl_NnaYPQy.jpg","width":1555,"height":798},"filename":"tad-funds-to-finance-renovations-for-school-adjacent-affordable-rentals","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lK9wIg","created_at":"2020-02-26T11:18:36.755-05:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:51:45.444-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors has approved a Westside TAD grant of up to $500,000 to finance the renovation of sixteen school-adjacent multifamily apartment units in English Avenue.\u0026nbsp; The developer, oaksAtl Community Development, Inc. (oaksATL), is a non-profit development associated with Peace Preparatory Academy, Inc. Together, the two entities aim to support low-income families holistically through access to quality education, safe and affordable housing, and proximity to parks and employment, in an effort to address the relationship between housing stability and community wellbeing.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCurrently, the school has 60 students spanning pre-kindergarten through fourth grade and plans to continue to expand through 12\u003csup\u003eth\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026nbsp;grade. Families, who come from English Avenue, Vine City, and adjacent neighborhoods, pay tuition on a sliding scale through the assistance of individual, foundation, and corporate donors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce renovated from its vacant, blighted state, 584 Lindsay Street will provide fifteen two-bedroom apartment units. The renovations will include new mechanical, electrical, plumbing, exterior doors and windows, and interior finishes. The building will also include exterior fa\u0026ccedil;ade and site improvements.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn January, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors supported plans for oaksATL to renovate another sixteen multi-family apartment units in \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/tad-funds-allocated-to-help-provide-school-adjacent-affordable-rental-housing-in-english-ave\"\u003eEnglish Avenue\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eUnder the terms of the Westside TAD Community Improvement Fund, the developer will offer the rental units at a deep level of affordability.\u0026nbsp; Eight of the units will be offered at or below 50 percent Area Median Income (AMI) while the remaining seven units will be offered at or below 80 percent AMI.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":320,"title":"First Small Business Improvement Grant Approved for Commercial Property in Mechanicsville ","promo_title":"Talon Plumbing to receive first Small Business Improvement Grant ","published_date":"2020-02-24","featured_image":{"id":1107,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"istock-929926146.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":5775286,"resource_updated_at":"2020-02-25T17:59:01.571-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-02-25T17:59:02.448-05:00","updated_at":"2020-02-25T18:00:58.899-05:00","filename_hash":"istock-929926146_eXjDkv3.jpg","width":3835,"height":2597},"filename":"first-small-business-improvement-grant-approved-for-commercial-property-in-mechanicsville","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"SnlLLQ","created_at":"2020-02-24T11:46:21.348-05:00","updated_at":"2020-02-25T18:00:58.860-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors has approved the first allocation from the Small Business Improvement Grant, a new program launched in November 2019.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTalon Plumbing Services, LLC, located at 730 Pryor Street SW, will receive an amount up to $20,000 to finance improvements to its commercial property in the Stadium Neighborhoods TAD and Mechanicsville neighborhood. It will also receive an amount up to $10,000 from the NPU V Small Business Improvement Grant program to finance additional improvements to the property. The NPU V Small Business Improvement Grant program was created in partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Talon Plumbing Services, LLC, recently relocated from Dekalb County to the city of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta launched the Small Business Improvement Grant to utilize available tax increment to strengthen local businesses by providing matching grants toward the improvement of commercial buildings.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDetails of the program can be found\u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/small-business-improvement-grants\"\u003e here\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":319,"title":"Invest Atlanta Releases its 2019 Annual Report","promo_title":" Key Highlights from IA's 2019 Annual Report","published_date":"2020-02-20","featured_image":{"id":1106,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"annualreport2019cover.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":57362,"resource_updated_at":"2020-02-20T21:02:26.383-05:00","caption":"Annual Report 2019 cover","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-02-20T21:02:26.856-05:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:52:12.960-04:00","filename_hash":"annualreport2019cover_6aV9eN4.png","width":845,"height":723},"filename":"invest-atlanta-releases-its-2019-annual-report","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"tCmWKw","created_at":"2020-02-20T21:03:44.738-05:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:52:12.900-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThis month, Invest Atlanta released its 2019 Annual Report, highlighting the year\u0026rsquo;s successes across several key programs, including affordable housing, neighborhood redevelopment and small business development.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nDr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta, emphasized Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s continued commitment to increasing prosperity for all Atlantans: \u0026ldquo;This ideal of social and economic equity is so fundamental to who Invest Atlanta is as an organization that we officially introduced our first equity statement and equity core value, which serve as the foundation for all the work we do.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nKey highlights from 2019 include:\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nInvest Atlanta facilitated $233 million towards affordable housing.\u0026nbsp; Using strategies such as income averaging and co-living, Invest Atlanta is able to help effectuate deeper levels of affordability and added housing options. Additionally, the organization is working together with city leaders on a $1 billion investment to both create and preserve 20,000 units by 2026.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nInvest Atlanta provided $14 million in tax allocation districts grants (TADs) to boost development and revitalize communities throughout Atlanta. Through TAD grants, entrepreneurs are able to assist in the revitalization of communities including historic districts like Sweet Auburn. Of the 14 TAD projects Invest Atlanta facilitated in 2019, there were 237 affordable housing units and 749 jobs created with the total economic impact totaling $226 million.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nOn the business front, Invest Atlanta doubled down on its Southside strategy in 2019 with new initiatives. Through the Southside Small Business Fair, Accelerate Southside, the Community Wealth Building Accelerator and other programs, Invest Atlanta is helping position the Southside for new investment and business growth. Business attraction and retention activity was steady. In 2019, Atlanta added 19 new companies through Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s business attraction efforts, generating 2,547 new full-time jobs. \u0026nbsp;Additionally, 15 businesses expanded their Atlanta operations, adding more than 2,261 new jobs and $621 million to the local economy.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nRead Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s full 2019 Annual Report\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/assets/ia_2019_annual_report_Pg499zV.pdf\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":318,"title":"Community Loan Fund Program Launches to Help Atlanta Small Business Owners","promo_title":"Community Loan Fund Officially Launches to Assist Small Businesses ","published_date":"2020-02-06","featured_image":{"id":453,"parent_id":35,"resource_file_name":"spottedtrotter.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":138669,"resource_updated_at":"2018-01-08T13:48:43.119-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":4,"created_at":"2018-01-08T13:48:43.264-05:00","updated_at":"2020-06-22T15:59:50.179-04:00","filename_hash":"spottedtrotter_YBqXNBn.jpg","width":662,"height":460},"filename":"community-loan-fund-program-launches-to-help-atlanta-small-business-owners","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"gtyL2A","created_at":"2020-02-06T10:15:04.421-05:00","updated_at":"2020-05-19T14:52:25.358-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOn January 29, 2020, a new opportunity for small businesses in Atlanta officially launched. The goal of the Community Loan Fund program, established under Invest Atlanta in collaboration with Councilmember Antonio Brown on behalf of the City of Atlanta, is to support small business development and equip additional small business owners with the tools needed to succeed.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCouncilmember Brown, of District 3, explained details of the loan program: \u0026ldquo;This loan allows credit disadvantaged small businesses to borrow up to $50,000 for the three percent interest rate, a three-month deferment on the payment of the loan, and they can utilize up to $30,000 to pay down their personal debt that they leveraged to sustain their business.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/mayor-bottoms-introduces-community-loan-fund-legislation\"\u003eThe legislation was initially introduced\u003c/a\u003e by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms back in July 2019. Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President CEO of Invest Atlanta, offered praise for the loan program: \u0026ldquo;The\u0026nbsp;Community Loan Fund will allow small business owners to begin building for their future. Having another new tool in our toolkit will allow the City of Atlanta to support even more of our entrepreneurs as they work to achieve their dreams.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Small businesses are the heart of our economy,\u0026rdquo; said Brown. \u0026ldquo;They hire every day working people, so we have to as a city continue to lift them up and provide them access to capital to be able to move their businesses forward.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBusiness owners can learn more about the various loan programs \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/get-started\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e or sign up to attend one of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/about-us/events/small-business-loan-seminar-2-26-2020\"\u003eSmall Business Loan Seminars\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":317,"title":"Highly Successful Second Year Points to Growth of Students2Startups Program in 2020","promo_title":"Students2Startups Looks Forward to Promising Year Three","published_date":"2020-01-30","featured_image":{"id":1096,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"img_1567.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1574236,"resource_updated_at":"2020-01-30T20:43:46.828-05:00","caption":"Students2Startups","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-01-30T20:43:46.935-05:00","updated_at":"2020-01-30T21:06:00.668-05:00","filename_hash":"img_1567_JjEYNne.jpg","width":3520,"height":1980},"filename":"highly-successful-second-year-points-to-growth-of-students2startups-program-in-2020","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"yRf6BA","created_at":"2020-01-30T20:47:32.722-05:00","updated_at":"2020-01-30T21:06:00.646-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta is a city with a reputation for being a leader in high-tech sector jobs and commerce. Students2Startups\u0026nbsp;is a mentoring program helping the city of Atlanta reinforce this status and retain some of the city\u0026rsquo;s top talent.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As we continue nurturing Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s tech startups, an important driver of economic growth and competitiveness for the city, Students2Startups will build on the robust talent base in Atlanta while providing students access to invaluable, hands-on experience in our dynamic startup ecosystem,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;CEO of Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStudents2Startups began in 2018 as an initiative of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms who, together with Invest Atlanta and WorkSource Atlanta, wanted to help continue to build Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s tech talent pipeline.\u0026nbsp; Invest Atlanta manages the program and, last year alone, paired 20 Atlanta-based students with growing startups.\u0026nbsp; Atlanta-based students are subsidized through the City of Atlanta to complete full-time, paid Summer internships in a wide array of entrepreneurial settings including tech development, business development, and marketing.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHigh potential students, including those underrepresented in the industry, from Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s four-year universities\u0026mdash;including Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, Spelman, SCAD\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;Emory\u0026mdash;are eligible to participate in the program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhile interns benefit through hands-on experience with projects in a variety of areas, there also exist enormous benefits to startups as they are given motivated, hard-working students to help their startups grow and flourish.\u0026nbsp; Over the course of three years, S2S will impact nearly 75 Atlanta tech startups.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe program has earned high acclaim from past participants. Ernesto Escobar, CEO of FanaticusXR, praised the program: \u0026ldquo;The Students2Startups program is fantastic. We were able to work with two talented and motivated students that we wouldn\u0026#39;t have been able to afford full-time over the Summer. They made tremendous contributions to the company\u0026#39;s technology and culture. We liked them so much that we kept both of them after the program was over.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCabrice Corporation is another startup greatly assisted through participation in the program. Marcus A. Walker, Director of Business Operations \u0026amp; Finance with Cabrice Corporation, remarked: \u0026quot;We\u0026#39;ve been working with the Students2Startups program now for a couple years and absolutely love it. Like most start-ups, we don\u0026#39;t lack in work, but we\u0026#39;re always needing capable people to fill out our teams. S2S consistently puts high-end talent in our office that is ready to learn and get work done. Atlanta is a hot bed for young talent, and S2S does an amazing job helping startups get connected with these individuals.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStudents2Startups is currently gearing up for its third season, to be held in the Summer 2020.\u0026nbsp; Both prospective students and startups can get additional information and apply for the program through Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s website at\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/students2startups\"\u003ewww.investatlanta.com/students2startups.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":316,"title":"TAD Funds Allocated to Help Provide School-Adjacent Affordable Rental Housing in English Ave. ","promo_title":"TAD Funds to Provide School-Adjacent Affordable Rentals","published_date":"2020-01-23","featured_image":{"id":1090,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"oaksatl.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":221173,"resource_updated_at":"2020-01-22T16:32:24.268-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2020-01-22T16:32:24.761-05:00","updated_at":"2020-01-28T11:37:42.785-05:00","filename_hash":"oaksatl_5EjDpwx.jpg","width":1555,"height":798},"filename":"tad-funds-allocated-to-help-provide-school-adjacent-affordable-rental-housing-in-english-ave","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"0fMs-A","created_at":"2020-01-23T08:37:15.351-05:00","updated_at":"2020-01-23T12:21:18.263-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn January, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors supported plans for oaksATL Community Development, Inc. to renovate sixteen multi-family apartment units in English Avenue. Two vacant buildings will be redeveloped by the nonprofit development company in order to provide affordable rental housing adjacent to Peace Preparatory Academy.\u0026nbsp; oaksATL, in conjunction with Peace Preparatory Academy, will receive a grant of up to $500,000 from the Westside TAD Community Improvement Fund to help finance the project.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRandy Hazelton, the vice chair of the IA Board,\u003ca\u003e \u003c/a\u003eshared his support of the project, saying: \u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;ve had the privilege to work alongside oaksATL, to see the amazing work they\u0026rsquo;re doing.\u0026rdquo; The mission of oaksATL and Peace Preparatory Academy is to address the relationship between housing stability and community well-being by providing access to quality education, safe and affordable housing, and proximity to parks and employment. Currently, the school has 60 students spanning pre-kindergarten through fourth grade and plans to continue to expand through 12\u003csup\u003eth\u003c/sup\u003e grade. Families, who come from English Avenue, Vine City, and adjacent neighborhoods, pay tuition on a sliding scale through the assistance of individual, foundation, and corporate donors.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eContinued Hazelton, \u0026ldquo;This is an organization where their actions \u0026ndash; everything they say they\u0026rsquo;re going to do \u0026ndash; they do.\u0026nbsp; When you talk about building deep and true affordability in an area like English Avenue, where most of the residents feel forgotten about, it\u0026rsquo;s just incredible.\u0026nbsp; These are the type of projects that we have to continue to fund.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe two buildings, currently blighted and in disrepair, are located at 891 North Ave NW and 551 Lindsay Street NW. Post renovations, North Avenue will provide ten two-bedroom apartments; Lindsay Street will offer six two-bedroom units. The renovations will include new mechanical, electrical, plumbing, exterior doors and windows, and interior finishes. Additionally, the new buildings will receive exterior fa\u0026ccedil;ade and site improvements.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eUnder the terms of the Westside TAD, oaksATL will offer the rental units at a deep level of affordability.\u0026nbsp; At least half of the apartments will be available at or below 50% Area Median Income (AMI).\u0026nbsp; The remaining units will be kept at or below 80% AMI.\u0026nbsp; The compliance period for maintaining this affordability is twenty years.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":315,"title":"Invest Atlanta Board Supports the Construction of Stanton Park Apartments, Including 56 Affordable Housing Units","promo_title":"Additional Affordable Housing Coming to Peoplestown","published_date":"2020-01-17","featured_image":{"id":1089,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"stanton_park.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":187088,"resource_updated_at":"2020-01-17T09:17:31.605-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-01-17T09:17:31.648-05:00","updated_at":"2020-01-17T09:23:17.831-05:00","filename_hash":"stanton_park_jpaboyV.jpg","width":1044,"height":529},"filename":"invest-atlanta-board-supports-stanton-park-apartments","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"9iXJfg","created_at":"2020-01-17T09:19:57.389-05:00","updated_at":"2020-01-17T09:23:17.810-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe board of Invest Atlanta has approved a loan of up to $2 million in Beltline tax allocation district (TAD) funding to finance the construction of 56 affordable multifamily housing units\u0026nbsp;on Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s south side.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStanton Park Apartments, developed by Woda Cooper Company, Inc. and Parallel Housing, Inc., will be located at the corner of Boynton Avenue and Hank Aaron Drive.\u0026nbsp; Woda Cooper Companies is responsible for two other affordable housing developments in the area.\u0026nbsp; \u003ca href=\"https://beltline.org/2016/09/29/a-warm-welcome-home-to-stanton-oaks/\"\u003eStanton Oaks\u003c/a\u003e, completed in 2016, renovated the former Boynton Village apartments into 43 units of multifamily housing in Peoplestown. Most recently, in November 2019, Adair Court, opened in southwest Atlanta near the Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail. \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/adair-court-senior-mixed-income-community-opens-near-westside-atlanta-beltline-trail\"\u003eAdair Court\u003c/a\u003e is a 91-unit mixed-income rental community geared toward seniors aged 55 years and above.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStanton Park Apartments will also offer affordable housing options. Of the 56 units, 44 will be set aside for individuals earning at or below 60 percent area mean income (AMI). Invest Atlanta Board of Directors member Fred Smith remarked, \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s great to see the income averaging in this project.\u0026nbsp; Folks of different income ranges will be living together.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnother exciting component of the project is that it takes an innovative approach to address homelessness.\u0026nbsp; Developers collaborated with Partners for HOME, a nonprofit which manages the Atlanta continuum of care for homeless services, to help with providing funding for the units set aside for individuals earning less than 30 percent AMI.\u0026nbsp; Said Smith, \u0026ldquo;This is the second project we\u0026rsquo;ve seen where the Partners for Home component of homelessness is built into it, and that\u0026rsquo;s fantastic.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAmenities on the property will include a community room, business center with computer stations, basketball court, and a central laundry facility.\u0026nbsp; Additionally, Stanton Park Apartments is conveniently located near public transportation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFinancing partners for Stanton Park Apartments include URFA (tax-exempt loan), ADA (Beltline TAD), DCA (tax credits), CREA (federal/state LIHTC investor), Merchants Capital (construction and permanent lender), and Partners for HOME (Atlanta HomeFirst grant).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":314,"title":"Herndon Square to bring 97 units of affordable seniors housing to English Avenue neighborhood","promo_title":"Herndon Square Affordable Housing Development Underway","published_date":"2020-01-08","featured_image":{"id":1081,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"herndon_square.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":6660608,"resource_updated_at":"2020-01-08T16:57:56.928-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-01-08T16:57:57.591-05:00","updated_at":"2020-01-08T17:08:05.933-05:00","filename_hash":"herndon_square_OPMVrM9.jpg","width":4608,"height":3456},"filename":"herndon-square-affordable-housing-development-underway","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"M6Kojg","created_at":"2020-01-08T17:02:30.806-05:00","updated_at":"2020-01-08T17:08:05.914-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2000","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOn January 7, 2020, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms joined Atlanta Housing, Invest Atlanta, and other city officials to break ground on the first phase of the highly anticipated Herndon Square project. The $23.9 million, 97-unit development will offer affordable housing to seniors above the age of 62, as well as bringing additional economic activity and jobs to the Westside.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This is an historic day for Atlanta, the Westside and the English Avenue community,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;Thank you to Atlanta Housing and all of our partners for investing in our communities and understanding the importance of alleviating the burden associated with a lack of affordable housing. This Administration will utilize every available tool and resource to continue to create quality, affordable housing for all who call Atlanta home.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Hunt Companies and Oakwood Development Group project will be located in the English Avenue neighborhood at 464 Cameron Madison Alexander Blvd. The first phase of Herndon Square will consist of 87 one-bedroom/one-bath apartments and 10 two-bedroom/two-bath apartments, as well as greenspace and retail space.\u0026nbsp; Residents will pay no more than 30 percent of their income towards rent, as 100 percent of the units are covered under a HomeFlex Contract with Atlanta Housing. Amenities will include card access at entry points, health and business centers, and a fitness center.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe future four phases of the project will include varying percentages of market-rate and affordable units. The last phase will consist of 32 for-sale townhome units, seven of which will be available for residents earning less than 120% AMI (area median income).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn remarks, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s CEO, Eloisa Klementich, noted that Mayor Bottoms, in her role as Invest Atlanta board chair, is \u0026ldquo;setting the tone\u0026rdquo; for Invest Atlanta to continue to find more opportunities to create affordable housing through equitable development projects.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta supported Herndon Square through $12.4 million in tax-exempt bond financing. Other financing parties include the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the Westside Future Fund, Hunt Capital Partners, and Atlanta Housing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":313,"title":"Ron Clark Academy to Receive an $8 Million New Markets Tax Credit Allocation","promo_title":"AEMI Supports New Performing Arts Center for Youth in South Atlanta","published_date":"2020-01-07","featured_image":{"id":1080,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"ron_clark_academy_photo.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":768614,"resource_updated_at":"2020-01-07T19:47:21.304-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2020-01-07T19:47:21.475-05:00","updated_at":"2020-01-08T09:19:44.672-05:00","filename_hash":"ron_clark_academy_photo_MYEapYR.jpg","width":2304,"height":1536},"filename":"aemi-supports-new-performing-arts-center-for-youth-in-south-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"E5s-dQ","created_at":"2020-01-07T19:51:44.587-05:00","updated_at":"2020-01-08T09:19:44.639-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI), a U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Entity created by Invest Atlanta, officially closed an $8 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) transaction supporting the \u003ca href=\"http://ronclarkacademy.com/\"\u003eRon Clark Academy\u003c/a\u003e (RCA).\u0026nbsp; SunTrust, now Truist, was the investment partner on this project.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe NMTC allocation will assist with the construction of the new 42,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Ryan Marshall Performing Arts Center, which will expand the existing school building both for student activities as well as for RCA\u0026rsquo;s teacher training programs. As a result, the school will be able to serve an additional 30 students annually and train an additional 2,500 teachers annually, increases which will help make the school 100 percent financially sustainable as well as subsidize tuition for students from households earning less than $30,000 annually. The $23 million expansion will also create seven new full-time positions.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nLocated in South Atlanta in a formerly vacant warehouse, RCA is an innovative nonprofit middle school and teacher training facility founded in 2007 by Ron Clark and Kim Bearden, both award-winning educators. Stated on its website, RCA\u0026rsquo;s mission is to: \u0026ldquo;Deliver the highest quality educational experience where global citizens are born through advanced rigor, engaging teaching methods, and a passionate climate and culture.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nAEMI specializes in providing gap financing for projects that create jobs and revitalize Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s distressed neighborhoods. \u0026nbsp;South Atlanta qualifies as \u0026ldquo;highly distressed\u0026rdquo; based on the 2011 \u0026ndash; 2015 American Community Survey with a median family income of 31.84 percent of the area median income, a poverty rate of 40.9 percent, and an unemployment rate of 20.8 percent (2.5 times the national average).\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nCurrently, the school teaches 150 children in grades fourth through eighth and offers a sliding tuition scale to assist families of all socioeconomic backgrounds. As a result of the school\u0026rsquo;s huge success (100 percent graduation rate with 95 percent of its graduates attending college or enlisting in the military), the RCA developed the \u0026ldquo;Ron Clark Experience,\u0026rdquo; for outside educators to learn about the school\u0026rsquo;s unique techniques and practices. The registration fees for the training program help cover student tuitions and enable 14,500 teachers to come from around the globe and train at the school each year.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":311,"title":"The Front Porch to Add Affordable Housing, Retail and Community Space to Sweet Auburn","promo_title":"The Front Porch to Add Affordable Housing, Retail and Community Space to Sweet Auburn","published_date":"2019-12-24","featured_image":{"id":1078,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"front_porch.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":44086,"resource_updated_at":"2019-12-24T08:07:35.135-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2019-12-24T08:07:35.161-05:00","updated_at":"2019-12-26T08:21:26.857-05:00","filename_hash":"front_porch_kbjqQnV.jpg","width":678,"height":376},"filename":"the-front-porch-to-add-affordable-housing-retail-and-community-space","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"pyEINA","created_at":"2019-12-24T08:13:01.354-05:00","updated_at":"2019-12-26T08:21:26.818-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Eastside TAD Ascension Fund supports the construction of a mixed-use development in the heart of the Historic Sweet Auburn District.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt its December meeting, the board of Invest Atlanta, led by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, voted to approve a grant of up to $2,000,000 from the Eastside TAD Ascension Fund to support the construction of a mixed-use development in the heart of the Historic Sweet Auburn District. It will consist of 42 units of housing as well as 27,000 square feet of retail. Twenty-three of the units will be available at affordable rentals rates as workforce housing, and the planned redevelopment will repurpose two historic buildings and an unutilized parking lot.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Front Porch at Auburn Avenue is a project developed by three mission-driven minority organizations sharing the same vision. The Historic District Development Corporation (HDDC), Partnership for Southern Equity, along with The Guild, all share the same goal of increasing economic mobility in Atlanta. The redevelopment project is called The Front Porch to evoke sentiments of welcoming and gathering\u0026mdash;invoking the history and legacy of Sweet Auburn as a center of black entrepreneurship and the importance of community in Southern traditions.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Front Porch aims to further reinvigorate the street and neighborhood. The two-story signature front porch promises to serve as a gathering space with a variety of uses geared toward welcoming all, such as a farmer\u0026rsquo;s market, children\u0026rsquo;s activity center, and sub-grade parking for residents. Additionally, the development will imbue the neighborhood economy with critical elements of environmentally and economically sustainable infrastructure, urban agriculture, and commerce.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":312,"title":"Board Greenlights Expansion of City Lights Affordable Living Community","promo_title":" Board Greenlights Expansion of City Lights Affordable Community","published_date":"2019-12-24","featured_image":{"id":512,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"city-lights-2_rendering_main.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1002626,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:02:43.943-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-02-06T15:02:43.982-05:00","updated_at":"2019-12-24T08:34:05.064-05:00","filename_hash":"city-lights-2_rendering_main_RJNvPDD.png","width":1073,"height":494},"filename":"board-greenlights-expansion-of-city-lights-affordable-living-community","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"piT2Cw","created_at":"2019-12-24T08:30:10.192-05:00","updated_at":"2019-12-24T08:34:05.044-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta board approved $38 million in lease-purchase bond financing for Wingate Companies to develop an additional 124 multifamily affordable rental units at City Lights in the Old Fourth Ward.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe five-story new construction building is located at Boulevard and Parkway Drive and is the second phase of the City Lights affordable development. The affordable units will be available to households earning 60 percent AMI (area median income) or below, and residents will pay no more than 30 percent of their income in rent.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to its proximity to Historic Fourth Ward Park, City Lights is conveniently located near several MARTA bus stops and restaurants.\u0026nbsp; Amenities on the property include a community room, fitness center, business center with computer stations, private courtyard, after school program, central laundry facility on each floor, and access to public transportation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":309,"title":"Invest Atlanta Recognized as Leading Opportunity Zone Community in New National List","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Recognized as Leading Opportunity Zone Community in New National List","published_date":"2019-12-16","featured_image":{"id":1072,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"forbes_oz_v2.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":584340,"resource_updated_at":"2019-12-16T09:02:23.245-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2019-12-16T09:02:23.299-05:00","updated_at":"2019-12-16T09:20:09.631-05:00","filename_hash":"forbes_oz_v2_7JWlRKg.png","width":752,"height":563},"filename":"invest-atlanta-recognized-as-leading-opportunity-zone-community-in-new-national-list","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Yws1-g","created_at":"2019-12-16T09:00:27.917-05:00","updated_at":"2019-12-16T09:20:09.608-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development agency was named to the Forbes OZ 20: Top Opportunity Zone Catalysts list.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development agency was named to the Forbes OZ 20: Top Opportunity Zone Catalysts list.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Forbes OZ 20: Top Opportunity Zone Catalysts, a partnership between the Sorenson Impact Center and Forbes,\u0026nbsp;announced this list recognizing community organizations and OZ Funds that are committed to achieving equitable economic growth in underserved and overlooked communities throughout the country.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eChaired by Atlanta\u0026#39;s Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Invest Atlanta is creating city-backed programs and financial incentives to fuel job creation, growth, and neighborhood revitalization. Offering workshops for OZ investors and founders, a pipeline of projects, a dedicated OZ website, and a transparent system of metrics and tracking, Invest Atlanta puts the full weight of City Hall behind Atlanta\u0026#39;s dynamic business community. Recently Atlanta received a $1 million grant from the Rockefeller Foundation\u0026rsquo;s Opportunity Zone Community Capacity Building Initiative.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMore than 8,700 opportunity zones were designated as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. These zones were selected in collaboration with State and Federal leaders to drive investment into distressed communities. The incentive offers deferments and savings on capital gains when investors deploy funds in opportunity zone projects. Investments in opportunity zones are empowering teachers to live in the communities they serve, extending grid infrastructure and solar array construction in rural America, and expanding economic opportunity.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJim Sorenson, Founder of the Sorenson Impact Center, said, \u0026ldquo;We received 113 applications to the Forbes OZ 20, with 62 Funds and 51 communities testing their OZ strategies through a rigorous selection process.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The quality and standard of applications was excellent with communities and OZ funds showing a clear commitment to social impact. We are excited to share learnings from the Forbes OZ 20 to help other community organizations and OZ funds deliver real and meaningful change in the communities they support.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Forbes OZ 20 officially launched in the spring of 2019, with applications closing at the end of August 2019. The purpose of this new list is to showcase how large and small investors, as well as rural and urban communities, are pioneering dynamic, equity-minded approaches to the revitalization of distressed communities. By elevating the best examples of OZ work from around the country we hope to showcase the promise and possibilities of the entire OZ landscape.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":310,"title":"First Cohort of 2019 Community Wealth Building Accelerator Graduates","promo_title":"First Cohort of 2019 Community Wealth Building Accelerator Graduates","published_date":"2019-12-15","featured_image":{"id":1073,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"guild_cohort.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":941800,"resource_updated_at":"2019-12-16T09:15:06.182-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-12-16T09:15:06.271-05:00","updated_at":"2019-12-16T09:18:00.349-05:00","filename_hash":"guild_cohort_lpDO93v.jpg","width":2048,"height":2048},"filename":"first-cohort-of-2019-community-wealth-building-accelerator-graduates","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"5y_u6g","created_at":"2019-12-16T09:15:21.940-05:00","updated_at":"2019-12-16T09:18:00.308-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta and The Guild announced the graduation of the first cohort for the 2019 Community Wealth Building Accelerator, the first component of the Accelerate Southside small business development program.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and The Guild announced the graduation of the first cohort for the 2019 Community Wealth Building Accelerator, the first component of the Accelerate Southside small business development program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Guild\u0026rsquo;s first cohort for the Community Wealth Building Accelerator consisted of 21 minority-owned businesses primarily in the Food \u0026amp; Beverage, Health, Beauty \u0026amp; Wellness, and Apparel \u0026amp; Home Decor sectors. The businesses ranged in annual revenue from $40,000 to $5 million.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe cohort learned advanced business fundamentals to boost the profitability of their businesses, real estate basics so they can acquire commercial real estate in rapidly gentrifying parts of the City, and new economic models that will allow them to build community wealth. Each business will also have access to peer coaches and shared back-office services.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCohort I consisted of 21 minority-owned businesses, primarily in the food and beverage, beauty and wellness, and apparel and home d\u0026eacute;cor sectors. Learn more about the members \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguild.community/cohort-1\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccelerate Southside is a two-part pilot program that includes an immersive business accelerator training offered by The Guild (2019 Community Wealth Building Business Accelerator) and a commercial down payment assistance pilot program that is currently under development by Invest Atlanta. With a focus on the 30-acre Pittsburgh Yards\u0026trade; development located on the Atlanta Beltline Southside Trail, the down payment assistance pilot program will support entrepreneurs interested in purchasing a shipping container for their business and locating it at the Pittsburgh Yards Shipping Container Garden.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRecently, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Wells Fargo, the Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative, and the Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship have come on as partners of the program. The Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative, and Wells Fargo have provided grant funding to assist with program operations, and the Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will be the host location for all classes, events, and cohort graduation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2018, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that the City of Atlanta would join the City Accelerator program, an initiative of the Citi Foundation and Living Cities, and receive $100,000 in grant funding to support small businesses and job growth. The City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s initiative, Accelerate Southside, will help address major challenges faced by minority-owned businesses and further provide more access to opportunities for more Atlantans\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":305,"title":"Invest Atlanta Hosts Southside Small Business Resource Fair","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Hosts Southside Small Business Resource Fair","published_date":"2019-11-22","featured_image":{"id":1066,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"southside_event.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1400820,"resource_updated_at":"2019-11-20T13:27:51.925-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-11-20T13:27:52.063-05:00","updated_at":"2019-11-22T09:01:58.844-05:00","filename_hash":"southside_event_E6Woe9n.png","width":1200,"height":750},"filename":"invest-atlanta-unveils-new-resources-for-southside-small-businesses-at-resource-fair","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"w9QCQw","created_at":"2019-11-20T13:28:16.016-05:00","updated_at":"2019-11-22T09:01:58.805-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta hosted the Southside Small Business Fair in November 2019 to educate businesses on new programs, tools, and resources available to them.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta hosted the Southside Small Business Fair (SSBF) in November 2019 to educate businesses on new programs, tools, and resources available to them.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMany of our partners participated as exhibitors\u0026mdash;including the SBA, SBDC, and bank partners\u0026mdash;and attendees the opportunity to learn about catalytic commercial properties where there may be space for small businesses. During the event, Invest Atlanta announced the new \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/small-business-improvement-grants\"\u003eSmall Business Improvement Grants\u003c/a\u003e program. Small businesses and property owners in five City of Atlanta Tax Allocation District (TADs) can apply for forgivable loans of up to $20,000 for interior and exterior improvements.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis announcement is another example of the City\u0026rsquo;s commitment to equitable opportunity in small business and entrepreneurship, and we would be honored to have the Mayor make the announcement during the program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt is estimated than more than 3,000 businesses are in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Southside.\u0026nbsp; To cultivate business growth and prevent business displacement, businesses need access to a variety of resources, including technical assistance, access to capital, and employment services to successfully grow.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt\u0026rsquo;s an important economic development initiative for Southside communities and the city as a whole to ensure equitable development, and the Southside has many assets to accelerate economic growth. The areas of our city located south of I-20 are poised for more growth as catalytic projects like the Southside Atlanta BeltLine Trail, Pittsburgh Yards, and the redevelopment of Fort McPherson come online. Neighborhoods south of Downtown are in a unique position to capitalize on increased economic activity in the area. This initiative is a way we can redouble our efforts to nurture business activity to create new jobs and economic opportunities for the communities they serve.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn November 2018, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms introduced new resources to assist Atlanta small businesses, including naming the city\u0026rsquo;s first Southside Community and Economic Development Manager, including Small Business Improvement Grants for Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh, and Peoplestown, as well as the Campbellton Road Renovation Program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta launched the \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/accelerate-southside\"\u003eAccelerate Southsid\u003c/a\u003ee Commercial Pilot in June 2019 comprised of an immersive technical assistance program offered by The Guild and a Commercial Down Payment Assistance Program to cultivate hyper-local, hyper-native small businesses. Nearly 100 businesses applied, 50 businesses were interviewed, and 21 selected for the program. The program assists in activating Pittsburgh Yards, redevelopment site sponsored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, by supporting businesses interested in locating in a shipping container on the site\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":307,"title":"TAD Funds to Support Goodwill of North Georgia's New Career Center in Atlanta ","promo_title":"TAD Funds to Support Goodwill of North Georgia's New Career Center in Atlanta ","published_date":"2019-11-21","featured_image":{"id":1068,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"goodwill_insights.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1078421,"resource_updated_at":"2019-11-22T08:59:19.641-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":3,"created_at":"2019-11-22T08:59:19.791-05:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T08:25:20.787-04:00","filename_hash":"goodwill_insights_zmKa8yX.png","width":1200,"height":725},"filename":"tad-funds-to-support-goodwill-of-north-georgias-new-career-center-in-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"9qatzw","created_at":"2019-11-22T09:00:48.259-05:00","updated_at":"2019-11-22T09:00:48.259-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board of Directors recently approved up to $150,000 from the Metropolitan Parkway TAD to support the construction of the Goodwill Job Training Center and Retail Store.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors recently approved up to $150,000 from the Metropolitan Parkway TAD to support the construction of the Goodwill Job Training Center and Retail Store.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGoodwill of North Georgia will transform an empty parcel into a state-of-the-art Center for Workforce Innovation, consisting of a job training center and community space, alongside a\u0026nbsp; retail space. This will serve as Goodwill\u0026rsquo;s first career center within the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Center for Workforce Innovation will work with local partner agencies to impact the economic mobility of southside Atlanta residents, meeting the increased demand for job training and placement services in high-growth sectors of the changing economy.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGoodwill\u0026rsquo;s job programs provide people who are having trouble finding work, those wanting to change careers in need of skill development, and people with disabilities with access to job training and career resources. The donated goods retail operation creates jobs for individuals with barriers to employment and subsidized employment options for job training program participants, resulting in connecting 8,000 individuals with employment each year.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis location will also create 50 full time and five part time positions, both professional and entry-level.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":306,"title":"Jesse Hill Market Food As Medicine Facility Receives TAD Funds","promo_title":"Jesse Hill Market Food As Medicine Facility Receives TAD Funds","published_date":"2019-11-21","featured_image":{"id":1067,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"grady_impact.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":469823,"resource_updated_at":"2019-11-21T15:21:06.500-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-11-21T15:21:06.622-05:00","updated_at":"2019-11-26T11:23:09.053-05:00","filename_hash":"grady_impact_KDWVg9x.png","width":1200,"height":697},"filename":"jesse-hill-market-food-as-medicine-facility-receives-tad-funds","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"B-U31Q","created_at":"2019-11-21T15:22:05.247-05:00","updated_at":"2019-11-26T11:23:09.009-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n At their November meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved an Eastside TAD grant of up to $500,000 for the Jesse Hill Market.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt their November meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved an Eastside TAD grant of up to $500,000 for the Jesse Hill Market.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDeveloped in partnership with the Grady Health Foundation, Atlanta Community Food Bank, and Open Hand Atlanta, Jesse Hill Market will be a 7,000-square-foot comprehensive Food as Medicine facility at the entrance of Grady Health System\u0026rsquo;s campus on the vacant former site of a fast food restaurant.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe facility will house a \u0026ldquo;food pharmacy\u0026rdquo; with fresh produce, where food insecure patients with diet-related illness can redeem food prescriptions for their entire family, free of charge. A teaching kitchen will educate patients and employees on preparing healthy meals through hands-on classes and cooking demonstrations. Onsite nutrition services will ensure that patients are screened and directed to resources to assist with food access.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOpen Hand, a thirty-year-old non-profit recognized as one of the largest community-based providers of home-delivered meals and nutrition services in the county, will operate a healthy cafe offering affordable, pre-packed Good Measure Meals for purchase by the public in addition to an onsite farmer\u0026rsquo;s market stand.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNearly one in two deaths caused by heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes are associated with poor diet. Recent medical studies have concluded that diet and exercise are more effective than medicine at preventing diabetes. When Grady began surveying their patients in 2016, they found that 45% of inpatients and more than 50% of ambulatory patients experience food insecurity.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGrady\u0026rsquo;s partnership with Atlanta Community Food Bank and Open Hand is an innovative solution to address pervasive food insecurity, improve access to healthy foods, and ultimately drive better health outcomes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":308,"title":"Adair Court Senior Mixed-Income Community Opens Near Westside Atlanta BeltLine Trail","promo_title":"Adair Court Senior Mixed-Income Community Opens Near Westside Atlanta BeltLine Trail","published_date":"2019-11-19","featured_image":{"id":1069,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"adair_court_ribbon.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1529669,"resource_updated_at":"2019-11-22T10:17:51.569-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-11-22T10:17:51.646-05:00","updated_at":"2019-11-22T10:18:15.520-05:00","filename_hash":"adair_court_ribbon_p54LByb.png","width":1200,"height":615},"filename":"adair-court-senior-mixed-income-community-opens-near-westside-atlanta-beltline-trail","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"7Zg2iA","created_at":"2019-11-22T10:18:15.481-05:00","updated_at":"2019-11-22T10:18:15.481-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Seniors in the Adair Park neighborhood of southwest Atlanta now have access to a new mixed-income rental community near the Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail following the highly awaited ribbon-cutting ceremony of Adair Court.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSeniors in the Adair Park neighborhood of southwest Atlanta now have access to a new mixed-income rental community near the Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail following the highly awaited ribbon-cutting ceremony of Adair Court.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, along with \u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich. Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Christopher Nunn, Atlanta City Councilmember Joyce Shepherd, and Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. CEO Clyde Higgs, were among the City officials and housing leaders present to cut the ribbon of the 91-unit community. Developed by Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. and Parallel Housing, Inc, the $51 million property provides cutting-edge energy efficiency as well as close proximity to intown amenities including the MARTA West End Station, Adair Park, retail stores, restaurants, and health care services.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGeared towards seniors aged 55 years and above, Adair Court offers nineteen of the units for residents earning up to 50% of the area median income (AMI) and 58 for residents earning up to 60% AMI.\u0026nbsp; Fourteen units are offered at market rate with no income restrictions. Seven apartments were designed for those with disabilities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta BeltLine is committed to helping residents connect with affordable housing, economic development and a healthy lifestyle and has supported Adair Court from its inception.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;Adair Court exemplifies our work with our partners to create and preserve affordable homes in our Atlanta BeltLine neighborhoods,\u0026rdquo; said Clyde Higgs, President and CEO of ABI. \u0026ldquo;Affordability is key to equity and ensuring that legacy residents can continue to live and thrive in their communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe opening of this development represents the culmination of numerous partners dedicated to improving affordable housing in Atlanta, including the City of Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and Invest Atlanta, with the support of Bank of America Merrill Lynch. The 77 new affordable housing units bring the Atlanta BeltLine one step closer to achieving its goal of 5,600 affordable workforce housing units by 2030.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":303,"title":"Invest Atlanta Honors Local Entrepreneurs at Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Honors Local Entrepreneurs at Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards","published_date":"2019-11-14","featured_image":{"id":1060,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"eie_2019_awards.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":15847090,"resource_updated_at":"2019-11-14T10:18:56.383-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2019-11-14T10:18:56.999-05:00","updated_at":"2019-11-25T08:48:28.218-05:00","filename_hash":"eie_2019_awards_W1Menjv.jpg","width":5557,"height":3708},"filename":"invest-atlanta-honors-local-entrepreneurs-at-excellence-in-entrepreneurship-awards","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"CT7HMQ","created_at":"2019-11-14T10:19:56.954-05:00","updated_at":"2019-11-14T10:27:14.594-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta hosted its annual Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards on Wednesday, October 30 at The Gathering Spot to recognize the people behind some of the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s most successful and promising small businesses, startups, and creatives.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta hosted its annual Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards on Wednesday, October 30 at The Gathering Spot to recognize the people behind some of the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s most successful and promising small businesses, startups, and creatives.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This annual gathering celebrates the spirit of entrepreneurship and the impact that Atlanta small businesses make everyday in creating jobs for residents and economic investment across the city,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Behind every small business there is an entrepreneur with a dream. I am proud that for more than 40 years, Invest Atlanta has helped so many entrepreneurs fulfill their dreams through our programs. These programs help level the playing field for economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs and invest in people bringing new business activity to our communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta began hosting the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards, formerly named the Excellence in Small Business Awards, in 2017 to showcase Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurial community and provide an opportunity for both aspiring and established entrepreneurs in the city to connect. This year, the program was expanded with additional awards and recognized the role that small businesses play in fostering equity in Atlanta communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I don\u0026rsquo;t think there\u0026rsquo;s a better place to be than Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Ryan Wilson, CEO and Founder of The Gathering Spot. Wilson was the keynote speaker for the event, and offered advice to other current and aspiring entrepenerus at the ceremony in a Q \u0026amp; A style keynote with Councilmember Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;Small ideas will keep you small. Get the best possible versions of your ideas out there.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Small businesses contribute much more than the products, services, and jobs they provide. They bring communities together and shape the identity of our neighborhoods. They are examples of economic opportunity and a pathway to wealth creation,\u0026rdquo; said Lonnie Saboor, Director of Small Business Development at Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2019 Excellence in Entrepreneurship award recipients are:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommercial Development Excellence\u003c/strong\u003e: Regenia Marble\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommunity Favorite\u003c/strong\u003e: Burk\u0026rsquo;s Jewelers (District 5)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommunity Favorite\u003c/strong\u003e: Profile Enterprises (District 11)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExcellence in Longevity\u003c/strong\u003e: DJP Properties\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eForever I Love Atlanta Award\u003c/strong\u003e: Atlanta Influences Everything\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFranchise Excellence\u003c/strong\u003e: JRC Monger Inc. d/b/a JR Crickets\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturing Excellence\u003c/strong\u003e: Cultured South\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMedia Excellence\u003c/strong\u003e: Story First Creative Agency\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShining Startup\u003c/strong\u003e: Steady\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSouthside Champion\u003c/strong\u003e: System 5 Electronics\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrailblazer Award\u003c/strong\u003e: Goodr\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWoman of Influence\u003c/strong\u003e: Skylar Security\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the awards ceremony, the event featured a live pitch competition for four local startups. Participants included Backyard ATL, Pelooc, Mid City, and Musicb\u0026uuml;k. The winner, MusicB\u0026uuml;k, was selected through audience participation and received a $5,000 prize courtesy of Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc., LISC Atlanta, and Wharton Law. Winning startup MusicB\u0026uuml;k uses artificial intelligence to connect music instructors to students, and is projected to generate $16 million in revenue by 2021.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The idea of \u0026lsquo;Excellence in Entrepreneurship\u0026rsquo; embodies more than just a successful business. It recognizes the hard work, determination, courage, and leadership that it takes to be an entrepreneur,\u0026rdquo; said Klementich. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta is often a last resort for business owners who\u0026rsquo;ve been turned down by banks unwilling to believe in them. But we believe every small business idea can be a big opportunity.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has grown its direct loan programs for small businesses from one program with a loan limit of $15,000, to nine programs with a loan capacity of up to $100,000. Since 2001, Invest Atlanta has invested more than $13 million in 216 small businesses in the City of Atlanta, leveraging an additional $42.3 million in capital.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":304,"title":"First Step Staffing Receives $3 Million Loan","promo_title":"First Step Staffing Receives $3 Million Loan","published_date":"2019-11-13","featured_image":{"id":1065,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"staffing_impact_2.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1066228,"resource_updated_at":"2019-11-18T09:46:48.786-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-11-18T09:46:48.867-05:00","updated_at":"2019-11-18T09:47:02.542-05:00","filename_hash":"staffing_impact_2_DNw7J1W.png","width":1200,"height":829},"filename":"first-step-staffing-receives-3-million-loan","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"vkaxyg","created_at":"2019-11-18T09:47:02.496-05:00","updated_at":"2019-11-18T09:47:02.496-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI), The Reinvestment Fund (TRF), and Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) closed this month on a $3 million loan to support First Step Staffing, a non-profit staffing agency that helps employ people with barriers to workforce re-entry.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI), The Reinvestment Fund (TRF), and Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) closed this month on a $3 million loan to support First Step Staffing, a non-profit staffing agency that helps employ people with barriers to workforce re-entry.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFounded in 2007, First Step Staffing is a non-profit alternative staffing company that specializes in finding job opportunities for the homeless, military veterans, and individuals who have been previously incarcerated.\u0026nbsp; Their goal is to help homeless workers become permanent members of the workforce, providing them the first step out of homelessness. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEvery day, they place approximately 200 homeless men and women in job assignments and provide additional job and life coaching, transportation, and housing assistance.\u0026nbsp; Their clients come from strong referral partners, including the United Way, Goodwill and MUST Ministries.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFirst Step Staffing also provides workers with the necessary support to ensure success and improve retention. Support activities include providing uniforms, transportation, and skills coaching. Since 2007, FSS has helped over 2,000 homeless individuals re-enter the workforce. Seventy percent of FSS workers have retained employment after 90 days (vs. the industry average of 50%) and over 30% of the current associates are US veterans.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe loan will be used for working capital to support the business\u0026rsquo; growth as they ramp up services locally and scaling nationally.\u0026nbsp; \u003ca href=\"https://atlantaemergingmarkets.org/\"\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc.\u003c/a\u003e is providing $1 million of the $3 million loan.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":300,"title":"709 Affordable Housing Units Created or Retained in October","promo_title":"709 Affordable Housing Units Created or Retained in October","published_date":"2019-10-21","featured_image":{"id":1011,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"sylvan_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":923289,"resource_updated_at":"2019-10-17T11:04:27.806-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-10-17T11:04:27.928-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-21T13:23:09.853-04:00","filename_hash":"sylvan_insight_YBMWWZj.png","width":1200,"height":755},"filename":"709-affordable-housing-units-created-or-retained-in-october","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"8X66mg","created_at":"2019-10-17T11:05:24.080-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-21T13:23:09.813-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n At Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s monthly meeting, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the Invest Atlanta board of directors unanimously supported five resolutions that will help fund the creation and rehabilitation of 709 new affordable rental units in Southside and Westside neighborhoods of Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s monthly meeting, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the Invest Atlanta board of directors unanimously supported five resolutions that will help fund the creation and rehabilitation of 709 new affordable rental units in Southside and Westside neighborhoods of Atlanta. The five developments approved for bond financing will provide affordable housing options for individuals, families and senior residents at rental rates ranging from 30 to 80 percent of the area median income (AMI), with the majority of the units offered at 60 AMI percent or less.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Supporting new and strategic solutions to address Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s affordable housing needs is one of our administration\u0026rsquo;s top priorities,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;All of our residents should have access to safe, quality, affordable housing, and today\u0026rsquo;s actions are another step in this direction. As we continue to progress toward our affordable housing goals, we get closer to achieving our vision of One Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHerndon Square Apartments\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe Invest Atlanta board approved a $12.5 million bond resolution to help finance the construction of 97 units of senior housing on Cameron Madison Alexander Boulevard in Vine City near Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Herndon Square, a development by Hunt Companies and Oakwood Development Group, will sit in the midst of a mixed-use, mixed-income development area and include amenities such as a health and business center. All units will be available at 60 percent AMI and under a HomeFlex contract with Atlanta Housing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSylvan Hills Senior\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nSylvan Hills Senior, a project by Benoit Group Development, LLC, will create 183 new senior housing units in the Sylvan Hills community available at 50 to 60 percent AMI. The development is located near MARTA bus stops and includes amenities for recreation and livability. The Invest Atlanta board approved a $17.5 million bond resolution for the project.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCapitol View Apartments\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe Invest Atlanta board approved an increase in bond financing to support the renovation of Capitol View Apartments in Southwest Atlanta. The 120-unit garden-style complex by New Columbia Residential, LLC, increases affordable housing along the Atlanta BeltLine where the trail intersects Metropolitan Parkway. Units will be available from 30 to 80 percent AMI and offer new building systems, interiors and amenities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarietta Road Senior Towner\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nMarietta Road Senior Tower is an existing affordable housing development serving seniors and disabled individuals that will undergo renovations to improve the life expectancy of the building while lowering the building\u0026rsquo;s operating costs and carbon footprint. The renovation led by The Michaels Development Company includes in-unit, common area and elevator improvements, new water heaters, boilers, central AC equipment, emergency power generation, windows and other improvements. Marietta Road Senior Tower\u0026rsquo;s 129 units will rent at 60 percent AMI and Rental Assistance Demonstration project vouchers will be applied to the cost of the renovation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLondon Townhomes\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nLocated in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Ivan Hills neighborhood, the London Townhomes project will receive $20 million in bond financing to support the acquisition, rehabilitation and preservation of the property by TBG London Townhomes, LP and the Benoit Group. The property will provide 200 housing units with 180 renting for 60 percent AMI or less, and will offer a variety of apartment sizes to accommodate single residents and families.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Today\u0026rsquo;s actions by the Invest Atlanta board bring us closer to achieving the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s goal of producing and preserving 20,000 units of affordable housing by 2026 and speak to the collaborative teamwork between our public agencies,\u0026rdquo; said Terri Lee, Chief Housing Officer for the City of Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;We are working to align our agencies\u0026rsquo; efforts and optimize our public resources to help ensure that Atlanta is a city that everyone can call home.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;To achieve the goal of being an affordable city for all, we need to redouble our efforts on housing strategies that address a range of incomes and living options,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Seventy-three percent of the housing units approved by the board today will be available at 60 percent of the area median income or less to provide deeper affordability to residents and families. The board\u0026rsquo;s accomplishments today, under the leadership of Mayor Bottoms and with support from Atlanta Housing, will help to ensure residents can remain in their neighborhoods and continue to thrive.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms pledged to leverage $1 billion toward housing affordability to produce and preserve 20,000 units of affordable housing within the City of Atlanta by 2026. Through its various affordable housing strategies, Invest Atlanta continues to take a lead role in facilitating the creation of affordable housing throughout the city in coordination with other community-focused organizations\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":302,"title":"Monica Hooks Named New Executive Director of WEI","promo_title":"Monica Hooks Named New Executive Director of WEI","published_date":"2019-10-19","featured_image":{"id":1007,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"article_request_form.docx.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1255695,"resource_updated_at":"2019-10-14T08:42:30.520-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-10-14T08:42:30.999-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-23T14:51:51.119-04:00","filename_hash":"article_request_form.docx_jpMv5bV.png","width":1200,"height":643},"filename":"monica-hooks-named-new-executive-director-of-womens-entrepreneurship-initiative-wei","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"fD4gtQ","created_at":"2019-10-21T13:22:28.226-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-23T14:51:51.074-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta announced the hiring of Monica Hooks as the Executive Director of the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), a business incubator for early-stage, female-led startup companies.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta announced the hiring of Monica Hooks as the Executive Director of the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), a business incubator for early-stage, female-led startup companies. Hooks brings more than 20 years of marketing and business development experience to the position with deep expertise in new media, entertainment, and technology.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs WEI Executive Director, she will lead the WEI program, including the strategic direction, administration, and day-to-day activities of the organization with oversight from Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s CEO and the WEI board of directors. Hooks will develop, manage, and execute programs and initiatives that support the development and promotion of female entrepreneurship with a keen focus on launching the program\u0026rsquo;s third cohort.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe will also be responsible for key areas such as innovation policy, entrepreneur workforce programs, women entrepreneurship, financial capacity building, and entrepreneur retention and entrepreneur development throughout the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta is a national leader in female entrepreneurship, and our region is home to more than 200,000 women-owned businesses,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;As that number continues to grow, we want to provide them with the resources they need to thrive. Since the City of Atlanta became the first city to fund and launch an incubator like WEI, we have supported dozens of successful women entrepreneurs. We will continue to do so under the guidance of Monica Hooks.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;On behalf of the board, I am very pleased to welcome Monica to WEI,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;As an accomplished entrepreneur herself, she has the expertise and experience required to support Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s next generation of women entrepreneurs. The WEI Board is proud of the work we have done so far to level the playing field, and looking ahead, we are so happy to have a leader like Monica Hooks push the WEI mission forward.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;In Atlanta, roughly 40 percent of businesses are women-owned, yet female entrepreneurs must still overcome social and economic barriers many of their male peers do not face,\u0026rdquo; said Grace Fricks, President and CEO of Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs. \u0026ldquo;Atlanta is a city committed to supporting all its entrepreneurs, and I look forward to working closely with Monica to help more women launch successful businesses and grow our economy.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBefore joining Invest Atlanta, Hooks was CEO of m-oracle LLC d/b/a The Marketing Oracle, a marketing innovation agency offering strategy and market research.\u0026nbsp; The firm has leveraged marketing data to garner partnerships with companies like Reservoir Media, Epic Records, I Am Other, Grand Hustle and William Morris Endeavor, and placements with brands like NBA.TV, Samsung, Playstation, and Disney Interactive.\u0026nbsp; m-oracle LLC is a graduate of the WEI inaugural class and winner of the 2017 Microsoft Innovation Bots and Cognitive Services award.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am thrilled to join the Invest Atlanta team to support women founders and small business owners throughout the City of Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Hooks. \u0026ldquo;I look forward to building off the past success WEI has had as an incubator empowering our entrepreneurs and providing the support they need to take their businesses to the next level.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHooks also brings with her years of marketing experience she gained at Sony Music Entertainment, where she held product management, international marketing and business affairs roles.\u0026nbsp; At Sony, Hooks was responsible for brands focused on youth culture and early social media influencers. Hooks received her bachelor\u0026rsquo;s degree from Dartmouth College in government where she earned the Dean\u0026rsquo;s Award. She received her M.B.A. from The Wharton School with concentrations in international marketing, finance, and entrepreneurial management.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWEI will begin accepting applications in November 2019 for its next cohort of women entrepreneurs. Information and application forms will be available at www.weiatlanta.com.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":301,"title":"Dr. Eloisa Klementich a 2019 Women Who Mean Business Award Honoree","promo_title":"Dr. Eloisa Klementich a 2019 Women Who Mean Business Award Honoree","published_date":"2019-10-16","featured_image":{"id":1012,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"eloisa_whmb_insights.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1507646,"resource_updated_at":"2019-10-21T09:26:49.036-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2019-10-21T09:26:49.538-04:00","updated_at":"2021-06-29T10:37:11.528-04:00","filename_hash":"eloisa_whmb_insights_QgMLzyN.png","width":1200,"height":690},"filename":"dr-eloisa-klementich-named-a-2019-women-who-mean-business-award-winner","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"BKaklw","created_at":"2019-10-21T09:27:32.278-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-21T13:40:29.393-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Atlanta Business Chronicle\u0026#39;s Women Who Mean Business Awards program honored Invest Atlanta President \u0026amp; CEO Dr. Elosia Klementich as one of 21 women who drive Atlanta business across different industries and professions.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta Business Chronicle\u0026#39;s Women Who Mean Business Awards program honored Invest Atlanta President \u0026amp; CEO Dr. Elosia Klementich as one of 21 women who drive Atlanta business across different industries and professions. Program honorees were selected for making significant strides in their careers, making a difference in their communities, blazing a trail for others and leaving an indelible mark on the Atlanta business community. Atlanta Business Chronicle honored the 2019 Women Who Mean Business on the evening of Oct. 17.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDr. Klementich spoke to the Atlanta Business Chronicle in an interview posted \u003ca href=\"https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/c/meet-the-2019-women-who-mean-business-award/10852/invest-atlantas-eloisa-klementich.html\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: You\u0026rsquo;ve been named one of Atlanta Business Chronicle\u0026rsquo;s Women Who Mean Business 2019. How can other women leaders win similar accolades for their achievements?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA: Never do anything for the accolades. Rather, when you dedicate yourself to what you love, and you have passion for making a difference in the lives of those around you, your work will speak for itself.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: What does leadership mean to you?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA: To lead is to establish a vision, a north star, while creating a safe, innovative environment where people can thrive as they drive toward that vision.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eQ: Please give some details about one of your top accomplishments of the past year that you are most proud of.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA: Supporting $342 million in economic investment and 2,753 in jobs while leading the city\u0026#39;s first economic development strategy based on economic mobility principles. A vibrant Atlanta begins with an equitable Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eQ: What past challenge has most shaped your current thinking?\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA:. The greatest gift of a challenge is the hindsight it provides. Understanding where obstacles may lie helps me avoid pitfalls to keep our team focused our mission. One of my guiding principles is to question everything, seek support, and rely on my leadership team.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eQ: Who is a favorite leader you admire, and why?\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA: I have the utmost respect for Madeleine Albright. Not only was she the first female secretary of state but her achievements and impact on this country have been long-lasting, and her inspiration to other women has been profound.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eQ: What are you currently reading?\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA: \u0026ldquo;Thank You for Being Late,\u0026rdquo; Thomas Friedman\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How do you motivate and inspire teams to achieve big goals?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA: Offer an environment that allows staff to try something new, knowing that failure is part of the learning process. Encouraging innovation stimulates the team to drive toward higher levels of excellence.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Where do you find inspiration?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA: Personalized notes from the people we serve. I have received many from small business owners who have benefitted from our loan programs, from first-time homebuyers we supported, and from seniors who received financial assistance for critical home repairs. All the notes had one thing in common: Invest Atlanta made a positive difference in their lives. Not only does this inspire me, it is also why I love what I do. I am honored and humbled to be able to provide these services on behalf of the board and the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":299,"title":"Invest Atlanta Receives Top Awards from IEDC","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Receives Top Awards from IEDC","published_date":"2019-10-15","featured_image":{"id":1010,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"iedc_award.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1297724,"resource_updated_at":"2019-10-16T14:34:14.585-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":4,"created_at":"2019-10-16T14:34:15.125-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-21T13:23:57.163-04:00","filename_hash":"iedc_award_kb5b4M6.png","width":1200,"height":719},"filename":"invest-atlanta-receives-top-awards-from-iedc","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"iaKF_w","created_at":"2019-10-16T14:38:56.198-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-21T13:23:57.125-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta won two Excellence in Economic Development Awards at the 2019 International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Annual Conference held this week in Indianapolis.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta won two Excellence in Economic Development Awards at the 2019 International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Annual Conference held this week in Indianapolis. IEDC\u0026#39;s Excellence in Economic Development Awards program recognizes the world\u0026#39;s best economic development programs and partnerships, and honors organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta received a Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award for its Students2Startups program and a Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award in the Annual Report category.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It means so much to have our industry leadership recognized in this way,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;In its second year, Students2Startups has opened the door to career opportunities for more than 34 students while further strengthening Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s robust tech talent pipeline. I hope that other cities around the world can look at what we\u0026rsquo;ve done here and replicate the success we\u0026rsquo;ve had subsidizing these high-quality entrepreneurial internships.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIEDC\u0026#39;s Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world\u0026#39;s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year\u0026#39;s most influential leaders. Awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers from around the world, following a nomination process held earlier this year. IEDC received over 400 submissions from 12 countries.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The recipients of IEDC\u0026rsquo;s Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the very best of economic development and exemplify the ingenuity, integrity, and leadership that our profession strives for each and every day,\u0026rdquo; said 2019 IEDC Board Chair, Tracye McDaniel. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re honored to recognize more than 100 communities for their excellent work, which forges new opportunities for our profession. We look forward to even greater participation from economic developers across the globe in the 2020 awards program.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStudents2Startups \u0026ndash; 2019 IEDC Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award: Innovation Programs and Initiatives\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStudents2Startups is an initiative launched by Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Invest Atlanta and WorkSource Atlanta to help the City of Atlanta continue to build its tech talent pipeline and equip students interested in entrepreneurship for success.\u0026nbsp; The program subsidizes high-potential students, including those from backgrounds underrepresented in the technology industry, for entrepreneurial-focused internships at Atlanta-based startup companies.\u0026nbsp; The program also helps to retain more of Atlanta\u0026#39;s top talent in the city. More than 60 students and startups participated in the first two years of the program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s 2018 Annual Report, \u0026ldquo;For a Thriving Atlanta\u0026rdquo; \u0026ndash; 2019 IEDC Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award: Annual Report\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn its \u003ca href=\"/about-us/statements-records\"\u003e2018 annual report\u003c/a\u003e, Invest Atlanta sought to convey the greater purpose of the agency, the essence of the Invest Atlanta brand, and core value propositions through stories of the residents, businesses and communities it serves. The report used an intuitive visual narrative for each audience, presented personal vignettes, and leveraged iconography and other graphic techniques so readers could easily locate specific content.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":297,"title":"Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Appoints New Executive Director of WorkSource Atlanta","promo_title":"Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Appoints New Executive Director of WorkSource Atlanta","published_date":"2019-10-14","featured_image":{"id":1019,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"katerina-taylor-insights.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":695975,"resource_updated_at":"2019-10-22T10:14:16.143-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-10-22T10:14:16.217-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-22T10:14:36.015-04:00","filename_hash":"katerina-taylor-insights_4Xgp7Bn.png","width":1200,"height":537},"filename":"mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-appoints-new-executive-director-of-worksource-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Xo5R_A","created_at":"2019-10-14T08:43:18.357-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-22T10:14:35.966-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that Katerina Taylor has been named Executive Director of WorkSource Atlanta \u0026ndash; the City\u0026rsquo;s workforce agency that provides job seekers with resources to attain sustainable employment.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that Katerina Taylor has been named Executive Director of WorkSource Atlanta \u0026ndash; the City\u0026rsquo;s workforce agency that provides job seekers with resources to attain sustainable employment.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As we build One Atlanta, we want to create and sustain a skilled workforce that reflects all Atlantans,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;Katerina\u0026rsquo;s background and expertise will play an integral role in expanding our workforce development efforts, connecting our communities with training and career opportunities. I am proud to welcome her to the City and look forward to her direction and leadership.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn June 25th, the Mayor announced that WorkSource Atlanta would be integrating with Invest Atlanta, further unifying the City\u0026rsquo;s economic and workforce development strategies. During this time, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms appointed Kimberlyn Daniel to serve as interim Executive Director of WorkSource to establish a strategic plan for the WIOA grant programs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Thank you Kimberlyn for strengthening our programs so that we may continue to provide a public pipeline of local, talented workers,\u0026rdquo; said Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;As we continue the integration process with WorkSource Atlanta and Invest Atlanta, I am excited to welcome Katerina to our team. Her leadership and experience will complement the existing strengths of the WorkSource Atlanta and Invest Atlanta teams.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKaterina Taylor brings over 20 years of experience in business and government. Most recently, she served as the first woman President \u0026amp; CEO of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce in its 81-year history. She was responsible for the development and implementation of programs related to economic expansion including workforce development, education, advocacy and business partnership. As a skilled business development professional, Taylor served as Vice President of SunTrust Bank from 2003-2012. During her time at SunTrust, she successfully designed and executed business growth and development strategies and created and facilitated training programs for more than 500 regional and local Vice Presidents. As Chair of the DeKalb Thrives Steering Committee, Taylor led the county\u0026rsquo;s strategic plan to improve the business climate, enhance quality of place, and revitalize commercial corridors and employment centers in DeKalb. She holds a bachelor\u0026#39;s degree (BBA) in Marketing from Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas; and holds an MBA in Finance.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am honored to serve the City,\u0026rdquo; said Taylor. \u0026ldquo;I am excited to bring my experience from the Metro Atlanta area, and work with partners across the City to strengthen our workforce.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWorkSource Atlanta is responsible for programs and services within the City of Atlanta as part of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014. The agency works with numerous community partners to provide career, educational and training services to help participants find quality jobs and, in turn, greater financial stability.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKaterina\u0026rsquo;s appointment is effective October 28th.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":298,"title":"Southwest Atlanta Open House Tour Brings Together Hundreds to Learn About Homeownership","promo_title":"Southwest Atlanta Open House Tour Brings Out Hundreds to Learn About Homeownership","published_date":"2019-10-14","featured_image":{"id":1009,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"homeownership_event.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1679916,"resource_updated_at":"2019-10-14T14:16:48.795-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-10-14T14:16:48.932-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-14T14:19:10.792-04:00","filename_hash":"homeownership_event_DNwxlMB.png","width":1200,"height":838},"filename":"southwest-atlanta-open-house-tour-brings-together-hundreds-to-learn-about-homeownership","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ckRPBg","created_at":"2019-10-14T14:19:10.756-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-14T14:19:10.756-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n For the fifth\u0026nbsp;year, Invest Atlanta hosted a free open house tour of homes in the City of Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFor the fifth\u0026nbsp;year, Invest Atlanta hosted a free open house tour of homes in the City of Atlanta. Held on Saturday, October 12, the Southwest Atlanta Open House Tour\u0026nbsp;brought together\u0026nbsp;hundreds of prospective homebuyers to enjoy a self-guided tour of available homes for sale in the Oakland City, Venetian Hills and Bush Mountain neighborhoods starting from Brown Middle School.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAttendees received helpful information about how to purchase a home in Southwest Atlanta with Invest Atlanta down payment incentives. They were also able to view homes at their own pace, meet community leaders, and get to know the beautiful neighborhoods located in Southwest Atlanta near the Atlanta BeltLine\u0026rsquo;s Westside Trail.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, Invest Atlanta and its partners made real estate professionals available for questions about how to buy a new home or stay in their current home. These experts included mortgage lenders, real estate agents, homebuyer education providers, and Invest Atlanta Homeownership Center experts, who provided homebuyer education and financial wellness resources to assist homebuyers to achieve and maintain affordable\u0026nbsp;in-town living.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more about Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s homeownership incentives and RSVP for a future Q\u0026amp;A session, please visit our \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/homebuyers/homebuyer-programs-downpayment-assistance\"\u003ehomeownership page\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":296,"title":"Atlanta Problem-Solvers Awarded $200,000 Through Civic Impact Loan Fund","promo_title":"Atlanta Emerging Markets Inc., Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation, and the Center for Civic Innovation Continue Support of Civic Problem-Solvers","published_date":"2019-09-24","featured_image":{"id":1003,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"151a4277.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":6790373,"resource_updated_at":"2019-09-24T08:59:23.894-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-09-24T08:59:24.601-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-30T14:07:31.794-04:00","filename_hash":"151a4277_1O9jvNw.jpg","width":5760,"height":3840},"filename":"atlanta-emerging-markets-inc-spanx-by-sara-blakely-foundation-and-the-center-for-civic-innovation-continue-support-of-civic-problem-solvers","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"fXNfIA","created_at":"2019-09-24T09:31:02.201-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-30T14:07:17.044-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Four Atlanta social ventures have been awarded a total of $200,000 by the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation and Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) through the\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Impact\u0026nbsp;Loan\u0026nbsp;Fund. This loan fund is an effort created in partnership with the Center for\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Innovation (CCI) to support early-stage\u0026nbsp;civic\u0026nbsp;entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses and expanding their community\u0026nbsp;impact\u0026nbsp;in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFour Atlanta social ventures have been awarded a total of $200,000 by the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation and Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) through the\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Impact\u0026nbsp;Loan\u0026nbsp;Fund. This loan fund is an effort created in partnership with the Center for\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Innovation (CCI) to support early-stage\u0026nbsp;civic\u0026nbsp;entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses and expanding their community\u0026nbsp;impact\u0026nbsp;in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Impact\u0026nbsp;Loan\u0026nbsp;Fund, created in December 2016 by Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. in partnership with the Center for\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Innovation, is an innovative investment tool that provides flexible, zero-interest\u0026nbsp;loans to entrepreneurs who have early-stage businesses that are making a difference in their local communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are proud to continue supporting\u0026nbsp;civic-minded businesses and those working on the front lines to make a positive\u0026nbsp;impact\u0026nbsp;on other people\u0026rsquo;s lives,\u0026rdquo; said Stephen McRae, President of AEMI. \u0026ldquo;These outstanding entrepreneurs are not only bringing new business ideas to life, but they are also showing their commitment to creating equity in our underserved communities. I wish each of these entrepreneurs continued success and admire their dedication to making Atlanta a greater city for all.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation was founded in 2006 with a mission to support and empower women through education, entrepreneurship, and the arts. The contribution from the Sara Blakely Foundation ensured that at least $100,000 of the\u0026nbsp;fund\u0026nbsp;went to women-led ventures.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;For me, this is about investing in the person, not just the business,\u0026rdquo; said Sara Blakely, Founder and CEO of Spanx and the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation. \u0026ldquo;Not only do I believe we need to close the gap in women\u0026rsquo;s access to capital, I believe we need to give these women the holistic support that will enable them to soar. After providing them with a year of mentorship and training in partnership with CCI, we are celebrating their success and excited to invest in their businesses so they can grow and scale their\u0026nbsp;impact.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAEMI and the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation each contributed $100,000 to\u0026nbsp;fund\u0026nbsp;early-stage\u0026nbsp;civic\u0026nbsp;entrepreneurs. The applicants selected to receive the $200,000 in total\u0026nbsp;funding are\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Dinners, The Showcase Group, Brown Toy Box, and SwemKids (The William Pleshette Company). All four of the entrepreneurs leading these organizations are recent graduates of CCI\u0026rsquo;s\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Innovation Residency program, a one-year intensive leadership, business development, and coaching program for\u0026nbsp;civic\u0026nbsp;entrepreneurs in the greater Atlanta-area that was sponsored by the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation. CCI also provided deal sourcing, underwriting, mentorship, and programmatic support, with loan servicing and back office support provided by Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;These\u0026nbsp;civic\u0026nbsp;problem solvers represent the greatest assets of our economy,\u0026rdquo; said Rohit Malhotra, Founder and Executive Director of the Center for\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Innovation. \u0026ldquo;Each of their businesses exists to solve a specific systemic challenge, and their success will create ripple effects for generations.\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Entrepreneurship is in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s DNA. We\u0026rsquo;re just shining a light on the people who are on the ground, doing the work.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2019 recipients are:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJenn Graham |\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Dinners\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;aims to help create a more inclusive world where everyone feels invited and engaged in co-creating a better future by bringing people together over food for conversations that matter.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn Kennebrew | The Showcase Group\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;works to strengthen justice-involved youth and families through psychological and personal development services inside and out of juvenile detention centers. Showcase Group provides support to incarcerated youth and their families by implementing psychosocial services such as advocacy and family and individual therapy by trained professionals.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTerri Nichelle-Bradley | Brown Toy Box\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;produces children\u0026#39;s products and exposure experiences designed to encourage and prepare black children to pursue interests and careers in STEAM.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrish Miller | SwemKids (The William Pleshette Company)\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;is a 501(c)(3) school-based program that teaches children introductory swimming lessons and water safety skills as a part of their school\u0026#39;s curriculum. The William Pleshette Company, Swem Kids\u0026#39; for-profit entity, is designing and testing a fully waterproof swimming cap to keep thick and curly hair dry in the water and address a cultural obstacle to swimming.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This contribution is really going to take The Showcase Group to the next level,\u0026rdquo; said John Kennebrew, Executive Director and Founder of The Showcase Group. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026#39;ve grown from working with two youth out of the detention center to working with one hundred youth this year. Now, we\u0026#39;re able to put a Program Director in place to manage the logistics of working with the clinical social workers, advocates, and other community members who help to strengthen the youth we work with. It\u0026rsquo;s a great relief to now have someone who can manage the day to day relationships, while I can focus on taking the organization to the next level.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow in its third year of operation, the\u0026nbsp;Civic\u0026nbsp;Impact\u0026nbsp;Loan\u0026nbsp;Fund\u0026nbsp;has provided $455,000 to a diverse group of early-stage businesses in many different\u0026nbsp;impact\u0026nbsp;areas, including community development, the arts, wellness, and education.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":295,"title":"Invest Atlanta Supports 241 Affordable Units at 60% AMI ","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Supports 241 Affordable Units at 60% AMI ","published_date":"2019-09-19","featured_image":{"id":721,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"pakrside_qy_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1165049,"resource_updated_at":"2018-09-20T13:51:58.758-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":4,"created_at":"2018-09-20T13:51:58.822-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-19T13:30:11.795-04:00","filename_hash":"pakrside_qy_insight_ZOXw1vW.png","width":1299,"height":585},"filename":"invest-atlanta-supports-241-affordable-units-at-60-ami","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"RrZ2iQ","created_at":"2019-09-19T10:19:17.989-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-19T13:30:11.748-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved financing for the Capitol View and Parkside developments.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved financing for the Capitol View and Parkside developments. The financing will retain 88 units of affordable housing at Capitol View on Metropolitan Parkway near the Atlanta BeltLine, and the creation of 153 new units at Parkside on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. All 241 of these units will be set aside for families earning at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCapitol View\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 120-unit, garden-style Capitol View complex in southwest Atlanta was built in 1948 and will be preserved and renovated with new building systems, interiors, and amenities. The complex sits on the Atlanta Beltline as it crosses Metropolitan Parkway and will ensure affordable units have direct access to the Beltline loop. Residents will also have access to meeting rooms, laundry facilities, a picnic area, play areas for small children, and after-school programs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Board approved $13.4 million in tax-exempt loan for this development.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParkside\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Parkside development will consist of the new construction of 182 units, 153 units of which will be affordable for families earning at or below 60% AMI, in the Bankhead neighborhood. Amenities will include a central laundry facility, washer dryer hookups in units, picnic area, tot lots, fitness room, and a business center.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Board approved $22 million tax-exempt bond financing, and it has previously approved a $2 million loan from the Atlanta BeltLine Affordable Housing Trust Fund.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":294,"title":"Urban Land Institute Atlanta Recognizes John H. Harland Boys \u0026 Girls Club","promo_title":"Urban Land Institute Atlanta Recognizes John H. Harland Boys \u0026 Girls Club","published_date":"2019-09-16","featured_image":{"id":996,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"hardland_insights.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1084465,"resource_updated_at":"2019-09-16T10:21:30.713-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-09-16T10:21:30.787-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-17T14:35:16.891-04:00","filename_hash":"hardland_insights_6aee82v.png","width":1200,"height":570},"filename":"urban-land-institute-atlanta-recognizes-john-h-harland-boys-girls-club","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"YbDbng","created_at":"2019-09-16T10:22:56.563-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-17T14:35:16.846-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n As part of its 25th-anniversary celebration, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Atlanta honored the John H. Harland Boys \u0026amp; Girls Club: The Innovation \u0026amp; Expression Studio with its Excellence in Civic/Institutional Development Award.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAs part of its 25th-anniversary celebration, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Atlanta honored the John H. Harland Boys \u0026amp; Girls Club: The Innovation \u0026amp; Expression Studio with its Excellence in Civic/Institutional Development Award. Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) supported the project, a two-story 25,143-square-foot art- and innovation-focused Boys \u0026amp; Girls Club, with a New Markets Tax Credit allocation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe ULI Atlanta Awards recognize\u0026nbsp;outstanding Atlanta area projects that exemplify the ULI\u0026rsquo;s mission to provide \u0026ldquo;leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe John H. Harland Boys \u0026amp; Girls Club: The Innovation \u0026amp; Expression Studio\u0026nbsp;replaced an underutilized and outdated Boys \u0026amp; Girls Club on the same land. The Harland T.I.E.S Club includes an art studio, maker space, teen loft, and spoken word caf\u0026eacute;, teaching kitchen and gym. The project is located in the West End, and serves the Washington cluster of Atlanta Public Schools, along with multiple public charter schools, with after-school programming.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eConstruction began in 2018 on the first-ever Boys \u0026amp; Girls Club focused on the arts in the nation. This club is part of a national study supported by the Wallace Foundation focused on exploring how high-quality arts programs can drive positive developmental outcomes for youth.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe children and teens at TIES will have access to programming in the visual, performing, and culinary arts. Stephanie Blank, the outgoing Corporate Board chair for the Boys \u0026amp; Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta announced that they had established partnerships with creative arts groups to provide training and educational support. The organizations include the Woodruff Arts Center, the High Museum of Art, Alliance Theater, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Morehouse College, Spelman College, Georgia State University, Moving in the Spirit, Museum of Design Atlanta, the Center for Puppetry Arts, and re:imagine/ATL.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) supported the new center through a $7 million New Markets Tax Credit allocation. AEMI is a U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Entity (CDE) created by Invest Atlanta in 2006 that specializes in providing gap financing for projects that create jobs and revitalize Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s distressed neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOther funding partners included The Harland Foundation, Chick-fil-A Foundation, Georgia-Pacific Foundation, LUBO Fund, Piedmont Charitable Foundation, SunTrust Bank Foundation, Toll Charitable Foundation, Wish Foundation, Fidelity Foundation, and the Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n West End\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":293,"title":"Woodson Park Academy, YMCA \u0026 Health Clinic Breaks Ground in Grove Park","promo_title":"Woodson Park Academy, YMCA \u0026 Health Clinic Breaks Ground in Grove Park","published_date":"2019-09-16","featured_image":{"id":995,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"woodson_park_insights.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1455239,"resource_updated_at":"2019-09-16T10:06:46.678-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-09-16T10:06:46.761-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-17T14:36:29.317-04:00","filename_hash":"woodson_park_insights_lpYYBxQ.png","width":1092,"height":575},"filename":"woodson-park-academy-ymca-health-clinic-breaks-ground-in-grove-park","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"OohC7g","created_at":"2019-09-16T10:07:00.692-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-17T14:36:29.275-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. recently celebrated another investment in high-quality education for the Westside and bright futures for children on this side of the city.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. recently celebrated another investment in high-quality education for the Westside and bright futures for children on this side of the city. Many community and financial partners came together to provide the resources to make Woodson Park Academy a reality and a symbol of opportunity, empowerment, and equity for Grove Park.\u0026nbsp;AEMI\u0026rsquo;s New Markets Tax Credit program supported Woodson Park academy with a $15 million allocation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWoodson Park Academy will be a 115,000-square-foot, 900-seat K-8 public school serving 900 students. KIPP Metro Atlanta to operate the neighborhood school, which will be open to all students in the Woodson Park Academy zone.\u0026nbsp;The 23,000-square-foot YMCA and 2,500-square-foot community health facility be a beacon for brighter futures, as well as a community and neighborhood hub and a central component of larger revitalization and economic mobility effort in Grove Park and Westside neighborhoods.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt will also help to further activate the Donald Lee Hallowell commercial corridor. The academy is expected to provide 120 jobs and includes a $37 million capital investment \u0026ndash; which, in turn, will make a $52.1 million economic impact for the community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA project like this is rooted in inclusive development and economic mobility meant to ensure that economic resources are provided to communities where they can make a meaningful and even life-changing difference for residents.\u0026nbsp;With support from APS, YMCA, Grove Park Foundation, KIPP, Purpose Built Communities, SunTrust, Bank of America and Atlanta Emerging Markets, this facility is a model, not only in Atlanta but nationally, for what can be accomplished when best-in-class partners come together to make a positive, lasting impact for the community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":291,"title":"Innovative Metro Atlanta YMCA Leadership and Learning Center Now Open","promo_title":"Innovative Metro Atlanta YMCA Leadership and Learning Center Now Open","published_date":"2019-09-11","featured_image":{"id":993,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"ymca_hq_insights.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1611012,"resource_updated_at":"2019-09-11T11:01:07.014-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-09-11T11:01:07.101-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-17T14:37:41.867-04:00","filename_hash":"ymca_hq_insights_YB2Jz6x.png","width":1200,"height":715},"filename":"innovative-metro-atlanta-ymca-leadership-and-learning-center-now-open","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Y3O0Wg","created_at":"2019-09-11T11:01:19.333-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-17T14:37:41.821-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta Leadership and Learning Center officially opened its doors this month in Vine City. This is a place that serves the community through early learning, youth development, workforce training, health and wellness, and community building.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2000","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta Leadership and Learning Center officially opened its doors this month in Vine City. This is a place that serves the community through early learning, youth development, workforce training, health and wellness, and community building.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Center houses\u0026nbsp;the YMCA of Metro Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s 55,000 square-foot headquarters and the state-of-the-art Arthur M. Blank Early Learning Center at E.A. Ware. Opened at the start of the new school year, the Center\u0026nbsp;will empower approximately 90 low-income children from the community to start kindergarten on track for long-term academic success. Accessible early education is essential. Children in low-income neighborhoods face a steeper hill and fall short of key educational milestones at a higher rate than others. A facility like this not only goes a long way in providing support at an early age, it symbolizes opportunity, empowerment, and equity in the community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe benefits of Head Start programs are clear. Children who take part make significant progress in language, literacy, math, and social development. They leave Head Start programs like this one better prepared to enter elementary school. And many years down the road, Head Start kids have a higher likelihood of graduating high school and going on to college.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Chick-fil-A Foundation Training Center, which opened in May 2019, serves as a hub for innovative professional development and staff training for those in early learning, afterschool, health and wellness, and more. The Y will deliver professional development for more than 4,000 Y employees from across the Southeast through the onsite regional training program. The training center is also available for use by community organizations.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Kaiser Permanente Community Wellness Center will host free classes for the community as well as a market and caf\u0026eacute; serving healthy food options.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta provided $2.5 million through the TAD grant approved on Thursday, and Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc., Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s certified community development entity, contributed a New Markets Tax Credit allocation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":292,"title":"Atlanta Youth Academy Expansion Will Serve Southside Students","promo_title":"Atlanta Youth Academy Expansion Will Serve Southside Students","published_date":"2019-09-10","featured_image":{"id":994,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"aya_insights.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1266282,"resource_updated_at":"2019-09-16T09:50:43.648-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-09-16T09:50:43.927-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-16T09:52:13.802-04:00","filename_hash":"aya_insights_7JvvE3L.png","width":1200,"height":635},"filename":"atlanta-youth-academy-expansion-will-serve-southside-students","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"9EaFgQ","created_at":"2019-09-16T09:51:46.802-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-16T09:52:13.757-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. closed on a $9MM NMTC transaction to support the Atlanta Youth Academy campus redevelopment and expansion project in Thomasville Heights.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. closed on a $9MM NMTC transaction to support the Atlanta Youth Academy campus redevelopment and expansion project in Thomasville Heights.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the Atlanta Youth Academy was founded in 1997 it had only one teacher and nine students.\u0026nbsp; Today, the school serves 150 students (Pre-K through 8th grade) and most students are from low-income, single-parent households with median annual incomes of under $24,000.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnly 64% of students from this income bracket graduate high school nationally, however 100% of AYA students graduate 8th grade and enroll in high school, 100% of AYA alumni graduate high school, and 93% matriculate to a 4-year college and 6% matriculate to a 2-year college.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe NMTC funding will allow Atlanta Youth Academy to increase their capacity to 225 students and replace their outdated facilities with a new campus that includes dedicated spaces for STEM and arts education.\u0026nbsp; In addition, they are redeveloping a blighted six-acre brownfield site that previously housed crime and drug-ridden industrial buildings.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEducation is a key component to breaking the cycle of poverty and building wealth, and project will allow 75 additional students to receive a quality education and help stabilize blighted property in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s southside.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAEMI partnered with SunTrust on the transaction.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":289,"title":"Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Invest Atlanta, and MARTA Open iVillage @ MLK","promo_title":"Mayor Bottoms, Invest Atlanta, and MARTA Open iVillage @ MLK","published_date":"2019-08-28","featured_image":{"id":988,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"ivillage_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1827833,"resource_updated_at":"2019-08-28T08:46:55.536-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-08-28T08:46:55.946-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-28T08:47:29.954-04:00","filename_hash":"ivillage_insight_zmEDVRZ.png","width":1200,"height":707},"filename":"mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-invest-atlanta-and-marta-open-ivillage-mlk","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"PqmpMg","created_at":"2019-08-28T08:47:29.911-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-28T08:47:29.911-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The first shipping container village in the City of Atlanta provides space for small business and entrepreneurship adjacent to transit.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Invest Atlanta, and MARTA announced the grand opening of the iVillage @ MLK. The project houses a mix of local entrepreneurs in innovative office space to help them launch businesses and test new ideas along the MLK Corridor. The iVillage @ MLK is the first shipping container village in the City of Atlanta and a model for future innovation spaces in the city.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nAnnounced in December 2017, iVillage @ MLK houses eight small businesses that are expected to create approximately 20-25 jobs along MLK Drive. The shipping container development is designed to give small businesses the opportunity to grow and scale in an underserved community. By providing an affordable, transit-oriented office and retail option for local entrepreneurs, iVillage @ MLK aims to create a unique, equitable opportunity for entrepreneurs who are interested in starting a business in the City of Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;To build thriving neighborhoods, communities, and businesses throughout the city, we need to think creatively about how we utilize space and ensure it serves the needs of our neighborhoods and residents,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;The iVillage @ MLK is a great example of partners coming together to create a place that brings opportunity and vibrancy to this community. Entrepreneurs are a cornerstone of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s business ecosystem, and we are excited to be providing an opportunity for them to grow and become job creators.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough this is the first project of its kind in the City of Atlanta, container villages have been launched around the world. Cities including Las Vegas, London, Copenhagen, and San Francisco have developed container villages to create new, affordable retail or living space. Innovative developments like these around the world have been successful in not only economic growth, but also creating a greater sense of place within communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The iVillage @ MLK is more than a new place for small businesses to locate, it is part of a larger strategy to bring economic investment and equity to key commercial corridors throughout the city,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO at Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Locating the iVillage @ MLK within the community and adjacent to rapid transit creates a sense of place and connectivity for residents and iVillage tenants alike. It exemplifies how we can work in partnership to create economic opportunities and places where entrepreneurs can build their dreams.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eiVillage @ MLK is part of the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s larger effort to continue investing in Westside communities, especially along the MLK Drive Corridor. In 2016, the city was awarded a $10 million TIGER grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help improve MLK Drive. That grant is part of a $22.7 million effort to improve mobility and increase access to transit, employment centers, and services along MLK.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n MLK Corridor\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":290,"title":"Class 2 of Students2Startup Recognized by Mayor Bottoms","promo_title":"Class 2 of Students2Startup Recognized by Mayor Bottoms","published_date":"2019-08-27","featured_image":{"id":991,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"s2s_ceremony.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1238796,"resource_updated_at":"2019-09-03T11:30:47.548-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-09-03T11:30:47.620-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-03T11:31:38.308-04:00","filename_hash":"s2s_ceremony_ymYmOvr.png","width":1200,"height":530},"filename":"class-2-of-students2startup-recognized-by-mayor-bottoms","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"kwy4MQ","created_at":"2019-09-03T11:31:38.266-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-03T11:31:38.266-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms recognized the second Students2Startups cohort at the monthly Board of Directors meeting in August.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms recognized the second Students2Startups cohort at the monthly Board of Directors meeting in August.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Students2Startups program is a great example of how the City of Atlanta is working to increase equity in our city is by equipping more younger Atlantans for success. The program is a partnership between the City of Atlanta, WorkSource Atlanta, Startup Atlanta, and Invest Atlanta which places students in entrepreneurial-focused internships with Atlanta-based startup companies.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNot only does it provide opportunities for experiential learning, but it also supports Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s growing startup community and helps to keep young talent here in Atlanta.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nMore than 150 students from across Atlanta applied to the program, and 20 were matched with local startups \u0026ndash; with an emphasis on students with high potential and those from backgrounds underrepresented in the technology industry.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis was the most diverse cohort yet:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eOver 77 percent of participants in 2019 were people of color;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eA majority of the participating startups are led by female founders.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThese high-achieving students, representing schools like Clark Atlanta, Georgia State, Spelman, and Georgia Tech, to name a few, received invaluable startup experience in areas like business development, coding, marketing, and data analysis.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo date, over 60 students and startups have participated in the first two years of the program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs year two comes to a close, Invest Atlanta is happy to announce that several students will be continuing their internship in fall and at least 1 student will be joining their company full time.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHere are the companies that participated this year:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eActivvely\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCapway\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCarbice\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCompetitive Sports Analysis\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCoordinated Care\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCurricula\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eEnrichHER\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eFanaticusXR\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMonotto\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eOmode\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSkylar Security\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSmall Bites Adventure Club\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eStackfolio\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSwemKids\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eThe Lola\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTry My Fab\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":286,"title":"Brownfield Clean-Up Loan Approved for Pullman Yard ","promo_title":"Brownfield Clean-Up Loan Approved for Pullman Yard ","published_date":"2019-08-16","featured_image":{"id":980,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"pullman_yards_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1331563,"resource_updated_at":"2019-08-15T13:42:17.428-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":4,"created_at":"2019-08-15T13:42:17.583-04:00","updated_at":"2020-10-19T13:53:27.002-04:00","filename_hash":"pullman_yards_insight_W14ZmJo.png","width":1200,"height":587},"filename":"brownfield-clean-up-loan-approved-for-pullman-yard","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"cidwew","created_at":"2019-08-15T13:42:55.981-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-16T15:41:16.626-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n ​The Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved a loan of up to $950,000 from the Brownfield Clean-up Revolving Loan Fund that will finance the environmental remediation of the Pullman Yard site.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved a loan of up to $950,000 from the Brownfield Clean-up Revolving Loan Fund that will finance the environmental remediation of the Pullman Yard site.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce the clean-up is\u0026nbsp;complete, Atomic Entertainment will begin work on renovating the historic Pullman Yard into a mixed-use entertainment district with a film stages, hotel, office space, restaurants, retail, greenspace, and live performance space.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtomic Entertainment purchased the site in the Kirkwood neighborhood from the Georgia Building Authority in 2017. The $125 million project will create approximately 260 new jobs, including many in the film and entertainment industry, and generate $179.8 million in economic impact.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 27-acre site was the site of an active manufacturing facility starting in 1904. From the 1920s to the 1950s, Pullman Rail Car Company operated a repair and storage yard at the site. By late 1980s and early 1990s, the site was severely underused, and for the last 30 years it has been inactive.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe BCRLF will provide clean-up of the contaminated sites. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reviewed and approved the clean plan.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Brownfields Program started in 1996. Since then, the City has managed several programs and initiatives aimed at identifying, assessing and remediating brownfield sites throughout the city. Invest Atlanta oversees the Brownfield RLF program, and the board has recently approved loans for cleanup in the Southwest Atlanta BeltLine Trail corridor, as well as on properties located along Moores Mill Road NW and Cascade Avenue SW.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA brownfield is a real property whose expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Examples include former industrial sites, gas stations, dry cleaning establishments, and other industrial uses. Atlantic Station and the Atlanta BeltLine are two examples of successful brownfield cleanup and redevelopment projects in the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn June of 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $500,000 in supplemental funding to assist the City of Atlanta in cleaning up contaminated brownfield properties. The EPA provided a total of $15.7 million in funding to 33 other existing Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grantees, helping Atlanta and other communities around the country carry out cleanup and redevelopment projects.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":288,"title":"Financing for More Than 300 Affordable Housing Units Approved by IA Board","promo_title":"Financing for More Than 300 Affordable Housing Units Approved by IA Board","published_date":"2019-08-16","featured_image":{"id":982,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"peachtree_senior_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1187995,"resource_updated_at":"2019-08-16T15:38:58.662-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-08-16T15:38:58.797-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-16T15:40:42.579-04:00","filename_hash":"peachtree_senior_insight_wj6DRjx.png","width":1200,"height":669},"filename":"financing-for-more-than-300-affordable-housing-units-approved-by-ia-board","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"k0TpoA","created_at":"2019-08-16T15:40:42.543-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-16T15:40:42.543-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board approved bond resolutions to support the financing of two affordable housing developments.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board approved bond resolutions to support the financing of two affordable housing developments. Hartland Station will be a new multifamily housing community in the Sylvan Hills neighborhood with 110 units of affordable housing at 60% average AMI. The board also approved a tax-exempt bond resolution to rehabilitate Peachtree Road Senior Tower, a 196-unit affordable living facility for seniors and young disabled residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHartland Station\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHartland Station will be a 110-unit modern garden-style 3-story community aimed at revitalizing the Metropolitan Parkway corridor and becoming an asset to the Sylvan Hills neighborhood. This community will be equipped with several amenities including a business center, picnic area, tot lots and exercise room. The Urban Residential Finance Authority (URFA) Board approved an $18.8 million tax-exempt loan and a $1.5 million Housing Opportunity Bond multifamily loan for the development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeachtree Road Senior Tower\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe URFA Board approved $14.5 million in tax-exempt bond financing for the 196-unit Peachtree Road Senior Tower in the Peachtree/Collier neighborhood. All the units will be available to residents at 60% AMI. \u0026nbsp;This will involve the rehabilitation of an existing public housing tower serving seniors and young disabled individuals.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe renovation and rehab budget is focused on meeting key property needs\u0026nbsp;in accordance with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.hud.gov/RAD\"\u003eRental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program\u003c/a\u003e to preserve and improve public housing properties. Most of the work focused on the mechanical system and energy efficiency improvements. Interior in-unit work will be limited to new kitchen cabinets, flooring, new paint, and new bathtubs. Common area work will involve a complete redo of all interior hallways and elevator lobbies. These combined improvements will improve the life expectancy of the building while lowering operating costs and the buildings carbon footprint.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":287,"title":"New Andrew Young At-Promise Center to Provide Opportunities for Atlanta Youth ","promo_title":"New Andrew Young At-Promise Center to Provide Opportunities for Atlanta Youth ","published_date":"2019-08-15","featured_image":{"id":981,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"promise_center_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1305700,"resource_updated_at":"2019-08-15T13:46:00.065-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2019-08-15T13:46:00.139-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-15T16:21:43.788-04:00","filename_hash":"promise_center_insight_npmeqQq.png","width":1200,"height":641},"filename":"new-andrew-young-at-promise-center-to-provide-opportunities-for-atlanta-youth","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"nni10Q","created_at":"2019-08-15T13:46:55.699-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-15T16:21:43.768-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved a $1 million grant from the Campbellton Road Tax Allocation District (TAD) to support the construction of the Andrew Young At-Promise Center.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved a $1 million grant from the Campbellton Road Tax Allocation District (TAD) to support the construction of the Andrew Young At-Promise Center.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe At-Promise Youth and Community Center will be a 15,000 square foot state-of-the-art learning and community facility located on the campus of the existing Walter and Andrew Young YMCA. It will house specialized services for youth and be a gathering place for residents, group activities and other purposes.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe facility will allow community stakeholders such as the Boys and Girl Clubs, Chris 180, Police Athletic, Street Smart Youth Project, and the Urban League to counsel at-risk youth and prevent further community crime. Funding for the facility will also come from the Coca-Cola and SunTrust Foundations.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Center is envisioned as a place that provides youth with positive opportunities to view police and public institutions as partners and to have full access to an excellent education, premier health and social services and a community untroubled by violence. Teens in at-risk communities have a higher likelihood of being involved in criminal activity; in fact, last year, more than 50% of the crime in Atlanta was committed by juveniles.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWithin the At-Promise Center, the Atlanta Police Foundation (APF)\u0026nbsp;has created a collaborative community hub where youth receive personalized and comprehensive intervention plans within one facility. APF engages leading youth service providers and experts to operate within the Center to provide wrap-around services. This form of intervention and diversion provides officers with an alternative youth arrest.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe At-Promise Initiative also creates an avenue of prevention for teens considered at-risk for committing crimes. It is designed to set youth on a safer path to a brighter future. The first At-Promise Center opened its doors in the English Avenue neighborhood in August of 2017. The Center has served about 400 youth from the community, far exceeding expectations. The second At-Promise Center will be located on Metropolitan Parkway.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":284,"title":"Creative Industries Loan to Support “Black Men: Naked Truth” Production","promo_title":"Creative Industries Loan to Support “Black Men: Naked Truth” Production","published_date":"2019-08-06","featured_image":{"id":946,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"egypt_screencap_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":689650,"resource_updated_at":"2019-08-06T08:53:26.201-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-08-06T08:53:26.279-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-06T08:54:53.092-04:00","filename_hash":"egypt_screencap_insight_lpm45Je.png","width":1200,"height":613},"filename":"creative-industries-loan-to-support-black-men-naked-truth-production","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"7DMypg","created_at":"2019-08-06T08:54:19.896-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-06T08:54:19.896-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/352250178","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n One of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s first Creative Industries Loan Recipients is Devin \u0026ldquo;Egypt\u0026rdquo; Robinson, founder of Change A Man Media, LLC. The company\u0026rsquo;s goal is simple, creative video productions with more black doctors, lawyers, industry leaders, husbands, wives and most importantly, happy African-Americans.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOne of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s first Creative Industries Loan Recipients is Devin \u0026ldquo;Egypt\u0026rdquo; Robinson, founder of Change A Man Media, LLC. Robinson created Change a Man Media to help redefine human images. The company\u0026rsquo;s goal is simple, creative video productions with more black doctors, lawyers, industry leaders, husbands, wives and most importantly, happy African-Americans.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;Anybody who sees the movies, books, TV shows, and articles are typically coming from someone else about us,\u0026rdquo; said Robinson. \u0026ldquo;What ends up happening is that there\u0026rsquo;s a whole new narrative about who we are, what we do, why we do what we do, and it doesn\u0026rsquo;t come from us.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;So I wanted to create something that when you leave, you got excited. You left and you said, \u0026ldquo;Yeah, that was awesome! That\u0026rsquo;s me, he\u0026rsquo;s talking about me.\u0026rsquo; And every one of my shows, it\u0026rsquo;s the same reaction. Brothers come up, hug me, some crying. Because they\u0026rsquo;ve never seen anything about them that wasn\u0026rsquo;t derogatory, that didn\u0026rsquo;t demean them, that didn\u0026rsquo;t make them feel emasculated. It let them feel like what they need to feel: encouraged.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta will be providing a $35,000 loan for the production, post-production, and distribution to make Devin\u0026rsquo;s one-man show, \u0026ldquo;Black Men: Naked Truth\u0026rdquo; into a film. This stage play portrays the unique talent of one man who portrays seven distinct characters. This stage play has had multiple sold-out shows since its inception in 2014. In 2017, Black Men: Naked Truth was invited to the National Black Theatre Festival.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;With the funding from Invest Atlanta, I promoting, I use it to promote the show, to film the show, and then once the show\u0026rsquo;s filmed, we now pay for commercials to promote it because if you put it on Amazon or whoever purchases it we then promote it all across Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Robinson. \u0026ldquo;And then we also use part of the funding to pitch it to different film festivals and also to the American film market to see if someone like Netflix or Amazon wants\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;to pick it up so that way we can make even more of an impact because now it\u0026rsquo;s on TV.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRobinson has written, acted in, produced and executive produced many films. He gained his stage name \u0026ldquo;Egypt\u0026rdquo; from his role on the hit OWN series \u0026ldquo;Love Is.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;He has received international acclaim dedication for the following projects \u0026ldquo;Black Man: Naked Truth\u0026rdquo; one-man show, \u0026ldquo;Tranquil Inferno\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;5 Steps to Get Over Your Ex.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHe has dedicated himself to providing high-quality education through the medium of media started in 2006 with the birth of AIDS Awareness Poets Inc., an organization created to educate people about HIV through entertainment. From there, he created Change A Man Media LLC to create positive images of African-Americans. His professional journey has also included stops on BET, OWN, MTV, Apollo and TEDx.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRobinson added: \u0026ldquo;That process of applying for this loan was a beautiful process because it taught me a lot about business, and I pride myself on being an entrepreneur, and not just being part of the show but the business part of show business. And I learned a lot.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I think this was just a beautiful process. And nothing was overdone, there was no extra work for no apparent reason. Everything was right on point and everyone was so professional.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":283,"title":"Atlanta Part of Rockefeller Foundation’s Opportunity Zone Community Capacity Building Initiative","promo_title":"Atlanta Part of Rockefeller Foundation’s Opportunity Zone Community Capacity Building Initiative","published_date":"2019-08-01","featured_image":{"id":939,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"foz_event_2.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1222085,"resource_updated_at":"2019-08-01T14:00:11.851-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-08-01T14:00:11.921-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-02T14:22:48.190-04:00","filename_hash":"foz_event_2_kbmvg6y.png","width":1200,"height":593},"filename":"atlanta-named-newest-city-in-rockefeller-foundations-opportunity-zone-community-capacity-building-initiative","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"0TYDsQ","created_at":"2019-08-01T14:01:24.795-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-02T14:22:48.152-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced Atlanta will become the second city to participate in The Rockefeller Foundation\u0026rsquo;s Opportunity Zone Community Capacity Building Initiative. The initiative, which launched in May 2019, aims to help U.S. cities attract responsible private investment in economically-distressed communities through Opportunity Zones created in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced Atlanta will become the second city to participate in The Rockefeller Foundation\u0026rsquo;s Opportunity Zone Community Capacity Building Initiative. The initiative, which launched in May 2019, aims to help U.S. cities attract responsible private investment in economically-distressed communities through Opportunity Zones created in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Opportunity Zones are an exciting new tool for building economic development in underserved communities,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;These grants will help guide us as we implement the program to maximize the benefits of job creation and neighborhood improvement in the most vulnerable areas of our city. Thank you to the Rockefeller Foundation for this commitment that will advance equity citywide, as we continue to build One Atlanta, and provide a level playing field for all.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta, which has more than 82,000 residents living in 26 designated Opportunity Zones, will receive $920,000 in grants and supportive services, including a $400,000 grant to establish and fund a Chief Opportunity Zone Officer embedded in Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development authority. Funding will also support the placement of two AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) members who will facilitate community involvement in proposed Opportunity Zone projects and businesses; and technical assistance to help develop project pipelines that balance the interests of investors with those of existing community members.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Opportunity Zones are the first federal incentive for community development in 15 years and a unique opportunity to leverage private capital to help achieve Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic and community development goals,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta has been a first mover in the city with Opportunity Zones and partnerships with the Rockefeller Foundation and Cities of Service will help us further the goal of bringing meaningful investment and greater equity to our communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As the wealth gap in the United States continues to widen, we recognize how a zip code impacts the economic opportunities for a community and its residents,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of the Rockefeller Foundation. \u0026ldquo;Atlanta has shown strong commitment to ensuring investment in its Opportunity Zones are designed with the most vulnerable in mind, and we are pleased to provide additional support to ultimately lift up these communities by enabling new pathways to economic mobility.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Rockefeller Foundation also announced it will award a $600,000 grant to Cities of Service, an independent nonprofit organization that helps mayors build stronger, more vibrant cities by changing the way local government and citizens work together. Cities of Service will provide Atlanta and five other cities participating in the Foundation\u0026rsquo;s Opportunity Zones initiative with technical assistance and two AmeriCorps VISTA members who will lead and manage community engagement efforts in each city. Through this effort, Cites of Service will help selected cities achieve positive economic and social outcomes for their communities through community-informed Opportunity Zone efforts.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information about Opportunity Zones in the City of Atlanta, including development projects seeking investment, visit \u003ca href=\"http://www.atlopportunityzones.com\"\u003ewww.atlopportunityzones.com\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":285,"title":"Invest Atlanta Staff Provides National Affordable Housing Advocacy and Thought Leadership","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Staff Provides National Affordable Housing Advocacy and Thought Leadership","published_date":"2019-07-30","featured_image":{"id":978,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"dawn_housing_event.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1757772,"resource_updated_at":"2019-08-12T10:15:53.326-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-08-12T10:15:53.504-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-12T10:17:25.996-04:00","filename_hash":"dawn_housing_event_QgljJQ2.png","width":1200,"height":838},"filename":"invest-atlanta-staff-provides-national-affordable-housing-advocacy-and-thought-leadership","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Jv6u_A","created_at":"2019-08-12T10:16:05.674-04:00","updated_at":"2019-08-12T10:17:25.961-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Several members of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Community Development team featured prominently in regional and national events on affordable housing policy.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSeveral members of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Community Development team featured prominently in regional and national events on affordable housing policy.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA) Trip to DC\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta Chief Operating Officer Dawn Arnold serves as NALHFA Vice President, and in July she joined other members of the organization on a trip to Washington, DC to meet with Congressional offices to discuss critically important affordable housing issues.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe first meeting was with Matt Jones, a Senate majority Banking Committee staffer, to discuss Chairman Mike Crapo\u0026rsquo;s (R-ID) GSE Reform package that came out earlier this spring and the Committee\u0026rsquo;s recent GSE hearings.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNALHFA then met with Congresswoman Patricia Murphy\u0026rsquo;s (D-FL-7) office to talk about enhancing the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program by urging her to sign on as a cosponsor to the recent reintroduction of H.R. 3077, the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act 2019 (AHCIA).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNALHFA again advocated for the AHCIA with Representative Drew Ferguson (R-GA-3), who was excited to learn more about all of the rural housing provisions in the legislation, and to have an in-depth discussion with Arnold about the situation in the state of Georgia.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNALHFA was excited to have the opportunity to visit senior officials at the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to share its 2019 Legislative and Regulatory Priorities. They discussed several issues, including the enhancement of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit with Members of Congress and GSE Reform.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHUD Region IV Emerging Strategies to Affordable Housing Expo\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eArnold,\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta Senior Vice President of Community Development Alan Ferguso, and Opportunity Zones \u0026amp; Special Initiatives Manager Ed Smith\u0026nbsp;joined over 350 non-profit leaders, public housing authority directors, developers and financial partners at the region\u0026#39;s inaugural Emerging Strategies in Affordable Housing Expo in Atlanta. They gathered to discuss affordable housing policy and to share best practices concerning innovative methodologies to address the affordable housing crisis.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;What brings us together today is a joint mission and mutual understanding that our nation faces an affordable housing crisis and needs leadership, innovation and expertise if we are to help bring about meaningful affordable housing policy change that provides hope for those we mutually serve,\u0026quot; said Region IV Administrator Denise Cleveland Leggett, who hosted the event and welcomed attendees. \u0026quot;Today, we are gathered here to develop a real vision of shared understanding, characterized by tangible approaches for what is truly possible when leaders of conscience gather, roll up their sleeves, and commit to work and not give up.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Region IV Emerging Strategies to Affordable Housing Expo was a two-day event at the Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel and Conference Center focused on increasing awareness of the range of housing strategies available in affordable housing.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eArnold joined Dr. Troy Nash to discuss how best to leverage public-private partnerships, while Ferguson shared best practices from his experience supporting affordable housing developments in the City of Atlanta. Smith discussed shovel-ready projects the in City of Atlanta\u0026#39;s 26 Federal Opportunity Zones, social impact investing and more valuable\u0026nbsp;information.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":282,"title":"Invest Atlanta to Develop City’s First Economic Mobility Strategy","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta to Develop City’s First Economic Mobility Strategy","published_date":"2019-07-22","featured_image":{"id":933,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"atlanta_econ_mobility_insights.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":936521,"resource_updated_at":"2019-07-22T08:29:47.561-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-07-22T08:29:47.693-04:00","updated_at":"2021-05-12T11:39:47.578-04:00","filename_hash":"atlanta_econ_mobility_insights_7JNJbmL.png","width":1200,"height":702},"filename":"invest-atlanta-to-develop-citys-first-economic-mobility-strategy","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"sQFNNg","created_at":"2019-07-22T08:30:00.227-04:00","updated_at":"2021-05-12T11:39:47.513-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta is redoubling its efforts on equity and economic mobility through the development of the city\u0026rsquo;s first-ever economic mobility strategy.\u0026nbsp;Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has already shown strong leadership on these issues, and this strategy development process is an opportunity to align and complement the broader One Atlanta strategic effort.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUpdate:\u003c/strong\u003e The community input period is closed. We truly appreciate all the ideas and feedback from residents, businesses, civic and not-for-profit leaders, and other stakeholders on this vital effort.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is redoubling its efforts on equity and economic mobility through the development of the city\u0026rsquo;s first-ever economic mobility strategy.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEconomic prosperity and competitiveness in Atlanta start with equitable access to opportunity and pathways to wealth creation. The goal is to further economic development and mobility for all Atlantans by:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eReviewing Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s current efforts around economic mobility\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAnalyzing key factors related to access to opportunity \u0026ndash; both within Atlanta and globally\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eIdentifying alignment opportunities across existing strategic frameworks\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eProviding recommendations to further Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development goals and improve economic mobility\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEconomic mobility is the ability of an individual, family, or group to improve their economic status. In Atlanta, that starts with equity equal access to opportunity and pathways to wealth creation. Atlanta currently leads the nation in income inequality. There is a clear divide between wealthier, majority white communities to the north of I-20 and poorer communities to the south and west where most residents are African-American.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has already shown strong leadership on these issues, and this strategy development process is an opportunity to align and complement the broader One Atlanta strategic effort. In addition, we leverage the expertise of our project partners at Bloomberg Associates, Enterprise, APD Urban Planning Management, and the Urban League of Greater Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe approach will be data-driven, will build on the work that has been done and create alignment rather than be duplicative, and place an emphasis on national and international best practices customized to the unique strengths and trends in Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe end goal is to identify pathways and specific policy recommendations to improve economic mobility. Input from residents, businesses, civic and not-for-profit leaders, and other stakeholders is vital to developing a comprehensive, inclusive strategy.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nIn the coming weeks and months, we will be asking your thoughts on how you would increase economic mobility in Atlanta. We look forward to hearing from you.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":281,"title":"Invest Atlanta Supports Hundreds of Affordable Rental Units \u0026 For-Sale Homes","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Supports Hundreds of Affordable Rental Units \u0026 For-Sale Homes","published_date":"2019-07-20","featured_image":{"id":932,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"east_medinah.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1419229,"resource_updated_at":"2019-07-20T07:27:52.956-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-07-20T07:27:53.395-04:00","updated_at":"2022-03-16T13:40:58.250-04:00","filename_hash":"east_medinah_bzmn4aN.png","width":1077,"height":661},"filename":"invest-atlanta-supports-hundreds-of-affordable-multifamily-senior-housing-units","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"0Rwlkw","created_at":"2019-07-20T07:29:05.550-04:00","updated_at":"2022-03-16T13:40:58.169-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt their monthly meeting, Invest Atlanta took the first step toward supporting several affordable housing developments. The Board approved support for three major projects, which when complete will provide 305 units of multifamily affordable housing units, 124 for seniors, and 23 affordable single-family homes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eContinuing to support new and strategic solutions to address Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s affordable housing needs remains a top priority for Invest Atlanta. All residents should have access to safe, quality, affordable housing, and these actions were another step in the right direction. Invest Atlanta continues to make significant progress toward our affordable housing goals, as we move closer to achieving our vision for One Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrue Light Haven Senior\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Board approved an inducement resolution to provide an $18 million tax-exempt loan for the construction of 124 units of high-quality senior affordable housing near the West Lake MARTA station. National Church Residences will provide holistic senior living services to ensure that each resident can remain independent by preserving their quality of life and creating a home for life.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCity Views\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Board also approved a $27 million tax-exempt loan for City Views at Rosa Burney Park. The multifamily development will preserve and rehabilitate 154 units set aside for families earning 60% AMI or below. For 127 of the units, residents will pay no more than 30% of their income.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEast Medinah Village\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board approved $27 million in tax-exempt bonds and a $440,000 grant from the BeltLine Affordable Housing Trust Fund for East Medinah Village Phase I. This first of four phases, this development will bring 255 units of multifamily housing to Hank Aaron Drive in Peoplestown. All 255 units will be affordable, and 205 units will be set aside for households earning 60 percent AMI or below. Phase I of the development will also include approximately 25,000 square feet of retail space and parking.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAtlanta Land Trust: 1091 Tucker Avenue\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe previous week,\u0026nbsp;the URFA Housing Committee approved a $920,000 grant from the BeltLine Affordable Housing Trust Fund to be used to support the construction of 23 affordable single-family homes in the Oakland City neighborhood. The development will include a mix of modular housing designed by Smith Dalia Architects and built by Oak Construction Group. The Atlanta Land Trust and Homeplace Solutions are leading the project, and all homes will be priced for families at 80% of AMI and below.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms pledged to leverage $1 billion towards housing affordability to produce and preserve 20,000 units of affordable housing within the City of Atlanta by 2026. Through its various affordable housing strategies, Invest Atlanta continues to advocate for affordable housing in Atlanta as the city grows and serves as a primary objective of the agency.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAn update to this project can be found \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/affordable-townhomes-coming-to-tucker-avenue\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":280,"title":"Variotech Chooses Atlanta for North American Headquarters","promo_title":"Variotech Chooses Atlanta for North American Headquarters","published_date":"2019-07-17","featured_image":{"id":930,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"variotech_3.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":930158,"resource_updated_at":"2019-07-17T10:46:55.106-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-07-17T10:46:55.180-04:00","updated_at":"2019-07-17T10:49:05.756-04:00","filename_hash":"variotech_3_zmrLv4k.png","width":1200,"height":771},"filename":"variotech-chooses-atlanta-for-north-american-headquarters","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"jyJjhQ","created_at":"2019-07-17T10:48:11.091-04:00","updated_at":"2019-07-17T10:49:05.721-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Variotech,\u0026nbsp;a world leader in tray solutions, will create 20 new jobs at a new North American headquarters in the City of Atlanta. The German manufacturer\u0026nbsp;will serve the automotive industry and electronic customer base from their new North American headquarters in Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.variotech.de/en/about-us\"\u003eVariotech\u003c/a\u003e,\u0026nbsp;a world leader in tray solutions, will create 20 new jobs at a new North American headquarters in the City of Atlanta. The German manufacturer\u0026nbsp;will serve the automotive industry and electronic customer base from their new North American headquarters in Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;Variotech\u0026rsquo;s choice of Atlanta for its North American headquarters represents another big win for our expanding automotive sector,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;With more than 2,600 foreign-owned businesses in the area and global connectivity through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, it is no surprise to see another European company bring their North American headquarters to the city.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;In selecting Georgia for our North America headquarters, we are able to serve our existing customer base better and faster, and we are able to convince potential new customers with our products,\u0026rdquo; said Benedikt Fleig, President and CEO of Variotech. \u0026ldquo;We were impressed with how Georgia perfectly fits our needs to accelerate our growth.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta worked in partnership with the\u0026nbsp;Georgia Department of Economic Development\u0026#39;s Global Commerce Division on this project.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;We are excited to welcome an innovative company like Variotech to Georgia,\u0026rdquo; said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. \u0026ldquo;Georgia has been cultivating relationships in Germany for more than 45 years, and we are thrilled that Variotech chose Atlanta to call home as they expand in the U.S. market.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":279,"title":"Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail Now Connects Atlanta From Midtown to Memorial","promo_title":"Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail Now Connects Atlanta From Midtown to Memorial","published_date":"2019-07-16","featured_image":{"id":927,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"beltline_trail.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1769227,"resource_updated_at":"2019-07-16T09:39:15.231-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-07-16T09:39:15.366-04:00","updated_at":"2019-07-16T09:40:58.059-04:00","filename_hash":"beltline_trail_kbmLZky.png","width":1200,"height":634},"filename":"atlanta-beltline-eastside-trail-now-connects-atlanta-from-midtown-to-memorial","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"qer7EQ","created_at":"2019-07-16T09:39:32.447-04:00","updated_at":"2019-07-16T09:40:58.024-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n At a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, July 11, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the Atlanta BeltLine celebrated the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://beltline.org/event/eastside-trail-ribbon-cutting-ceremony/\"\u003eofficial opening\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;of the portion of the Eastside Trail connecting with Memorial Drive.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, July 11, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the Atlanta BeltLine celebrated the \u003ca href=\"https://beltline.org/event/eastside-trail-ribbon-cutting-ceremony/\"\u003eofficial opening\u003c/a\u003e of the portion of the Eastside Trail connecting with Memorial Drive.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It is a very exciting day that we have now connected Midtown all the way to Memorial Drive,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Beltline, Inc. CEO Clyde Higgs. \u0026quot;That is a big deal, a big, big deal. Please know that ABI does not advance\u0026nbsp;the Beltline in a solo, or alone. It is truly with our partners that this is possible.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;With this connectivity, it really is creating one community for us,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;As a native of Atlanta, I am very fortunate to see this transformation and to be a part of this transformation.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe added: \u0026ldquo;To look at what\u0026rsquo;s happening in our city in just 10 short years is nothing short of amazing. It\u0026rsquo;s not happenstance\u0026mdash;it\u0026rsquo;s because of great leaders, like our school board, it\u0026rsquo;s because of great partnerships with Fulton County, it\u0026rsquo;s because of leadership of our philanthropic partners and our corporate partners. And we recognize we are all a piece of a puzzle that\u0026rsquo;s creating this amazing city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I want to thank the community,\u0026rdquo; said Councilmember Natalyn Archibong. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re standing in Council District 5 And I want to welcome constituents and friends, stakeholders, those who are in love with Atlanta as we all are sitting up here today. The journey continues. We are fixed to our course, and I am so grateful to all of you.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta BeltLine will ultimately connect 45 intown neighborhoods via a 22-mile loop of multi-use trails, modern streetcar, and parks, all based on railroad corridors that formerly encircled Atlanta. The Atlanta BeltLine also supports affordable workforce housing, economic development, job creation, public health, streetscapes, public art, environmental clean-up, and historic preservation, all with an eye towards sustainability.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs of 2019, the Atlanta BeltLine consists of five open trails and seven parks that welcome nearly 2 million visitors each year. More than $4.1 billion has been generated in private economic redevelopment. In May, the Atlanta BeltLine announced its largest budget for affordable housing at\u0026nbsp;$11.9 million.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":278,"title":"Mayor Bottoms Introduces Community Loan Fund Legislation","promo_title":"Mayor Bottoms Introduces Community Loan Fund Legislation","published_date":"2019-07-15","featured_image":{"id":926,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"kiyomi_award_2.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1263546,"resource_updated_at":"2019-07-15T12:02:52.294-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-07-15T12:02:52.659-04:00","updated_at":"2019-07-23T07:55:14.573-04:00","filename_hash":"kiyomi_award_2_E6zOJBy.png","width":1200,"height":641},"filename":"mayor-bottoms-introduces-community-loan-fund-legislation","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"IUyPcA","created_at":"2019-07-15T12:03:37.802-04:00","updated_at":"2019-07-23T07:55:14.541-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n In July, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms introduced legislation that requests Invest Atlanta to establish a new Community Loan Fund designed to encourage micro and small business development within the City of Atlanta. The fund is designed to target business development that has been unserved by\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/small-business-loan-programs\"\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business loan tools\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms introduced legislation that requests Invest Atlanta to establish a new Community Loan Fund designed to encourage micro and small business development within the City of Atlanta. The fund is designed to target business development that has been unserved by \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/small-business-loan-programs\"\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business loan tools\u003c/a\u003e. The resolution was introduced by Atlanta City Councilmember Antonio Brown in collaboration with the Bottoms Administration.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;If we are to attain an equitable, One Atlanta, we must build a more inclusive entrepreneurship culture in our City,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;One of the biggest hurdles facing new small businesses is simply obtaining low-cost capital investment. Women and minority-owned business are disproportionately affected by this reality, despite their returns consistently matching the market. This program is designed to provide opportunity and hope to underserved communities that empowers them to pursue their dreams and contribute to our economy.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Community Loan Fund will develop policies and guidelines to prioritize direct lending to credit-disadvantaged entrepreneurs using non-traditional underwriting standards.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The community loan fund will help boost the economic and social fabric of our city,\u0026rdquo; said Councilmember Antonio Brown, who represents District 3. \u0026ldquo;When we work together, we see the kind of transformational change that revitalizes our neighborhoods and empowers our constituents. This initiative will help provide equitable access to resources and create more opportunity, which truly benefits our communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Community Loan Fund will allow small business owners to begin building for their future,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;This loan program will be the first to allow recipients to restructure and pay off their existing business debts, giving them the financial flexibility to expand operations and hire more employees. Having another new tool in our toolkit will allow the City of Atlanta to support even more of our entrepreneurs as they work to achieve their dreams.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Community Loan Fund is yet another step toward creating Mayor Bottoms\u0026rsquo; vision for One Atlanta\u0026mdash;a safe and welcoming city with world-class employees, infrastructure and services, an ethical, transparent, and fiscally responsible government, thriving neighborhoods, communities, and businesses and residents who are equipped for success.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":277,"title":"Accelerate Southside Program Launched to Support Business Growth","promo_title":"Accelerate Southside Program Launched","published_date":"2019-07-08","featured_image":{"id":924,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"accelerate_southside.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":971969,"resource_updated_at":"2019-07-08T14:50:27.303-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":3,"created_at":"2019-07-08T14:50:27.575-04:00","updated_at":"2020-04-03T08:59:16.640-04:00","filename_hash":"accelerate_southside_p5qD75V.png","width":1200,"height":570},"filename":"accelerate-southside-program-launched-to-support-business-growth","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ADQxHA","created_at":"2019-07-08T14:52:01.591-04:00","updated_at":"2019-07-23T07:54:31.027-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta and The Guild have announced a strategic partnership to launch Accelerate Southside, a new program for minority-owned businesses in the City of Atlanta. Accelerate Southside is designed to assist minority-owned businesses located on the Southside with business acceleration, growth, and owning space as a wealth-building tool.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and The Guild have announced a strategic partnership to launch \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/accelerate-southside\"\u003eAccelerate Southside\u003c/a\u003e, a new program for minority-owned businesses in the City of Atlanta. Accelerate Southside is designed to assist minority-owned businesses located on the Southside with business acceleration, growth, and owning space as a wealth-building tool.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nIn 2018, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that the City of Atlanta would join the City Accelerator program, an initiative of the Citi Foundation and Living Cities, and receive $100,000 in grant funding to support small businesses and job growth. The City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s initiative, Accelerate Southside, will help address four major challenges experienced by minority-owned businesses: limited access to capital based on traditional underwriting criteria, debt service payment capabilities, difficulty purchasing commercial space, and preparing for business growth.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;With an estimated 3,300 businesses that generate $3 billion in revenue and employ more than 43,000 people, Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Southside neighborhoods are poised for new investment and business growth,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO at Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta focuses on creating and implementing programming that supports entrepreneurs and existing businesses in our communities to create a stronger citywide economy. Accelerate Southside in partnership with The Guild is one of many ways we are working to achieve this goal and facilitate entrepreneurship in more Atlanta communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nAccelerate Southside is a two-part pilot program that includes an immersive business accelerator training offered by The Guild (2019 Community Wealth Building Business Accelerator) and a commercial down payment assistance program offered by Invest Atlanta. With a focus on the 30-acre Pittsburgh Yards\u0026trade; redevelopment site located on the Atlanta Beltline Southside Trail, the program will support entrepreneurs interested in purchasing a shipping container to locate at the Pittsburgh Yards Shipping Container Courtyard.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;After meeting with dozens of business owners on the Southside, it became apparent that there is a pressing need to create new programs and products to address the risk of business displacement and lack of accessible capital to start and grow businesses,\u0026rdquo; said Erika Smith, Southside Community \u0026amp; Economic Development Manager at Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Accelerate Southside will provide technical assistance to help address those needs and challenges so that these businesses have the opportunity to grow, purchase commercial property, and establish themselves in a high-demand area. Our goal is to preserve and grow businesses who have chosen to locate in the Southside.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe Guild, a co-living organization that targets social entrepreneurs and changemakers, is focused on community wealth-building strategies that aim to improve the ability of communities to increase asset ownership, anchor jobs locally, and build economic resilience.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;Partnering with Invest Atlanta for Accelerate Southside allows us to address issues that are key priorities for both of our organizations and critical to the success of minority-owned small businesses in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Nikishka Iyengar, Founder \u0026amp; CEO at The Guild. \u0026ldquo;The goal is to help these businesses boost viability and sustainability, open new locations, and to build wealth in their communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nVisit\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/accelerate-southside\"\u003einvestatlanta.com/accelerate-southside\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;for more information.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":275,"title":"Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Releases Housing Affordability Action Plan","promo_title":"Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Releases Housing Affordability Action Plan","published_date":"2019-06-25","featured_image":{"id":919,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"housing_plan_insights.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1567893,"resource_updated_at":"2019-06-25T09:54:12.839-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-06-25T09:54:12.970-04:00","updated_at":"2019-06-25T09:58:49.458-04:00","filename_hash":"housing_plan_insights_DNX5Wno.png","width":1200,"height":523},"filename":"mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-releases-housing-affordability-action-plan","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"F2KVsA","created_at":"2019-06-25T09:58:49.422-04:00","updated_at":"2019-06-25T09:58:49.422-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms released the City of Atlanta Housing Affordability Action Plan \u0026ndash; a roadmap to increase the supply of housing in the City of Atlanta for a full spectrum of residents.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms released the City of Atlanta Housing Affordability Action Plan, a roadmap to increase the supply of housing in the City of Atlanta for a full spectrum of residents.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Affordability is the foundation of any livable and thriving community,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;Creating and preserving affordable housing is critical to the future of all those who call Atlanta home. For too many residents, their zip code determines their opportunities. This action plan is a vision for a more equitable city where each Atlantan has access to quality, and safe affordable housing. As our city continues to grow, we want to ensure neighborhoods in the north, south, east, and Westside remain welcoming and inclusive places for all.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 45-action oriented plan aims to substantially increase the number of Atlanta residents who can afford their housing costs. The Plan represents a collaborative and shared effort from multiple City agencies--including Invest Atlanta--and a diverse group of non-profits, philanthropic organizations, faith-based organizations, educational institutions, private companies, residents, and community members who came together under the banner of House ATL to develop recommendations that are critical to the future of housing in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe plan entails 13 initiatives based on four key goals:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCreate or preserve 20,000 a\u0026shy;ffordable homes by 2026 and increase overall supply\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e1. Leverage vacant public land for housing\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e2. Create and expand housing affordability tools\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e3. Revise the zoning code\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eInvest $1 billion from public, private, and philanthropic sources in the production and preservation of aff\u0026shy;ordable housing\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e4. Maximize existing funding sources\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e5. Develop new funding sources\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e6. Increase philanthropic and private investment in affordable housing\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEnsure equitable growth for all Atlantans and minimize displacement\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e7. Prevent involuntary displacement\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e8. Explore the expansion of property tax programs for the creation and preservation of affordable housing\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e9. Expand awareness of and increase participation in housing affordability programs\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSupport innovation and streamline processes\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e10. Establish a Housing Innovation Lab\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e11. Continually improve building and zoning codes\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e12. Improve our system for developing and delivering affordable housing\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e13. Enhance community engagement\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the release of the Action Plan, the City of Atlanta and affordable housing developers Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership (ANDP) and Laurel Street Residential broke ground on Creekside at Adamsville Place, a new rental community designed to address the affordable housing needs in the City of Atlanta. The $27.6M, 147-unit development will offer rental rates affordable to families with incomes at 30%, 60%, and 80% of area median income.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;How to tackle affordability and meaningfully address inequality are at the forefront for every major American city,\u0026rdquo; said Sarah Kirsch, Executive Director of the Urban Land Institute. \u0026ldquo;Although the problem is significant and accelerating in Atlanta, the data suggests we have a window in time to make a difference. That is why the City\u0026rsquo;s Housing Affordability Action Plan is so important. It comes at a critical time, creating a playbook for us to work together to achieve our goals of creating and preserving 20,000+ affordable homes by 2026. The approach of unlocking existing resources, particularly publicly owned land, while lining up new policies and funding is ambitious but achievable. The partners in HouseATL look forward to working alongside the City to make this reality, working toward a thriving city for all.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFinancing for the project includes tax-exempt bond financing\u0026nbsp;from Invest Atlanta, and\u0026nbsp;4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits from Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Red Capital is providing first mortgage financing for the project. RBC Bank is the Federal and State equity investor.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eVisit the City of Atlanta \u003ca href=\"https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/mayor-s-office/projects-and-initiatives/housing-affordability-action-plan\"\u003eAffordable Housing Website\u003c/a\u003e to read the full plan and learn more about programming, policies, and initiatives.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":276,"title":"Invest Atlanta Hosts First Creative Industries Exchange Program to Support Music Executives","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Hosts First Creative Industries Exchange Program to Support Music Executives","published_date":"2019-06-21","featured_image":{"id":920,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"creative_exchange.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1568415,"resource_updated_at":"2019-06-26T08:35:48.012-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-06-26T08:35:48.128-04:00","updated_at":"2019-06-26T09:12:23.551-04:00","filename_hash":"creative_exchange_2arN4ne.png","width":1200,"height":587},"filename":"invest-atlanta-hosts-first-creative-industries-exchange-program-to-support-music-executives","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"zLvO7A","created_at":"2019-06-26T08:37:43.121-04:00","updated_at":"2019-06-26T09:12:23.516-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta, in partnership with City National Bank, 902 Hip Hop, The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent On Recordings (FACTOR), and Spotify Secret Genius, recently hosted the Creative Industries Exchange program to help rising leaders in the music industry acquire new knowledge and improve their leadership capacity.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta, in partnership with City National Bank, 902 Hip Hop, The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent On Recordings (FACTOR), and Spotify Secret Genius, recently hosted the Creative Industries Exchange program to help rising leaders in the music industry acquire new knowledge and improve their leadership capacity.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFour emerging music business executives from Atlanta traveled to Toronto for one week during the beginning of May, where they were able to learn from international and influential music business executives. During the week, the executives learned tactics to strengthen their businesses operations, developed new ways of thinking about business to lead with new perspectives, and gained a deeper understanding of an international music industry. In addition to the music executives, one producer and one songwriter participated in the Exchange with support from Spotify Secret Genius and City National Bank.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Not only do we want Atlanta to continue to be a launching pad for creative businesses, but we also want to be more intentional in providing the local Atlanta creative community opportunities to grow and expand with support from the city,\u0026rdquo; said Nathan Regan, Senior Vice President of Economic Development for Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Hosting the Creative Industries Exchange was a first step in building a new network and creating international opportunities. As a result of the program, the executives have been able to obtain new clients, secure international partnerships, and recruit talent to the City of Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eParticipants were involved in a variety of programming, including visits and meetings with Universal Music Entertainment, SOCAN Music, SAC Songwriters Association of Canada, Sony Music Entertainment, Apple Music, YouTube, and Google Play. The participants were also involved in a three-day music summit during Canadian Music Week, where they shared their backgrounds and expertise through podcasts, panels, and interactive classes.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Creative Industries Exchange allowed for a unique and innovative global partnership to happen,\u0026rdquo; said Melissa MacMaster, Founder and Owner of 902 Hip Hop. \u0026ldquo;Bridging the gap between the Canadian and U.S music industry was a way to create new business opportunities for the Atlanta executives and build a strong network of industry relationships that they can continue to foster and grow.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I learned so much in one week hanging with this group and appreciated the opportunity to contribute my career experiences,\u0026rdquo; said Jhordan Gibbs. Gibbs is the Co-Founder of Milk \u0026amp; Cookies Festival, which produces 20-25 concerts annually with touring artists, and was the first Talent Relations Manager for the Atlanta Hawks.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Both Atlanta and Toronto are young cities taking center stage. I am tremendously proud to have been a member of an executive team that represented the great City of Atlanta in Toronto,\u0026rdquo; said Rachel Jackson. Jackson is the Director of A\u0026amp;R at RocNation, where she scouts and develops talent, coordinates record deals, and manages creative music processes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2018, Invest Atlanta launched the \u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/creative-industries-loan-fund\"\u003eCreative Industries Loan Fund\u003c/a\u003e in partnership with the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Film and Entertainment. The program offers loans with low-interest rates and flexible repayment plans for independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs in the City of Atlanta to assist with production, post-production, distribution, marketing outreach, touring, prototype development, product development, and sales and attraction for their creative projects.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":274,"title":"Invest Atlanta Board Supports Financing for 150 New Affordable Housing Units","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Board Supports Financing for 150 New Affordable Housing Units","published_date":"2019-06-20","featured_image":{"id":917,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"dlh_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":584607,"resource_updated_at":"2019-06-20T09:41:37.236-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-06-20T09:41:37.315-04:00","updated_at":"2019-07-11T14:58:35.941-04:00","filename_hash":"dlh_insight_QgXllLE.png","width":1320,"height":597},"filename":"invest-atlanta-board-supports-financing-for-150-new-affordable-housing-units","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"yx6mlQ","created_at":"2019-06-20T09:42:23.936-04:00","updated_at":"2019-07-11T14:58:35.905-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n At its monthly meeting, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors supported the creation of 150 affordable rental units in the Grove Park and Center Hill neighborhoods.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt its monthly meeting, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors supported the creation of 150 affordable rental units in the Grove Park and Center Hill neighborhoods.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board approved $15 million in tax-exempt bond financing and $1 million in Hollowell/MLK TAD Grant funding for construction of new a multifamily development along Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. The development will contain 150 affordable units, with 130 units set aside for households earning 60 percent AMI or below.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, the developer intends to reserve 10 percent of the units for young adults who are aging out of the foster care system.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe developer, Vecino Group, has a history of creating affordable housing developments across the United States, and the development will be one of its first projects in Georgia. In addition to affordable housing, the development will include space for urban farming, an amphitheater, artists gallery, a recording studio, and 10,000 square feet of retail space. Vecino Group is currently working with the Center Hill Neighborhood Association to gain insight and feedback on ideas for community-focused retail.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m also very pleased with the project,\u0026rdquo; said IA Board Member Bill Bozarth. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s design, when you look at the whole package, has a number of items that are very innovative.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms pledged to leverage $1 billion towards housing affordability to produce and preserve 20,000 units of affordable housing within the City of Atlanta by 2026. Through its various affordable housing strategies, Invest Atlanta continues to advocate for affordable housing in Atlanta as the city grows and serves as a primary objective of the agency.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":273,"title":"Atlanta Drives the Conversation Around Equitable Federal Opportunity Zone Investment ","promo_title":"Atlanta Driving the Conversation Around Equitable Federal Opportunity Zone Investment ","published_date":"2019-06-12","featured_image":{"id":913,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"foz_event.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1226697,"resource_updated_at":"2019-06-12T14:46:57.415-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-06-12T14:46:57.549-04:00","updated_at":"2019-06-13T10:06:09.232-04:00","filename_hash":"foz_event_8mk1aR2.png","width":1200,"height":619},"filename":"atlanta-drives-the-conversation-around-equitable-federal-opportunity-zone-investment","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"FVw0aQ","created_at":"2019-06-12T14:47:13.046-04:00","updated_at":"2019-06-13T10:06:09.184-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta has been a first mover and thought leader when it comes to driving the conversation about an effective\u0026nbsp;Federal Opportunity Zone development strategy.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has been a first mover and thought leader when it comes to driving the conversation about an effective\u0026nbsp;Federal Opportunity Zone development strategy. The City of Atlanta is at the forefront of examining how to maximize the program\u0026#39;s\u0026nbsp;potential for equity, neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing, business development, and living wage job creation in our communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFederal Opportunity Zones are the first federal economic and community development tool to launch since the New Markets Tax Credits program 15 years ago. This new program provides an opportunity to drive private investment into neighborhoods in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s 26 Opportunity Zones, located primarily in the south and southwest areas of the city. Many of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s incentives can be layered with Opportunity Zone investments to deliver additional economic benefits to the city and its residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDr. Edward Smith has gotten off to a running start as our very first Opportunity Zones and Special Initiatives Manager. In this role, Dr. Smith is developing and leading the Invest Atlanta strategy\u0026nbsp;for connecting qualified investors to place-based initiatives, development projects, and businesses seeking investment capital located within the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Federal Opportunity Zones.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRecently, Invest Atlanta has partnered with other local organizations to host two informative events. On May 23, 2019 at Southface, Invest Atlanta and the Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative brought in financial and development experts for a Federal Opportunity Zone Forum for Entrepreneurs. Speakers included Alicia Reeves of AWBI; Dr. Shireda P. Howard, Managing Director, Diversified Financial Management Group, Inc.; Will Lambe, Director of Capital Solutions, Enterprise Community Investments, Inc.; and Dale Royal, Executive Director, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). A packed house heard a spirited discussion on the benefits of Opportunity Zones for residents and businesses, and best practices for mobilizing capital to invest in small businesses located in underserved markets.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nOn June 4, 2019, Invest Atlanta hosted a Federal Opportunity Zone Empowerment Forum at the MET Atlanta in Southwest Atlanta. Two panels of experts covered different aspects of the new tools. The audience heard from organizations including Invest Atlanta, HUD, Impact Fund, Community Reinvestment Fund, Urban League, UGA Small Business Development Center, and the Georgia Tech Minority Business Development Center.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta also recently published an \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/assets/city_of_atlanta_oz_prospectus_2019_1ORmaZa.pdf\"\u003eOpportunity Zone Prospectus\u003c/a\u003e to educate potential investors about Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy, economic development tools, and the demographics and opportunities within each Opportunity Zone. Within Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Opportunity Zones, the City and its economic development partners, including Central Atlanta Progress, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, and Invest Atlanta, have identified a diverse set of investment opportunities within commercial real estate and operating businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLooking ahead, Invest Atlanta will continue to push a proactive strategy of connecting qualified investors to place-based initiatives, development projects, and businesses seeking investment capital located within the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Federal Opportunity Zones.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe primary focus will be to facilitate and streamline the connection process between investors and projects within Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Opportunity Zones and ensure that Atlanta is well positioned for investments in catalytic projects that can make a significant social and economic impact for the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":271,"title":"Newly Rehabbed Wheat Street Towers Reopens to Atlanta Seniors","promo_title":"Newly Rehabbed Wheat Street Towers Reopens to Atlanta Seniors","published_date":"2019-06-03","featured_image":{"id":911,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"wheat_street_ribbon.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1665267,"resource_updated_at":"2019-06-03T11:02:46.171-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-06-03T11:02:46.265-04:00","updated_at":"2019-06-03T11:03:35.637-04:00","filename_hash":"wheat_street_ribbon_KDX1Rqv.png","width":1200,"height":769},"filename":"newly-rehabbed-wheat-street-towers-reopens-to-atlanta-seniors","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"K6C-IQ","created_at":"2019-06-03T11:03:35.592-04:00","updated_at":"2019-06-03T11:03:35.592-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of the $24 million renovation project of 210 affordable units for seniors in the Sweet Auburn Historic District.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of the $24 million renovation project of 210 affordable units for seniors in the Sweet Auburn Historic District.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Urban Residential Finance Authority (URFA) supported the acquisition, rehabilitation, preservation of the residential complex through a $12.5 million bond financing. As Atlanta Daily World reported, the development is the \u0026quot;\u003ca href=\"https://atlantadailyworld.com/2017/07/03/wheat-street-baptist-nations-first-church-based-senior-high-rise-gets-green-light-for-24m-renovation-project/#.WVzakkjP5KU.twitter\"\u003enation\u0026rsquo;s first\u003c/a\u003e federally funded, church-sponsored affordable senior high rise,\u0026quot; and these upgrades will allow\u0026nbsp;Wheat Street Charitable Foundation to continue to pursue its mission at this development for years to come.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWheat Street Towers is available to seniors earning 60% Average Median Income (AMI). The existing Housing Assistance Payments Contract means residents will pay no more than 30% of their income. Residents will live in updated residences, with access to amenities like a business center, fitness center, and a central laundry.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMembers of the Invest Atlanta team were at the ceremony alongside the Benoit Group, Wheat Street Charitable Foundation, Dorchester Management, and others.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Sweet Auburn\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":272,"title":"Invesco Adding 500 Jobs in a Major Expansion in Midtown ","promo_title":"Invesco Adding 500 Jobs in a Major Expansion in Midtown ","published_date":"2019-06-01","featured_image":{"id":912,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"midtown_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1338685,"resource_updated_at":"2019-06-04T09:54:37.307-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-06-04T09:54:37.374-04:00","updated_at":"2019-06-04T09:55:35.400-04:00","filename_hash":"midtown_insight_OPXNxjN.png","width":1200,"height":508},"filename":"invesco-adding-500-jobs-in-a-major-expansion-in-midtown","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"I1puIw","created_at":"2019-06-04T09:55:35.358-04:00","updated_at":"2019-06-04T09:55:35.358-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invesco, one of the world\u0026rsquo;s leading investment managers, plans to significantly expand its global headquarters in Atlanta, adding 500 jobs and investing $70 million as part of a major expansion of its business.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvesco, one of the world\u0026rsquo;s leading investment managers, plans to significantly expand its global headquarters in Atlanta, adding 500 jobs and investing $70 million as part of a major expansion of its business.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I would like to thank Invesco for its commitment to the City of Atlanta and am pleased to see another global company expanding here,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;This expansion is a testament to the role public-private partnerships play in creating new jobs and economic opportunity for Atlanta residents.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvesco\u0026rsquo;s presence in Atlanta dates back more than forty years to 1978, when its assets under management totaled $400 million. Drawn by the strong supply of talent, world-class airport, and outstanding quality of life in the city, Invesco moved its global headquarters to Atlanta in 2007.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re excited by the opportunity to build on our forty-year presence in the city and meaningfully expand our local team to nearly 1,200 professionals, which will enhance our ability to meet client needs here in Atlanta and across the globe,\u0026rdquo; said Martin L. Flanagan, President and CEO of Invesco. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re also pleased to join MetLife Investment Management \u0026amp; Granite Properties in the development of one of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s premier locations at the corner of 17th Street and West Peachtree Street. To further strengthen our global operating platform, we will make a significant, $70 million investment in our business here for the benefit of our clients, employees, and shareholders, while continuing to play an active role in our community.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eToday Invesco is entrusted with managing $1.2 trillion in assets on behalf of clients worldwide. It is the sixth-largest U.S. retail asset manager and the thirteenth-largest investment manager globally. Invesco employs more than 650 professionals in Atlanta and has more than 8,000 employees in twenty-five countries focused on delivering a comprehensive range of active, passive, and alternative capabilities to help clients around the world meet their investment objectives.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo accommodate the additional employees and further strengthen its presence in Atlanta, Invesco will move to a new global headquarters building in Midtown Union currently under development by MetLife Investment Management \u0026amp; Granite Properties and scheduled for completion in August 2022.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta worked in partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), Metro Atlanta Chamber, and Georgia Power.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":269,"title":"Co-Living Model Provides New Pathway to Affordable Housing","promo_title":"Co-Living Model Provides New Pathway to Affordable Housing","published_date":"2019-05-16","featured_image":{"id":902,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"memorial_coliving_v2.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1412542,"resource_updated_at":"2019-05-16T14:19:24.077-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-05-16T14:19:24.155-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-21T11:54:51.917-04:00","filename_hash":"memorial_coliving_v2_1OLjmVw.png","width":1200,"height":618},"filename":"new-co-living-model-provides-new-pathway-to-affordable-housing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"_8Qr1A","created_at":"2019-05-16T14:20:16.403-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-21T11:54:51.854-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board of Directors, under the leadership of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, approved support for two new co-living developments. This marks the first time IA has supported this type of co-living development, which offers a new solution for the creation of new affordable housing in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors, under the leadership of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, approved support for two new co-living developments. This marks the first time IA has supported this type of co-living development, which offers a new solution for the creation of new affordable housing in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Board approved $22 million lease-purchase bond financing for the construction of 176 multifamily housing at the 1061 Memorial development. Twenty-seven of the units (15% of the total) will be restricted to\u0026nbsp;80% AMI.\u0026nbsp;In addition, the Board approved $32 million lease-purchase bond financing for Englewood, a 250-unit multifamily housing development in the Chosewood Park community. Thirty-eight of the units will be restricted to those earning 80% AMI or below.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhile all 426 units are projected to be affordable to those earning 80% AMI or below, 65 of the units will be restricted as affordable workforce housing to comply to the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s inclusionary zoning policy. This policy requires new developments within the Atlanta BeltLine Overlay District to restrict 15% of the units at 80% Area Median Income (AMI) or 10% of the units at 60% AMI. (Current HUD income limits can be found \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/developers/opportunities-incentives/residential-housing-incentives\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCo-Living is a modern, high-quality approach that is meant to serve the over 25 million American adults who currently live with roommates. Co-Living offers those who can\u0026#39;t afford to live alone in a studio\u0026nbsp;a better experience than the typical roommate share (whether sharing with friends or sharing with strangers via Craigslist). The co-living model provides residents with a private bedroom, a stocked shared kitchen, weekly cleaning services, free laundry, and communal living spaces.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;ve been working here in Atlanta on market-rate affordable housing\u0026nbsp;for the last 10 years or so,\u0026rdquo; said Derrick Barker of the developer Civitas. \u0026ldquo;We are doing anything we can to harness market forces to build more affordable units.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":268,"title":"Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab Program Helps Seniors Stay in Their Homes","promo_title":"Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab Program Helps Seniors Stay in Their Homes","published_date":"2019-05-15","featured_image":{"id":901,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"oor_house.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1853343,"resource_updated_at":"2019-05-15T15:10:45.942-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-05-15T15:10:46.011-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-21T11:56:02.101-04:00","filename_hash":"oor_house_6aLyOje.png","width":1200,"height":651},"filename":"heritage-owner-occupied-rehab-program-helps-seniors-stay-in-their-homes","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"KDHfDg","created_at":"2019-05-15T11:27:37.222-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-16T10:00:40.265-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab (OOR) program has helped Mr. Robert Fisher, and dozens of seniors throughout the City of Atlanta, stay in their homes and avoid displacement.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab (OOR) program has helped Mr. Robert Fisher, along with many\u0026nbsp;seniors throughout the City of Atlanta, stay in their homes and avoid displacement.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMr. Fisher has lived in his house in East Atlanta for more than 45 years. His daughter Jacqueline told him about Heritage OOR, and with the funds he received, program managers from the National Property Institute made\u0026nbsp;important repairs to his home. These included upgrades to his heating and air conditioning systems, a new coat of paint on the house, and the trimming of trees on his property.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAsked if he\u0026rsquo;d recommend the program to his friends and neighbors, Mr. Fisher said, \u0026ldquo;Of course I would.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I think it\u0026rsquo;s a good idea,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;And I appreciate it.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough Heritage OOR, residents receive forgivable loans to make critical health and safety repairs on their homes. Senior households aged 55+, military veterans, disabled head of households, and those that have been in their homes for 15+ years have priority in the program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I think it\u0026rsquo;s a beneficial program for people that plan to stay in their homes,\u0026rdquo; his daughter said. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s worthwhile, especially if you\u0026rsquo;ve got many things you want to have repaired and you\u0026rsquo;re on a fixed income, you can\u0026rsquo;t afford to get it done yourself. So it\u0026rsquo;s beneficial, very beneficial.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor additional information, visit the full Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab program\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"/homebuyers/owner-occupied-rehab\"\u003esite\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe height=\"480\" src=\"https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1UgQr3oseXHBglq6i0XnM-pFNQGMUOzcz\" width=\"640\"\u003e\u003c/iframe\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: futura-pt-bold, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; color: rgb(0, 45, 86);\"\u003eAtlanta Heritage (As of 1Q19)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ctable align=\"center\" border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 112, 175); font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: futura-pt, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; width: 500px; color: rgb(0, 45, 86);\"\u003e\r\n\t\u003cthead style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003ctr style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 112, 175); font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003cth scope=\"col\" style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 500; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(0, 157, 220); text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: futura-pt-bold, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eCouncil District\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003cth scope=\"col\" style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 500; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(0, 157, 220); text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: futura-pt-bold, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eHomes in Progress\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003cth scope=\"col\" style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 500; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(0, 157, 220); text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: futura-pt-bold, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eHomes Complete\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003c/tr\u003e\r\n\t\u003c/thead\u003e\r\n\t\u003ctbody style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003ctr style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 112, 175); font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eDistrict 1\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center;\"\u003e5\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center;\"\u003e1\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003c/tr\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003ctr style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 112, 175); font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(191, 230, 246);\"\u003eDistrict 2\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(191, 230, 246);\"\u003e3\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(191, 230, 246);\"\u003e1\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003c/tr\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003ctr style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 112, 175); font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eDistrict 3\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center;\"\u003e3\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center;\"\u003e1\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003c/tr\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003ctr style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 112, 175); font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(191, 230, 246);\"\u003eDistrict 4\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(191, 230, 246);\"\u003e10\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(191, 230, 246);\"\u003e2\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003c/tr\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003ctr style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 112, 175); font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eDistrict 5\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center;\"\u003e8\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center;\"\u003e5\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003c/tr\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003ctr style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 112, 175); font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(191, 230, 246);\"\u003eDistrict 9\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(191, 230, 246);\"\u003e20\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(191, 230, 246);\"\u003e7\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003c/tr\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003ctr style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 112, 175); font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eDistrict 10\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center;\"\u003e4\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center;\"\u003e0\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003c/tr\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003ctr style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 112, 175); font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(191, 230, 246);\"\u003eDistrict 11\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(191, 230, 246);\"\u003e12\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(191, 230, 246);\"\u003e2\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003c/tr\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003ctr style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 112, 175); font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eDistrict 12\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center;\"\u003e7\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center;\"\u003e3\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003c/tr\u003e\r\n\t\u003c/tbody\u003e\r\n\u003c/table\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; font-family: bree-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 45, 86);\"\u003e\u003cfont face=\"futura-pt-bold, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif\" style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%;\"\u003eChoice\u0026nbsp;Neighborhoods Heritage\u0026nbsp;\u003c/font\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: futura-pt-bold, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;(As of 1Q19)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ctable align=\"center\" border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 112, 175); font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: futura-pt, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; width: 500px; color: rgb(0, 45, 86);\"\u003e\r\n\t\u003cthead style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003ctr style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 112, 175); font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003cth scope=\"col\" style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 500; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(0, 157, 220); text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: futura-pt-bold, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eCouncil District\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003cth scope=\"col\" style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 500; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(0, 157, 220); text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: futura-pt-bold, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eHomes in Progress\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003cth scope=\"col\" style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 500; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(0, 157, 220); text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: futura-pt-bold, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eHomes Complete\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003c/tr\u003e\r\n\t\u003c/thead\u003e\r\n\t\u003ctbody style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003ctr style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 112, 175); font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eDistrict 4\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center;\"\u003e7\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center;\"\u003e0\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003c/tr\u003e\r\n\t\u003c/tbody\u003e\r\n\u003c/table\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; font-family: bree-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 45, 86);\"\u003e\u003cfont face=\"futura-pt-bold, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif\" style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%;\"\u003eWestside Heritage\u0026nbsp;\u003c/font\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: futura-pt-bold, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;(As of 1Q19)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ctable align=\"center\" border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 112, 175); font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: futura-pt, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; width: 500px; color: rgb(0, 45, 86);\"\u003e\r\n\t\u003cthead style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003ctr style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 112, 175); font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003cth scope=\"col\" style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 500; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(0, 157, 220); text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: futura-pt-bold, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eCouncil District\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003cth scope=\"col\" style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 500; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(0, 157, 220); text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: futura-pt-bold, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eHomes in Progress\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003cth scope=\"col\" style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 500; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(0, 157, 220); text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: futura-pt-bold, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eHomes Complete\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003c/tr\u003e\r\n\t\u003c/thead\u003e\r\n\t\u003ctbody style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003ctr style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 112, 175); font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eDistrict 3\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center;\"\u003e16\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\t\u003ctd style=\"box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: bree-serif, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center;\"\u003e7\u003c/td\u003e\r\n\t\t\u003c/tr\u003e\r\n\t\u003c/tbody\u003e\r\n\u003c/table\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":270,"title":"345-Unit Ascent Peachtree to Rise Up Above Parking Garage ","promo_title":"345-Unit Ascent Peachtree to Rise Up Above Parking Garage ","published_date":"2019-05-15","featured_image":{"id":903,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"ascent_insight_mc.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1257266,"resource_updated_at":"2019-05-20T08:55:39.561-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-05-20T08:55:39.816-04:00","updated_at":"2019-07-11T15:01:08.833-04:00","filename_hash":"ascent_insight_mc_XJmRBm5.png","width":1200,"height":537},"filename":"345-unit-ascent-peachtree-to-rise-up-above-parking-garage","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"8sfCvg","created_at":"2019-05-20T08:55:57.842-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-21T11:55:17.066-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta,\u0026nbsp;Banyan Street Capital, and Greystar gathered to break ground on\u0026nbsp;Ascent Peachtree, a multifamily project in Downtown Atlanta atop an existing parking garage. The $125 million project will bring 345 residential units, including 70 workforce units, to the city\u0026rsquo;s business core.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta, Banyan Street Capital and Greystar gathered to break ground on\u0026nbsp;Ascent Peachtree, a multifamily project in Downtown Atlanta atop an existing parking garage. The $125 million project will bring 345 residential units, including 70 workforce units, to the city\u0026rsquo;s business core.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This project is so exciting because we are able to create affordable housing out of thin air, literally,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;161 Peachtree Center Avenue\u0026rsquo;s innovative adaptation of an existing parking structure adds density within the city\u0026rsquo;s Downtown core and provides affordable housing near job centers, amenities and transit nodes. This transformative project is expected to create more than 150 new jobs and make a $165 million economic impact on the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith more than 154,000 daytime workers in Downtown Atlanta and 13,600 housing units, the project is focused on filling the residential vacancy the downtown market is experiencing by providing rental properties at a sustainable rate. Twenty percent of the units within the project will be set aside for residents earning 80% of the area median income or less, providing the opportunity for more people to live near major employment centers and transit.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Ascent Peachtree will be one of the most transit-oriented residential projects in Atlanta, offering easy access to the Peachtree Center MARTA station, a MARTA express bus stop and an Atlanta Streetcar stop, as well as direct frontage on the Peachtree Center Avenue bike lane.\u0026nbsp; Ascent Peachtree will also be one of the most amenity-rich projects in Atlanta, with walkability to over 50 restaurant options at Peachtree Center\u0026rsquo;s The Hub, as well as a variety of retail and restaurant amenities along the Peachtree Street corridor,\u0026rdquo; said John Roberson, Managing Director of Development for Greystar.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 29-story, high-rise project will be located at Downtown Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s epicenter for commerce. Ascent Peachtree will feature unrivaled views with lowest level units starting on Level 11. The mix of floor plans will include studios, one, two and three-bedrooms apartment homes ranging in size from 680 square feet to 2,380 square feet. Featured amenities will include a resort-style swimming pool, outdoor entertainment space and rooftop lounge.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFocused on the continued investment in Downtown Atlanta, Invest Atlanta has partnered with Banyan Street Capital and Greystar, providing a $9 million loan from Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Eastside Tax Allocation District to ensure that 70 units within the project will be allocated for workforce housing, as well as providing a lease-purchase bond financing for the project.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":265,"title":"Invest Atlanta Receives Top National Economic Development Award","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Receives Top National Economic Development Award","published_date":"2019-05-08","featured_image":{"id":894,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"ia_staff.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1109909,"resource_updated_at":"2019-05-09T09:04:14.786-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-05-09T09:04:14.870-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-21T11:57:14.409-04:00","filename_hash":"ia_staff_azj4DEe.png","width":1200,"height":510},"filename":"invest-atlanta-receives-top-national-economic-development-award","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Nlw9PA","created_at":"2019-05-07T09:17:26.218-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-21T11:57:14.371-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Site Selection Magazine recently honored Invest Atlanta with a\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://siteselection.com/issues/2019/may/2019-mac-conway-awards.cfm\"\u003eMac Conway Award for Excellence in Economic Development\u003c/a\u003e.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSite Selection Magazine recently honored Invest Atlanta with a \u003ca href=\"https://siteselection.com/issues/2019/may/2019-mac-conway-awards.cfm\"\u003eMac Conway Award for Excellence in Economic Development\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Award is named after Site Selection founding publisher H. McKinley \u0026quot;Mac\u0026quot; Conway, and recognizes the top local and regional economic development agencies in the U.S. for their roles in helping to deliver prosperity to their communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and the Metro Atlanta Chamber were recognized for their joint efforts on major business attraction wins such as Norfolk Southern and Blackrock. The Creative Industries Loan Fund was also mentioned as an innovative new economic development program for the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Locations throughout the US and in every region of the world compete aggressively for direct investment at home and from abroad,\u0026rdquo; said Site Selection Editor in Chief Mark Arend. \u0026ldquo;Those appearing on these rankings have demonstrated with actual project numbers and other measures that they have the location attributes most in demand by capital investors.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis year\u0026rsquo;s Mac Conway Award winners have been determined by an index that examines 2018 corporate facility investment projects in U.S. metro areas as tracked by Site Selection\u0026rsquo;s proprietary Conway Projects Database, part of the Conway Analytics toolbox. Scores are awarded based on six criteria: total projects, total investment associated with those projects and jobs associated with those projects. The remaining three criteria represent a per capita calculation of those same metrics.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta is a fantastic market for world-class talent, and we\u0026rsquo;re thrilled to grow our presence in the region,\u0026rdquo; said Warren Wick, EVP Commercial Sales of Salesforce.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":266,"title":"Executive Corner: Norfolk Southern CEO Jim Squires","promo_title":"Executive Corner: Norfolk Southern CEO Jim Squires","published_date":"2019-05-07","featured_image":{"id":885,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"nfs_exec_corner_insight_4.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":911166,"resource_updated_at":"2019-05-07T10:18:40.236-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-05-07T10:18:40.298-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-07T10:20:21.501-04:00","filename_hash":"nfs_exec_corner_insight_4_1OL2JBw.png","width":1200,"height":536},"filename":"executive-corner-norfolk-southern-ceo-jim-squires","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Mf7oOA","created_at":"2019-05-07T10:14:36.319-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-07T10:20:21.463-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/332502279","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Norfolk Southern CEO Jim Squires spoke about why the City of Atlanta was the right choice for its headquarters relocation.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNorfolk Southern CEO Jim Squires spoke about why the City of Atlanta was the right choice for its headquarters relocation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn March 2019, the freight rail company broke ground on its new corporate headquarters in Midtown Atlanta. The railroad\u0026rsquo;s relocation, which the company officially announced in December 2018, will bring approximately 850 jobs to Atlanta with an average salary of $105,000 and generate an economic impact of around $811 million for the region. Plans call for the building to be completed and occupied by Norfolk Southern in the third quarter of 2021.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSquires spoke about why they decided to make the move to Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta has a lot of natural advantages,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;For example, it has outstanding transportation connections, so the Airport is a major attraction. It\u0026rsquo;s a major freight transportation node on our rail network today, so being close to that, having the headquarters right in the middle of the operations network, that\u0026rsquo;s a plus for us as well. The ability to recruit from Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s colleges and universities, that\u0026rsquo;s a big draw. We were fortunate to locate an outstanding site here in midtown Atlanta and so we\u0026rsquo;re very excited to be in that tech corridor part of Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, the City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the state of Georgia, and many other partners worked together to attract the company. Squires spoke highly of the process.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;ve had such wonderful support from the state of Georgia, from the City of Atlanta, from economic development partners in the City and at the state level,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;ve had the support of many business partners in the private sector as well. We really appreciate all the support that we received from Invest Atlanta as well.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":267,"title":"Screen Lloyd Is First Creative Industries Loan Fund Recipient","promo_title":"Screen Lloyd Is First Creative Industries Loan Fund Recipient","published_date":"2019-05-03","featured_image":{"id":899,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"screen_lloyd_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":923460,"resource_updated_at":"2019-05-13T13:21:25.639-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-05-13T13:21:25.710-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-20T10:38:41.777-04:00","filename_hash":"screen_lloyd_insight_MYWvk8a.png","width":1200,"height":467},"filename":"screen-lloyd-the-first-creative-industries-loan-fund-recipient","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"B3Srew","created_at":"2019-05-13T13:21:45.890-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-20T10:38:41.740-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"https://screenlloyd.com/\"\u003eScreen Llloyd\u003c/a\u003e recently closed on a $50,000 from Invest Atlanta, the first-ever loan to come from the Creative Industries Loan Fund.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://screenlloyd.com/\"\u003eScreen Llloyd\u003c/a\u003e recently closed on a $50,000 from Invest Atlanta, the first-ever loan to come from the Creative Industries Loan Fund.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta-based content creation company, founded by Amy and Kristen McGrary, develops high-quality feature film and television productions. Screen Lloyd will use the loan funding to assist with the production, marketing, and distribution of the latest slate of films they have in production.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDedicated to the art of storytelling, creating compelling and lasting content, Screen Llloyd supports a community of talented filmmakers who come together under one umbrella.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe McGrarys\u0026rsquo; visual and artistic approach to filmmaking has been enhanced by a background that includes art and set design. Through the years, both Amy and Kristen have worked on numerous mainstream film and television productions, including Terminator, Glory, Driving Miss Daisy, Ride Along, The Boss, Drumline, I\u0026rsquo;ll Fly Away, Drop Dead Diva, and Manhunt: Unabomber. Their combined experience in all areas of film production helps Screen Llloyd lend a unique voice to\u0026nbsp;the stories they tell.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe company currently has two films that are in distribution to MGM, and they are past recipients of an NAACP Image Award.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":264,"title":"Mayor Bottoms Announces $60 Million in Funding for Affordable Housing","promo_title":"Mayor Bottoms Announces $60 Million in Funding for Affordable Housing","published_date":"2019-04-26","featured_image":{"id":879,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"mayor_final.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1105645,"resource_updated_at":"2019-05-02T10:33:43.455-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-05-02T10:33:43.592-04:00","updated_at":"2021-03-24T16:17:21.066-04:00","filename_hash":"mayor_final_YBmnyNm.png","width":1200,"height":535},"filename":"mayor-bottoms-announces-60-million-in-funding-for-affordable-housing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"PQ5-Iw","created_at":"2019-04-26T09:02:10.745-04:00","updated_at":"2019-07-11T15:02:30.461-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, in partnership with Atlanta Housing and Invest Atlanta,\u0026nbsp;announced $60 million in new spending for affordable housing projects.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"color: rgb(38, 38, 38); font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;\"\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, in partnership with Atlanta Housing and Invest Atlanta, announced $60 million in new spending for affordable housing projects. The new funds were approved by Atlanta Housing Board of Commissioners at a meeting on Wednesday, April 24. The funds are projected to create and preserve more than 2,000 new affordable housing units in the city of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"color: rgb(38, 38, 38); font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;\"\u003eMayor Bottoms has pledged to leverage $1 billion towards housing affordability to produce and preserve 20,000 units of affordable housing within the city of Atlanta by 2026. With this new funding, the Bottoms Administration has reached 20 percent of this goal to deliver a range of new affordable housing units and programing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"color: rgb(38, 38, 38); font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;\"\u003eThe new funds will be used to build units, preserve existing affordable units and spur community revitalization through investment in new or existing multifamily developments and rehabilitation of owner-occupied single-family homes. These funds will be used to develop quality affordable housing in the City of Atlanta through co-investment funds with Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"color: rgb(38, 38, 38); font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;\"\u003e\u0026quot;This is a prime example of what can happen when government, the private sector, and our nonprofit partners join together for the common good,\u0026quot;\u0026nbsp;said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026quot;Today represents the new era of cooperation among our public and private partners that will help Atlanta remain a place where working families, and residents at all income levels, can afford to live and build their dreams as we become One Atlanta.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"color: rgb(38, 38, 38); font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;\"\u003e\u0026quot;This historic collaboration between the City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta and Atlanta Housing shows that by working together, we can accomplish the mayor\u0026#39;s goal of creating $1 billion in affordable housing,\u0026quot; said Dr. Christopher Edwards, chairman of the AH Board of Commissioners.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"color: rgb(38, 38, 38); font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;\"\u003e\u0026quot;This new funding is the result of true inter-agency collaboration,\u0026quot; said Terri Lee, City of Atlanta Chief Housing Officer. \u0026quot;By creating new affordable housing mechanisms, and having a laser-like focus in identifying funding opportunities, we can continue to help make Atlanta a city that everyone can call home.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"color: rgb(38, 38, 38); font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;\"\u003e\u0026quot;We, along with our partners, are focused on providing more affordable housing units throughout the city,\u0026quot; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026quot;Funding injections like this one will add to our already expansive and robust affordable housing toolkit to ensure greater equity and economic mobility in the City of Atlanta.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"color: rgb(38, 38, 38); font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;\"\u003eThe funding will be used towards several new and ongoing affordable housing programs, such as:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli style=\"color: rgb(38, 38, 38); font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMultifamily Gap Financing\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;to support for new construction and acquisition or rehabilitation of multifamily properties within the City of Atlanta for long-term affordability.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli style=\"color: rgb(38, 38, 38); font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmall Urban Infill Financing\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;to provide funding for small multifamily properties less than 100 units and single-family infill development with mixed-income affordability.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli style=\"color: rgb(38, 38, 38); font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeritage Owner-Occupied Rehab Program\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;$10 million allocation to the Heritage ORR Program, a joint effort from partners including Invest Atlanta, City of Atlanta, the Atlanta Housing Authority, Choice Atlanta, Synergy Real Estate, and several other organizations to help lower-income residents remain in their homes and avoid displacement.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"color: rgb(38, 38, 38); font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;\"\u003eThe City of Atlanta has worked closely with Invest Atlanta, Atlanta Housing, and the Atlanta Beltline on several recent affordable housing developments. These include the affordable senior housing developments The Remington, Gateway Capitol View, Legacy at Vine City, and the Madison Reynoldstown.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":263,"title":"AgTech Startups Selected for First IoT.ATL Living Labs Pilot ","promo_title":"AgTech Startups Selected for First IoT.ATL Living Labs Pilot ","published_date":"2019-04-22","featured_image":{"id":866,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"agtech_v2.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1397372,"resource_updated_at":"2019-04-22T17:13:13.894-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-04-22T17:13:13.975-04:00","updated_at":"2019-04-23T08:55:26.893-04:00","filename_hash":"agtech_v2_r6bDkLm.png","width":1200,"height":536},"filename":"agtech-startups-selected-for-first-iotatl-living-labs-pilot","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"SRbokw","created_at":"2019-04-22T17:13:36.398-04:00","updated_at":"2019-04-22T17:13:36.398-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n From cold storage and mobile crop monitoring to insect farms, the inaugural\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://iot-atlanta.com/\"\u003eIoT.ATL AgTech Challenge\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;has chosen its first participants to develop their intelligent farming solutions in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFrom cold storage and mobile crop monitoring to insect farms, the inaugural \u003ca href=\"https://iot-atlanta.com/\"\u003eIoT.ATL AgTech Challenge\u003c/a\u003e unearthed several intelligent farming solutions.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLast year, Invest Atlanta, in partnership with the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the City of Atlanta, the Atlanta BeltLine, Georgia Power, New City Properties and AGCO, launched the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge. The nationwide search was created to find technology solutions that would improve food resilience in metro Atlanta and abroad.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Tech companies are a driving force in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy, and those Invest Atlanta has worked with have added 14,800 new jobs and $3.9 billion of economic impact to the city since 2016,\u0026rdquo; said President and CEO of Invest Atlanta Dr. Eloisa Klementich. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Demonstration Project program helps to further expand the tech sector by allowing entrepreneurs to test and validate their technologies in an actual urban environment with support from their city. We congratulate the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge winners and look forward to supporting their continued growth in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s thriving innovation community.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;IoT.ATL is proud to champion this collaborative and impactful project to create solutions for urban food resilience. IoT.ATL aims to leverage technology for good and create sustainable communities that are equitable and inclusive,\u0026rdquo; said Metro Atlanta Chamber Director of IoT/AI/Smart Cities Ecosystem Expansion Cynthia Curry. \u0026ldquo;The living labs project is helping realize our vision, and we are incredibly thankful to our partners for their support.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMembers of the local corporate, civic and startup communities, as well as AgTech subject matter experts, reviewed applications from several AgTech startups and ultimately selected five solutions to pilot along the Atlanta BeltLine.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe winning solutions include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.hatponics.com/\"\u003eHATponics\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"http://www.hip-sci.com/\"\u003eHipScience\u003c/a\u003e \u0026ndash; HATponics and Hip Science are teaming up to create a near-zero input farm facility that will function as a global model to help alleviate food deserts, enhance STEM education and provide additional revenue streams for the food desert populations. HATponics will deliver a portable wind- and solar-powered hybrid aquaponics farm. It will be outfitted with proprietary IoT programming and sensors staffed by aviation drones for daily tasks. HipScience will fully implement and control an intelligent farming system.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.growcomputer.io/\"\u003eGrow Computer\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"http://copiana.com/\"\u003eCopiana\u003c/a\u003e \u0026ndash; Grow Computer\u0026rsquo;s patent-pending IoT ecosystem will provide real-time controls and information about what\u0026rsquo;s happening inside the container and new ways to analyze grow data. Copiana will serve as the boots-on-the-ground agriculture experts, managing the operation and growth of the plants and produce and working to ensure the highest operational safety and efficiencies are built into the platform.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fmuscah.org\u0026amp;c=E,1,vQCyGgiMVrQvbVPjkpCpL41UoKiPGP2O97SwLSyYyEJFFtALlpG0vVboJWGvNxPPWRLVwaKD4t1_XLbSM0MafDD2bHioIx-rcCDRvH7VtnzuwKrQ-iZkdosW\u0026amp;typo=1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMUSCAH\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/u\u003e, \u003cu\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.urbansproutfarms.com%2f\u0026amp;c=E,1,B_YbNxVIm3agMQMiHxehBMUxdPrjaSgPPZDUySFvYE2oXjknuQCPneGTvJ-U5_SVBpwkqG7cu_AXXuF9Bxq3R74i1elch7RYs6t-vCF55g,,\u0026amp;typo=1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eUrban Sprout Farms\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/u\u003e, and \u003cu\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fyogardener.com%2f\u0026amp;c=E,1,7_2-cT7142keiIdeFOQNpidr_qEaOgcZ60En649LAoLA1yO6sjM3esGAYGmA_MzxBFB0wYYjXjlwpmiQjJMCpF0auDHBemJlNWJap5fCGLGoaTAZdRIR4NE,\u0026amp;typo=1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eYogardener\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/u\u003e \u0026ndash; MUSCAH, Urban Sprout Farms and Yogardener have teamed up to bring a conceptual model for the Urban Sprout Farm Manager\u0026#39;s AgTech Command Center to the BeltLine for the AgTech Challenge.\u0026nbsp;Equipped top to bottom with the most up-to-date remote sensing technology, the demo site will showcase the ways that urban farming can integrate big data analysis into enhanced food production models with efficient alternative housing and sustainable environmental design focused on community development.\u0026nbsp;Incorporating a triple bottom line perspective emphasizing People, Planet and Profit, the team is working to disrupt the urban farming, alternative housing and environmentally conscious community development from the ground up.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.wundergrubs.com/\"\u003eWUNDERGrubs\u003c/a\u003e \u0026ndash; This local healthy snack startup will use an insect farm model incorporating IoT technology to harvest insects as a micro-livestock. This will then be manufactured into food products that are healthy and tasty, plus pack a nutritional punch.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.ponixfarms.com/\"\u003ePonix\u003c/a\u003e \u0026ndash; Ponix is focused on reclassifying food as a utility \u0026ndash; much like water or electricity \u0026ndash; by developing solutions for end-to-end local food ecosystems. Ponix will demo its solution for local and transparent food production in \u003ca href=\"http://www.farmboxfoods.com/\"\u003eFarmbox Foods\u0026rsquo;\u003c/a\u003e 40 feet controlled environment agriculture (CEA) farm. The farm will grow produce year-round, be controlled and monitored from a web or mobile device through the PonixOS and set a new standard for the way food is produced and distributed in cities.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThese startups will implement their innovative solutions in shipping containers along the Atlanta BeltLine to pilot their AgTech technologies and identify scalable solutions to sustainable urban agriculture.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are excited to demonstrate cutting-edge agriculture technologies on the Atlanta BeltLine,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. President and CEO Clyde Higgs. \u0026ldquo;We look forward to working with our partners and leveraging the Atlanta BeltLine as a conduit that unites innovators to collaborate on future projects, like this one, making Atlanta a more resilient city for everyone.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to test space along the Atlanta BeltLine, winning startups will receive mentorship and guidance from the Atlanta civic, corporate and technology community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":262,"title":"Invest Atlanta Hosts Financial Literacy Event For Young Adults","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Hosts Financial Literacy Event For Young Adults","published_date":"2019-04-22","featured_image":{"id":867,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"financial_literacy_event_mc.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1179579,"resource_updated_at":"2019-04-23T09:03:07.783-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2019-04-23T09:03:07.869-04:00","updated_at":"2019-04-23T09:03:20.462-04:00","filename_hash":"financial_literacy_event_mc_7J7elM6.png","width":1200,"height":536},"filename":"invest-atlanta-hosts-financial-literacy-event-for-young-adults","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"e9N3uA","created_at":"2019-04-22T11:02:30.061-04:00","updated_at":"2019-04-23T09:03:20.442-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The sold-out event\u0026nbsp;provided tips, tools, and tricks for making wise financial decisions both now and in the future.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTo celebrate Financial Literacy Month, Invest Atlanta hosted a financial literacy event and panel on April 11 to highlight the importance of financial literacy in millennials and young adults. The sold-out event provided tips, tools, and tricks for making wise financial decisions both now and in the future.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Many people do not understand the importance of savings, credit, and the possibility of homeownership at a young age,\u0026rdquo; said Heide Billings, Homeownership Mortgage Loan Coordinator at Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;We want to help guide and bridge the gap between young people and financial literacy.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe event began with networking followed by a panel of financial experts. Panelists included Robbie Pemberton and Kimberly Guiders of Regions Bank, Mitch Brown of Resources for Residents \u0026amp; Communities, Mendi C. Morrow of the Georgia Student Finance Commission, Kwame Tyler of State Farm, and Anita Allgood of Invest Atlanta. The panel was moderated by Edwin McDonald of Resources for Residents \u0026amp; Communities and Heide Billings of Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePanelists discussed a wide range of topics including how and why to build credit, affordable housing, auto insurance quotes, and more. Attendees were also able to have one-on-one sessions with the panelists to gain more insight and ask in-depth questions. \u0026quot;We are so happy and satisfied that the event turned out to be a success,\u0026quot; said Billings.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":261,"title":"Board Approves Support for Affordable Housing Developments Near Atlanta BeltLine and MARTA Transit","promo_title":"Board Approves Support for Affordable Housing Developments Near Atlanta BeltLine and MARTA Transit","published_date":"2019-04-18","featured_image":{"id":862,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"ormewood_mc.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":965124,"resource_updated_at":"2019-04-18T12:02:00.727-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-04-18T12:02:00.796-04:00","updated_at":"2019-04-18T12:02:52.177-04:00","filename_hash":"ormewood_mc_1OLZjw6.png","width":1200,"height":536},"filename":"board-approves-support-for-affordable-housing-developments-near-atlanta-beltline-and-marta-transit","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"rWy-aw","created_at":"2019-04-18T12:02:52.142-04:00","updated_at":"2019-04-18T12:02:52.142-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved resolutions to support the financing of two major multifamily housing developments at their monthly meeting.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved resolutions to support the financing of two major multifamily housing developments at their monthly meeting. The Abbington at Ormewood Park will bring 42 affordable rental units to the Atlanta BeltLine Overlay District, while the third phase the Edgewood-Candler Park MARTA Transit-Oriented Development will include 53 units.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Abbington at Ormewood Park\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Board approved a loan of up to $300,000 in 2017 Housing Opportunity Bonds to support the new construction of 42 multifamily rental units along Moreland Avenue. The development will be located near the Atlanta BeltLine trail and East Atlanta Village. The loan is contingent on the developer, Rea Ventures Group, receiving a 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit allocation through the State of Georgia\u0026rsquo;s Department of Community Affairs. Applications for this allocation are due in May and will be awarded Fall 2019.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe development will include a mix of units set aside for those earning 30%, 60%, and 80% of Area Median Income (AMI), and these units will remain affordable for at least 30 years.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This is great for us because we also get to target some of the lower income families in that community,\u0026rdquo; Vickey Roberts, Underwriting \u0026amp; Transaction Services Manager at Invest Atlanta, said about the development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEdgewood-Candler Park MARTA TOD Phase III\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Board also approved lease purchase bond financing to support Phase III of the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) at MARTA\u0026rsquo;s Edgewood-Candler Park Station. This phase, called Link, will include the construction of 208 units of multifamily rental housing, 53 units of which will be set aside for those earning 80% AMI or below.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/workforce-housing-edgewood-tod\"\u003esupported Spoke, the first phase\u003c/a\u003e of the development, through lease purchase bond financing, while Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) provided an $8.4 million New Markets Tax Credit allocation for Phase II.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":259,"title":"Supply Chain Leader Dematic to Establish Global HQ in Atlanta","promo_title":"Supply Chain Leader Dematic to Establish Global HQ in Atlanta","published_date":"2019-04-10","featured_image":{"id":854,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"tech_square.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1587989,"resource_updated_at":"2019-04-10T11:25:24.703-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-04-10T11:25:24.775-04:00","updated_at":"2019-04-23T08:58:11.819-04:00","filename_hash":"tech_square_LgBLwOb.png","width":1200,"height":536},"filename":"supply-chain-leader-dematic-to-establish-global-hq-in-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"JtjJnA","created_at":"2019-04-10T11:26:37.751-04:00","updated_at":"2019-04-10T11:34:57.756-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Dematic, a world leader in supply chain technology and innovation, will create more than 230 jobs and invest approximately $30 million in a new global headquarters in the CODA complex in Midtown Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Tech Square.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDematic, a world leader in supply chain technology and innovation, will create more than 230 jobs and invest approximately $30 million in a new global headquarters in the CODA complex in Midtown Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Tech Square.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDematic\u0026rsquo;s global headquarters will support its operations in 27 countries and more than 7,000 employees across the globe. With a long history in Metro Atlanta, Dematic employs more than 100 people in several locations including Peachtree Corners and Griffin.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Technology is at the core of what we do,\u0026rdquo; said Hasan Dandashly, Dematic President and CEO. \u0026ldquo;We are the leading supplier and partner in the advanced automated logistics and materials handling industry. Our solutions combine the latest advancements in software, robotics and mechatronics to drive optimal performance for our customers. Innovation has enabled us to be a market leader through the first three industrial revolutions. Establishing our headquarters in Atlanta reflects our commitment to remaining a world leader in technology and innovation in the supply chain solution space through industry 4.0.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am very pleased to welcome Dematic to Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;The world-class talent coming out of our universities and technology assets Midtown offers continue to make the City of Atlanta a top choice for global technology companies to locate their business. The more than 230 jobs created through this move will provide new economic opportunities for more Atlantans.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith aggressive growth targets, Dematic is hiring for a variety of roles to support the business.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;By locating in the heart of Midtown, this logistics leader will have access to top tech talent, research facilities, and opportunities for collaboration within the world-class Coda computer center,\u0026quot; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;\u0026nbsp;This is another significant headquarters relocation, which will bring an estimated economic impact of $62 million to Atlanta.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":260,"title":"Executive Corner: Whitty IT Solutions Growing With Help From Invest Atlanta","promo_title":"Executive Corner: Whitty IT Solutions Growing With Help From Invest Atlanta","published_date":"2019-04-09","featured_image":{"id":856,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"whitty_it_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":779749,"resource_updated_at":"2019-04-15T11:04:23.316-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-04-15T11:04:23.457-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-07T10:04:46.003-04:00","filename_hash":"whitty_it_insight_RJBogmm.png","width":1200,"height":536},"filename":"whitty-it-solutions-growing-with-help-from-invest-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"uU4u4Q","created_at":"2019-04-15T11:04:48.126-04:00","updated_at":"2019-05-07T10:04:45.966-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/324228854","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Charlie Whitfield, the founder and CEO of \u003ca href=\"https://www.whittyit.solutions/\"\u003eWhitty IT Solutions\u003c/a\u003e, thanked Invest Atlanta for helping her grow her Atlanta-based tech company.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCharlie Whitfield, the founder and CEO of \u003ca href=\"https://www.whittyit.solutions/\"\u003eWhitty IT Solutions\u003c/a\u003e, thanked Invest Atlanta for helping her grow her Atlanta-based tech company.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nWhitty IT Solutions is an IT and professional services company. They provide project management, program management, data analytics, heatlh care IT, FinTech, and cybersecurity solutions.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta has been awesome,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;You\u0026rsquo;re talking about mentoring, not just funding, but guidance. Invest Atlanta provides access to capital, which is something small businesses don\u0026rsquo;t always have. When you paint the picture of where you are, and let them know where you want to be, they can help you get there.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nWhitfield has grown her IT business from a sole proprietorship to a thriving company with 16 employees, and offices in Atlanta as well as Alabama, Florida, Virginia, and South Carolina. Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Business Retention and Expansion team has worked closely with her during this time.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;The partnering with Invest Atlanta has allowed us this opportunity,\u0026rdquo; said Whitfield.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nWhitfield began her business in Atlanta, which described as a thriving \u0026ldquo;tech hub.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;This is the best city for tech,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s affordable, number one. We have a great university system and it\u0026rsquo;s cultivating wonderful tech people. And this small business is right here. We don\u0026rsquo;t need to go anywhere else. The City of Atlanta is very open to doing business with women, minorities, and veterans.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":258,"title":"Atlanta Celebrates Groundbreaking for New Norfolk Southern Headquarters","promo_title":"Atlanta Celebrates Groundbreaking for New Norfolk Southern Headquarters","published_date":"2019-03-30","featured_image":{"id":853,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"norfolk_southern_groundbreaking.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1103168,"resource_updated_at":"2019-04-09T09:03:34.282-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-04-09T09:03:34.359-04:00","updated_at":"2019-04-09T09:04:35.383-04:00","filename_hash":"norfolk_southern_groundbreaking_gvP8Pn2.png","width":1200,"height":536},"filename":"atlanta-celebrates-groundbreaking-for-new-norfolk-southern-headquarters","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"l2qYLQ","created_at":"2019-04-09T09:04:07.479-04:00","updated_at":"2019-04-09T09:04:35.345-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Norfolk Southern, joined by Georgia state and city leaders, held a March groundbreaking ceremony to launch construction of its new corporate headquarters building in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNorfolk Southern, joined by Georgia state and city leaders, held a March groundbreaking ceremony to launch construction of its new corporate headquarters building in Atlanta.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;This is an exciting day for Norfolk Southern: We break ground on a new headquarters building, and equally important, begin a new chapter of our railroad\u0026rsquo;s proud history in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said James A. Squires, chairman, president and chief executive officer. \u0026ldquo;Today, we celebrate the start of an exciting era of collaboration and alignment for the NS corporate team that will benefit our employees, our customers, our shareholders, and the communities we serve.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nAmong state and local leaders joining Squires for the event were\u0026nbsp;Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Both the state and the city worked closely with Norfolk Southern on development agreements that contributed to the company\u0026rsquo;s decision, announced in December, to relocate its corporate headquarters from Norfolk, Virginia, to Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I would like to thank CEO Jim Squires and the entire Norfolk Southern team on their decision to make Atlanta their new home,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;This relocation is not only a testament to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s thriving, inclusive business community and talented workforce; it exemplifies the power of public-private sector teamwork in our city. We look forward to continued work with the Norfolk Southern team as they begin to transition to Atlanta.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNorfolk Southern and Cousins Properties are designing a campus that reimagines the employee work environment and experience. Amenities to help employees thrive will include a vibrant on-site dining facility, an adjacent rooftop garden and private greenspace, a comprehensive fitness center, state-of-the-art conference and training facilities, on-site child-care, and a variety of individual and shared workspaces to serve employees\u0026rsquo; diverse needs while promoting interaction and collaboration.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe headquarters site is in Tech Square,\u0026nbsp;a hub of innovation, technology, and talent in the heart of Midtown Atlanta with close ties to Georgia Tech, a continual source of talent for Norfolk Southern\u0026rsquo;s management trainee program. In addition, with easy access to MARTA, highways in every direction, and a world-class airport, Norfolk Southern employees will be close to home, close to the Norfolk Southern rail network, and just a step from partners and customers in North America and across the globe.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nPlans call for the building to be completed and occupied by Norfolk Southern in the third quarter of 2021.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe railroad\u0026rsquo;s relocation will bring approximately 850 jobs to Atlanta with an average salary of $105,000 and generate an economic impact of around $811 million for the region.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":257,"title":"New Affordable Housing Developments Demonstrate Power of Partnerships","promo_title":"New Affordable Housing Developments Demonstrate Power of Partnerships","published_date":"2019-03-26","featured_image":{"id":846,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"milton_mc.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":914872,"resource_updated_at":"2019-03-26T16:19:06.807-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-03-26T16:19:06.939-04:00","updated_at":"2019-07-11T15:04:43.713-04:00","filename_hash":"milton_mc_6abenrq.png","width":1200,"height":536},"filename":"new-affordable-housing-developments-demonstrate-power-of-partnerships","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"bbrsHA","created_at":"2019-03-26T16:19:57.200-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-27T10:18:17.724-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Last week at its monthly meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors supported the preservation or creation of 288 multifamily rental housing units, 232 of which will be available to those earning 60 percent of Area Median Income (AMI) or below.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLast week at its monthly meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors supported the preservation or creation of 288 multifamily rental housing units, 232 of which will be available to those earning 60 percent of Area Median Income (AMI) or below.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Board approved support from tax-exempt bond financing and the Atlanta BeltLine Affordable Housing Trust Fund for two large multifamily developments\u0026mdash;Madison Reynoldstown and 55 Milton\u0026mdash;both of which sit along the Atlanta BeltLine. Another item receiving approval allowed for the negotiation of a long-term ground lease that will allow the Westside Future Fund to redevelop four properties into 36 units of quality, affordable housing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;When we work together to tackle key issues like affordable housing, great things can happen,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;Ensuring that more people in the City of Atlanta have access to safe, quality, affordable housing is a major component of our One Atlanta vision. Our actions represent another step in the right direction, and I am looking forward to increasing Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s affordable housing inventory as the year progresses.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Today\u0026rsquo;s actions to create and preserve affordable housing in the City of Atlanta demonstrate the power of partnerships,\u0026rdquo; said Terri Lee, Chief Housing Officer, City of Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Under the leadership of Mayor Bottoms, we are working alongside Invest Atlanta, the Atlanta BeltLine, Atlanta Housing, Westside Future Fund and others to achieve long-term affordability for more of our residents. It\u0026rsquo;s particularly important for us to support developments with this kind of income mix in areas where a lot of development is happening, such as Memorial Drive and the Atlanta BeltLine.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWestside Neighborhoods\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nOver the last four years, Invest Atlanta has acquired vacant properties in Westside with the intent to preserve and create affordable housing in these neighborhoods. The Invest Atlanta Board authorized the negotiation of a long-term ground lease with Westside Future Fund on four properties to allow for the complete renovation of 20 units and new construction of up to 16 units of affordable rental housing.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe long-term lease partnership structure between Invest Atlanta and the Westside Future Fund will ensure a greater level of affordability for a longer duration on these properties. Once complete, 36 units will be available to households with incomes from 30 percent to 60 percent AMI, in perpetuity.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Rapidly accelerating affordable housing development across income levels requires a coordinated approach from the City, agencies and our partners,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;We need to continually challenge ourselves and our partners to find new approaches to addressing this issue and fully leverage our available resources. With these board items, Invest Atlanta has facilitated the creation of more than 1,200 affordable housing units since 2018 as part Mayor Bottoms\u0026#39; affordable housing strategy.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMadison Reynoldstown\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe Invest Atlanta Board approved $17 million in tax-exempt bond financing and a $2 million grant from the BeltLine Affordable Housing Trust Fund to finance the construction of Madison Reynoldstown, which will sit along Memorial Drive with direct frontage to the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail. The 116-unit multifamily development will have 78 units set aside for those earning 60 percent AMI or below with remaining units available up to 80 percent of AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe partnership on this property is a unique one with Atlanta Housing, who will acquire the site from Atlanta BeltLine and ground lease it to Rea Ventures Group to develop. AHA is also providing $8.5 million in financing and the property will have 46 HomeFlex units that allow tenants to pay no more than 30 percent of their income on rent.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis development represents an important opportunity to preserve affordability along Memorial Drive and shows a path forward in the collective approach to achieving affordability on the Atlanta BeltLine, with private and public partners all playing different roles.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are glad to support the City\u0026rsquo;s vision in making strides toward a more equitable and inclusive Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Clyde Higgs, President and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. \u0026ldquo;ABI and its partners are proactively securing affordability around future segments of the Atlanta BeltLine such as the Southside Trail, to ensure legacy residents can continue to thrive in their communities and benefit from the opportunities the Atlanta BeltLine brings.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003e55 Milton\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe Invest Atlanta Board approved $17.5 million in tax-exempt bond financing and $2 million in funding from the BeltLine Affordable Housing Trust Fund for 55 Milton, a 136-unit multifamily rental housing development that will have 118 units set aside for households earning 60 percent AMI or below. The affordable units will consist of a healthy mix of units for those restricted to the 40 percent, 60 percent and 80 percent AMI levels.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e55 Milton will be located along the Atlanta BeltLine Southside Trail in the Peoplestown neighborhood.\u0026nbsp; The Prestwick Companies previously worked with Invest Atlanta on Gateway Capitol View, a 162-unit affordable senior housing rental development that opened last year in Southwest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":254,"title":"Campbellton Road Businesses Receive Support","promo_title":"Campbellton Road Businesses Receive Support","published_date":"2019-03-18","featured_image":{"id":836,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"campbellton_rd_volunteer.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1722525,"resource_updated_at":"2019-03-18T11:43:05.447-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-03-18T11:43:05.855-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-18T13:26:22.065-04:00","filename_hash":"campbellton_rd_volunteer_MYML35o.png","width":1200,"height":693},"filename":"campbellton-road-small-business-support","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"U1l27Q","created_at":"2019-03-18T11:43:59.212-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-18T13:25:36.640-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The\u0026nbsp;Campbellton Road Small Businesses Renovation Program, a partnership between Wells Fargo, Rebuilding Together Atlanta, the City of Atlanta, and Invest Atlanta has helped to renovate three businesses on Campbellton Road.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;Campbellton Road Small Businesses Renovation Program, a partnership between Wells Fargo, Rebuilding Together Atlanta, the City of Atlanta, and Invest Atlanta has helped to renovate three businesses on Campbellton Road. Applicants had to own or operate a business located on Campbellton Road, earn $200,000 or less in gross annual revenue, and have been in continuous operation since November 1, 2017 to be eligible.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe three recipients of renovation funding were Senegambia Restaurant, Hot Chixx Wings ATL, and Getting Ahead Barbershop.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn Wednesday, March 13, volunteers from the partner organizations volunteered their time to do the painting work that was part of the renovations at \u003ca href=\"https://www.senegambiarestaurant.com/\"\u003eSenegambia Restaurant\u003c/a\u003e, which serves a variety of West African, Caribbean and American cuisine. Besides new interior painting, the restaurant received new commercial grade cooking equipment, bathroom upgrades, and walk-in cooler repair.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Hair-Salon/Getting-A-Head-BarberShop-1535606126661773/\"\u003eGetting Ahead Barbershop\u003c/a\u003e has been able to purchase new barber chairs, dryer/chair combos, fans, and ceiling tiles.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s not just my business, it belongs to the people and the Atlanta community,\u0026rdquo; said owner Paul Lockhart. \u0026ldquo;They deserve something nice. Our mission statement is serving and preserving the community.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe walk-in cooler and freezer outdoor units were replaced at \u003ca href=\"http://www.hottchixxwings.com/\"\u003eHot Chixx Wings ATL\u003c/a\u003e, allowing them to expand their menu. They also had their indoor cooling units serviced, chairs repairs, and new paint applied to the interior walls.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I love Campbellton Road for giving my family this chance to realize our passion \u0026ndash; food,\u0026rdquo; said Fostoria Dumas. \u0026ldquo;The menu has mostly fast food options, but we are planning to add a few healthier choices, once our cooler/freezer are repaired.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":256,"title":"Small Business Stories: Hop City Craft Beer \u0026 Wine Founder Kraig Torres","promo_title":"Small Business Stories: Hop City Craft Beer \u0026 Wine Founder Kriag Torres","published_date":"2019-03-17","featured_image":{"id":842,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"kt-_hopy_city.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":422700,"resource_updated_at":"2019-03-21T14:14:32.842-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-03-21T14:14:32.885-04:00","updated_at":"2019-04-10T11:35:42.316-04:00","filename_hash":"kt-_hopy_city_E6BkP1R.png","width":846,"height":469},"filename":"small-business-stories-hop-city-craft-beer-wine-founder-kraig-torres","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"jGo7Mg","created_at":"2019-03-21T13:55:46.851-04:00","updated_at":"2019-04-10T11:35:42.275-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/325082635","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Hopy City Founder \u0026amp; Cheif Hophead Kraig Torres sat down with Invest Atlanta to talk about what it means to be a part of the Atlanta business landscape and why the West End was a great neighborhood for their newest location\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.hopcitybeer.com/\"\u003eHop City Craft Beer \u0026amp; Wine\u003c/a\u003e Founder and Chief Hophead Kraig Torres sat down with Invest Atlanta to talk about what it means to be a part of the Atlanta business landscape and why the West End was a great neighborhood for their newest location.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHop City is a lifestyle store that specializes in craft beer and wine. Invest Atlanta provided Hop City a \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/small-business-loan-programs\"\u003eBusiness Improvement Loan\u003c/a\u003e for a new location, Hop City West End \u0026amp; Boxcar.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Very early on, Invest Atlanta reached out to me,\u0026rdquo; said Torres. \u0026ldquo;They approached me and said, \u0026lsquo;You\u0026rsquo;re opening in a part of town that we feel strongly about.\u0026rdquo; Invest Atlanta also partnered with Torres on workforce initiatives to identify job opportunities at the new location.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHop City currently has five locations in West Midtown, Krog Street Market, West End, Alpharetta, and Birmingham.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We believe that if you can make it here in Atlanta, you can make it in any city in America.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":255,"title":"IA Hosts On the Job Training Info Sessions for Atlanta Businesses","promo_title":"IA Hosts On the Job Training Info Sessions for Atlanta Businesses","published_date":"2019-03-15","featured_image":{"id":838,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"ojt_sessions_2.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":608516,"resource_updated_at":"2019-03-18T13:56:44.282-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-03-18T13:56:44.338-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-18T13:56:56.372-04:00","filename_hash":"ojt_sessions_2_2aR66Ze.png","width":1200,"height":461},"filename":"ia-hosts-on-the-job-training-info-sessions-for-atlanta-businesses","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"eTADDw","created_at":"2019-03-18T13:55:43.404-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-18T13:56:56.333-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Alongside WorkSource Atlanta, Invest Atlanta hosted two On the Job Training information sessions for businesses on March 6, 2019.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAlongside WorkSource Atlanta, Invest Atlanta hosted two On the Job Training information sessions for businesses on March 6, 2019.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAt the sessions, WorkSource Atlanta to describe the OJT process and how the business would participate in the program.\u0026nbsp; Informational packets for the businesses and one-on-one consultations were made available to attendees following the sessions.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn the Job Training helps to ensure that workers and employers have resources needed to maximize their success. It\u0026rsquo;s also designed to assist employers in building a talent pipeline by providing employees with on the job training.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough grant funding, WorkSource Atlanta will cover the hourly rate of each work experience employee. The employer must commit to hiring the individual upon successful completion of training. The participant must work up to 40 hours a week until having developed the skills needed by the employer or for a period of 17 weeks, whichever comes first.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLearn more about OJT program \u003ca href=\"http://www.worksourceatlanta.org/employers/training-support/\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":251,"title":"Mayor Bottoms Recognizes Owner-Occupied Rehab Participant at State of the City","promo_title":"Mayor Bottoms Recognizes Owner-Occupied Rehab Participant at State of the City","published_date":"2019-03-14","featured_image":{"id":833,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"jackson_orr_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1274319,"resource_updated_at":"2019-03-14T13:57:05.594-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-03-14T13:57:05.973-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-15T08:59:41.488-04:00","filename_hash":"jackson_orr_insight_mpWJnjx.png","width":1200,"height":614},"filename":"mayor-bottoms-recognizes-owner-occupied-rehab-participant-at-state-of-the-city","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"K8SBtQ","created_at":"2019-03-14T14:01:11.219-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-15T08:59:41.448-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n In her State of the City speech, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms recognized Carolyn Jackson as a great example of how the Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab program has helped keep longtime residents in their homes.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn her State of the City speech, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms recognized Carolyn Jackson as a great example of how the \u003ca href=\"/homebuyers/owner-occupied-rehab\"\u003eHeritage Owner-Occupied Rehab\u003c/a\u003e program has helped keep longtime residents in their homes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Thanks to the Owner-Occupied Rehab Program, Mrs. Jackson will now be able to remain in the house she has called home for more than four decades,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;She has not quit on Atlanta, and the City of Atlanta has not quit on her.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMrs. Jackson has lived in her southwest Atlanta home for more than four decades. She is the widow of a military veteran and worked at Grady Hospital for thirty as years as a Certified Nursing Assistance specializing in adolescent clinical care.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m totally satisfied,\u0026rdquo; said Mrs. Jackson when asked about her experience with the program. \u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m just thankful I was picked to participate in the program.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs a recipient of a forgivable Heritage Owner Occupied Rehab loan, she has been able to afford critical health and safety repairs on her home. She had plenty of necessary work done, including work on her roof, new gutters, and new paint on the exterior of her home.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHere is the portion of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/mayor-s-office/executive-offices/office-of-communications/2019-state-of-the-city\"\u003eState of the City\u003c/a\u003e remarks about Mrs. Jackson:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003eGentrification is no justification for pushing people out of neighborhoods who\u0026#39;ve been there for decades \u0026ndash; people like Carolyn Jackson.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003eMrs. Jackson has lived in her home in Southwest Atlanta for 42 years.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003eShe lost her husband when he was just 33 years old.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003eShe raised two children on her own, working at Grady Hospital as a Certified Nursing Assistant for 30\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nyears.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003eShe is currently caring for her 15-year-old grandson.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003eLike many seniors, she\u0026rsquo;s found it challenging to keep up with major home repairs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003eLast year, Invest Atlanta established the Owner-Occupied Rehab Program to help people like Mrs.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nJackson.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003eThrough forgivable loans, Mrs. Jackson fixed her roof and repaired leaks throughout her house.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003eThanks to the Owner-Occupied Rehab Program, Mrs. Jackson will now be able to remain in the house she has called home for more than four decades.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003eShe has not quit on Atlanta, and the City of Atlanta has not quit on her.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Heritage ORR Program is a joint effort from partners including Invest Atlanta, City of Atlanta, the Atlanta Housing Authority, Choice Atlanta, Synergy Real Estate, and several other organizations, implemented the program to help lower-income residents remain in their homes and avoid displacement.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Bottoms reiterated her pledge to leverage $1 billion dollars towards housing affordability and her goal to produce and preserve 20,000 units of affordable housing within the City of Atlanta by 2026.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":252,"title":"Invest Atlanta Joins re:imagine/Alliance to Support Atlanta’s Film \u0026 Digital Media Workforce","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Joins re:imagine/Alliance to Support Atlanta’s Film \u0026 Digital Media Workforce","published_date":"2019-03-13","featured_image":{"id":834,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"alliance.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":36767,"resource_updated_at":"2019-03-14T14:30:53.518-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-03-14T14:30:53.555-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-14T14:31:50.255-04:00","filename_hash":"alliance_QgPz8KN.png","width":1200,"height":393},"filename":"invest-atlanta-joins-reimagine-alliance-to-support-atlantas-film-digital-media-workforce","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"fUiYOg","created_at":"2019-03-14T14:31:50.212-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-14T14:31:50.212-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Creative Media and Entertainment industry joins Atlanta-based nonprofit, re:imagine/ATL in the re:imagine/Alliance to work together towards a vision of a safe, inclusive, and equitable workforce in the film and digital media industry.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Creative Media and Entertainment industry joins Atlanta-based nonprofit, re:imagine/ATL in the re:imagine/Alliance to work together towards a vision of a safe, inclusive, and equitable workforce in the film and digital media industry. The Alliance has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial resources, and activated the skills and networks of its partner organizations to directly invest in equipping the next generation of storytellers across metro Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn response to the need for a skilled, and representative workforce from Georgia\u0026rsquo;s growing entertainment industry, re:imagine/ATL has been working with Atlanta teens to expose them to potential careers, provide training in vital skills, and help make industry connections to build their professional networks. The opportunities presented by the burgeoning entertainment and digital media industries are creating space for a new generation of storytellers that is uniquely positioned to tell their stories from a diverse range\u0026nbsp; of perspectives across race, gender identity, socio-economic status, and cultural background. Funding from the re:imagine/Alliance goes directly to supporting those opportunities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Teens are heavily influenced by what they see and hear, which means the media that surrounds them can greatly impact their lives. We have a responsibility to equip them with the tools they need to tell their own stories, to create spaces that allow them to discover new opportunities in this field, and to provide platforms that encourage the industry to identify new representative talent,\u0026rdquo; said Kimberlin Bolton, re:imagine/ATL\u0026rsquo;s Executive Director. \u0026ldquo;re:imagine/ATL is working to be a strong, sustainable bridge between young underrepresented storytellers and the creative media industry. We recognize that the magnitude of our vision requires the investment of this industry, which is why the re:imagine/Alliance is a key component of our work.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2019 re:imagine/Alliance is made up of both local and national companies including The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Alston \u0026amp; Bird, The Atlanta Voice, Bark Bark, Eagle Rock Studios Atlanta, EUE Screen Gems, Exchange Communications, The Gathering Spot, Georgia Infrastructure \u0026amp; Studio Alliance, Invest Atlanta, Mailchimp, Mailing Avenue Stageworks, Moonshine Post-Production, THEA (Choose ATL), Third Rail Studios, and Turner. Each of these companies shares re:imagine/ATL\u0026rsquo;s vision and believes in the power of storytelling.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Turner believes that art and culture can serve as vehicles for bringing diverse communities together,\u0026rdquo; said Sydney Langdon, Manager of Corporate Responsibility at Turner. \u0026ldquo;Through Turner Voices, our signature corporate philanthropy program, Turner partners with impactful organizations, such as re:imagine/ATL, to strategically invest in community arts and culture to promote stronger dialogue and diversity in the industry\u0026rsquo;s pipeline of emerging voices and to pave the way for the next generation of storytellers.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvesting in the re:imagine/Alliance supports both the creative and economic future of Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Creatives are an integral part of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s dynamic workforce, driving significant economic activity in the city,\u0026rdquo; said Nathan Regan, Senior Vice President of Economic Development at Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;The City of Atlanta is a leader in creative industries, and exposing young people to creative career paths is critical to helping the industry thrive for years to come. Invest Atlanta is proud to continue supporting re:imagine/ATL in fostering inclusive workforce development opportunities for the city\u0026rsquo;s next generation of talented creators.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to a financial investment, partner companies work with re:imagine/ATL to offer resources, mentoring, and job shadowing opportunities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":253,"title":"Invest Atlanta Launches NPU-V Small Business Improvement Grant Program","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Launches NPU-V Small Business Improvement Grant Program","published_date":"2019-03-11","featured_image":{"id":835,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"npuv_sbig.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1099365,"resource_updated_at":"2019-03-15T12:52:13.712-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-03-15T12:52:13.787-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-27T09:19:06.902-04:00","filename_hash":"npuv_sbig_OPBxzRQ.png","width":1200,"height":470},"filename":"invest-atlanta-launches-npu-v-small-business-improvement-grant-program","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"yYsvgg","created_at":"2019-03-15T12:53:52.543-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-27T09:19:06.853-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The NPU-V Small Business Improvement Grant (NPU-V SBIG) program will help strengthen local businesses in certain neighborhoods located in Southwest Atlanta by providing grants toward improvements intended to make small businesses more attractive to customers.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe NPU-V Small Business Improvement Grant (NPU-V SBIG) program will help strengthen local businesses in certain neighborhoods located in Southwest Atlanta by providing grants toward improvements intended to make small businesses more attractive to customers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eQualified business or property owners in the Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh, and Summerhill neighborhoods can receive between $3,000 and $10,00 for eligible exterior and interior renovations. Applications are available \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/npu-v-small-business-improvement-program\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e and due May 3, 2019.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNPU-V SBIG aims to enhance the appearance of commercial areas in the neighborhoods of Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh, and Peoplestown to help new and established businesses attract customers and increase revenues, attract more businesses to the area, and build safer, more attractive and stable neighborhoods. The funding has been made available by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEligible applicants must be occupied by an operating business licensed by the City of Atlanta that have a minimum 3-year lease. A minimum of 50% of NPU-V SBIG funds must be used for exterior improvements to the property. Additional application requirements and eligible uses of funds can be found are located within the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/assets/npu_v_sbig_application_jp9LWxV.pdf\"\u003eNPU-V SBIG guidelines and application\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe program is part of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s larger efforts in the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s southside neighborhoods. The Campbellton Road Small Business Improvement Grant program assisted three small businesses along the southwest Atlanta commercial corridor. In addition, Invest Atlanta recently announced the hiring of Erika Smith as the Southside Community and Economic Development Manager. These announcements come after years of investing in these neighborhoods through our small business loan programs, multifamily housing financing, and homeownership incentives.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":249,"title":"True Light Haven Development to Offer 124 New Affordable Housing Units for Seniors","promo_title":"True Light Haven Development to Offer 124 New Affordable Housing Units for Seniors","published_date":"2019-02-22","featured_image":{"id":824,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"true_life_haven.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1308988,"resource_updated_at":"2019-02-22T10:36:58.040-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-02-22T10:36:58.128-05:00","updated_at":"2019-02-26T09:00:08.872-05:00","filename_hash":"true_life_haven_ZOB1eoo.png","width":1200,"height":723},"filename":"true-light-haven-development-to-offer-124-new-affordable-housing-units-for-seniors","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"JyKkKQ","created_at":"2019-02-22T10:38:53.801-05:00","updated_at":"2019-02-26T09:00:08.839-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Housing Committee approved $1.2 million in Housing Opportunity Bond financing for the construction of the 124-unit True Light Haven senior affordable housing development.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Housing Committee approved $1.2 million in Housing Opportunity Bond financing for the construction of the 124-unit True Light Haven senior affordable housing development. The Committee took action at their monthly meeting on Thursday, February 14, 2019.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOf the units, 119 will be set aside for seniors 55-years-old and above earning 60% or below the Area Median Income (AMI), and 5 units will be rented to those earning 50% AMI or below.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNational Church Residences, in partnership with True Light Baptist Church, is developing the project and will take a holistic approach to ensuring each resident can remain independent with a high quality of life.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Penelope Neighbors\u0026nbsp;is full of seniors, the area is about 95%\u0026nbsp;seniors,\u0026rdquo; said Derrick Jordan of National Church Residences. \u0026ldquo;What we\u0026rsquo;re going to do here in Atlanta, we have built a new system in the community. We have a service coordinator that will go up to 3-mile radius outside the community and help and assist seniors in that community.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce complete, the seniors living at True Life Haven will live near the West Lake MARTA station and have access to amenities including a fitness center, a business center with computer stations, a community garden,\u0026nbsp;and a central laundry facility.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has worked with National Church Residencies before. IA provided $3.5 million in tax-exempt bond financing for the 62-unit Betmar Village senior affordable housing development in southwest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We thank you for helping the community,\u0026rdquo; said Bill Bozarth, Secretary of the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors. \u0026ldquo;You\u0026rsquo;ve done the right things, you\u0026rsquo;ve been working with the community, and we appreciate that.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":246,"title":"Year 2 of Students2Startups Kicks Off","promo_title":"Year 2 of Students2Startups Kicks Off","published_date":"2019-02-19","featured_image":{"id":826,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"s2s_group_v1.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1148061,"resource_updated_at":"2019-02-26T08:38:34.865-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-02-26T08:38:34.981-05:00","updated_at":"2019-02-26T08:39:14.585-05:00","filename_hash":"s2s_group_v1_gvkggO2.png","width":1100,"height":491},"filename":"year-2-of-students2startups-kicks-off","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"naArTA","created_at":"2019-02-19T08:57:05.581-05:00","updated_at":"2019-02-26T08:39:14.551-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n After a successful pilot, the Students2Startups program is opening a second round of applications for summer 2019.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAfter a successful pilot, the \u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/students2startups\"\u003eStudents2Startup\u003c/a\u003es program is opening a second round of applications for summer 2019. An initiative of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Invest Atlanta, and WorkSource Atlanta, Students2Startups focuses on connecting talented students with Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s growing startup community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStartup companies often have limited budgets for the talent necessary to expand their business. As a result, they often rely on unpaid interns, which can be financially challenging for students with limited resources. In addition, many students need assistance connecting to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s startup ecosystem to help them develop entrepreneurial skills through experiential learning. Students2Startups was piloted in 2018 to address these opportunities through entrepreneurial-focused student internships with Atlanta-based startups. In its first year, the program hosted 14 students comprised of 50 percent women and 86 percent people of color.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Students2Startups is a strong example of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s commitment to equip the next generation for success,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;This mentorship program opens doors, closes opportunity gaps and enhances the innovative talent that will soon enter the workforce. We are proud of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s many startup success stories and we are excited to help more talented young students become successful entrepreneurs.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta will manage the program and pair 20 Atlanta-based students with growing startups for paid, full-time, technology-focused summer internships and ongoing professional development opportunities. WorkSource Atlanta has partnered with Invest Atlanta to subsidize selected students. Participating startups will commit to providing mentorship and creating a substantive work plan to expose students to various technology-related careers. During the first year, interns were able to learn about and assist with projects focused on operations, research, data development, app improvement, marketing, social media, and customer discovery.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta is a hotbed of startup activity underpinned by 65 corporate innovation centers, incubators, accelerators and co-working spaces in the city and metro area,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Building on the success of last year\u0026rsquo;s pilot, Students2Startups is another way to foster a rich, diverse talent pipeline to support our thriving startup ecosystem for years to come. We look forward to continued partnership with the City of Atlanta, WorkSource Atlanta and the startup community as we welcome new students to the program.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Atlanta startup ecosystem is very much \u0026lsquo;on the map\u0026rsquo; for me after this experience,\u0026rdquo; said Nydrel Jack, who was an intern with NFANT Labs. More than 50 percent of participants are planning to stay in Atlanta after college because they know more about the opportunities that the city has to offer.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSixty-four percent of participants remained with their startups beyond the program as an intern or volunteer, and two interns were hired as full-time employees as a result of the program. \u0026ldquo;Students2Startups was exactly what I needed to help move the needle and I couldn\u0026rsquo;t have asked for a better intern,\u0026rdquo; said Terri-Nichelle Bradley, CEO \u0026amp; Founder of Brown Toy Box. \u0026ldquo;The program will one day be a big part of my startup story. I am so unspeakably grateful.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Students2Startups is an innovative program that will create meaningful career opportunities in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s high-demand information technology sector,\u0026rdquo; said Kimberlyn Daniel, WorkSource Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Interim Executive Director. \u0026ldquo;This program will help Atlanta build the strong and resilient IT workforce needed to compete regionally, nationally, and globally.\u0026nbsp; In addition, supporting a program such as this is very timely as Atlanta was just named the top U.S. city for startups outside of San Francisco and New York City.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStudents2Startups will also provide professional development opportunities during the program, including ChooseATL\u0026#39;s After 5 program and a lunch-and-learn series to help students build more connections with Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurial community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eQualified students from Atlanta universities are encouraged to apply. Applications for students and interested startups are open now until March 15. For more information, visit \u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/students2startups\"\u003einvestatlanta.com/students2startups\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":248,"title":"Third Street Goods Opens Doors in Grant Park","promo_title":"Third Street Goods Opens Doors in Grant Park","published_date":"2019-02-16","featured_image":{"id":823,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"third_street_goods.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":972960,"resource_updated_at":"2019-02-21T15:26:19.822-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-02-21T15:26:19.881-05:00","updated_at":"2019-02-21T15:26:50.862-05:00","filename_hash":"third_street_goods_vlEM2Xx.png","width":1200,"height":582},"filename":"third-street-goods-opens-doors-in-grant-park","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"iRYnPA","created_at":"2019-02-21T15:26:50.830-05:00","updated_at":"2019-02-21T15:26:50.830-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Third Street Goods is a neighborhood market that combines the freshness of a farmer\u0026rsquo;s market and the convenience of a big-name grocery.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThird Street Goods is a neighborhood market that combines the freshness of a farmer\u0026rsquo;s market and the convenience of a big-name grocery. Plus, there\u0026rsquo;s a coffee counter and a speak-easy style bar in the back.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCo-owners Holli Medley and Kathryn DiMenichi are part of a local movement to keep clean, sustainably sourced food approachable and affordable. And, they passionately support like-minded businesses by stocking the shelves with their products.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn fact, Holli and Kathryn honed a list of 65,000 line items to 650, filtering everything from a product\u0026rsquo;s relative distance from its producer and employee care, to the whole ingredients used, environmental stewardship, quality, value, cost, beauty \u0026hellip; and of course, flavor.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We work with co-ops, farmer\u0026rsquo;s markets and female-, minority- and employee-owned businesses who are committed to doing the right thing,\u0026rdquo; says Kathryn. \u0026ldquo;It may not be possible to always stock a perfect selection of unadulterated foods within this bottom-line driven FDA-approved food production system, but we might be able to help turn the ship around, starting with our approved list of 650 items.\u0026rdquo; Located 420 feet off the Beltline at the Beacon in Grant Park, Third Street Goods offers cured and raw meats, cheeses, canned goods, snacks, beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages and bulk items, as well as limited convenience food and ready-made family meals.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHolli and Kathryn launched the idea of Third Street Goods through a Kickstarter campaign, but a $67,000 loan from Invest Atlanta via Atlanta Emerging Markets Inc. (AEMI) pulled them through the final stretch to opening their doors. \u0026ldquo;Out of all our experiences to get here, Invest Atlanta was by far the most helpful,\u0026rdquo; says Holli. \u0026ldquo;We presented them with our 9-pound business plan (literally), and they were straight-forward, easy to work with and prompt in every way. It\u0026rsquo;s in their name \u0026ndash; they want small businesses in Atlanta to succeed.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe market\u0026rsquo;s name is a nod to Kathryn\u0026rsquo;s paternal great-grandparents, who lived on Third Street.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Whenever something is really delicious, my dad always says, \u0026lsquo;That\u0026rsquo;s Third Street good,\u0026rsquo;\u0026rdquo; explains Kathryn. \u0026ldquo;Food memories are so strong and so important. They take you to another place and time.\u0026rdquo; Cardinal, the bar nestled in the back of Third Street Goods, is meant to be a magical surprise for market patrons. \u0026ldquo;Cardinals represent our ancestors,\u0026rdquo; says Holli, who originally met Kathryn when they both worked as bartenders. \u0026ldquo;If you\u0026rsquo;re ever in a moment of stress or need to slow things down and a cardinal appears, you know someone is looking out for you and everything will be ok.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRead more stories about how Invest Atlanta has helped local small businesses in our \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/assets/investatlanta-annualreport-2018_ZOBqxv8.pdf\"\u003e2018 Annual Report\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n West End\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":245,"title":"Nathan Regan Joins Invest Atlanta as Senior Vice President of Economic Development","promo_title":"Nathan Regan Joins Invest Atlanta as Senior Vice President of Economic Development","published_date":"2019-02-13","featured_image":null,"filename":"nathan-regan-joins-invest-atlanta-as-senior-vice-president-of-economic-development","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Es4Jyg","created_at":"2019-02-13T11:40:16.788-05:00","updated_at":"2019-02-13T11:40:16.788-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta announced the hiring of Nathan Regan to serve as the agency\u0026rsquo;s senior vice president of Economic Development. Regan will lead the economic development team focusing on business attraction, business retention and expansion, small business development, innovation and entrepreneurship, foreign direct investment (FDI) and creative industries activities.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta announced the hiring of Nathan Regan to serve as the agency\u0026rsquo;s senior vice president of Economic Development. Regan will lead the economic development team focusing on business attraction, business retention and expansion, small business development, innovation and entrepreneurship, foreign direct investment (FDI) and creative industries activities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy continues to thrive, and a key to further growth and vitality is a renewed focus on target industry sectors and an expanded global development strategy,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Nathan\u0026rsquo;s experience in economic development and leadership in building deep trade and investment connections with other countries will be a huge asset for increasing job growth and attracting new foreign direct investment.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBefore joining Invest Atlanta, Regan worked in both private industry and the public sector.\u0026nbsp; He served as a legislative fellow to a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, focusing on economic development, jobs, and energy and environmental legislation. Regan also served as a Senior International Investment Specialist in the U.S. Department of Commerce\u0026rsquo;s SelectUSA unit, managing an international foreign direct investment team resulting in $500 million worth of investments and more than 1,000 new jobs. In this position, he served as a liaison with state and local economic development agencies around the country on FDI industry best practices and managed FDI projects coming from Europe.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am grateful for the opportunity to lead a top-tier economic development team,\u0026rdquo; said Nathan Regan. \u0026ldquo;I look forward to building off the recent success Invest Atlanta has had attracting global companies to the city, and I will work to support the innovative programs the organization has put in place to make this city one of the most competitive in the world.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePrior to his federal service, Regan worked in sales and marketing in international business development.\u0026nbsp; He began his career doing program management and business development for the U.S. operations of various European automotive supply companies. He later served as a commercial attach\u0026eacute; with the French Consulate in Atlanta and was responsible for attracting French foreign direct investment to the region. He was subsequently recruited to join the Danish Trade Council in Atlanta, where he served as a Senior International Trade Specialist and was responsible for trade and investment ties between Georgia and Denmark. He oversaw the Danish Business Incubator and was responsible for creating more than 30 Atlanta-based companies and generating more than 200 jobs in the Atlanta metro region. In 2012, Regan was selected to manage the Bahrain Economic Development Board\u0026rsquo;s Washington, D.C. office, where he worked with Fortune 500 companies on increasing trade and investment in the Middle East.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRegan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Furman University and a Master of International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University\u0026rsquo;s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He served as a Commissioner for Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser\u0026rsquo;s Age-Friendly Business Initiative, where he worked to foster a more vibrant business community. He is a member of the International Economic Development Council and a native of Greenville, South Carolina.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":247,"title":"Hop City Expanding to 5th Location With Help From Invest Atlanta","promo_title":"Hop City Expanding to 5th Location With Help From Invest Atlanta","published_date":"2019-02-12","featured_image":{"id":822,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"hop_city.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1137258,"resource_updated_at":"2019-02-21T15:20:52.125-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-02-21T15:20:52.243-05:00","updated_at":"2019-02-21T15:21:26.817-05:00","filename_hash":"hop_city_DNaqk7v.png","width":1200,"height":563},"filename":"hop-city-expanding-to-5th-location-with-help-from-invest-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"MeyXGA","created_at":"2019-02-21T15:21:26.778-05:00","updated_at":"2019-02-21T15:21:26.778-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Kraig is again working with Invest Atlanta to finance the renovations for his fifth location in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s West End. Invest Atlanta also is helping him staff the new location through a local job bank.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eKraig Torres likes his beer. He\u0026rsquo;s traveled the world tasting different stouts, porters, ambers and lagers \u0026ndash; you name it, he\u0026rsquo;s tried it. That love of beer led him to open Hop City Craft Beer \u0026amp; Wine in 2009.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;ve been passionate about beer since it was legal for me to drink,\u0026rdquo; laughs Kraig. He never dreamed it would eventually become his profession. But all in due time.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKraig first partnered with Invest Atlanta back in 2003 \u0026ndash; not to pursue his passion for beer, but to open a collision and body shop. Invest Atlanta provided financing to help Kraig purchase the space for his business. After several years restoring mangled cars, Kraig decided the time had come to pursue his true passion. He opened the first Hop City Craft Beer \u0026amp; Wine in West Midtown with 12 taps and became the forefather of Georgia\u0026rsquo;s beer growler scene.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAt that time, craft beer consumption in Georgia was at 4 percent; today it\u0026rsquo;s 20 percent and growing. \u0026ldquo;The public has decided this is what beer is supposed to taste like,\u0026rdquo; says Kraig. \u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m proud of my brewing friends and all they\u0026rsquo;ve accomplished; it\u0026rsquo;s hard to believe how much the market has grown.\u0026rdquo; Kraig and his team have grown Hop City in the process. When he first opened his doors, he had four employees. Today, he\u0026rsquo;s about to open his fifth location (three in Atlanta, one in Alpharetta and one in Birmingham, Alabama) and will have 150 employees across his platform. Home to the East Coast\u0026rsquo;s largest selection of beer, Hop City has indeed made a name for itself \u0026ndash; including being recognized as one of the country\u0026rsquo;s top 10 retailers by RateBeer and being awarded an A+ by Beer Advocate.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta is a really vibrant city,\u0026rdquo; says Kraig. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s a fun melting pot of personality and culture. The best part of my job is meeting new people and introducing them to all the great beer that\u0026rsquo;s being brewed today.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKraig is again working with Invest Atlanta to finance the renovations for his fifth location in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s West End. Invest Atlanta also is helping him staff the new location through a local job bank. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s an easy partnership,\u0026rdquo; says Kraig. \u0026ldquo;They\u0026rsquo;re always willing to listen. If you have a smart business plan and are willing to put in the work, Invest Atlanta can help you achieve your dream.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRead more stories about\u0026nbsp;how Invest Atlanta has helped local small businesses in our \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/assets/investatlanta-annualreport-2018_ZOBqxv8.pdf\"\u003e2018 Annual Report\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n West End\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":250,"title":"Sweet Auburn Technical Assistance \u0026 Predevelopment Fund Approved ","promo_title":"Sweet Auburn Technical Assistance \u0026 Predevelopment Fund Approved ","published_date":"2019-02-01","featured_image":{"id":825,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"sweet_auburn_assistance.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1500120,"resource_updated_at":"2019-02-25T15:40:15.736-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-02-25T15:40:15.882-05:00","updated_at":"2019-02-26T09:03:27.971-05:00","filename_hash":"sweet_auburn_assistance_zmpO9Dj.png","width":1200,"height":536},"filename":"sweet-auburn-technical-assistance-predevelopment-fund-approved","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ot2NhQ","created_at":"2019-02-25T15:41:38.850-05:00","updated_at":"2019-02-26T09:03:27.939-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta approved the establishment of a Real Estate Technical Assistance and Predevelopment Fund to provide resources to real estate development and economic vibrancy in the historic Sweet Auburn area.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta approved the establishment of a Real Estate Technical Assistance and Predevelopment Fund to provide resources to real estate development and economic vibrancy in the historic Sweet Auburn area. At their January 2019 monthly meeting, the Board authorized up to $500,000 in Eastside TAD funding, to be matched by $200,000 from Central Atlanta Progress (CAP).\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;This will help those in priority areas like Sweet Auburn do the work they need to do, providing them with expert support to get their projects competitive when they to apply for Eastside TAD funding,\u0026rdquo; said Jennifer Fine, Vice President of Planning and Strategic Initiatives at Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEastside TAD funding has been successfully deployed to assist numerous catalytic and impactful projects throughout the TAD. As more projects apply for funding, there is an opportunity to focus on activating projects in areas within the TAD that have struggled to realize economic development vitality.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, much of the underutilized land in Sweet Auburn is owned by local, longstanding religious institutions and nonprofits, many of whom do not have experience with real estate development. These organizations may lack knowledge about real estate, financing, and historic rehabilitation that could hinder them as they pursued available funding resources, including support through the Eastside TAD.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith community engagement support from Sweet Works, Inc., Invest Atlanta, and CAP will expedite delivery of predevelopment support and technical assistance utilizing contracted independent consultants to the broad range of eligible property owners, businesses, and institutions. This support will enable a more complete project application when it is submitted for TAD construction funding in the future.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll property owners within the Sweet Auburn Area will be eligible to request technical assistance from CAP. Experts will provide assistance with feasibility and financial analysis, design services, and cost estimation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":244,"title":"Westside Warmup Kicks Off Super Bowl Activities in Southwest Atlanta","promo_title":"Westside Warmup Kicks Off Super Bowl Activities in Southwest Atlanta","published_date":"2019-01-31","featured_image":{"id":801,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"151a3166-2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":4456465,"resource_updated_at":"2019-01-31T09:57:17.634-05:00","caption":"Westside Warmup 2","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-01-31T09:57:17.911-05:00","updated_at":"2019-01-31T10:19:55.538-05:00","filename_hash":"151a3166-2_W1orMEj.jpg","width":5760,"height":3237},"filename":"westside-warmup-kicks-off-super-bowl-activities-in-southwest-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"3B2HvQ","created_at":"2019-01-31T10:17:23.136-05:00","updated_at":"2019-01-31T10:19:55.507-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Supported by Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., the City of Atlanta Planning Department, and Invest Atlanta, the Westside Warmup brought community and business leaders together to showcase Southwest Atlanta in the days leading up to the Super Bowl.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSupported by Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., the City of Atlanta Planning Department, and Invest Atlanta, the Westside Warmup brought community and business leaders together to showcase Southwest Atlanta in the days leading up to the Super Bowl.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe purpose of the event was to highlight the unique neighborhoods, rich culture, and growing businesses in the area. \u0026ldquo;With upwards of $2 billion in tourism dollars anticipated, ABI wanted to help facilitate an event in historic southwest Atlanta for community businesses to take advantage of the Super Bowl economy,\u0026rdquo; said Clyde Higgs, interim President and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe event took place across three locations near the Atlanta Beltline Westside Trail. Activities began at the West End MARTA Station soccer fields, StationSoccer.\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.soccerstreets.org/station-soccer-play\"\u003eStationSoccer\u003c/a\u003e, a program by Soccer in the Streets, is the world\u0026rsquo;s first transit soccer league and hosted soccer matches for both children and adults. The South Atlanta High School drumline also performed throughout the beginning of the event to get guests excited for the remainder of festivities.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nFollowing the activities at StationSoccer, the South Atlanta High School drumline led guests down Lee Street to\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.leeandwhiteatl.com/\"\u003eLee + White\u003c/a\u003e, the West End\u0026rsquo;s newest food and beverage district. In addition to local craft brewery Monday Night Garage hosting happy hour, there were jazz musical performances by the Atlanta Music Project, football skills courses, kombucha tastings from Cultured South, and various food vendors.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003ca href=\"https://www.640westatl.com/\"\u003e640 West Caf\u0026eacute;\u003c/a\u003e, a community caf\u0026eacute; and event space, was the final stop of the event and featured live music, artists performances, and a vendor market with more than 40 participants featuring local food, artists, businesses, and artisans.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;To get a truly authentic Atlanta experience, you have to come to the westside,\u0026rdquo; said Higgs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n West End\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":243,"title":"Atlanta Forward Loan Fund Launched to Support Startups \u0026 Small Businesses","promo_title":"Atlanta Forward Loan Fund Launched to Support Startups \u0026 Small Businesses","published_date":"2019-01-25","featured_image":{"id":688,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"flatironcity_1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":107083,"resource_updated_at":"2018-08-06T13:49:40.025-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":5,"created_at":"2018-08-06T13:49:40.326-04:00","updated_at":"2020-04-07T12:39:12.376-04:00","filename_hash":"flatironcity_1_98O29Z4.jpg","width":1000,"height":667},"filename":"invest-atlanta-board-approves-new-resource-to-support-small-businesses-and-startups","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"qR68Pw","created_at":"2019-01-25T09:49:57.084-05:00","updated_at":"2019-01-25T10:23:19.089-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Atlanta Forward Loan Fund will provide assistance to small businesses and startups.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the Invest Atlanta Board recently approved a resolution to create a new resource, the Atlanta Forward Loan Fund. This new pilot program will support small businesses and startups.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We wanted to figure out what we can do to continue to cultivate the small business and startup ecosystem,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President \u0026amp; CEO of Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta Forward Loan fund will provide assistance to small businesses and startup companies located within accelerators, incubators, and other programs that provide capacity building in the City of Atlanta. Loan size will range from $5,000 to $20,000,\u0026nbsp;and between 10 to 20 small business will receive financing. Funding for the new pilot program will be reprogrammed from the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Opportunity Loan Fund and managed by Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;With initiatives like the Atlanta Forward Loan Fund, we will continue to strengthen Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as a top-ranked city for small business owners and entrepreneurs,\u0026rdquo; said Klementich. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Bottoms and Invest Atlanta are committed to supporting the nearly 20,000 small businesses that choose to call Atlanta home. The Atlanta Forward Loan Fund joins the list of several other small business resources that Invest Atlanta offers including \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/small-business-loan-programs\"\u003eloan programs\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"/businesses/small-businesses/business-assistance\"\u003ebusiness assistance\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https://www.atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003eATLInBusiness.com\u003c/a\u003e, and more.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":242,"title":"New Markets Tax Credits and TAD Financing Approved for Quest Nonprofit Center for Change","promo_title":"New Markets Tax Credits and TAD Financing Approved for Quest Nonprofit Center for Change","published_date":"2019-01-24","featured_image":{"id":788,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"qncc.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2481692,"resource_updated_at":"2019-01-24T09:32:39.234-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2019-01-24T09:32:39.328-05:00","updated_at":"2019-06-10T16:23:43.062-04:00","filename_hash":"qncc_zmpLVNW.png","width":1741,"height":750},"filename":"new-markets-tax-credits-and-tad-financing-approved-for-quest-nonprofit-center-for-change","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"xa5cuw","created_at":"2019-01-24T09:33:57.785-05:00","updated_at":"2019-01-24T09:37:33.965-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta and Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. recently closed transactions to fund construction of the Quest Nonprofit Center for Change on Atlanta\u0026#39;s Westside.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and its affiliate Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) recently closed transactions to fund construction of the Quest Nonprofit Center for Change (QNCC) on Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside. The Quest Community Development Organization will transform a commercial strip center into a catalytic project that will provide new space for neighborhood-oriented commercial and nonprofit tenants.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Quest Nonprofit Center for Change will bring together nonprofits and socially responsible businesses under one roof to provide resources to the Westside. In addition to the nonprofits that will become tenants, Quest will also move its headquarters to the facility. The current site has Family Dollar as an anchor tenant with a lease that will continue with the new building.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOver the last 15 years, the Quest Community Development Organization has provided affordable, supportive housing and services to homeless and low-income men and women so that they may become self-sufficient. The majority of Quest\u0026rsquo;s services are provided to those who suffer from mental illnesses, substance abuse, or other chronic health conditions.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and AEMI provided two types of funding for the project. Invest Atlanta provided a $500,000 Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) grant, passed by the Board of Directors in November 2018, and AEMI provided $7.5 million in New Markets Tax Credits with SunTrust as the tax credit investor, passed in January 2019.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe $10.8 million project is located at 305 Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard Northwest, selected for its proximity to Quest\u0026rsquo;s housing developments and clients. QNCC and its tenant businesses will support 80 full-time jobs, and employees will be identified in part through partnerships with local organizations including the Center for Working Families and Westside Works.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eQNCC will also provide 25,000 pounds of fresh produce annually by increasing Westside Grower\u0026rsquo;s capacity by 150%, offer case management and supportive services to 650 people each year, provide 4,000 people with financial education and empowerment, and improve access to commercial goods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe development will be the first-class B office space in Vine City, with more than 26,000 square feet of leasable space. Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2019 and be completed by November 2019. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":241,"title":"Invest Atlanta Board Supports New Affordable Housing for Southwest Atlanta and Westside Neighborhoods","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Board Supports New Affordable Housing for Southwest Atlanta and Westside Neighborhoods","published_date":"2019-01-17","featured_image":{"id":783,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"hartland_station_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1318023,"resource_updated_at":"2019-01-17T09:55:07.134-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":3,"created_at":"2019-01-17T09:55:07.200-05:00","updated_at":"2019-01-22T08:54:39.841-05:00","filename_hash":"hartland_station_insight_jpkKXjV.png","width":1200,"height":609},"filename":"invest-atlanta-board-supports-new-affordable-housing-for-southwest-atlanta-and-westside-neighborhoods","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"7Th_JA","created_at":"2019-01-17T14:08:54.171-05:00","updated_at":"2019-01-22T08:54:39.807-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Bottoms and the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved financing for several affordable housing developments at the board\u0026rsquo;s first meetings of 2019.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Bottoms and the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved financing for several affordable housing developments at the board\u0026rsquo;s first meetings of 2019. The projects will bring new affordable rental units along one of the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s most important emerging commercial corridors, as well as affordable for-sale properties in the Westside neighborhoods of Vine City and English Avenue.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We continue to focus on new and different solutions to meet Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s affordable housing needs,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;Achieving our vision for One Atlanta will require providing support for an array of housing options for our legacy residents. Our actions represent a good first step for us as we look to make significant progress toward that goal in 2019.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As Atlanta continues to grow, we need to be even more strategic and resourceful in finding ways to achieve affordability throughout the city,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;These three projects represent the type of thinking needed to make affordable living in the city an option for many more residents. Long-term ground leases, land trust models, and layered financing strategies give us a bigger toolbox to work with and opportunities to address more of the affordability spectrum.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCityPlace Affordable Housing\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Board approved a loan increase of up to $1,000,000 from the Vine City Housing Trust Fund to Place Properties to construct affordable modular single-family homes for sale in the English Avenue and Vine City neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePreviously, Place Properties completed an initial home located at 621 James P. Brawley and will use this funding to complete 5 additional residences. At the board\u0026rsquo;s direction, Place Properties and Invest Atlanta staff collaborated to make the homes affordable with lower-cost designs and did so through modular design and varied housing styles and structures, including duplexes, triplexes, and grannie flats.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe next five units for sale will have target price points between $135,000-$160,000, a significant reduction from the original target price point. With down payment assistance programs, the homes could potentially be available to households earning between 60 to 80 percent of the area median income (AMI). These homes will also be Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s first completed properties placed within the Atlanta Land Trust, which will provide permanent homeownership affordability.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUrban Oasis\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board approved a loan of up to $250,000 from the Vine City Housing Trust Fund to finance construction on four single-family, for-sale homes in the English Avenue neighborhood. Sims Real Estate Group will rehab and restore three currently blighted homes and construct one new home. Once work is complete, the three rehabbed homes will be available to families earning 80 percent AMI or below, and the new home will be for sale to families earning 100-120 percent AMI. Down payment assistance will be available through Invest Atlanta for purchasers to ensure greater levels of affordability.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe project fits within the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s overall strategy to make as many homes affordable for legacy residents. It does so by using a novel approach within the City of Atlanta of having a 99-year ground lease at $1 per year to eliminate land costs from the purchase price. The goal is to give these properties over to the Atlanta Land Trust to ensure affordability in perpetuity.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHartland Station\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board approved up to $1.3 million in pay-as-you-go grant funding from the Metropolitan Parkway TAD for the 130-unit Hartland Station multi-family development.\u0026nbsp; Invest Atlanta previously supported Hartland Station with $14 million in tax-exempt bond and gap financing.\u0026nbsp; The development will be a modern garden style, 3-story community aimed at revitalizing a portion of an underserved commercial corridor along Metropolitan Parkway in the Sylvan Hills neighborhood.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHartland Station will include 40 units set aside for those earning 50 percent AMI and below and 70 units set aside for those earning 60 percent AMI or below. This residential community will be equipped with several amenities including a business center, a picnic area, tot lots and an exercise room. To ensure this level of affordability, Invest Atlanta is providing additional layers of financing, including tax-exempt bonds and a Housing Opportunity Bond loan. This level of affordability will be in place for 30 years.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough its various affordable housing strategies, Invest Atlanta continues to play a key role in helping the Mayor Bottoms and City of Atlanta bring more affordability to the city. In 2018, Invest Atlanta supported the creation of 926 units of affordable housing intended for residents earning 30 to 80 percent AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":238,"title":"Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab Is Helping Lifelong Residents Make Critical Repairs","promo_title":"Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab Is Helping Lifelong Residents Make Critical Repairs","published_date":"2019-01-09","featured_image":{"id":781,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"oor_roof.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":539996,"resource_updated_at":"2019-01-09T10:57:35.384-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-01-09T10:57:35.450-05:00","updated_at":"2019-03-08T13:42:41.143-05:00","filename_hash":"oor_roof_kb4Bg7y.jpg","width":2500,"height":1194},"filename":"owner-occupied-rehab-is-helping-life-long-residents-make-critical-repairs","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"kDJWNQ","created_at":"2019-01-09T10:58:29.631-05:00","updated_at":"2019-03-08T13:42:41.105-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Jeanette Henderson is Atlanta native and has been a homeowner in the City of Atlanta for 55 years. As a recipient of a forgivable\u0026nbsp;Heritage Owner Occupied Rehab\u0026nbsp;loan, Henderson is able to afford critical health and safety repairs on her home.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eJeanette Henderson is Atlanta native and has been a homeowner in the City of Atlanta for 65 years. As a recipient of a forgivable\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"/homebuyers/owner-occupied-rehab\"\u003eHeritage Owner Occupied Rehab\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;loan, Henderson is able to afford critical health and safety repairs on her home.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nInvest Atlanta, with support from the City of Atlanta, the Atlanta Housing Authority, Choice Atlanta, Executive Realty Solutions, and several other organizations, implemented the program to help lower-income residents remain in their homes and avoid displacement. After a successful pilot program in the Vince City and English Avenue neighborhoods, the program was able to expand.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe program serves senior households aged 55 and older, military veterans, disabled head of households, and those that have been in their homes for 15 or more years. \u0026ldquo;A lot of people don\u0026rsquo;t think about the seniors,\u0026rdquo; said Henderson. \u0026ldquo;I think the program is a nice thing for senior citizens because seniors don\u0026rsquo;t really have a lot of money to get these things done.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nHenderson bought her home because she was interested in being a homeowner instead of renting an apartment in Atlanta. With her loan, she is able to remove mold, install new planks, treat and repair termite damage, repair her hot water tank, upgrade pipes, and replace her stairs.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;Some seniors can afford to get some things done but they can\u0026rsquo;t afford to get\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eeverything\u003c/em\u003e\u0026nbsp;done,\u0026rdquo; said Henderson. \u0026ldquo;This program was a great idea!\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe Heritage Owner Occupied Rehab programs are part of Mayor Bottoms\u0026rsquo; larger goal of investing $1 billion from public and private sources to support affordable housing in Atlanta, the largest such investment in our city\u0026rsquo;s history.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":237,"title":"Responsive Surface Technology, LLC Receives Follow-On Funding Through AEMI","promo_title":"Responsive Surface Technology, LLC Receives Follow-On Funding Through AEMI","published_date":"2019-01-08","featured_image":{"id":780,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"rest_tech_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1027426,"resource_updated_at":"2019-01-08T13:12:03.581-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-01-08T13:12:03.732-05:00","updated_at":"2019-01-08T13:13:06.565-05:00","filename_hash":"rest_tech_insight_YBaVnXv.png","width":908,"height":543},"filename":"responsive-surface-technology-llc-receives-follow-on-funding-through-aemi","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lshVIg","created_at":"2019-01-08T13:13:06.531-05:00","updated_at":"2019-01-08T13:13:06.531-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"https://www.restperformance.com/\"\u003eResponsive Surface Technology\u003c/a\u003e, an Atlanta-based Smart Bed and sleep technology innovator, recently\u0026nbsp;closed on\u0026nbsp;$3.2 million of additional funding from\u0026nbsp;the Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund and New Markets Tax Credit financing.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.restperformance.com/\"\u003eResponsive Surface Technology\u003c/a\u003e, an Atlanta-based Smart Bed and sleep technology innovator, recently\u0026nbsp;closed on\u0026nbsp;$3.2 million of additional funding from\u0026nbsp;the Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund and New Markets Tax Credit financing. The capital will not only enable ReST to expand its marketing and research efforts, but also help it open its first company-owned store in West Midtown. (The company also received funding from these sources \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/atlanta-sleep-tech-innovator-to-expand-thanks-to-ia-support\"\u003elast year\u003c/a\u003e.)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLaunched by Advantage Capital and Invest Atlanta, the Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund is a loan program for businesses in the City of Atlanta located in census-designated distressed neighborhoods. Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s New Markets Tax Credit program is administered through \u003ca href=\"https://atlantaemergingmarkets.org/\"\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc.\u003c/a\u003e, a U.S. Treasury-certified community development entity. The program aims to attract private investment to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s underserved neighborhoods and financially support catalytic projects that provide services or create quality jobs accessible to low-income residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;The Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund and New Markets Tax Credit financing are a win-win, providing an additional source of capital to innovative companies like ReST while bringing economic investment and new jobs to other parts of the city,\u0026rdquo; said Dale Royal, President, Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. \u0026ldquo;We are excited to support their expansion with this additional funding and look forward to\u0026nbsp;continued\u0026nbsp;partnership as they grow in Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs the company expands, ReST aims to maintain its position as a world-leading sleep technology innovator. ReST is committed to expanding its Atlanta footprint by continuing to grow its operations in West Midtown and creating new jobs. The company focuses on hiring local talent, including skilled workers from Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are proud that our performance in the year since Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s initial investment gave them the confidence to offer additional funding,\u0026rdquo; said Lloyd Sommers, General Manager of ReST. \u0026ldquo;The funds will support our efforts to expand distribution so that more people than ever before will have the opportunity to experience why the ReST Bed\u0026trade; has become the leading Smart Bed.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":240,"title":"Dr. Klementich Honored by Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors","promo_title":"Dr. Klementich Honored by Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors","published_date":"2018-12-30","featured_image":{"id":784,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"acbr_eloisa_award.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":918578,"resource_updated_at":"2019-01-17T11:38:07.338-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-01-17T11:38:07.402-05:00","updated_at":"2019-01-17T11:40:03.247-05:00","filename_hash":"acbr_eloisa_award_7JP4X5z.png","width":1030,"height":614},"filename":"dr-klementich-honored-by-atlanta-commercial-board-of-realtors","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"65zVlA","created_at":"2019-01-17T11:38:53.608-05:00","updated_at":"2019-01-17T11:40:03.216-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta President \u0026amp; CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich was recently awarded the Henry H. Robinson Award by the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors (ACBR). Dr. Klementich received the honor at a ceremony held in December of 2018.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta President \u0026amp; CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich was recently awarded the Henry H. Robinson Award by the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors (ACBR). Dr. Klementich received the honor at a ceremony held in December of 2018.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I can think of no one more deserving of this award than Eloisa Klementich,\u0026rdquo; said Chris Ahrenkiel, executive vice president of Selig Enterprises, and a member of the board of directors of Invest Atlanta and the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors (ACBR). \u0026ldquo;The major wins she\u0026rsquo;s had during her tenure include some of the most high-profile real estate deals and community development efforts the city of Atlanta has seen in decades.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHe added: \u0026ldquo;Throughout my time on the Invest Atlanta board of directors and in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s real estate community, I have witnessed Eloisa\u0026rsquo;s tirelessness, tenacity, and resilience first-hand. Her dedication to Atlanta has left a mark on our city for generations to come.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince her appointment as CEO of Invest Atlanta in 2016, Dr. Klementich has overseen more than 1,500 economic and community development projects; facilitated the creation of more than 28,000 new jobs; created more than 3,000 affordable housing units; and brought $4.6 billion of new capital investment to the city \u0026ndash; efforts that have yielded a total of $10.3 billion in economic output. During her tenure, projects including NCR and Norfolk Southern headquarters have come to fruition, as well as the revitalization of Westside neighborhoods working with the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and other community partners, and helping finance new assets such as the Coda high-performance computing facility at Georgia Tech and the Emory Proton Therapy Center in Midtown.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I have never met anyone more hard-working than Eloisa,\u0026rdquo; said Kirk Rich, Avison Young Agency leasing principal, ACBR board director and awards committee member who served on the Invest Atlanta board for three years. \u0026ldquo;She has absolutely hit a home run with her leadership at Invest Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;During my time at Invest Atlanta, we have facilitated the creation of more than 44,000 direct jobs and $6.1 billion of new capital investment for the city \u0026ndash; but those are just numbers,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;Seeing first-hand how our tools can change lives \u0026ndash; whether it\u0026rsquo;s providing affordable housing to families, facilitating the goal of homeownership or helping an entrepreneur realize their dream of starting a business \u0026ndash; is something I cherish and am proud to be a part of.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePhoto credit: KarenImages.com\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":236,"title":"Norfolk Southern Announces Headquarters Relocation to Atlanta","promo_title":"Norfolk Southern Announces Headquarters Relocation to Atlanta","published_date":"2018-12-13","featured_image":{"id":778,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"norfolk_souther.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":171365,"resource_updated_at":"2018-12-13T12:00:22.557-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-12-13T12:00:22.598-05:00","updated_at":"2018-12-13T12:01:17.406-05:00","filename_hash":"norfolk_souther_KDKQElx.jpg","width":1500,"height":726},"filename":"norfolk-southern-announces-headquarters-relocation-to-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"wIb0Lg","created_at":"2018-12-13T12:01:17.367-05:00","updated_at":"2018-12-13T12:01:17.367-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Governor Nathan Deal and Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that Norfolk Southern Corporation will relocate its headquarters from Virginia to Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGovernor Nathan Deal and Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that Norfolk Southern Corporation will relocate its headquarters from Virginia to Atlanta. Norfolk Southern is a premier transporter of coal, automotive, and industrial products and operates the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern United States.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As a major hub for both transportation and innovation, Georgia is a fitting home for Norfolk Southern\u0026rsquo;s new headquarters,\u0026rdquo; said Deal. Norfolk Southern is purchasing property at 650 West Peachtree St. NW in Midtown and collaborating with Cousins Properties for development purposes. The company currently has existing operations in Midtown near the Woodruff Arts Center.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe new campus will house the company\u0026rsquo;s headquarters, dispatch operations, operations and service support center, crew management center, corridor operations offices, national customer service center, administrative functions, marketing department, and police communications center.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are proud that another Fortune 500 company will make Atlanta its home,\u0026rdquo; said Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;Norfolk Southern\u0026rsquo;s decision to expand its current Atlanta operations and relocate its headquarters here is a testament to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s thriving business community and talented workforce.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta collaborated with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and Georgia Power to assist with the project. With this relocation, Norfolk Southern will create 850 new jobs, retain 2,025 jobs, and invest $575 million.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As a city founded as the terminus of a railroad line, it means so much for Atlanta to have Norfolk Southern choose to locate their headquarters here,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President \u0026amp; CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;The estimated $811 million economic impact the company will bring to our city will create and retain jobs, attract investment, and further strengthen our position as a top-tier transportation and logistics hub.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eProgress on Norfolk Southern\u0026rsquo;s move to Atlanta has already commenced and will span the next several years as the new headquarters is constructed. More details about the project are expected during the first quarter of 2019.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":234,"title":"Emory Proton Therapy Center Opens in Midtown","promo_title":"Emory Proton Therapy Center Opens in Midtown","published_date":"2018-12-10","featured_image":{"id":774,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"ribbom_full03_1544457569_.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpg","resource_file_size":135823,"resource_updated_at":"2018-12-10T10:59:29.609-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-12-10T10:59:29.638-05:00","updated_at":"2018-12-10T11:02:42.238-05:00","filename_hash":"ribbom_full03_1544457569__mpgD1LR.jpg","width":1024,"height":486},"filename":"emory-proton-therapy-center-opens-in-midtown","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"GzlI7A","created_at":"2018-12-10T10:56:39.593-05:00","updated_at":"2018-12-10T10:59:38.817-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Emory Proton Therapy Center will create 128 jobs, a projected $500 million economic impact, and treat nearly 35,000 patients over the next 20 years.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Winship Cancer Institute held the grand opening of the Emory Proton Therapy Center on December 6 in Midtown. More than 150 special guests were in attendance to witness the ribbon cutting for this cutting-edge facility.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Emory Proton Therapy Center is approximately 170,000 square feet with three levels housing a cyclotron, treatment rooms, examinations rooms, and administrative space. The new facility will treat nearly 35,000 patients over the next 20 years and will further solidify the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as a global healthcare destination.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eProton therapy is a highly advanced form of radiation therapy that can provide cancer patients with fewer side effects and complications and an increased likelihood of superior outcomes in comparison to surgery, chemotherapy, and other conventional radiation therapy options. The first patient was treated at the Center on December 4.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta board unanimously supported the Center by agreeing to issue up to $400 million in tax-exempt 501(c)(3) bonds, with proceeds going toward final construction costs and refinancing the project\u0026rsquo;s debt.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The support we received from Invest Atlanta, Dr. Klementich, Alan Ferguson, and their executive and senior leadership was absolutely tremendous,\u0026rdquo; said Steve Hicks, President \u0026amp; CEO of Provident Resources Group.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Center is a part of North Avenue\u0026rsquo;s expanding medical technology district and will bring 128 permanent medical jobs and a projected $500 million economic impact to Midtown. It is the first facility of its kind in Georgia and one of 25 in the United States.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe closest facility offering similar treatment was in Jacksonville, FL. Now, the Emory Proton Therapy Center is a more accessible option for local patients looking to receive advanced treatments for brain, spine, breast, and other types of cancer.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;On behalf of the City of Atlanta and the Invest Atlanta team, we are excited to have been a part of the economic impact that this will have on our city,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;But most importantly, we are excited to be a part of saving lives. We look forward to celebrating life, and longer lives, in the City of Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":233,"title":"AssetMark Brings Operations Hub to Downtown Atlanta","promo_title":"AssetMark Brings Operations Hub to Downtown Atlanta","published_date":"2018-12-07","featured_image":{"id":771,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"downtown_skyline.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1214052,"resource_updated_at":"2018-12-07T09:08:05.824-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-12-07T09:08:06.068-05:00","updated_at":"2018-12-07T09:08:58.418-05:00","filename_hash":"downtown_skyline_eXJVpoj.png","width":1200,"height":537},"filename":"assetmark-brings-operations-hub-to-downtown-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"YldbDw","created_at":"2018-12-07T09:08:58.381-05:00","updated_at":"2018-12-07T09:08:58.381-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n AssetMark, Inc., an independent provider of investment and consulting solutions for financial advisors, announced that they had\u0026nbsp;signed a lease for a 4,300 square foot software development office at 101 Marietta Street NW in Atlanta, Georgia.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAssetMark, Inc., an independent provider of investment and consulting solutions for financial advisors, announced that they had\u0026nbsp;signed a lease for a 4,300 square foot software development office at 101 Marietta Street NW in Atlanta, Georgia.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We want to welcome AssetMark to its new home in downtown Atlanta as they target their solutions to the country\u0026rsquo;s more than 300,000 independent financial advisors,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Our city\u0026rsquo;s abundance of tech talent, strong business climate, educational institutions, and \u0026nbsp;financial services ecosystem continue to attract industry leaders like AssetMark. This announcement once again demonstrates Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s ability to bring top-tier financial technology companies to the heart of the city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocated in the center of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s business district, the new office is in an area designated by the federal Opportunity Zones Program, which is designed to stimulate economic development through tax incentives for organizations investing in the community. The opening of AssetMark\u0026rsquo;s new office location will also create 13 new high-wage jobs in Fulton County.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Our excitement about this new office is twofold,\u0026rdquo; said Charles Goldman, President and CEO of AssetMark. \u0026ldquo;This expansion is a strategic investment in future AssetMark technology initiatives, and we are proud to play a part in the creation of economic opportunity in an Opportunity Zone in Georgia.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta has one of the country\u0026rsquo;s fastest-growing economies, and is becoming a hub of IT talent due to the city\u0026rsquo;s combination of affordable housing opportunities, local universities, and a growing community of FinTech startups.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e101 Marietta Street features state-of-the-art amenities, including a fitness center and renovated meeting spaces. The building is close to two MARTA rail stations, providing optimal accessibility to Metro Atlanta, and is located within walking distance of Centennial Olympic Park, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Georgia Aquarium, and CNN Center.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":232,"title":"Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Invest Atlanta Announce New Resources to Assist Atlanta Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs","promo_title":"Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Invest Atlanta Announce New Resources to Assist Atlanta Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs","published_date":"2018-11-29","featured_image":{"id":770,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"southside_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1540253,"resource_updated_at":"2018-11-29T14:30:18.021-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-11-29T14:30:18.104-05:00","updated_at":"2019-01-30T09:54:20.409-05:00","filename_hash":"southside_insight_ZO3g2ve.png","width":1252,"height":700},"filename":"mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-and-invest-atlanta-announce-new-resources-to-assist-atlanta-small-businesses-and-entrepreneurs","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Vt_dkA","created_at":"2018-11-29T14:31:39.188-05:00","updated_at":"2018-11-30T07:37:37.077-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Invest Atlanta today announced the introduction of new resources to support Atlanta small businesses, including three programs focused on increasing business activity in Southside communities.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Invest Atlanta\u0026nbsp;announced the introduction of new resources to support Atlanta small businesses, including three programs focused on increasing business activity in Southside communities. The new resources offered through Invest Atlanta and partner organizations will provide support to entrepreneurs and increase small business activity throughout the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Small businesses and entrepreneurs are the unsung heroes of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;To continue growing this vital sector, we need to\u0026nbsp; untap \u0026nbsp;and foster the economic potential of more Atlanta communities. Through these new tools, we are making it easier for people to achieve the dream of being a successful entrepreneur and creating greater economic prosperity for more Atlantans.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eInvest Atlanta, with support from partnering organizations, will provide three new resources focused specifically on increasing entrepreneurship and businesses activity in Southside communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSouthside Community \u0026amp; Economic Development Manager\u003c/strong\u003e: A new Invest Atlanta staff position who will serve as a point person to drive economic activity and increase economic mobility of residents while preserving Southside communities.\u0026nbsp; The Southside Manager will leverage community development resources and economic development tools to support startups and small business growth, attract private sector investment, market the area to a mix of companies, and coordinate Invest Atlanta resources around targeted place-based activities occurring in the Southside. Invest Atlanta has named current staff person Erika Smith to the position.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eOne of the first priorities for the Southside Community \u0026amp; Economic Development Manager is to work with strategic partners to develop and deploy resources to small businesses along the Campbellton Road corridor and in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Mechanicsville, Peoplestown, and Pittsburgh neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCampbellton Road Small Business Renovation Program: \u003c/strong\u003eA grant program for businesses located on Campbellton Road created in partnership with Wells Fargo and Rebuilding Together Atlanta, a national not-for-profit. The program will provide up to a $12,000 for interior renovation and equipment updates to small businesses located directly on the corridor. Applications are available and due by December 3, 2018.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli align=\"left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmall Business Improvement Grant for Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh \u0026amp; Peoplestown\u003c/strong\u003e: A grant program through Annie E. Casey Foundation providing up to $10,000 to small business owners and tenants to make exterior and interior improvements to their buildings. The program is in development and will be launching soon.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eIn addition, Invest Atlanta recently launched \u003cstrong\u003eATLInBusiness,\u003c/strong\u003e a website to provide information on how to start and grow a business in the City of Atlanta. The site provides easy access to small business information, such as how to write a business plan, and resources available through the City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta, the Small Business Administration and other organizations. ATLInBusiness was developed by Invest Atlanta in partnership with the City of Atlanta, the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative and Welcoming Atlanta and is accessible at \u003ca href=\"http://www.atlinbusiness.com/\"\u003ewww.atlinbusiness.com\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":235,"title":"Bisnow Names Eloisa Klementich \u0026 Dawn Luke Among 2018 Atlanta Power Women","promo_title":"Bisnow Names Eloisa Klementich \u0026 Dawn Luke Among 2018 Atlanta Power Women","published_date":"2018-11-29","featured_image":{"id":777,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"dawn_bisnow_award.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1237973,"resource_updated_at":"2018-12-13T10:24:53.888-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-12-13T10:24:53.954-05:00","updated_at":"2018-12-20T12:50:35.609-05:00","filename_hash":"dawn_bisnow_award_r6vDmED.png","width":1000,"height":692},"filename":"bisnow-names-eloisa-dawn-among-2018-atlanta-power-women","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"DoZJcg","created_at":"2018-12-13T10:25:48.323-05:00","updated_at":"2018-12-20T12:50:35.574-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003cem\u003eBisnow\u003c/em\u003e named Dr. Eloisa Klementich, Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s President \u0026amp; CEO, as well as Dawn Luke, Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Chief Operating Officer, as two of their \u003ca href=\"https://www.bisnow.com/events/atlanta/atlanta-power-women-2291\"\u003e2018 Atlanta Power Women\u003c/a\u003e at a ceremony on November 29.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBisnow\u003c/em\u003e named Dr. Eloisa Klementich, Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s President \u0026amp; CEO, as well as Dawn Luke, Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Chief Operating Officer, as two of their\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.bisnow.com/events/atlanta/atlanta-power-women-2291\"\u003e2018 Atlanta Power Women\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;at a ceremony on November 29.\u0026nbsp;The honor recognizes our city\u0026#39;s top leaders in commercial real estate. Both Klementich \u0026amp; Luke answered a few quick questions about themselves for Bisnow:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do you describe your job to people who are not in the industry?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKLEMENTICH:\u0026nbsp;As the CEO of Invest Atlanta, the economic development arm for the city, I have the opportunity to oversee all the work we do to impact jobs, investment, and people\u0026rsquo;s quality of life in Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLUKE: My role as Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s COO is to make sure the internal infrastructure is in place to manage the programs we oversee effectively. That includes our infrastructure and our HR services. This allows us to deploy our program teams to focus their efforts serving our residents through our job creation, affordable housing, and community development tools and initiatives.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the biggest business problem you have faced and how did you solve it?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKLEMENTICH:\u0026nbsp;The biggest challenge I face is figuring out how to ensure our tools and programs meet the evolving needs of our businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOne recent example of this was providing gap financing for businesses, specifically startups, who are now shifting from traditional office environments to shared workspaces. We realized that because our small business loan programs were tied to leases, we were limiting ourselves in how we could help the growing percentage of entrepreneurs in these spaces. Once we figured that out, we tweaked our loan guidelines so that we no longer tie them to a lease, and instead just require they be located within the City of Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLUKE: One of our biggest problems is information sharing. We\u0026rsquo;ve implemented a CRM system to be able to better share information internally and externally and to manage our clients.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe other challenge that we have is figuring out a strategic way to communicate about our work. We do so many great things and we have so many tools in our toolkit, it\u0026rsquo;s sometimes challenging to market those effectively. We\u0026rsquo;ve done that by making sure we have a strategic marketing plan for all our different audiences, including residents, small businesses, developers, and homeowners.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is one thing you think companies can do to address wage and gender inequality?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKLEMENTICH:\u0026nbsp;Companies first have to look and evaluate themselves with a fair and open set of eyes. To do this, they can bring in an outside expert to do a salary survey to ensure you are paying people fairly and competitively.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLUKE: The first thing companies can do is to conduct a pay review to ensure their employees receive equal pay for equal work.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThey also should have policies and procedures in place that make it easier for both women and men to be workers and family caregivers. What often happens is that when a woman has a child or need to care for a sick family member, and they end up leaving the job market to go. These gaps in employment can hurt them down the road. Companies that offer paternity leave right away are sending a message that the husband can be part of that process too.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat piece of advice do you give others entering the industry?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKLEMENTICH:\u0026nbsp;You have to love and be passionate about what you do. Because there\u0026rsquo;s going to be a lot of challenges, a lot of hurdles, and if you don\u0026rsquo;t have that passion and drive, you\u0026rsquo;re going to walk away. In this industry, you have to stay persistent if you want to accomplish something. In the end, if you\u0026rsquo;re passionate about what you do, you\u0026rsquo;ll be willing to push forward until you\u0026rsquo;ve reached your goals.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLUKE: I tell them three things. First, they should have a passion for the work. Second, the need to commit fully to delivering value to their clients at all times. Third, they should never stop learning and working to improve.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat do you do to unwind when you\u0026rsquo;re not working?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKLEMENTICH:\u0026nbsp;To unwind, I run. I run about a 5K, on my own, four times a week. It\u0026rsquo;s funny because my kids will sometimes notice I\u0026rsquo;m stressed and say to me, \u0026ldquo;Mom, do you think you need to go on a run?\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLUKE: I spend time with my family and friends, especially my husband and daughter. I also take in football, both college and pro, any time I can. I love to watch the Falcons, and recently traveled to see my Falcons play the Saints in New Orleans.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":231,"title":"Bringing Home Best Practices, and a Top Award, From Smart Cities Expo and World Congress","promo_title":"Bringing Home Best Practices, and a Top Award, From Smart Cities Expo and World Congress","published_date":"2018-11-26","featured_image":{"id":748,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"smart_corridor_award_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":973628,"resource_updated_at":"2018-11-26T13:19:39.658-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-11-26T13:19:39.788-05:00","updated_at":"2018-11-26T13:22:45.889-05:00","filename_hash":"smart_corridor_award_insight_vl8ppZO.png","width":1256,"height":640},"filename":"bringing-home-best-practices-and-award-at-smart-cities-expo-and-world-congress","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"TwWFOw","created_at":"2018-11-26T13:21:49.170-05:00","updated_at":"2018-11-26T13:22:45.858-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Innovation + Entrepreneurship team attended the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.smartcityexpo.com/en/home\"\u003eSmart Cities Expo and World Congress\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;in Barcelona this November.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Innovation + Entrepreneurship team attended the \u003ca href=\"http://www.smartcityexpo.com/en/home\"\u003eSmart Cities Expo and World Congress\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;in Barcelona this November. While there, Noelle London was able to learn best practices from other cities on how best to implement smart cities solutions, shed light on 5 Atlanta-based startups to connect them with global opportunities, and develop partnerships and collaboration with regional partners also working on smart cities programs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe joined a Georgia delegation consisting of partners from the Metro Atlanta Chamber, City of Atlanta including the Chief Resilience Officer, Southern Company and Georgia Power, Georgia Economic Development, and others.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the Conference, \u003ca href=\"http://www.360ns.net/\"\u003e360NS\u003c/a\u003e, Atlanta-based mobility startup, received the highest \u003ca href=\"https://www.news.gatech.edu/2018/11/16/north-ave-smart-corridor-project-honored\"\u003eInternational Mobility Award\u003c/a\u003e for their work with the North Avenue Corridor testbed for innovative technology. Invest Atlanta continues to support the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/atlanta-cuts-the-ribbon-on-the-north-avenue-smart-corridor\"\u003eNorth Avenue Corridor\u003c/a\u003e through facilitating pilots with Mobility Insights and providing other smart tech opportunities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This corridor is becoming the most connected one in the state of Georgia, serving as a living lab for active, multi-modal traffic management through technology deployment and data analytics,\u0026quot; the award announcement stated. \u0026quot;Smart technology solutions applied here are improving roadway and public safety, mobility and the environment.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, Invest Atlanta\u0026nbsp;participated in a panel discussion at the USA Pavilion on our \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/iotatl-agtech-challenge-officially-launched\"\u003eAgTech Challenge\u003c/a\u003e project that is a part of Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Demonstration Project program. The IA team was joined on the panel by representatives from the City of Atlanta\u0026#39;s Chief Resilience Officer, Southern Company, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and the speaking engagement allowed IA to highlight Atlanta\u0026#39;s strength in implementation through the use of Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Demonstration Project.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":230,"title":"Invest Atlanta Hosts Federal Opportunity Zones Workshop","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Hosts Federal Opportunity Zones Workshop","published_date":"2018-11-20","featured_image":{"id":745,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"oz_workshop.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1087270,"resource_updated_at":"2018-11-20T09:43:55.606-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-11-20T09:43:55.734-05:00","updated_at":"2019-06-04T09:30:04.918-04:00","filename_hash":"oz_workshop_vl8LYJO.png","width":1200,"height":622},"filename":"invest-atlanta-hosts-federal-opportunity-zones-workshop","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Fmjcqw","created_at":"2018-11-20T09:44:18.888-05:00","updated_at":"2018-11-20T09:48:28.284-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n On Thursday, November 15, Invest Atlanta hosted a learning session about Federal Opportunity Zones. This new program is a new tool the City of Atlanta can use to drive investment where it is needed most.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOn Thursday, November 15, Invest Atlanta hosted a learning session about Federal Opportunity Zones. This new program is a new tool the City of Atlanta can use to drive investment where it is needed most.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThese new Federal Opportunity Zones represent the first new federal incentive for community development in 15 years, with\u0026nbsp;the potential to drive millions of dollars in private investment to support our businesses and economic growth. (Through the New Markets Tax Credit Program, the federal government\u0026rsquo;s last major community development effort, Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) has successfully guided over $200 million in investments to local neighborhoods.) The City of Atlanta has\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"/federal-opportunity-zones\"\u003e27 Qualified Opportunity Zones\u003c/a\u003e, and Invest Atlanta played a critical role in recommending Census Tracts to\u0026nbsp;Governor Nathan Deal for selection.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe workshop is an important first step in Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s efforts to connect eligible projects to Opportunity Zone investors. \u0026nbsp;Attendees were provided information to help them gain a greater understanding of what this new tax incentive offers and how to act. In attendance were several members of the Atlanta City Council, business owners, real estate developers, investors, and many other stakeholders. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe event featured two knowledgeable and engaging speakers. Brad Elphick is a Partner in the Atlanta office of Novogradac \u0026amp; Company, one of the nation\u0026rsquo;s leading accounting firms.\u0026nbsp;He specializes in developer consulting with an emphasis in community development financing programs. Ross Baird is President at Village Capital Group, a global leader in impact investing, who specializes in developing programs to provide venture capital for start-ups, technology businesses, and ventures that revitalize communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eElphic gave a detailed overview of how the new Federal Opportunity Zones incentive works, while Baird provided insight on what Opportunity Zones investors see as good strategies to utilize this new incentive to achieve good outcomes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more about our program, visit our Federal Opportunity Zones page \u003ca href=\"/federal-opportunity-zones\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":228,"title":"Invest Atlanta Board Approves Gulch Development ","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Board Approves Gulch Development ","published_date":"2018-11-09","featured_image":{"id":743,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"gulch_rendering.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2278338,"resource_updated_at":"2018-11-08T10:56:29.225-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-11-08T10:56:29.282-05:00","updated_at":"2018-11-09T09:43:40.973-05:00","filename_hash":"gulch_rendering_NngLK6v.png","width":1269,"height":735},"filename":"invest-atlanta-board-approves-gulch-development","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"o94TzA","created_at":"2018-11-08T10:58:01.101-05:00","updated_at":"2018-11-09T09:43:40.942-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved the Gulch development at a special called board meeting on Thursday, November 8.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt a special called board meeting on Thursday, November 8, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved the Gulch development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs a result of the Gulch development, Atlanta will receive:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e$28 million investment into a citywide affordable housing fund\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRequired minimum affordable housing residential units of 200 or 20%, whichever is greater\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e$2 million commitment for workforce training\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e$12 million investment into a citywide economic development fund\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCommitment to unprecedented levels of minority and female- owned businesses with a goal of at least 38% utilization and an offer of 10% equity\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e$12 million commitment towards the construction of a new seven-bay fire station.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAdditional terms of the deal include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCIM assuming all financial risk, including all design and construction expenses and serving as the sole purchaser of the new TAD bonds\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCIM paying taxes in full, only receiving the benefit of TAD supplemental payments as reimbursements once compliance on obligations and expenses has been independently verified. For qualified expenses, Invest Atlanta will make reimbursement payments to CIM for up to 12.5% of total project costs or through 2038, whichever occurs first\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eReducing TAD bond proceeds available to CIM from $500 million to $32 million, with up to $8 million in bond proceeds available to Empowerment Zone Communities.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n South Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":229,"title":"Invest Atlanta and Partners Cut the Ribbon on Innovative Springview-Summerhill Affordable Housing Community","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta and Partners Cut the Ribbon on Innovative Springview-Summerhill Affordable Housing Community","published_date":"2018-11-08","featured_image":{"id":744,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"springview_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":840670,"resource_updated_at":"2018-11-09T09:42:09.197-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-11-09T09:42:09.260-05:00","updated_at":"2018-11-09T09:43:28.019-05:00","filename_hash":"springview_insight_bzVVV5z.png","width":1000,"height":488},"filename":"invest-atlanta-and-partners-cut-the-ribbon-on-innovative-springview-summerhill-affordable-housing-community","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lHicNQ","created_at":"2018-11-09T09:43:27.976-05:00","updated_at":"2018-11-09T09:43:27.976-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Springview, an affordable housing community located off the Cleveland Avenue corridor, is undergoing extensive improvements, including the implementation of education and community programs.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLed by Invest Atlanta President and CEO Eloisa Klementich, housing and education leaders cut the ribbon at Springview Apartments Wed., Nov. 7. The paper-chain \u0026ldquo;ribbon\u0026rdquo; was made by students at nearby Cleveland Avenue ElementarySchool. Springview, an affordable housing community located off the Cleveland Avenue corridor, is undergoing extensive improvements, including the implementation of education and community programs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Springview-Summerdale community represents a unique collaboration between the public, private and philanthropic sectors,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;This holistic approach will provide residents with high-quality housing, as well as critically important wrap-around services including after-school, summer camp and wellness programs. We are proud to be part of this partnership that will lift up the individuals and families who reside here, as well as help build stronger communities that provide greater opportunities for all Atlantans.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSpringview (and the neighboring Summerdale Apartments) were purchased this summer by TriStar, through its TriStar Community Impact Fund, with the support of Invest Atlanta and Atlanta Housing. The property received $1.5 million in funding from Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Housing Opportunity Bond program to renovate blighted units. The Atlanta Housing component is its HomeFlex Program, which is a project-based voucher program designed to provide affordable housing assistance to those living close to the poverty line. Its partnership will ensure long-term affordability at Summerdale and Springview.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Springview/Summerdale Apartments endeavor is part of Mayor Bottoms\u0026rsquo; larger goal of investing $1 billion from public and private sources to support affordable housing in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 244-unit adjacent properties are situated off Cleveland Avenue in the City of Atlanta. The TriStar Community Impact Fund\u0026rsquo;s mission is to improve educational performance by reducing student transiency. It purchases apartments near high-need schools, stabilizing affordable housing communities by its mandate to keep rents affordable. The partner school in this effort is nearby Cleveland Avenue Elementary.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Cleveland Avenue Elementary School provides a supportive learning environment which fosters intellectual, social-emotional, and creative growth in order to prepare every student for college and career,\u0026rdquo; says Dr. Anye\u0026eacute; D. Payne, the school\u0026rsquo;s principal. \u0026ldquo;After-school and other services provided by non-profits like Star-C can help our students have an even greater chance for success.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSpringview/Summerdale owner TriStar partners with Star-C, a non-profit education model with an affordable housing solution. Star-C programs assist economically disadvantaged families living in affordable housing communities by providing wraparound services ranging from after-school programs to healthcare. The apartment community\u0026rsquo;s owner contributes approximately 50 percent of the cost to operate Star-C programs; the remaining funds are sourced from foundations, donations and grants.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We know that wrap-around supports and family stability are critical factors that impact student learning and life outcomes,\u0026rdquo; says Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Maria Carstarphen. \u0026ldquo;Organizations such as Star-C can have a positive impact for students and the community, and I am appreciative of the efforts to support our APS families.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to Klementich, those on hand included Brandon Riddick-Seals, Interim CEO, Atlanta Housing; Tammie Workman, Assistant Superintendent, Student Services, Atlanta Public Schools; Duncan Gibbs and Marjy Stagmeier, Partners, TriStar Real Estate Investment; and a host of other community, housing and education leaders.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Sometimes overlooked is the important connection between education and housing, and the critical impact that housing has on the educational achievement of our children,\u0026rdquo; says Audrea Rease, Executive Director, Star-C. \u0026ldquo;With quality, affordable housing, student transiency can be reduced, and students can have improved educational outcomes. We\u0026rsquo;re ready to continue building partnerships to deploy this solution to more communities and schools across Metro Atlanta and beyond in order to promote this synergy.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":227,"title":"Switch Modern Thriving in West Midtown, With An Assist from Invest Atlanta","promo_title":"Switch Modern Thriving in West Midtown, With An Assist from Invest Atlanta","published_date":"2018-11-07","featured_image":{"id":741,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"switch_modern_1.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":744745,"resource_updated_at":"2018-11-07T12:46:34.677-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-11-07T12:46:34.716-05:00","updated_at":"2018-11-20T10:02:27.981-05:00","filename_hash":"switch_modern_1_lpJkZg1.png","width":1000,"height":464},"filename":"switch-modern-thriving-in-west-midtown-with-an-assist-from-invest-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"h-YiKA","created_at":"2018-11-07T12:47:48.749-05:00","updated_at":"2018-11-07T12:51:35.451-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Switch Modern turned to Invest Atlanta for a small business loan at a time when bank financing was more difficult to secure.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRoy Otwell and Doug Henderson, the co-owners of the modern home furnishings seller Switch Modern, launched their business when they had already established successful careers. (The \u0026ldquo;Switch\u0026rdquo; in their company name is a reference to their career changes.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We were already middle-aged,\u0026rdquo; said Otwell, \u0026ldquo;and decided to make a change for all things design.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eToday, the two work together to sell luxury home furniture, upholstery, lighting, and accessories. They have a showroom in West Midtown and do a good deal of business online at their site, \u003ca href=\"https://www.switchmodern.com/\"\u003eswitchmodern.com\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe business is thriving, in large part because Otwell and Henderson work so well together.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The beauty of the partnership is that there\u0026rsquo;s always somebody else who has an opinion that you can rely upon, who can fill in for you, has knowledge that is better than yours,\u0026rdquo; said Otwell.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThey originally opened the business in 2002 as a single-brand showroom featuring products form Italian company Polyform. They have since expanded out to feature more than 80 brands, with clients from across the country.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Doug likes to say we sell everything from the front door to the back door, except the front door and the back door,\u0026rdquo; said Otwell.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA big part of the value proposition they offer is the curation of products with timeless designs, some of which date back 120 years. In addition, they provide top-notch, personalized service to all their clients. This has created a good a strong reserve of customer loyalty over the years.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;What we try to do is make that process as easy and pain-free for customers as possible so they can have fun doing it,\u0026rdquo; Henderson said of the Switch modern sales experience. \u0026ldquo;And then let us take care of the difficult work behind the scenes the customer never needs to know about.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSwitch Modern turned to Invest Atlanta at a time when bank financing was more difficult to secure.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;That was coming out of the Recession, no banks lending anything,\u0026rdquo; said Otwell. \u0026ldquo;We needed to do what we could to piece together the right financial package and certainly Invest Atlanta was one of those. They had a nice little package for this side of town, specifically the zone that we were in, that made it possible for us to have access to some funds.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe company secured a loan that helped them move into their\u0026nbsp;expanded 25,000 square-foot showroom in West Midtown. The two had what they described as a \u0026ldquo;wonderful\u0026rdquo; experience working closely with IA\u0026rsquo;s Lonnie Saboor and Cynthia Freeman to secure the loan through one of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business loan programs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs they approach two decades of being in business, Otwell and Henderson have no regrets, though they do have some advice to offer those thinking of jumping into entrepreneurship.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s a wonderful, terrible thing,\u0026rdquo; said Otwell. \u0026ldquo;You work harder, you work longer, you never not work. But at the same time, you have the gratification of seeing some fruits of your labor. You get to see directly what works and while you\u0026rsquo;re responsible, you get to bathe in the glory and get the satisfaction.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":226,"title":"BlackRock's New Innovation Center to Create 1,000 Jobs in Atlanta","promo_title":"BlackRock's New Innovation Center to Create 1,000 Jobs in Atlanta","published_date":"2018-10-25","featured_image":{"id":739,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"blackrock_image.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":989808,"resource_updated_at":"2018-11-07T09:55:40.393-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-11-07T09:55:40.507-05:00","updated_at":"2021-01-04T14:20:36.050-05:00","filename_hash":"blackrock_image_PgnYLYN.png","width":1000,"height":498},"filename":"blackrock-bringing-1000-jobs-to-new-innovation-center-in-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Ik2gFA","created_at":"2018-11-07T09:56:37.096-05:00","updated_at":"2018-11-07T10:12:52.531-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n BlackRock, the world\u0026rsquo;s largest asset management firm and a technology solutions provider, has chosen Atlanta for the company\u0026rsquo;s newest Innovation Hub. BlackRock plans to build its presence in the City of Atlanta, partner with the Atlanta business community and local universities, and create 1,000 career opportunities over the next several years.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBlackRock, the world\u0026rsquo;s largest asset management firm and a technology solutions provider, has chosen Atlanta for the company\u0026rsquo;s newest Innovation Hub. BlackRock plans to build its presence in the City of Atlanta, partner with the Atlanta business community and local universities, and create 1,000 career opportunities over the next several years.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s culture of collaboration with public and private stakeholders bolsters our region\u0026rsquo;s economy, creates well-paying jobs and expands economic opportunity,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;The opening of BlackRock\u0026rsquo;s Atlanta Innovation Hub continues this legacy and we look forward to welcoming and working with them.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBy expanding in Atlanta, BlackRock will extend its technology capabilities and enjoy proximity to top universities, including Georgia Tech, where BlackRock currently sponsors the BlackRock Hallac Scholarship for socioeconomically disadvantaged students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and math.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;BlackRock\u0026rsquo;s decision to locate in Atlanta is a testament to the strength of our rapidly growing technology ecosystem,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Technology business expansions in 2018 alone are projected to create an economic impact of $500 million as these companies make thousands of new hires and millions of dollars of capital investment. BlackRock is at the forefront of investment tech and will join more than 20 corporate innovation centers here that make us a top-tier city for corporate innovation.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInnovative companies like BlackRock have been attracted to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s talent, affordability, accessibility, infrastructure,\u0026nbsp;and booming tech ecosystem. Atlanta has recently welcomed the expansion of Pandora, the new Georgia Pacific Innovation Center, Starbucks\u0026rsquo; east coast shared services facility, and the expansion of Salesforce. These four expansions will create over 1,400 jobs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Atlanta innovation hub is an example of BlackRock\u0026rsquo;s strategy to serve clients globally and locally and we are excited to build our presence in the area over the next several years,\u0026rdquo; said BlackRock Chief Operating Officer Rob Goldstein. \u0026ldquo;Atlanta was chosen for its skilled and diverse talent pool, thriving business community and high quality of life as we look to attract top talent and constantly innovate how we operate.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":224,"title":"Invest Atlanta Announces Atlanta’s First Transit-Oriented Development Fund","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Announces Atlanta’s First Transit-Oriented Development Fund","published_date":"2018-10-17","featured_image":{"id":730,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"king_memorial_tod_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":870278,"resource_updated_at":"2018-10-17T11:37:40.346-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-10-17T11:37:40.393-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-17T11:39:48.592-04:00","filename_hash":"king_memorial_tod_insight_npXLK1E.png","width":1000,"height":477},"filename":"invest-atlanta-announces-atlantas-first-transit-oriented-development-fund","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"JVAuWQ","created_at":"2018-10-17T11:39:48.562-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-17T11:39:48.562-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta recently announced the creation of a $15 million transit-oriented development (TOD) fund. This $15 million pilot fund will provide below-market, patient capital to support the acquisition and pre-development of workforce housing near MARTA stations, the Atlanta Streetcar, the Atlanta BeltLine and other modes of transit.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta recently announced the creation of a $15 million transit-oriented development (TOD) fund. This $15 million pilot fund will provide below-market, patient capital to support the acquisition and pre-development of workforce housing near MARTA stations, the Atlanta Streetcar, the Atlanta BeltLine and other modes of transit. The fund will include $4.5 million of City of Atlanta Housing Opportunity Bond financing with an additional $10.5 million from Enterprise Community Loan Fund and Low Income Investment Fund.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Every day, about 70 percent of our region commutes to a different county for work, which affects the productivity and economic output of our workforce,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Lowering a worker\u0026rsquo;s commute time by just one hour per week can effectively increase that worker\u0026rsquo;s wages by almost $1,000 annually. If we can achieve this with just 20 percent of our workforce through investments like the transition-oriented development fund, we can inject an extra $460 million into our local economy.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe $15 million in revolving funds will be used to provide low-interest loans to non-profit and for-profit affordable housing real estate developers. This financing structure will enable developers to access capital for TOD projects at a lower cost than traditional financing options. The projects supported through the pilot program will serve as case studies to attract additional sources of capital to the fund in the future. Enterprise Community Loan Fund and Low Income Investment Fund have implemented similar funding mechanisms in other areas, including the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle/Puget Sound and Denver.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe recent approval of the final More MARTA plan will make Atlanta a more transit-oriented city. By creating more affordable living options near transit with direct accessibility to major employment centers, the TOD Fund will provide greater economic opportunity for more residents across the city.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nSome recent transit-oriented developments supported by the City of Atlanta through Invest Atlanta include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKing Memorial MARTA TOD: \u003c/strong\u003eA 385-unit modular multifamily community at the King Memorial MARTA station with 93 units income-restricted to households earning 80 percent of the area median income (AMI). The project included a $6 million Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) grant through Invest Atlanta to Place Properties to support the $64.5 million development.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEdgewood-Candler Park MARTA TOD: \u003c/strong\u003eA mixed-use development near the Edgewood-Candler Park MARTA Station with retail and 224 apartments, 34 of which are designated as workforce housing. Financing for the project included a $42.9 million lease-purchase bond transaction approved by the Invest Atlanta board.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e161 Peachtree: \u003c/strong\u003eA 14-story, 345-unit residential tower at 161 Peachtree Center Avenue in Downtown Atlanta. Seventy units will be set aside for affordable workforce housing. The project included a $9 million Eastside TAD grant.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Avery at Underground: \u003c/strong\u003eA 4-story, 180-unit multifamily workforce housing development to be developed at Underground with access to MARTA\u0026rsquo;s Five Points station.\u0026nbsp; The project received a $3.6 million Eastside TAD grant.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":223,"title":"Salesforce Bringing 600 Jobs to Atlanta","promo_title":"Salesforce Bringing 600 Jobs to Atlanta","published_date":"2018-10-16","featured_image":{"id":726,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"salesforce_tower_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":843584,"resource_updated_at":"2018-10-16T11:03:57.957-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-10-16T11:03:58.062-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-16T11:05:29.523-04:00","filename_hash":"salesforce_tower_insight_wjNDKE8.png","width":1183,"height":538},"filename":"salesforce-bringing-600-jobs-to-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"sgVc9A","created_at":"2018-10-16T11:05:10.044-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-16T11:05:29.492-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Salesforce, the global customer relationship management (CRM) leader, recently announced they will create 600 jobs and invest $12.25 million to significantly expand its presence in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSalesforce, the global customer relationship management (CRM) leader, recently announced they will create 600 jobs and invest $12.25 million to significantly expand its presence in Atlanta. The company will grow its footprint to seven floors in its existing building, The Atlanta Plaza, which will now be known as Salesforce Tower Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Salesforce joins other market-leading global brands that have recently announced plans to grow their operations in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;We are proud to be a top choice for companies looking for a talented workforce, quality-of-life, and a welcoming and inclusive business community. The Salesforce cloud will be an exciting addition to our ever-evolving skyline.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSalesforce , the global leader in CRM, announced Salesforce Tower Atlanta, significantly expanding the company\u0026rsquo;s regional headquarters in Atlanta. As part of the expansion, Salesforce plans to add 600 new jobs locally, over the next five years, helping fuel the city\u0026rsquo;s economic development. The company will grow its footprint in The Atlanta Plaza in Buckhead, which will now be known as Salesforce Tower Atlanta. Salesforce employees will start moving into the newly renovated floors beginning in 2019.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSalesforce Tower Atlanta joins the ranks of other Salesforce regional headquarters, including Salesforce Tower New York, Salesforce Tower Indianapolis, Salesforce Tower London, and the company\u0026rsquo;s worldwide headquarters, Salesforce Tower San Francisco.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Top global tech firms like Salesforce are choosing Atlanta to access our highly skilled workforce, advanced technology infrastructure and academic institutions,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;A majority of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s recent new business activity has been in technology and related industry sectors, which has created more than 2,300 new technology-focused jobs so far this year. We are proud to have Salesforce plant deeper roots in Atlanta and look forward to working closely with the company as they continue to grow here.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSalesforce has been named one of Fortune\u0026rsquo;s Best Places to Work for the past 10 years and was recently ranked one of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Best Places to Work by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Salesforce Tower Atlanta will be a hub for world-class, diverse talent, enabling the company to deliver new innovations to its more than 150,000 customers around the world. Salesforce has nearly 600 employees in the Atlanta area and more than 32,000 employees worldwide. Atlanta is home to many Salesforce customers including Coca-Cola, InterContinental Hotels Group, SunTrust and Kabbage.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Salesforce continues to reach new heights and we\u0026rsquo;re thrilled to further our commitment to the city of Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Elizabeth Pinkham, EVP, Real Estate, Salesforce. \u0026ldquo;Salesforce Tower Atlanta provides a one-of-a-kind workspace where all of our employees can do the best work of their lives while supporting the community by giving back.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Buckhead\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":225,"title":"Moving in the Spirit Celebrates \"Groundsoaring\" for New Space Next to MARTA","promo_title":"Moving in the Spirit Celebrate \"Groundsoaring\" for New Space Next to MARTA","published_date":"2018-10-12","featured_image":{"id":733,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"moving_spirit_groundbreaking_v2_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":884124,"resource_updated_at":"2018-10-23T10:33:15.180-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-10-23T10:33:15.402-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-23T10:33:35.402-04:00","filename_hash":"moving_spirit_groundbreaking_v2_insight_jpXy5ZW.png","width":1000,"height":447},"filename":"moving-in-the-spirit-celebrate-groundsoaring-for-new-space-next-to-marta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"hzSMLw","created_at":"2018-10-22T10:20:26.760-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-23T10:33:35.371-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Moving in the Spirit officially opened its new \u0026ldquo;Space to Soar\u0026rdquo; with a \u0026ldquo;Groundsoaring\u0026rdquo; on Thursday, October 11 that included a procession, a dance performance, inspiring\u0026nbsp;speeches, and reception for families and attendees.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMoving in the Spirit officially opened its new \u0026ldquo;Space to Soar\u0026rdquo; with a \u0026ldquo;Groundsoaring\u0026rdquo; on Thursday, October 11 that included a procession, a dance performance, inspiring speeches, and reception for families and attendees.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor over 30 years, Moving in the Spirit has used the discipline of dance to help Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s young people develop the critical social, emotional and cognitive skills they need to thrive.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA capital campaign raised $8.4 million to build a new home for the organization at the Edgewood/Candler Park MARTA Station. With easy access to transit, young people from across the city will be able to travel to this space easily.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Space to Soar will include a top-notch stage, classrooms, as well as other amenities, and will allow Moving in the Spirit will be able to double their capacity.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) provided an $8.5 million New Markets Tax Credit allocation for this project with our partners at PNC Bank. Other great youth-focused non-profit and educational institutions in the City of Atlanta have been supported through AEMI, including Families First, Sheltering Arms, the Boys \u0026amp; Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, and Cristo Rey Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Connecting young people from across the city to access constructive extra curriculum activities is crucial to their development. The new Moving In The Spirit complex will provide a new space for community performances and arts events, will create new full-time jobs and will make a $12.3 million economic contribution to our city,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;As a former ballerina myself, I have a simple message for the hundreds of Atlanta children who will have the chance to learn here: have fun and keep those feet dancing!\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn attendance at the event were dozens of children and their families, as well as Jamie Hardin, Moving in the Spirit Board Chair; Noel Khalil, Columbia Ventures Co-Founder and Partner; Jeffrey Parker, MARTA CEO; Dr. Eloisa Klementich, Invest Atlanta President \u0026amp; CEO; and Councilmembers Natalyn Archibong and Matt Westmoreland.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":220,"title":"IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge Officially Launched","promo_title":"IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge Officially Launched","published_date":"2018-10-04","featured_image":{"id":722,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"beltline_urban_farm_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":734194,"resource_updated_at":"2018-10-01T15:01:41.455-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-10-01T15:01:41.826-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-04T10:01:45.720-04:00","filename_hash":"beltline_urban_farm_insight_NnLm8l3.png","width":1000,"height":529},"filename":"iotatl-agtech-challenge-officially-launched","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Ix3iEQ","created_at":"2018-10-01T15:02:54.466-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-04T10:01:45.690-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta, in partnership with the City of Atlanta, The Metro Atlanta Chamber, the Atlanta Beltline and Georgia Power, launched its search for the most innovative AgTech solutions. Applications are now open for the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta, in partnership with the City of Atlanta, The Metro Atlanta Chamber, the Atlanta Beltline and Georgia Power,\u0026nbsp;launched its search for the most innovative AgTech solutions. Applications are now open for the \u003ca href=\"http://www.iot-atlanta.com/\"\u003eIoT.ATL AgTech Challenge\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo improve food resilience at home and abroad, the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge will select six solutions to tackle this issue via IoT. Startups are encouraged to collaborate to provide one complete and innovative AgTech solution. The selected startups will get access to a 20-foot shipping container along the Atlanta Beltline to pilot their AgTech over the course of 12-months as part of Atlanta\u0026#39;s Demonstration Project program.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Demonstration Project provides startups with opportunities for proof of concept, which can be helpful in a critical stage of a startup\u0026#39;s life cycle,\u0026quot; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026quot;Engaging the next generation of agricultural technology startups in the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge gives entrepreneurs the chance to test and validate their technologies over 12 months in a real-life urban setting. Our partnerships with entrepreneurs have the potential to not only improve our city\u0026#39;s health, environment, and economy, but also to change the world.\u0026quot;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFrom seed production to farming to food processing, agriculture technology (AgTech) is fast-becoming an answer to growing global food shortages. By 2050 the projected food demand will increase anywhere between 59 to 98 percent.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Metro Atlanta Chamber and City of Atlanta are developing partnerships with community-based organizations to ensure the fresh produce grown in the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge pilot is received by those needing it the most.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;As Atlanta goes through tremendous growth, we want equity and inclusion at the heart of everything we do,\u0026quot; said Cynthia Curry, Director of IoT for the Metro Atlanta Chamber. \u0026quot;The goal of the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge is to unearth new, viable food resilience solutions for our city and other cities as they scale.\u0026quot;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDuluth-based agricultural equipment manufacturer, AGCO will provide the shipping containers, and through their Fuse smart farming platform, AGCO will we collaborate and exchange ideas with AgTech startups.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;Now more than ever, it is critical that we develop an accessible, equitable, and resilient local food system for One Atlanta,\u0026quot; said Amol Naik, City of Atlanta Chief Resilience Officer. \u0026quot;We are excited that AgTech has been selected as the first challenge of the Living Labs program and look forward to seeing how innovation and technology will maximize the efficacy of urban agriculture - all while raising awareness of these critical issues on the Atlanta Beltline.\u0026quot;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to test space along the Atlanta Beltline, winning startups will receive mentorship and guidance from the Atlanta civic, corporate and technology community during the pilot.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eApplications are open for the IoT.ATL AgTech Challenge and will remain open until November 2. Interested candidates residing outside of Atlanta are encouraged to \u003ca href=\"https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZWZ95QZ\"\u003eapply here\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":221,"title":"Invest Atlanta Takes Home Two IEDC Excellence in Economic Development Awards","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Takes Home Two IEDC Excellence in Economic Development Awards","published_date":"2018-10-03","featured_image":{"id":723,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"iedc_awards_twitter.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":582007,"resource_updated_at":"2018-10-04T10:00:00.917-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-10-04T10:00:01.107-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-04T10:01:53.546-04:00","filename_hash":"iedc_awards_twitter_NnLz6nJ.png","width":1000,"height":500},"filename":"invest-atlanta-takes-home-two-iedc-excellence-in-economic-development-awards","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"XWUnNw","created_at":"2018-10-04T10:01:21.927-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-04T10:01:53.515-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta received a Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Award for its I-85 Alive Business Rapid Response project in the category of Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Single Event. In addition, Invest Atlanta received a Bronze Excellence in Economic Development\u0026nbsp;Award in\u0026nbsp;the category of Equity and Diversity for its work within the Westside Tax Allocation District.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta won two Excellence in Economic Development awards at the 2018 International Economic Development Council (IEDC) annual conference held this week in Atlanta. IEDC\u0026#39;s Excellence in Economic Development Awards program recognizes the world\u0026#39;s best economic development programs and partnerships, and honors organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban and rural communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta received a Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Award for its I-85 Alive Business Rapid Response project in the category of Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Single Event. In addition, Invest Atlanta received a Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Award\u0026nbsp;in the category of Equity and Diversity for its work within the Westside Tax Allocation District.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It is an honor to have the work and dedication of the City\u0026rsquo;s economic development team recognized by the world\u0026rsquo;s most prestigious economic development organization,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;What makes it even more special is that we are being recognized for helping small businesses through a man-made disaster, and our efforts around equity in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside neighborhoods. We hope other economic development agencies around the world can learn from these efforts and implement similar initiatives in their own communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;This year our judges reviewed some extraordinary projects that advanced both communities and businesses,\u0026rdquo; said Craig Richard, CEcD, FM, President and CEO, Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, and 2018 IEDC Board Chair. \u0026ldquo;We congratulate all the award winners, and thank everyone who nominated their projects for sharing their success with fellow IEDC members. What we learn from each other helps us to grow and advance as a profession. We look forward to even greater participation from economic developers across the globe in the 2019 awards program.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI-85 Alive Business Rapid Response \u0026ndash;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e2018 IEDC Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Award: Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Single Event\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta mobilized to support businesses affected by the March 2017, I-85 overpass fire in Atlanta. An I-85 Alive Small Business Resource Event gave business owners an opportunity to meet with local service providers and assess their options. At the event, Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s partners offered attendees technical assistance, information about business loans, consulting, and other resources. Featured partners came from more than a dozen business and community organizations, including the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Small Business Development Center, private banks, WorkSource Atlanta, and City officials. Additionally, in partnership with Lyft, transportation options and discounts were offered to make it easier for workers and patrons to access affected\u0026nbsp;businesses. For businesses located within a 1-mile radius of the closure, most merchants experienced immediate declines in economic activity when the road closed, followed by a rebound in sales after I-85 reopened.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWestside Tax Allocation District (TAD) \u0026ndash;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e2018 IEDC Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Award: Equity \u0026amp; Inclusion\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1992, the City of Atlanta, Fulton County, and the Atlanta School Board established the Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) to spur public and private investment in the neighborhoods west of Downtown Atlanta. Invest Atlanta redoubled these efforts in 2013 through a planning process that engaged more than 300 community stakeholders, focusing on the historic neighborhoods of Vine City, English Avenue, and portions of Castleberry Hill.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development agency, Invest Atlanta has focused on increasing equity and inclusion through positive redevelopment within the Westside TAD and administering the tax allocation district financing process. These investments have helped to nurture a more vibrant and connected community by enhancing Downtown tourism and building an entertainment core; creating and retaining jobs; building a vibrant office and retail core; supporting mixed-income housing; and improving transportation and pedestrian access.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":222,"title":"Atlanta International Startup Exchange Connects Businesses With New Global Opportunities","promo_title":"Atlanta International Startup Exchange Connects Businesses With New Global Opportunities","published_date":"2018-10-02","featured_image":{"id":724,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"startup_exchange_logo_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":625571,"resource_updated_at":"2018-10-11T09:11:03.576-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-10-11T09:11:03.704-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-11T09:12:42.486-04:00","filename_hash":"startup_exchange_logo_insight_RJL6eZw.png","width":1000,"height":412},"filename":"atlanta-international-startup-exchange-connects-businesses-with-new-global-opportunities","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"-D-Z9Q","created_at":"2018-10-11T09:12:31.027-04:00","updated_at":"2018-10-11T09:12:42.456-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs and Invest Atlanta, along with international partner Metropole Toulouse, recently selected the final eight companies for the 2018 Atlanta International Startup Exchange.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs and Invest Atlanta, along with international partner Metropole Toulouse, recently selected the final eight companies for the \u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/atlanta-international-startup-exchange\"\u003e2018 Atlanta International Startup Exchange\u003c/a\u003e. The one-week international residency will provide Atlanta-based companies a platform for global expansion in France. Four Toulouse-based companies will also travel to Atlanta as part of the program.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;The International Startup Exchange provides businesses in Atlanta with unique opportunities and resources to increase their global presence and achieve sustainable growth,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;It is important to build and maintain productive relationships with our growing international community as the City continues to attract new residents and investments from around the globe.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nRepresentatives from ThingTech, Loupe LLC, TC Poly, and Blind Tiger Communications traveled Toulouse on September 30, 2018 through October 7 during the EmTech Conference. During the week, the startups will meet with French entrepreneurs, European decision makers, investors, and executives in their respective sectors.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;In today\u0026rsquo;s global economy, it is vital for startups to gain early access to international markets,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;In fact, companies exporting beyond our borders grow 20 percent faster and are less likely to go out of business. Through the International Startup Exchange, the City of Atlanta is giving our startups the chance to tap into new customers and funding opportunities. Atlanta is a global city, and part of that means hosting international startups, so they can see all of our city\u0026rsquo;s assets as they look to grow and expand.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nFour Toulouse-based startups, Geotrend, VUF, Pixstart, and VYFE, will travel to Atlanta during VentureAtlanta from October 15-19, 2018. The visiting startups will connect with local startup ecosystems, gain access to international conferences and engage with investors, business leaders and potential clients. Atlanta and Toulouse partnered for the exchange based on the strength of their existing relationships and shared growing industries.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;Sister cities Toulouse and Atlanta are ideal partners in this startup exchange. Toulouse is the home of Airbus, and Atlanta has the world\u0026rsquo;s busiest airport. Atlanta is rich in Fortune 500 companies, and Toulouse has world-renowned research institutions. It is our pleasure to welcome the Toulouse startups each year and watch them expand their global reach using the connections they make while here,\u0026rdquo; said Louis de Corail, French Consul General in Atlanta.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe inaugural Atlanta International Startup Exchange program was launched in October 2016 during the 40th-anniversary celebration of the Atlanta-Toulouse sister city relationship. The program expanded to the United Kingdom when it returned for a second year in October 2017.\u0026nbsp; Last year, the Atlanta International Startup Exchange program was awarded the Sister Cities International 2017 Economic Development Award.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":219,"title":"Board Takes Action to Support Affordable Housing at 3 Key Atlanta Developments","promo_title":"Board Takes Action on Supporting Affordable Housing at 3 Key Atlanta Developments","published_date":"2018-09-20","featured_image":{"id":721,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"pakrside_qy_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1165049,"resource_updated_at":"2018-09-20T13:51:58.758-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":4,"created_at":"2018-09-20T13:51:58.822-04:00","updated_at":"2019-09-19T13:30:11.795-04:00","filename_hash":"pakrside_qy_insight_ZOXw1vW.png","width":1299,"height":585},"filename":"board-takes-action-on-supporting-affordable-housing-at-3-key-atlanta-developments","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"BYz_Kw","created_at":"2018-09-20T13:53:11.655-04:00","updated_at":"2018-09-20T14:05:22.383-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved several resolutions that will provide support for the development of new affordable housing in the City of Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors took several actions that will support the development of new affordable housing in the City of Atlanta.\u0026nbsp; At their monthly meeting on Thursday, September 20, the Board approved support for three key developments: City Lights IIA in the Old Fourth Ward, Parkside at Quarry Yards in Bankhead, and 161 Peachtree in Downtown Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCity Lights IIA:\u003c/strong\u003e The Invest Atlanta Board approved up to $52 million in lease purchase bond financing, as well as an inducement resolution to provide $20 million in tax-exempt bond financing, for this new five-story affordable housing development.\u0026nbsp; City Lights IIA will have 124 housing units available to families earning 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) or below. Residents will pay no more than 30% of their income on rent. The complex will be located in the Old Fourth Ward community and\u0026nbsp;conveniently located near several MARTA bus stops, restaurants,\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;the award-winning Historic Fourth Ward Park.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParkside at Quarry Yards:\u003c/strong\u003e This development along the Atlanta BeltLine in the Bankhead neighborhood will include 177 units of multifamily housing, of which 71 units (40%) will be set aside for households earning 60% AMI or below. The Board approved resolutions supporting a total of up to $22 million in tax-exempt bond financing and a $2 million loan through the BeltLine Affordable Housing Trust Fund.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e161 Peachtree: \u003c/strong\u003eThe Board approved up to $120 million in lease purchase bond financing to support the development of a 22-story, 345-unit Downtown residential tower. The tower will be built above an existing parking garage adjacent to Peachtree Center, and 70 units (20%) will be set aside for households earning 80% AMI or below. In addition to creating new affordable housing units, the development will bring a parking deck to its higher and better use and have an estimated total economic impact of $165 million.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":217,"title":"Gateway Capitol View Affordable Senior Living Complex Opens","promo_title":"Gateway Capitol View Affordable Senior Living Complex Opens","published_date":"2018-09-13","featured_image":{"id":715,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"gateway_capitol_view_insight.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":132235,"resource_updated_at":"2018-09-13T16:12:01.478-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-09-13T16:12:01.516-04:00","updated_at":"2018-09-14T10:23:40.573-04:00","filename_hash":"gateway_capitol_view_insight_oMXrBkB.jpg","width":1000,"height":628},"filename":"gateway-capitol-view-affordable-senior-living-complex-opens","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"rqTlIg","created_at":"2018-09-13T16:12:36.796-04:00","updated_at":"2018-09-14T10:23:40.531-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The new 162-unit development offers easy access to MARTA transit and the Atlanta BeltLine.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta, and The Prestwick Companies officially announced on Monday, September 10 the opening of the new Gateway Capitol View senior living development in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Capitol View neighborhood. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe complex is located near the Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail and the Oakland City MARTA station. All units are reserved for seniors over the age of 55 whose income is at or below 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). Project Based Rental Assistance from the Atlanta Housing Authority will ensure all residents pay no more than 30 percent of their income in monthly rent.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAt the opening, Chief of Staff Marva Lewis represented Mayor Bottoms and joined Atlanta City Councilmembers Joyce Sheperd and Matt Westmoreland; Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO at Invest Atlanta; Clyde Higgs, Interim CEO at Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.; and Jody Tucker and other company representatives from The Prestwick Companies, the developer on the project.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Prestwick Companies worked in partnership with Invest Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and Housing Atlanta to develop this this market-quality complex that features 137 one-bedroom and 25 two-bedroom units.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Today is a joyous occasion for all of who have been involved with this housing development near the Atlanta BeltLine,\u0026rdquo; said Jody Tucker, Chief Executive Officer of The Prestwick Companies. \u0026ldquo;The affordable housing need in Atlanta is greater than ever, and we couldn\u0026rsquo;t be prouder of this premier housing community for seniors. Congratulations to everyone who made Gateway Capitol View a reality for 162 senior families.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2016, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved $14.5 million in tax-exempt bond financing in support of this project. Other sources of financing included federal and state tax credits, a $3 million DCA HOME Loan, as well as private funding sources. Construction began on the development in early 2017.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m excited to celebrate this beautiful development,\u0026rdquo; said Councilmember Joyce Sheperd. \u0026ldquo;It is it is absolutely gorgeous and across the street from MARTA, which is the ideal location for those seniors without vehicles. The southside of Atlanta is becoming a place where seniors really want to be. I\u0026rsquo;m proud as a Councilmember to have this kind of affordability in my district, and I look forward to having more partnerships like this as we continue to build out affordability in Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Gateway Capitol View is a great example of how we\u0026rsquo;re building momentum around our comprehensive approach to preserving and creating high-quality affordable housing in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich. \u0026ldquo;It takes a lot of hard work behind the scenes to create and preserve affordable housing in Atlanta, but days like today make it all so rewarding. This development alone will create 162 new affordable units and have an estimated economic impact of $35 million.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGateway Capitol View is a four-story \u0026ldquo;U\u0026rdquo;-shaped building with amenities including a community room with a fully equipped kitchen, fitness center, business center with computer stations, furnished library, gazebo, picnic area, and central laundry facility.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe key amenity, however, is the access to transportation it provides to seniors. The need for additional transit options for Atlanta seniors has been identified by the Atlanta Regional Commission. The Gateway Capitol View project is located less than a mile from the Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail and the future Murphy Crossing development. It is also across the street from the Oakland City MARTA station, making it a prime example of transit-oriented development (TOD) in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGateway Capitol View is one of many developments the City of Atlanta is supporting as part of its comprehensive approach to creating and retaining affordable housing in the city. In 2018, the city has celebrated grand openings and groundbreaking events for \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/mayor-bottoms-leads-groundbreaking-for-adair-court-senior-affordable-housing-development\"\u003eAdair Court\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/the-remington-to-offer-quality-safe-affordable-housing-to-northwest-atlanta-seniors\"\u003eThe Remington\u003c/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/legacy-at-vine-city-breaks-ground-will-offer-105-affordable-senior-units\"\u003eLegacy at Vine City\u003c/a\u003e, projects that have created and preserved 356 affordable housing units for senior age residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":218,"title":"Small Business Spotlight: Sweet Auburn Seafood Approaching 4th Anniversary","promo_title":"Small Business Spotlight: Sweet Auburn Seafood Celebrates 4th Anniversary","published_date":"2018-09-12","featured_image":{"id":720,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"sweet_auburn_seafood.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":952316,"resource_updated_at":"2018-09-19T14:15:06.462-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-09-19T14:15:06.707-04:00","updated_at":"2018-09-19T14:21:31.385-04:00","filename_hash":"sweet_auburn_seafood_lpXVByv.jpg","width":5760,"height":2844},"filename":"small-business-spotlight-sweet-auburn-seafood-celebrates-4th-anniversary","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"dJ7q9g","created_at":"2018-09-19T14:15:38.817-04:00","updated_at":"2018-09-19T14:21:31.311-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Now approaching its fourth year in operation, Sweet Auburn Seafood is the largest restaurant along the Auburn Avenue corridor, providing an upscale, white tablecloth dining option for those living in or visiting Downtown Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSweet Auburn Seafood owner Paul WIlliams didn\u0026rsquo;t grow up in Atlanta, but as a child, he read\u0026nbsp;about Auburn Avenue. For decades, the \u0026ldquo;Sweet Auburn\u0026rdquo; area was known nationwide as a key commercial corridor where African-American entrepreneurs could thrive.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This was the commercial hub for black businesses in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Williams. \u0026ldquo;I really wanted\u0026nbsp;my name, my family name, to be part of the resurgence of this area.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe walls of the restaurant pay homage to this area\u0026#39;s unique history. Diners can see photos of people like Alonzo Herndon, the former slave who went on to found the Atlanta Life Insurance Company,\u0026nbsp;Herman J. Russell, who built a lasting legacy a leader in commercial real estate development in Atlanta, and of course, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose birth home sits a few blocks away.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;ve tried to provide some sense of what the area used to look like,\u0026rdquo; said Williams.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eToday, Sweet Auburn Seafood is the largest restaurant along the corridor, providing an upscale, white tablecloth dining option for those living in or visiting Downtown Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWilliams was a Wendy\u0026rsquo;s franchise for 20-plus years before he decided to create his own\u0026nbsp;independent restaurant brand. He chose to serve seafood, partly to differentiate\u0026nbsp;from the other restaurants in the area.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We said, \u0026lsquo;Well, let\u0026rsquo;s do something different, let\u0026rsquo;s give the area something different,\u0026rdquo; he said.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnd though he admits it\u0026rsquo;s been \u0026ldquo;challenging and intimidating\u0026rdquo; at times, his restaurant has now been in operation since 2014. Customers appreciate how the restaurant pays homage to the area\u0026rsquo;s history and provides delicious food with high-caliber service.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta provided Sweet Auburn Seafood with a small business loan a few years ago to help them purchase kitchen equipment.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWilliams\u0026rsquo; advice for entrepreneurs: make sure this is really what you want to do.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This is not the kind of business that you want to try and see if you like it,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s got to be in your blood because it\u0026rsquo;s going to test you over and over and over every day.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;You\u0026rsquo;ve got to be committed to it to be successful at it.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":214,"title":"Invest Atlanta Closes on Three Affordable Housing Developments Totaling 454 Units","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Closes on Three Affordable Housing Developments Totaling 454 Units","published_date":"2018-09-05","featured_image":{"id":710,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"springview_rendering.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1120279,"resource_updated_at":"2018-09-05T14:27:30.253-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-09-05T14:27:30.303-04:00","updated_at":"2018-09-06T10:56:37.260-04:00","filename_hash":"springview_rendering_lpkR4kv.png","width":980,"height":621},"filename":"invest-atlanta-closes-on-three-affordable-housing-developments-totaling-454-units","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"C0QxUQ","created_at":"2018-09-05T14:28:51.317-04:00","updated_at":"2018-09-06T10:56:37.228-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The month of August was a big one for affordable housing in the City of Atlanta. Within a 15-day span, the Invest Atlanta team closed three key transactions that will support the preservation of 454 affordable multifamily housing units.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe month of August was a big one for affordable housing in the City of Atlanta. Within a 15-day span, the Invest Atlanta team closed three key transactions that will support the preservation of 454 affordable multifamily housing units.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRead on to learn more about these critically important developments:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRolling Bends II\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is issuing $21 million in tax-exempt bonds to finance the acquisition and rehab of Rolling Bends II, a 190-unit multifamily project located at 2500 Center Street, NW in the Carey Park Neighborhood.\u0026nbsp; This project will provide affordable housing targeting families at or below 60% Area Media Income (AMI).\u0026nbsp; There is an existing Housing Assistance Payment Contract at the development, allowing residents to pay no more than 30% of their income towards housing costs.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe developer is Preservation Partners who specializes in acquiring and preserving affordable housing assets.\u0026nbsp; They provide residents with well-maintained apartment homes in a secure and supportive environment, and partner with affiliated nonprofit organizations to provide ongoing, age and need specific social service programs to enhance the lives of their residents.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpringview Apartments\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA total of $1.5 million in Housing Opportunity Bonds financing will support the acquisition and rehab of Springview Apartments, a 144-unit multifamily project located at 2786 Old Hapeville Road, NW in the Glenrose Heights Neighborhood.\u0026nbsp; This complex will provide affordable housing targeting families at or below 60% AMI.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe developer\u0026mdash;TriStar, LLC\u0026mdash;will partner with Star-C Communities to offer free wrap around community services including free after-school, summer camp, wellness and gardening programs. The property will operate under AHA\u0026rsquo;s Homeflex subsidy for 24 of the units, limiting the tenants\u0026rsquo; out of pocket expense to the greater of 30% of their adjusted family income.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCapitol View Apartments\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe preservation of 120 affordable units at Capitol View Apartments is being supported by Invest Atlanta through $1.5 million in Housing Opportunity Bonds financing. This multifamily complex is located at 1191 Metropolitan Parkway, NW in the Adair Park neighborhood and will provide affordable housing targeting families at or below 60% AMI.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe developer is New Columbia Residential, LLC.\u0026nbsp; The 7.91-acre site will have direct access to the Atlanta Beltline Westside Trail along the western edge of the property.\u0026nbsp; There are 20 2-story buildings built in 1951 in the Art Deco style, and the goal is to preserve and renovate these existing buildings.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":215,"title":"IA Board Passes Sweeping New Projects for Affordable Housing, Job Creation and Neighborhood Revitalization","promo_title":"IA Board Passes Sweeping New Projects for Atlanta","published_date":"2018-09-01","featured_image":{"id":711,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"healey_building.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":964130,"resource_updated_at":"2018-09-11T13:39:02.069-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-09-11T13:39:02.201-04:00","updated_at":"2018-09-11T13:40:54.576-04:00","filename_hash":"healey_building_eX2VvN6.png","width":1000,"height":598},"filename":"ia-board-passes-sweeping-new-projects-for-affordable-housing-job-creation-and-neighborhood-revitalization","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"WjP-Og","created_at":"2018-09-11T13:40:13.521-04:00","updated_at":"2018-09-11T13:40:54.544-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n At Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s August 2018 board meeting, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and members of the Invest Atlanta board approved 15 resolutions to provide more affordable housing, as well as create new jobs and bring additional investment to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s communities.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s August 2018 board meeting, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and members of the Invest Atlanta board approved 15 resolutions to provide more affordable housing, as well as create new jobs and bring additional investment to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s communities.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe actions taken by the board will result in 502 affordable housing units, 522 new full-time jobs, and $277 million worth of economic investment to our City.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The actions of the Invest Atlanta Board demonstrates our strong commitment to achieving the goals of our One Atlanta vision: affordable housing; equitable job growth; and protecting our legacy residents and the neighborhoods they helped to build,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMajor projects the board approved include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e272 Affordable Multi-Family Units at The Villages of East Lake:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThe Urban Residential Finance Authority (URFA) board approved the preservation and renovation of 272 affordable housing units at the Villages of East Lake. The passage of an inducement resolution will provide $43 million in tax-exempt bond financing and extend affordability at the development for 30 years. 272 of the development\u0026rsquo;s 542 units will be reserved for those earning 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) or below.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e196 Affordable Senior Housing Units at Peachtree Road Senior Tower:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThe URFA board approved an inducement resolution to support $16 million in tax-exempt bond financing for the acquisition and rehabilitation of Peachtree Senior Tower, an existing public housing tower serving seniors and young disabled individuals. The 196 units will be available to those earning an AMI of 60 percent or less, and RAD project-based vouchers will enable tenants to pay no more than 30 percent of their income on rent.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e34 Affordable Multi-Family Units at 143 Alabama:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eA $2 million Westside TAD grant approved by the Atlanta Development Authority (ADA) board will support the renovation of the historic Atlanta Constitution building at 143 Alabama Steet. The developer, Pope \u0026amp; Land, is renovating this historic building into office space and ground-floor retail. Working with Place Properties, the developer will also build 112 new residential units, 34 of which will be income-restricted to households earning 80 percent of AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChattahoochee Land Swap:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThe ADA board approved a fair market exchange of land with Chattahoochee Trails, LLC for the assemblage of the Chattahoochee River Greenway and a proposed mixed-income housing and retail development. The development team has agreed to a minimum of 20 percent workforce housing targeting residents earning between 60 to 120 percent of AMI. Housing will range from apartments for rent to townhomes for sale.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e500 Jobs at New Starbucks Office:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThe ADA board approved an Economic Opportunity Fund grant of up to $250,000 to support the creation of a satellite office for Starbucks Corporation in the City of Atlanta. This was a competitive project that Invest Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber, and Georgia Power worked on in partnership. The company will create an estimated 500 fulltime jobs, with a total expected investment of around $16 million and an economic impact of $190 million.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGeorgia Aquarium Expansion:\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;The ADA board approved a $7.5 million Westside TAD grant that will support The Georgia Aquarium as they seek to develop a 68,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility to house a one-of-a-kind predator exhibit, which will display aquatic life not presently available to visitors. The $108 million total capital investment will add a dynamic new architectural element to Downtown Atlanta, while adding 22 fulltime employees and 20 part-time employees. Currently, the Georgia Aquarium generates $5.5 million in sales tax, and the expansion will generate an additional $1.3 million.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUpdating the Fa\u0026ccedil;ade of Historic Healey Building:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThe ADA board approved a Westside TAD Downtown Fa\u0026ccedil;ade Improvement grant of up to $199,820 to support the renovation and improvement of the exterior of the historic mixed-use Healey Building in Downtown Atlanta. The Healey, completed in 1913, was the last major skyscraper built in Atlanta preceding World War I. The internal and external improvements will significantly enhance the appearance of the building to prospective tenants, keep rents competitive and attractive by subsidizing exterior improvements, and bring the commercial space to current market standards.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProperty Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) to Support Energy Efficiency and Green Jobs:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThe Downtown Development Authority (DDA) board approved the issuance of $500 million in bonds to support the PACE financing program to provide property owners with access to private capital to finance improvements that reduce energy and water consumption. The PACE program will ease access to private capital for green building projects, reduce energy bills and increases property values, create local green jobs, and sustain Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s role as a leader in sustainability.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s days like today that make me most proud to lead this great organization,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;By supporting 502 affordable housing units and creating 522 jobs and many other investments, we\u0026rsquo;re making an impact the lives of so many businesses and residents throughout the city. The actions taken today under the guidance of Mayor Bottoms are helping to create a more dynamic and equitable Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":216,"title":"Starbucks Bringing 500 Jobs to City of Atlanta","promo_title":"Starbucks Bringing 500 Jobs to City of Atlanta","published_date":"2018-08-31","featured_image":{"id":830,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"coffee.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":654934,"resource_updated_at":"2019-03-07T13:49:14.654-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-03-07T13:49:14.801-05:00","updated_at":"2019-03-07T13:49:35.220-05:00","filename_hash":"coffee_azP1qaW.png","width":1200,"height":630},"filename":"starbucks-bringing-500-jobs-to-city-of-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"jKTVjA","created_at":"2018-09-11T13:49:34.110-04:00","updated_at":"2019-03-07T13:49:35.180-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Starbucks Corp. announced they will continue to grow its presence in Georgia by creating up to 500 jobs in a new east coast satellite office in Atlanta.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStarbucks Corp. announced they will continue to grow its presence in Georgia by creating up to 500 jobs in a new east coast satellite office in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis was a competitive project that Invest Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber, and Georgia Power worked on in partnership. The company will create an estimated 500 fulltime jobs, with a total expected investment of around $16 million and an economic impact of $190 million.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am pleased Starbucks has chosen Atlanta for this satellite office and look forward to extending a warm welcome as they expand here,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;In Atlanta, Starbucks will be part of a diverse and inclusive business community with many benefits like sought-after talent, prestigious academic institutions and unrivaled quality of life in our many eclectic neighborhoods.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta board approved an Economic Opportunity Fund grant of up to $250,000 to support the creation of the satellite office. This office will operate as an extension of the Starbucks Support Center in Seattle and will provide the company access to a large pool of talent. Starbucks has more than 300 stores that operate in the state of Georgia, also home to the company\u0026rsquo;s Soluble Plant in Augusta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We couldn\u0026rsquo;t be more pleased that a globally-recognized brand like Starbucks has chosen metro Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Hala Moddelmog, president and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. \u0026ldquo;Welcoming such an innovative, household name to our region reminds us why metro Atlanta is now and next.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;From Augusta to Atlanta, we couldn\u0026rsquo;t be more proud that Starbucks continues to invest in Georgia,\u0026rdquo; said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. \u0026ldquo;When a company as renowned as Starbucks commits to our state, it echoes what we already know: we are the No. 1 state for business. This project was a true collaboration between the state, City of Atlanta, Metro Atlanta Chamber and Georgia Power. Thank you to all parties involved.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":212,"title":"Small Business Spotlight: Marley Media Productions Films Everything From Falcons to Beyoncé","promo_title":"Small Business Spotlight: Marley Media Productions Films Everything From Falcons to Beyoncé","published_date":"2018-08-30","featured_image":{"id":702,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"marley_media.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1029467,"resource_updated_at":"2018-08-22T10:33:27.402-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-08-22T10:33:27.465-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-29T11:19:50.626-04:00","filename_hash":"marley_media_jpQMpWY.png","width":1000,"height":531},"filename":"small-business-spotlight-marley-media-productions-films-everything-from-falcons-to-beyonce","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"5xEhhw","created_at":"2018-08-22T10:34:53.141-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-29T11:19:50.582-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"https://www.marleymediaproductions.com/\"\u003eMarley Media Productions\u003c/a\u003e,\u0026nbsp;based in the City of Atlanta, has been telling stories through film and video for nearly a quarter century. The company ​handles the majority of filming for commercials and other video production for the NFL at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.marleymediaproductions.com/\"\u003eMarley Media Productions\u003c/a\u003e has been telling stories through film and video for nearly a quarter century. They\u0026rsquo;ve done it using their unique docu-film style that puts the viewer in the middle of the action, whether it\u0026rsquo;s on the field at an Atlanta Falcons game or onstage with Beyonc\u0026eacute;.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBased in Atlanta, the company handles the entire creative process\u0026mdash;from pre-production to post-production\u0026mdash;including services like on-location camera work, editing, graphic design, and event integration.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We do it all,\u0026rdquo; said Mark Eschoe, who runs the this one-stop production shop with his partner Kiyomi Rollins. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re always busy doing content creation.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMarley Media Productions handles the majority of filming for commercials and other video production for the NFL at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons. They\u0026rsquo;ve also provided services for a wide variety of other well-known national brands, including Major League Soccer, the NCAA, and Energy Monster Truck events.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The majority of our clients are sports-related,\u0026rdquo; said Rollins. \u0026ldquo;That client is coming to us because they need help creating video content created for website, social media, or marketing activation.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThey also document concerts, and recently they had the opportunity to collaborate with Beyonc\u0026eacute; to film her concerts\u0026mdash;not once, but twice.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;ve done a bunch of things production-wise, but very few people can say they were on stage with\u0026nbsp;Beyonc\u0026eacute; and Jay Z,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRunning the company is a dream come true for Eschoe, who was born and raised in Jamaica and lived in Brooklyn for several years. He moved to Atlanta after graduating from film school.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Since I was a kid, I was always amazed by storytelling,\u0026rdquo; he said. Soon after he arrived in Atlanta, he drove down Northside Drive near the Georgia Dome and saw a video playing about the Atlanta Falcons.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I looked up at the Jumbotron that was there, and I remember looking up, \u0026lsquo;Wow, what a great feeling that must be, whoever is doing this,\u0026rsquo;\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;It was just kind of like a dream.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith Rollins, Eschoe has made that dream a reality, creating a media production company after their daughter Marley. (She was named after the legendary reggae singer-songwriter Bob Marley.) They settled on the name because they wanted to be meaningful and \u0026ldquo;something that just lasts forever.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMarley Media Productions separates itself by staying on the cutting-edge of new filming technologies, like drone services, and staying up-to-date on always evolving video format standards.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Because we do come from a very technical base, we\u0026rsquo;re looking at those things and that\u0026rsquo;s what allows us to be successful,\u0026rdquo; said Rollins. \u0026ldquo;You have to be aware of what the industry trends are and know your customer.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBetween them, Eschoe and Rollins have decades of entrepreneurial experience. They also currently own\u0026nbsp;and operate\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.thegoodhairshop.com/\"\u003eThe Good Hair Shop\u003c/a\u003e in Westview, where they sell plant-based natural hair products. With the help of a small business loan from Invest Atlanta, they\u0026#39;ve been able to sustain and grow her business.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond financial resources, Eschoe and Rollins have received additional assistance through Invest Atlanta Small Business Development Director Lonnie Saboor, someone that they\u0026rsquo;ve come to \u0026ldquo;adore.\u0026rdquo; He\u0026rsquo;s provided them with much-needed advice and helped them prepare for new market opportunities through supplier diversity programs. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Talking to Lonnie, it was the first time that I met someone in that position that I felt got it,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;He gives you a listening ear of empathy that I\u0026rsquo;ve just never had.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;What I didn\u0026rsquo;t realize initially that Invest Atlanta is kind of like a long-term support system. They\u0026rsquo;re really great at doing those follow-ups.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":213,"title":"Board Takes Key Step to Support Retention of Affordable Housing at Villages of East Lake ","promo_title":"Board Takes Key Step to Support Retention of Affordable Housing at Villages of East Lake ","published_date":"2018-08-29","featured_image":{"id":703,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"east_lake_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":526195,"resource_updated_at":"2018-08-28T15:02:07.995-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-08-28T15:02:08.059-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-29T15:05:11.261-04:00","filename_hash":"east_lake_insight_E69Zzrn.png","width":892,"height":417},"filename":"board-takes-key-step-to-support-retention-of-affordable-housing-at-villages-of-east-lake","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"H_eyRA","created_at":"2018-08-28T15:02:21.211-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-29T15:05:11.226-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors voted to support the preservation and renovation of 272 units of affordability at the Villages of East Lake at their monthly board meeting on Wednesday, August 29.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors voted\u0026nbsp;to support the preservation and renovation of 272 units of affordability at the Villages of East Lake at their monthly board meeting on Wednesday, August 29.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe board passed the inducement resolution to approve up to $43 million in tax-exempt bond financing that will help extend affordability at the development for 30 years. Of the\u0026nbsp;542 units at the property, 272 will be reserved for those earning 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) or below, with the rest of the units available at market rate. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I think that\u0026rsquo;s just fantastic,\u0026rdquo; IA board member and Treasurer Randy Hazelton said in support of the resolution. \u0026ldquo;The importance of income diversity for social mobility is huge. And to have this diversity in a neighborhood like that with an anchor school that\u0026rsquo;s really well regarded, I think that\u0026rsquo;s great.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBuilt in two phases in 1996 and 1998, The Villages of East Lake is a mixed-income community with\u0026nbsp;townhouses, duplexes, and garden apartments. The development was built to replace East Lake Meadows\u0026nbsp;with a community that promotes a \u0026ldquo;\u003ca href=\"http://eastlakeatl.com/east-lake/\"\u003eholistic vision\u003c/a\u003e that unites housing, education, and community wellness in a vibrant, inclusive neighborhood setting.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlong with the apartments, residents have access to Charles R. Drew Charter School, a highly regarded educational institution serving more than 1,200 students from pre-K through high school. Other community assets include the East Lake Family YMCA, the East Lake Early Learning Academy, and the Sheltering Arms Early Education and Life Center.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe original 15-year affordability compliance period expired in 2015, but once available, this financing will help extend affordability for decades to come, as well as support additional improvements to the property such as new and updated flooring, fixtures, HVAC systems, and common areas.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s really a transformational development,\u0026rdquo; said Alan Ferguson, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Senior Vice President of Community Development. \u0026ldquo;Living in this community, especially having access to this quality educational outlet, is very much in high demand.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re happy to be part of this preservation effort.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":211,"title":"Innovative Partnership Awards $200,000 to Four Atlanta Civic Entrepreneurs","promo_title":"Innovative Partnership Awards $200,000 to Four Atlanta Civic Entrepreneurs","published_date":"2018-08-15","featured_image":{"id":696,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"civic_impact_2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":731925,"resource_updated_at":"2018-08-15T09:05:58.900-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":4,"created_at":"2018-08-15T09:05:59.160-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-15T10:51:35.878-04:00","filename_hash":"civic_impact_2_zm4Pa9X.jpg","width":5409,"height":3606},"filename":"innovative-partnership-awards-200000-to-four-atlanta-civic-entrepreneurs","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"PEwetA","created_at":"2018-08-15T10:15:26.635-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-15T10:51:22.032-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Four Atlanta social ventures have been awarded a total of $200,000 by the Sara Blakely Foundation and Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) through the Civic Impact Loan Fund.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFour Atlanta social ventures have been awarded a total of $200,000 by the Sara Blakely Foundation and Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) through the Civic Impact Loan Fund, an effort created in partnership with the Center for Civic Innovation (CCI) to support early-stage civic entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses and expanding their community impact in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;With these investments, we\u0026rsquo;re supporting Atlanta entrepreneurs working on the front lines, each and every day, to make a positive impact on other peoples\u0026rsquo; lives and improve the overall equity, health, and inclusivity of our city,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta and a member of the AEMI board. \u0026ldquo;The innovative solutions and commitment these female entrepreneurs bring to their efforts will create new jobs and balanced economic growth in their communities. I am proud that the City of Atlanta continues to stand at the forefront of supporting early-stage social impact businesses and look forward to working with the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation and the Center for Civic Innovation to grow this program well into the future.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;For me, this is about investing in the person\u0026hellip;not just the business,\u0026rdquo; said Sara Blakely, founder and CEO of Spanx and the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation. \u0026ldquo;Not only do I believe we need to close the gap in women\u0026rsquo;s access to capital, I believe we need to give these women the holistic support that will enable them to soar. After providing them with a year of mentorship and training in partnership with CCI, we are celebrating their success and excited to invest in their businesses so they can grow and scale their impact.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEach organization contributed $100,000 to fund early-stage civic entrepreneurs. In July 2018, four applicants were selected to receive the $200,000 in total funding: ChopArt, Dashboard US, The Dharma Project, and re:imagine/ATL. All four of the women leading these organizations are recent graduates of CCI\u0026rsquo;s Civic Innovation Residency program, a one-year intensive leadership, business development and coaching program for civic entrepreneurs in the greater Atlanta-area that was sponsored by the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation. CCI also provided deal sourcing, underwriting, mentorship, and programmatic support.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation was founded in 2006 to empower women and girls through education, entrepreneurship, and the arts. The Civic Impact Loan Fund, created in December 2016 by Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. in partnership with the Center for Civic Innovation, is an innovative investment tool that provides flexible, zero-interest loans to entrepreneurs who have early-stage businesses that are making a difference in their local communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;These women represent the greatest assets of our economy\u0026mdash;our civic problem solvers,\u0026rdquo; said Rohit Malhotra, founder and executive director of the Center for Civic Innovation. \u0026ldquo;Each of their businesses exists to solve a specific systemic challenge, and their success will create ripple effects for generations. Civic Entrepreneurship is in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s DNA. We\u0026rsquo;re just shining a light on the people who are on the ground, doing the work.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2018 recipients are:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMalika Whitley | ChopArt\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eworks to extend dignity, community, and opportunity to youth experiencing homelessness through multidisciplinary arts immersion and mentorship. This investment will allow ChopArt to formalize its service offerings and increase their internal capacity, which will allow them to expand their client base to shelters across the region and country.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBeth Malone | Dashboard US\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;specializes in artist-led projects that use human-centered design to re-imagine the way we all experience our environments, improve livability, and preserve culture in our communities. Dashboard works in neighborhoods and communities with high amounts of distressed property and their projects bring these buildings and spaces to life.\u0026nbsp; The organization aims to create 100 new part-time jobs for community members and 10 permanent jobs every year over the next three years.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRutu Chaudhari | The Dharma Project\u003c/strong\u003e provides mindfulness and yoga classes to those working in professions that face high levels of trauma and stress, such as police officers, first responders, and teachers. The loan will allow them to increase revenue and expand services into more schools, police precincts, and communities in Atlanta.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSusanna Spiccia |\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ere\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eimagine\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;/ATL\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;works to empower the next generation of storytellers through film and digital media production by training students and connecting them directly to professionals in the industry. The business plans to use the funding to grow and scale their programs to reach more students and expand into new cities across the United States.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow in its second year of operation, the Civic Impact Loan Fund has provided funding to a diverse group of early-stage businesses in a diverse set of impact areas, including community development, the arts, wellness, and education. Last year, Civic Impact Loan Fund loans were awarded to 2016 Civic Innovation Fellows honorCode and Marddy\u0026rsquo;s and 2017 Food Innovation Fellow (in partnership with Food Well Alliance) Gilliam\u0026rsquo;s Community Garden. The success of the first class in creating strong community impact demonstrated proof of concept for the fund.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":210,"title":"FlatironCity: Atlanta's Innovation Future Happening at Historic Atlanta Landmark","promo_title":"FlatironCity: Atlanta's Innovation Future Happening at Historic Atlanta Landmark","published_date":"2018-08-06","featured_image":{"id":688,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"flatironcity_1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":107083,"resource_updated_at":"2018-08-06T13:49:40.025-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":5,"created_at":"2018-08-06T13:49:40.326-04:00","updated_at":"2020-04-07T12:39:12.376-04:00","filename_hash":"flatironcity_1_98O29Z4.jpg","width":1000,"height":667},"filename":"flatironcity-atlantas-future-within-a-historic-landmark","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"oViQ0A","created_at":"2018-08-06T13:51:20.345-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-09T11:04:07.762-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta team recently visited\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.flatironcity.com/\"\u003eFlatironCity\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;in Downtown Atlanta to learn more about the recent transformation of this Atlanta icon into a thriving innovation hub.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta team recently visited \u003ca href=\"https://www.flatironcity.com/\"\u003eFlatironCity\u003c/a\u003e in Downtown Atlanta to learn more about the recent transformation of this Atlanta icon into a thriving innovation hub.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSonia Sequeira, FlatironCity\u0026rsquo;s Community Manager, was kind enough to show us around, tell us more about the building\u0026rsquo;s history, and share their vision of supporting entrepreneurs in the heart of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;The developer envisioned transforming the building as a destination for start-ups, small business and enterprise companies creating an urban business community leveraging each other\u0026rsquo;s work culture, with Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s partnership,\u0026rdquo; said Sequeira. \u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;A big part of that is: how do you get more entrepreneurs Downtown? How can you bring more innovation here? And then, how does that result in more development in this whole area?\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe project received a\u0026nbsp; Westside TAD investment from Invest Atlanta, as well as a New Markets Tax Credit allocation through Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 120-year-old Flatiron Building opened in 1897\u0026mdash;five years before the one in New York\u0026mdash;and is the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s oldest standing skyscraper. The whole building was gutted, renovated, and reopened about two years ago as a \u0026ldquo;melting pot\u0026rdquo; for entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Part of the vision of the building is that companies will grow from the co-working floor to take a bigger space within it,\u0026rdquo; said Sequeira. \u0026ldquo;You have an entrepreneur who\u0026rsquo;s just starting out, and as they\u0026rsquo;re growing, they can grow within the building rather than continually changing their address.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.volantio.com/\"\u003eVolantio\u003c/a\u003e is a company that has grown quickly within the walls of FlatironCity. The company helps airlines better utilize their capacity, providing value for both their clients and airline passengers. They started with just three people working in a single office suite and have since grown to take up a floor of the building.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOther FlatironCity tenants include the creative digital agency \u003ca href=\"http://www.launchagency.com/\"\u003eLaunch\u003c/a\u003e, the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (\u003ca href=\"http://www.weiatlanta.com/\"\u003eWEI\u003c/a\u003e), Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (\u003ca href=\"https://aceloans.org/\"\u003eACE\u003c/a\u003e), an industrial design company, and a culinary tour operator.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe building\u0026rsquo;s design contains call-backs to its history, as well as flourishes such as a caf\u0026eacute; lined with work from local artists.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;One of our goals is to connect entrepreneurs in our space through their interests outside of work as well, so we\u0026rsquo;ve hosted live music, the Peachfest\u0026nbsp;food festival downtown, and coffee tastings\u0026rdquo; said Sequeira. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRight outside the building along the new Broad Street boardwalk plaza, a \u0026ldquo;smart city canvas,\u0026rdquo; in partnership with the Metro Atlanta Chamber, is being tested out. This testing ground gives IoT tech startups the opportunity to demonstrate their products in a real-world environment. For example, \u003ca href=\"https://www.flatironcity.com/single-post/2018/04/19/bedowntown-Introducing-Soofa-the-new-tech-on-Broad-Street\"\u003eSoofa\u003c/a\u003e has installed solar-powered benches where passersby can charge their wireless devices.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt\u0026rsquo;s no surprise that FlatironCity was awarded the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/flatironcity-named-uli-atlantas-2017-project-of-the-year\"\u003e2017 Project of the Year\u003c/a\u003e by The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Atlanta at the organization\u0026rsquo;s annual Awards of Excellence.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":209,"title":"The Willoughby Opens Doors to Atlanta Agencies Dragon Army and Dagger","promo_title":"The Willoughby Opens Doors to Atlanta Agencies Dragon Army and Dagger","published_date":"2018-08-03","featured_image":{"id":687,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"dragon_army.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":829884,"resource_updated_at":"2018-08-03T11:13:14.305-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-08-03T11:13:14.368-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-08T16:09:19.730-04:00","filename_hash":"dragon_army_lpkjrDP.png","width":1000,"height":517},"filename":"the-willoughby-opensdoors-dragon-army-and-dagger","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"CghV0Q","created_at":"2018-08-03T11:16:25.721-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-08T16:09:19.685-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Two thriving Atlanta agencies\u0026mdash;Dragon Army and Dagger\u0026mdash;have officially moved into their new office space at The Willoughby in Old Fourth Ward.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTwo thriving Atlanta agencies\u0026mdash;Dragon Army and Dagger\u0026mdash;have officially moved into their new office space at The Willoughby in Old Fourth Ward. Invest Atlanta was invited on a quick tour of the new building\u0026nbsp;with our economic development partners from the State of Georgia and the Metro Atlanta Chamber.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta assisted the companies with their launch strategy, helped them get more involved with Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s startup community, and pointed them towards the critical business resources in Atlanta that will be crucial as they manage important client relationships.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.dragonarmy.com/\"\u003eDragon Army\u003c/a\u003e focuses on web, mobile, and innovation, and its client roster includes\u0026nbsp;Coca-Cola, HoneyBaked Ham, Turner and United Way, to name a few. Many of the company\u0026#39;s nearly 50 employees are graduates of local colleges and universities. (And FYI, they\u0026#39;re currently\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://dragonarmy.com/jobs/\"\u003ehiring\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;as they plan to create 200+ jobs in Atlanta!)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re focused on innovation and emerging technologies, so mobile, AR, VR, AI, chat/voice and wearables are all key areas where we play,\u0026rdquo; said Director of Corporate Communications Jessica Carruth.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe company has moved multiple times in a short period, from the Atlanta Tech Village to a Midtown office to a floor they rented from Georgia State University. Now they plan to quickly grow into their new space in the\u0026nbsp;Willoughby building.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;For those folks who have been here since the start, which is about 5 years ago, we\u0026rsquo;ve never fully settled in a place that felt truly ours,\u0026rdquo; said Jenn Leahy, SVP of Business Development and Client Partnerships at Dragon Army. Leahy added that after an extensive search for the right new home, they\u0026#39;d finally \u0026ldquo;hit it all\u0026rdquo; with The Willoughby.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTheir agency neighbor at the new development, the content strategy agency \u003ca href=\"http://dagger.agency/\"\u003eDagger\u003c/a\u003e, concentrates on content creation, video production, and in-depth analytics research. They have 40+ employees and serve a diverse roster of clients that includes NCR, AFLAC, and Sweetwater Brewery. Both Dragon Army and Dagger have worked with IHG, and the American Cancer Society.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Willoughby is located within walking distance of the Atlanta BeltLine. The brand-new development offers \u003ca href=\"https://atlanta.curbed.com/atlanta-development/2018/7/19/17590706/beltline-first-office-building-the-willoughby-dagger\"\u003e60,000 square feet of space\u003c/a\u003e, a caf\u0026eacute;, and a communal rooftop that looks out over the Downtown and Midtown Atlanta skylines. Though the development is new, the designers made sure to use reclaimed materials throughout, including recycled lighting fixtures.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe second floor is currently vacant, with Dragon Army and Dagger planning to move into the available space once they expand. However, they\u0026rsquo;re currently putting it to good use by leasing the space to \u003ca href=\"https://48in48.org/atlanta/\"\u003e48in48\u003c/a\u003e, a nonprofit that builds 48 websites for 48 nonprofits during a 48-hour hackathon style event. Over the course of 48 hours, volunteers build fully functioning sites for nonprofits that bring to life the mission of each organization.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The best part is the big reveal when all the nonprofits come in, and we say, \u0026lsquo;Here\u0026rsquo;s your new website!\u0026rsquo;\u0026rdquo; said Carruth. \u0026ldquo;People go crazy. It\u0026rsquo;s very rewarding.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStay tuned for information about their upcoming launch event in late August!\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Old Fourth Ward\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":208,"title":"City of Atlanta Selected for City Accelerator Program","promo_title":"City of Atlanta Selected for City Accelerator Program","published_date":"2018-08-01","featured_image":{"id":684,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"pittsburgh_yards_video_rendering_4.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":806651,"resource_updated_at":"2018-08-01T15:22:49.244-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-08-01T15:22:49.287-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-01T15:24:56.868-04:00","filename_hash":"pittsburgh_yards_video_rendering_4_mp4DNP4.png","width":1000,"height":475},"filename":"city-of-atlanta-selected-for-city-accelerator-program","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ONcszg","created_at":"2018-08-01T09:37:54.679-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-01T15:24:25.629-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the City of Atlanta will join the City Accelerator program, an initiative of the Citi Foundation and Living Cities, to foster innovation and promote collaboration between urban leaders to address pressing issues cities face today.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the City of Atlanta will join the City Accelerator program, an initiative of the Citi Foundation and Living Cities, to foster innovation and promote collaboration between urban leaders to address pressing issues cities face today. Atlanta will join four other cities in this latest City Accelerator cohort \u0026ndash; El Paso, Long Beach, Newark and Rochester \u0026ndash; who will work together over the next year to pursue a range of projects that support the growth of local minority-owned businesses and the creation of additional jobs in each community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;Creating innovative ways to build opportunity and equity through job growth, business incubation and workforce training is a priority for our Administration and our city,\u0026quot; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026quot;Our vision for One Atlanta includes a city where neighborhoods, communities and businesses thrive. We look forward to working with the Citi Foundation and Living Cities through the City Accelerator to realize that goal.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe City Accelerator program includes a $100,000 grant to each cohort city to support local business and job growth. The City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s initiative will fund a program providing access to affordable real estate and technical assistance to economically underserved businesses in Southwest Atlanta. The initiative will be launched at Pittsburgh Yards\u0026trade;, a 30-acre, mixed-use site under development in Southwest Atlanta. Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development authority, will lead the project in partnership with One Atlanta: The Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Innovation and Performance and local community Partner, The Annie E. Casey Foundation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Annie E. Casey Foundation\u0026rsquo;s focus in redeveloping Pittsburgh Yards has always been on providing more equitable opportunities for residents in Southwest Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Kweku Forstall, Director of the Foundation\u0026rsquo;s Atlanta Civic Site. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re excited that this funding has been secured and hopeful that it will seed meaningful activity for entrepreneurs in Pittsburgh and surrounding communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Annie E. Casey Foundation serves as the primary developer of Pittsburgh Yards as well as an impact investor in social service, workforce development, and financial programs for the Pittsburgh community. Through this strategic partnership, they will provide additional visionary support to redevelop Pittsburgh Yards into a commercial, industrial, and retail site on the Atlanta Beltline. Additionally, several commercial spaces at Pittsburgh Yards will be reserved for purchase by small business owners who are selected to participate in the program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;To achieve and sustain equitable growth, we need to ensure that businesses across the city have access to the resources and assistance they need to compete in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s growing economy,\u0026rdquo; continued Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;The real estate development program at Pittsburgh Yards will be a catalytic project to spur economic activity in Southwest Atlanta communities by creating new opportunities for area business owners and emerging enterprises.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe program will help address four major challenges experienced by minority-owned businesses: limited access to capital based on traditional underwriting criteria, debt service payment capabilities, difficulty purchasing commercial space, and preparing for business growth. In addition to providing access to affordable commercial space at Pittsburgh Yards, the project team will offer technical assistance to help sole proprietorships increase business value by expanding hiring opportunities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll five cities selected for this Accelerator program are considered majority-minority communities based on socio-economic makeup, where more than 50 percent of a city\u0026rsquo;s population represents social, ethnic and/or racial minorities. This classification is primary for urban centers to address the barriers minority-owned businesses face, including access to capital, connections to industries, and navigating regulations.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;Cities can have a disproportionately positive impact on local entrepreneurial ecosystems and the creation of good jobs\u0026rdquo;, said Living Cities President and CEO Ben Hecht. \u0026ldquo;The cities in this latest initiative will be showing how they can harness all of their assets to support and grow businesses owned by the nation\u0026rsquo;s fastest-growing populations\u0026mdash;people of color\u0026mdash;and help to close racial gaps in wealth and income in their own backyards.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to a $100,000 grant, each city will receive a combination of coaching, technical assistance and implementation resources in the coming year. Technical assistance for the effort will be provided by Rodrick Miller, President and CEO of Ascendant Global, an economic development consulting firm. Miller has previously served as the President and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation and the New Orleans Business Alliance.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more about the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s project, visit the City Accelerator website \u003ca href=\"http://www.governing.com/cityaccelerator/videos/Atlanta-Making-Commercial-Real-Estate-Affordable-for-Minority-Owned-Businesses.html\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e, and follow #CityAccelerator on Twitter.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":207,"title":"First Group of Students2Startups Participants Praise the Program ","promo_title":"First Group of Students2Startups Participants Praise the Program ","published_date":"2018-07-09","featured_image":{"id":674,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"s2s_lunch_insight_v1.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":718856,"resource_updated_at":"2018-07-13T13:24:15.103-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-07-13T13:24:15.152-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-20T13:57:43.315-04:00","filename_hash":"s2s_lunch_insight_v1_kbExBP5.png","width":1000,"height":555},"filename":"first-group-of-students2startups-participants-praise-the-program","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"BkrWtw","created_at":"2018-07-13T13:23:09.854-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-20T13:57:43.279-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The first cohort of Students2Startups companies and interns spoke highly of their experiences so far.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;It has been amazing,\u0026rdquo; said Dannielle Boozer, the Director of Marketing at \u003ca href=\"https://www.rented.com/\"\u003eRented\u003c/a\u003e. \u0026ldquo;Working with Noelle and the team has been great.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe first cohort of \u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/students2startups\"\u003eStudents2Startups\u003c/a\u003e companies and interns spoke highly of their experiences so far.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It has been amazing,\u0026rdquo; said Dannielle Boozer, the Director of Marketing at \u003ca href=\"https://www.rented.com/\"\u003eRented\u003c/a\u003e. \u0026ldquo;Working with Noelle and the team has been great.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eParticipants gathered together on Wednesday, July 11 at the SalesLoft offices in Midtown to learn about Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s startup ecosystem from Aly Merritt, Chief of Staff at Sales Loft, Holly Beilin Editor-in-Chief at Hypepotamus, and Noelle London, Assistant Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe lunch and learn was part of the larger Students2Startups initiative, a joint effort by Invest Atlanta and Worksource Atlanta to develop a tech talent pipeline by subsidizing Atlanta-based students to complete entrepreneurial-focused internships with Atlanta startups. The program also to supports growing startups with funding for some of their immediate tech talent needs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJasmine Crowe is the CEO and Founder of \u003ca href=\"https://goodr.co/\"\u003eGoodr\u003c/a\u003e, a sustainable surplus food management company that uses technology to combat hunger and food waste. The company has diverted nearly 1 million pounds of food waste from our landfills to those suffering from hunger and food insecurity.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCrowe spoke highly of intern Zebedee \u0026ldquo;Zeb\u0026rdquo; McLaurin, who is currently studying at Morehouse College, and the great work he\u0026rsquo;s been doing this summer.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I think Zeb is really amazing,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;I enjoy having him because he\u0026rsquo;s assisting me in a multitude of areas, as we\u0026rsquo;re letting him explore what position would be right for him. That\u0026rsquo;s how you get the best out of people\u0026mdash;let them try things and do what they enjoy instead of giving them tasks that they may not like.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Anything that needs to be done, Jasmine and our COO, they give it to me and I\u0026rsquo;m like, \u0026lsquo;I got it,\u0026rsquo;\u0026rdquo; said McLaurin.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;Once I met Jasmine, I knew I had to somehow get involved in this somehow, some way. And then, Invest Atlanta and WorkSource Atlanta with Students2Startups, that was it. That was the door to where I was destined to be. So I just followed through.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDannielle Boozer\u0026rsquo;s company, Rented.com, is an Atlanta startup that connects vacation rental home owners with professional property managers, and offers the owners the convenience of a fixed, guaranteed monthly rental income.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough Students2Startups, Georgia State University student Kendall Glynn landed an internship as their marketing intern, enabling him to gain first-hand, paid work experience at a startup.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Working for a startup is a hustle, and you have so many things to do on a day-to-day basis, there\u0026rsquo;s really not a lot of time for anything extra,\u0026rdquo; said Boozer. \u0026ldquo;Having [Invest Atlanta] come in and vet some of the applications that were coming through from the interns and spread the word, and then connect us with the students they thought would be particularly good in the areas we needed help in\u0026mdash;that was great.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":205,"title":"JumpFund Partners With AEMI to Raise $5.2M to Invest in Women-Led Ventures","promo_title":"JumpFund Partners With AEMI to Raise $5.2M to Invest in Women-Led Ventures","published_date":"2018-07-08","featured_image":{"id":676,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"jumpfund_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":459519,"resource_updated_at":"2018-07-16T13:39:39.414-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-07-16T13:39:39.464-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-16T14:55:51.340-04:00","filename_hash":"jumpfund_insight_vlVQjeW.png","width":1024,"height":602},"filename":"jumpfund-partners-with-ia-to-raise-52m-to-invest-in-women-led-ventures","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"T9J5pw","created_at":"2018-07-12T09:08:32.306-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-16T14:55:51.310-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The JumpFund, based in Chattanooga TN, has raised a second, $5.2M fund to continue to build on its vision to make the Southeast the best place for a woman to invest in or grow her business.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe JumpFund, based in Chattanooga TN, has raised a second, $5.2M fund to continue to build on its vision to make the Southeast the best place for a woman to invest in or grow her business. First launched in 2013, the women-led JumpFund invested its first $2.5M fund in 18 companies with strong women leadership from Louisville, KY to Memphis, TN, to Atlanta, GA. JumpFund II was raised to continue to highlight the large gap in access to capital for women-led ventures, as well as to increase the number of women as \u0026ldquo;angel\u0026rdquo; investors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;For more women-owned businesses to take the leap, they need to have access to the same venture capital opportunities as their male counterparts,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, a member of the Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. Board of Directors. \u0026ldquo;Too often this hasn\u0026rsquo;t been the case, which is why we\u0026rsquo;re working to level the playing field for women entrepreneurs. By partnering with the JumpFund through the Atlanta Seed Equity Initiative, we can help narrow this gap and bring new investment to more women-led ventures in the City of Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJumpFund II has investment from individuals and institutions across the Southeast and as far away as Denver, Seattle and Boston who realize the ROI potential of investing in women-led companies. A recent report by the Boston Consulting Group highlighted a 19% increase in innovation revenue from companies with diverse leadership and a 2016 study by First Round Capital found a 63% higher success rate of their portfolio companies with at least one woman founder. Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development authority, is one of those institutions participating in JumpFund II and was specifically seeking funding partners to enhance the economic competitiveness of Atlanta businesses and stimulate the creation of jobs and wealth through investments in innovative early-stage businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe JumpFund launched its second fund in early 2017 and has already made investments in 9 women-led ventures, five of which are follow-on investments in current portfolio companies. JumpFund experienced early success with its investment in Partpic, an Atlanta-based company founded by CEO Jewel Burks, which sold to Amazon in 2016. JumpFund partners with other \u0026ldquo;gender lens\u0026rdquo; investors across the U.S., including Golden Seeds and Next Wave Impact Fund, which also encourages more women to invest in early stage, women-led ventures.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eManaging Partner Kristina Montague states, \u0026ldquo;we are investing in the change we want to see by engaging women\u0026rsquo;s capital to invest in women-led ventures with a vision to ultimately level the playing field for women building successful, high growth companies.\u0026rdquo; While JumpFund I had only women investors, JumpFund II has a \u0026ldquo;few good men\u0026rdquo; investing who also see the return potential and market gap for women entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJumpFund II will continue to work with accelerators, incubators, and funding partners throughout the Southeast to find early-stage ventures with strong women leadership. For more information on the JumpFund and its current portfolio, please visit www.thejumpfund.com.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":206,"title":"Executive Corner: Emrgy CEO Emily Morris","promo_title":"Executive Corner: Emrgy CEO Emily Morris","published_date":"2018-07-07","featured_image":{"id":672,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"emrgy_photo_still.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":409739,"resource_updated_at":"2018-07-12T15:58:16.671-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-07-12T15:58:16.701-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-12T16:40:27.429-04:00","filename_hash":"emrgy_photo_still_DNvKnWo.png","width":630,"height":360},"filename":"executive-corner-emrgy-ceo-emily-morris","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"LTq8jg","created_at":"2018-07-12T16:00:43.841-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-12T16:40:27.399-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/276631738","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"https://emrgy.com/\"\u003eEmrgy\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;CEO and Founder Emily Morris visited Executive Corner to talk about her clean energy tech startup, and how her company benefited from a close partnership with the City and Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://emrgy.com/\"\u003eEmrgy\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;CEO and Founder Emily Morris visited Executive Corner to talk about her clean energy tech startup, and how her company benefited from a close partnership with the City and Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEmrgy provides a sustainable way to tap into new energy resources within existing waterways and convert that energy into clean, reliable electric power. Their small, modular flexible water turbines\u0026nbsp;can be scaled at high quantities for growth in power generation that can serve those around it.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2015, Emrgy received a $30,000 investment through \u003ca href=\"http://www.atlantaemergingmarkets.org/\"\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc.\u003c/a\u003e, or AEMI. (AEMI is a U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Entity created by Invest Atlanta in 2006.) And in 2016, Invest Atlanta stewarded Emrgy into the Atlanta Demonstration Project, which allowed them to pilot and test their technology at the R.M. Clayton Water Treatment Plant, in partnership with the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Department of Watershed Management.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;For me, the opportunity to test out our product and demonstrate it, pilot here in a relevant environment for a potential customer was really priceless,\u0026rdquo; said Morris. \u0026ldquo;We have a very supportive city government. We believe Atlanta is the best place to start a business given these various support activities they city can and does actively do for startups.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe added: \u0026ldquo;We are proud to be an Atlanta startup and we wave the Atlanta flag wherever we go.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":203,"title":"Hagar Acquires Two Westside Properties for Rehab Into 17 Affordable Housing Units","promo_title":"Hagar Acquires Two Westside Properties for Rehab Into 17 Affordable Housing Units","published_date":"2018-07-06","featured_image":{"id":669,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"415-jpb-insight_v2.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1036030,"resource_updated_at":"2018-07-06T10:46:55.608-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-07-06T10:46:55.668-04:00","updated_at":"2021-03-24T15:21:29.606-04:00","filename_hash":"415-jpb-insight_v2_zmn7K9z.png","width":900,"height":687},"filename":"hagar-acquires-two-westside-properties-for-rehab-into-17-affordable-housing-units","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"6RAgjg","created_at":"2018-07-06T10:45:28.727-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-06T10:47:12.634-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n At their June monthly meeting, the Invest Atlanta board approved the sale of two vacant multifamily properties to Hagar CTM, who will renovate them into 17 units of quality, affordable rental housing for the Westside community.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt their June monthly meeting, the Invest Atlanta board approved the sale of two vacant multifamily properties to Hagar CTM, who will renovate them into 17 units of quality, affordable rental housing for the Westside community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe two properties\u0026mdash;located at 712 Fox Street and 415 James P. Brawley Drive\u0026mdash;were acquired by Invest Atlanta as part of the Westside land acquisition initiative.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn response to a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by Invest Atlanta, Hagar CTM proposed to purchase the improvements on both parcels and negotiate a long-term ground lease with Invest Atlanta to redevelop the two properties. The organization has an equity partner in KP Realty One, who will provide funding assistance for the acquisition and rehabilitation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This one rose to the surface as one that we were very excited about and felt like we could take action on it now,\u0026rdquo; said Jennifer Fine, the VP of Planning and Strategic Initiatives at Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re really encouraged by the proposed design and architectural detail they want to do on these properties. They\u0026rsquo;re really kind of changing the landscape of what these looked like. For all intents and purposes, they\u0026rsquo;re going to look completely different. Which I think is hugely important to help set a tone. And change the narrative that we\u0026rsquo;re not just talking about painting windows. This is real change.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe redevelopment of existing multi-family properties in English Avenue and Vine City is a primary focus of this effort as it provides a significant opportunity to positively impact the availability of quality, affordable rental housing in the community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHagar Civilization Training Missionary (CTM) is a 501(C)3 nonprofit volunteer organization that provides unsubsidized affordable rental housing to low-income senior, disabled, and veteran residents. Hagar CTM\u0026rsquo;s work has significantly improved the quality and mix of housing stock in their target neighborhoods, while also creating new employment opportunities. Hagar also partners with organizations like the Atlanta Community Food Bank to provide wrap-around services to residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has worked with Hagar CTM several times already. Most recently, the Invest Atlanta Board approved an $812,000 grant from the Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Community Improvement Fund and an $812,000 loan from the Vine City Housing Trust Fund to support the conversion of 7 vacant properties into 20 affordable housing units.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":201,"title":"Civic-Based Workspace Constellations a Great Asset for Sweet Auburn","promo_title":"Civic-Based Workspace Constellations a Great Asset for Sweet Auburn","published_date":"2018-06-19","featured_image":{"id":663,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"constellations_v1.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1139940,"resource_updated_at":"2018-06-19T13:45:08.633-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-06-19T13:45:08.696-04:00","updated_at":"2018-06-26T09:39:53.995-04:00","filename_hash":"constellations_v1_DNvkbjQ.png","width":1200,"height":686},"filename":"civic-based-workspace-constellations-a-great-asset-for-sweet-auburn","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"WVfxvA","created_at":"2018-06-19T13:45:19.336-04:00","updated_at":"2018-06-25T13:40:02.136-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"https://www.constellations.community/\"\u003eConstellations\u003c/a\u003e, a collaborative working space focused on community building in Sweet Auburn, is thriving thanks in part to funding the project received through\u0026nbsp;the Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD).\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.constellations.community/\"\u003eConstellations\u003c/a\u003e, a collaborative working space focused on community building in Sweet Auburn, is thriving\u0026nbsp;thanks in part to funding the project received through\u0026nbsp;the Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD).\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocated on Auburn Avenue in the Sweet Auburn Historic District near Downtown, the building was originally designed by the famous Atlanta architect Neel Reid as a school book repository.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGene Kansas renovated this historically significant building into a culturally-inspiring workspace that helps to celebrate the Sweet Auburn neighborhood\u0026rsquo;s long-time role as a center for African-American-owned businesses.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As our name suggests, Constellations is a place where stars come together and shine,\u0026rdquo; said Kansas.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSome of these \u0026ldquo;stars\u0026rdquo; include \u003ca href=\"https://mygivingpoint.org/\"\u003eGiving Point\u003c/a\u003e, a social enterprise focused on education through service, local artist \u003ca href=\"http://www.fahamupecouart.com/\"\u003eFahamu Pecou\u003c/a\u003e, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, and \u003ca href=\"https://savingplaces.org/places/atlanta-field-office#.Wyk_8adKiUk\"\u003eThe National Trust for Historic Preservation\u003c/a\u003e. All tenants agree to a minimum one a one-year lease to allow them to\u0026nbsp;establish deeper roots in the community.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta supported the project with a $200,000 Eastside TAD Resurgens Grant.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s contribution through the Resurgens Grant allowed us to provide 25% of our space for free to community-oriented non-profits and individuals,\u0026rdquo; said Kansas.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe workspace is approximately 9,500 square feet and features offices, studies, the North Star Library, dedicated desks, a board-quality conference room, the Milky Way Coffee Bar, communal areas, team rooms, and a podcast studio.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":200,"title":"The Remington to Offer Quality, Safe \u0026 Affordable Housing to Northwest Atlanta Seniors","promo_title":"The Remington to Offer Quality, Safe \u0026 Affordable Housing to Northwest Atlanta Seniors","published_date":"2018-06-15","featured_image":{"id":662,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"remington_insight_small.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1486539,"resource_updated_at":"2018-06-18T14:26:09.223-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-06-18T14:26:09.279-04:00","updated_at":"2018-06-26T09:40:21.173-04:00","filename_hash":"remington_insight_small_mpEPbwP.png","width":1000,"height":667},"filename":"the-remington-to-offer-quality-safe-affordable-housing-to-northwest-atlanta-seniors","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"9dIXYg","created_at":"2018-06-18T14:23:23.391-04:00","updated_at":"2018-06-25T13:43:46.934-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Remington officially opened its doors to senior residents at a celebration held at the development on Thursday, June 14.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Remington officially opened its doors to senior residents at a celebration held at the property on Thursday, June 14.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe high-quality, safe, and affordable senior housing development has already begun welcoming tenants\u0026nbsp;and will soon be at capacity. The Remington offers 160 units total, with 18 units set aside for those making 50% Area Median Income (AMI) and 142 units for those earning 60% AMI or less. No resident will pay more than 30% of their income on rent.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe residents all have energy-efficient appliances, including a washer\u0026nbsp;and dryer\u0026nbsp;in each unit, as well as access to a shared computer lab, community room, and fitness center.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;So much goes into creating a vision of something you can only see on paper,\u0026rdquo; Torian Priestly, Executive Vice President at The Benoit Group, said during the ceremony. \u0026ldquo;Projects like this take an enormous amount of effort, focus, and determination. Through that persistence, we were able to build The Remington to help with the neighborhood dream and to provide quality housing for our seniors.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOther speakers at the ceremony included: Eddy Benoit, Jr., President \u0026amp; CEO of The Benoit Group; Ola Reynolds, Chairperson of NPU-G; Alan Ferguson, Senior VP of Community Development at Invest Atlanta; Ricardo Anderson of the Atlanta Housing Authority; and Carolyn Whatley from Capital One.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta supported this project through $11 million in tax-exempt bond financing, as well as project-generated property tax increment financing through the Hollowell-MLK TAD.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m so thankful The Benoit Group took the time to see what was here and have the vision of what could be, and what ended up being, a great residential property serving the surrounding seniors in this area,\u0026rdquo; said Ferguson. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s an absolute joy and privilege to be part of developments like this. This completely fits the vision for what Invest Atlanta sees as quality affordable housing in the City of Atlanta. We appreciate the example that you\u0026rsquo;re setting, and we appreciate the bar that you\u0026rsquo;re setting for other developers.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCouncilmember Dustin Hillis was also in attendance. Council President Felicia Moore, who previously represented District 9, worked\u0026nbsp;this project since 2014.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Thank you all for what you have done,\u0026rdquo; said Ola Reynolds, Chairperson of NPU-G. \u0026ldquo;Isn\u0026rsquo;t it beautiful you all? That\u0026rsquo;s what we want.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;A project like this can be catalytic for other development in this area,\u0026rdquo; said Eddy Benoit, Jr., President \u0026amp; CEO of The Benoit Group. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta has been a great partner for us throughout this process.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Northwest\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":199,"title":"In the Spotlight: Bright Screen Studio Set to Open in West Midtown","promo_title":"In the Spotlight: Bright Screen Studio Set to Open in West Midtown","published_date":"2018-06-11","featured_image":{"id":658,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"brightscreen_insight_3.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1586688,"resource_updated_at":"2018-06-11T16:51:18.637-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-06-11T16:51:18.717-04:00","updated_at":"2018-06-25T13:45:08.009-04:00","filename_hash":"brightscreen_insight_3_BxleJj7.png","width":1200,"height":852},"filename":"in-the-spotlight-bright-screen-studio-set-to-open-in-west-midtown","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"qw0z8Q","created_at":"2018-06-11T16:53:00.231-04:00","updated_at":"2018-06-25T13:45:07.970-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Fulfilling her dreams of running a small film studio, Grishma Batra will soon open \u003ca href=\"https://www.brightscreenstudio.com/\"\u003eBright Screen Studio\u003c/a\u003e in West Midtown after receiving site selection assistance from Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFulfilling her dreams of running a small film studio, Grishma Batra will soon open \u003ca href=\"https://www.brightscreenstudio.com/\"\u003eBright Screen Studio\u003c/a\u003e in West Midtown\u0026nbsp;after receiving site selection assistance from Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith construction nearly complete, the studio will soon offer rental space for doing smaller-scale shoots. Their target customer will be production companies making music videos, commercials, PSAs, or video interviews, as well as photographers. The grand opening will take place on Thursday, June 28.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe found the space on North Avenue with the help of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Economic Development team. After weighing her budget options and deciding to rent rather than purchase, Batra began scouting locations with a focus on the West Midtown area.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I was just really struggling with finding a perfect location that would be in my budget,\u0026rdquo; she said. That\u0026rsquo;s when she reached out to IA\u0026rsquo;s Kent Spencer and Cesar Vence, whom she described as being \u0026ldquo;amazing\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;really helpful.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I told them my budget, and then beam heights because a short ceiling height would not have worked for me,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;They narrowed it down and sent me a list of buildings for lease.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe chose one of the locations on the list Invest Atlanta provided\u0026mdash;a building owned by equipment rental company Keslow Camera.\u0026nbsp; The two companies will work in partnership to provide those who shoot there with the cameras and studio space they need.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.brightscreenstudio.com/\"\u003eBright Screen Studio\u003c/a\u003e has much to offer customers. For one, they have a Cyclorama, or \u0026ldquo;Cyc,\u0026rdquo; a feature that\u0026rsquo;s important for productions that don\u0026rsquo;t want to build large sets, instead adding backgrounds and other visual elements as part of the post-production editing process. The Cyc is 90-feet wide, 18-feet high, and shaped like a \u0026ldquo;U.\u0026rdquo; The unique U-shape allows for panoramic shots to be taken from multiple angles.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Nobody in Atlanta has that actually,\u0026rdquo; said Batra. \u0026ldquo;There are a lot of Cycloramas, but they\u0026rsquo;re all L-shaped with one corner. What we have is a U shape, so you get two corners.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBright Screen also offers high-quality lighting options: Kino Flo Image 80s that can light the entire Cyc wall.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It helps when a smaller production company\u0026rsquo;s coming,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;They don\u0026rsquo;t have to worry about bringing their lighting equipment because they can use the pre-lighting options that I have already.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBatra wants to encourage other women who want to pursue their passion and launch an entrepreneurial venture in the City of Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026#39;s important that I kind of give back to the community, especially to women in the film industry or in production,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;I would say to them, do your research and obviously follow your passion, but also make connections with people that are really going to help you, not just in your business, but take you further in life.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Northwest\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":202,"title":"City of Atlanta Awarded $500,000 for Brownfield Cleanup Loan Fund","promo_title":"City of Atlanta Awarded $500,000 for Brownfield Cleanup Loan Fund","published_date":"2018-06-07","featured_image":{"id":664,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"soutside_beltline_insight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1064421,"resource_updated_at":"2018-06-25T10:44:35.052-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-06-25T10:44:35.108-04:00","updated_at":"2018-06-26T09:41:05.063-04:00","filename_hash":"soutside_beltline_insight_qNn5P9o.png","width":954,"height":533},"filename":"city-of-atlanta-awarded-500000-for-brownfield-cleanup-loan-fund","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"hb3Q3w","created_at":"2018-06-25T10:48:12.806-04:00","updated_at":"2018-06-25T13:46:03.815-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n In June, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $500,000 in supplemental funding to assist the City of Atlanta in cleaning up contaminated brownfield properties.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn June, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) \u003ca href=\"https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-157-million-supplemental-funds-cleanups-contaminated-brownfield-sites\"\u003eannounced\u003c/a\u003e $500,000 in supplemental funding to assist the City of Atlanta in cleaning up contaminated brownfield properties.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEPA will provide a total of $15.7 million in funding to 33 other existing Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grantees, helping Atlanta and other communities around the country carry out cleanup and redevelopment projects.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Brownfields Program started in 1996. Since then, the\u0026nbsp;City has managed several programs and initiatives aimed at identifying, assessing and remediating brownfield sites throughout the city.\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta oversees the Brownfield RLF program, and the board has recently approved loans for cleanup in the Southwest Atlanta BeltLine Trail corridor, as well as on properties located along Moores Mill Road NW and Cascade Avenue SW.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA brownfield is a real property whose expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Examples include former industrial sites, gas stations, dry cleaning establishments, and other industrial uses. Atlantic Station and the Atlanta BeltLine are two examples of successful brownfield cleanup and redevelopment projects in the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":197,"title":"More Than 500 Attend HOUSE RULES 2018 Tour of Homes Event","promo_title":"More Than 500 Attend HOUSE RULES 2018 Tour of Homes Event","published_date":"2018-06-05","featured_image":{"id":651,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"house_rules_tour.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":164021,"resource_updated_at":"2018-06-05T09:53:52.557-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-06-05T09:53:52.700-04:00","updated_at":"2018-06-25T13:48:50.232-04:00","filename_hash":"house_rules_tour_38zLwjl.jpg","width":1536,"height":1004},"filename":"more-than-500-attend-house-rules-2018-tour-of-homes-event","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"gHLr3A","created_at":"2018-06-05T09:56:11.050-04:00","updated_at":"2018-06-25T13:48:50.201-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n More than 500 people attended Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s HOUSE RULES 2018 Tour of Homes on Saturday, June 2 at Atlanta Technical College.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMore than 500 people attended Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s HOUSE RULES 2018 Tour of Homes on Saturday, June 2 at Atlanta Technical College.\u0026nbsp; Attendees gathered to tour available homes for sale in Capitol View, Sylvan Hills, and other southwest Atlanta neighborhoods near the Atlanta BeltLine.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor the past several years, the Invest Atlanta homeownership team has hosted an event in June to celebrate homeownership month, and to educate potential homebuyers about downpayment assistance and other incentives.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe focus of this year\u0026rsquo;s event was on home renovation. Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s ATL Home Renovation Advantage incentive gives eligible homebuyers up to $10,000 toward the down payment and closing costs that is fully forgiven after living in the home for 5 years. (Find additional\u0026nbsp;info \u003ca href=\"/homebuyers/homebuyer-programs-downpayment-assistance\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.)\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eContractor and master carpenter \u003ca href=\"https://people.hgtv.com/talent/chip-wade/chip-wade-bio\"\u003eChip Wade\u003c/a\u003e, the former host of HGTV\u0026rsquo;s \u0026quot;Curb Appeal: The Block,\u0026quot; led a do-it-yourself home renovation session for attendees.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHis company\u0026nbsp;Wade Works was one of many businesses and community partners who were there to share resources. Mortgage lenders, real estate agents, homebuyer education providers, and Invest Atlanta Homeownership Center specialists all provided information about how to achieve affordable, intown living with a home renovation loan.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAttendees were also able to drop in for an Invest Atlanta Homebuyer Q\u0026amp;A session. To RSVP for a future Q\u0026amp;A session, please visit our \u003ca href=\"/about-us/events\"\u003eevents page\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":198,"title":"Invest Atlanta Supports 270 Affordable Housing Units at Bethel Towers and Grove Park Gardens","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Supports Affordable Housing at Bethel and Grove Park Gardens","published_date":"2018-06-04","featured_image":{"id":653,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"big_bethel_v2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":181947,"resource_updated_at":"2018-06-06T13:45:14.160-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-06-06T13:45:14.198-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-13T15:45:46.607-04:00","filename_hash":"big_bethel_v2_gva738Q.jpg","width":800,"height":533},"filename":"invest-atlanta-supports-270-affordable-housing-units-at-big-bethel-and-grove-park-gardens","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"6JUewQ","created_at":"2018-06-06T13:47:29.852-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-13T15:45:46.575-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta is lending a valuable hand to two critically important affordable housing developments: Bethel Towers and Grove Park Gardens.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eUPDATE:\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta closed on the $16.5 million tax-exempt bond issuance to finance the Bethel Towers project on July 13, 2018.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is lending a valuable hand in two critically important affordable housing developments: Bethel Towers and Grove Park Gardens.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nLocated in the heart of Downtown Atlanta on Auburn Avenue, Bethel Towers has not been substantially renovated since its construction in 1969.\u0026nbsp; With the support of $16.5 million in tax-exempt bond financing from Invest Atlanta, The Benoit Group LLC is partnering with Big Bethel AME Church to preserve and upgrade 180 units set aside for those earning 60% AMI. All units will be covered by an existing Housing Assistance Payment agreement, ensuring residents pay no more than 30% of their income on rent.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;You\u0026rsquo;ve heard us describe these transactions as less like a sprint and more like a marathon,\u0026rdquo; said Alan Ferguson, Senior VP of Community Development at Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;[The Benoit Group] pays attention to all the complex details and nuances of working with HUD and DCA to make them happen.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nGrove Park Gardens will contain 110 units of newly constructed multifamily housing, 90 of which will be set aside as affordable at different income levels.\u0026nbsp; Invest Atlanta is supporting the project with $500,000 in Housing Opportunity Bond financing.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nBig Bethel Towers and Grove Park Gardens have many amenities, including clubhouses, fitness centers, and in-unit washers and dryers. The Invest Atlanta Board of Directors passed the resolutions approving support for these projects at their monthly meeting in May 2018.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":194,"title":"Board Approves $2.4 Million for Westside TAD Resident Retention Effort","promo_title":"Board Approves $2.4 Million for Westside TAD Resident Retention Effort","published_date":"2018-05-18","featured_image":{"id":639,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"westside_oor.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":151309,"resource_updated_at":"2018-05-15T12:59:00.112-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-05-15T12:59:00.152-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-17T16:01:04.701-04:00","filename_hash":"westside_oor_Pgx1zMp.jpg","width":900,"height":582},"filename":"board-approves-24-million-for-westside-tad-resident-retention-effort","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"P4FWqw","created_at":"2018-05-17T10:04:15.595-04:00","updated_at":"2018-05-22T11:08:56.954-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n At their monthly meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved a $2.4 million grant from the Westside TAD Community Improvement Fund to expand the Westside Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab (OOR) program.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt their monthly meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved a $2.4 million grant from the Westside TAD Community Improvement Fund to expand the Westside Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab (OOR) program. This initiative offers residents forgivable loans to make critical health and safety repairs on their homes.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe new funding comes as the pilot program in the Westside wraps up this summer after helping eight Westside homeowners fix things on their homes like a leaky roof, plumbing, electrical work, foundation repairs and other necessities. In March, Invest Atlanta opened Westside Heritage OOR program to mare residents and launched programs for residents in Choice Neighborhoods and citywide.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We feel like we\u0026rsquo;re in a good position to scale up,\u0026rdquo; said Jennifer Fine, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Vice President of Planning and Strategic Initiatives, when the item was initially approved by the TAD Committee a week earlier.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFulton County Commissioner Emma Darnell, a member of the TAD Committee, added at the time: \u0026ldquo;I think it\u0026rsquo;s one of the best projects I\u0026rsquo;ve seen Invest Atlanta do.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe $2.4 million in additional funding will allow more residents to receive a forgivable loan of up to $60,000 for home repair work in the Westside neighborhoods of Vine City, English Avenue, and portions of Castleberry Hill. Because there are relatively few existing low-to-moderate income homeowners within the Westside TAD neighborhoods, the program will impact almost 20% of homeowners in the area.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has received around 500 applications for the citywide, Choice Neighborhoods, and Westside Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab programs, which are all part of the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s larger community retention effort.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLinda Graham is one of five homeowners who received repairs as part of the pilot program. She has lived in Vine City for more than 25 years, and had considered moving before joining the Owner-Occupied Rehab program.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I have such a deep gratitude for Invest Atlanta and am so tickled with all the work that was done,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;To extend that arm of assistance is very impressive. It shows they really care about homeowners and our community.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":196,"title":"Hagar CTM Set to Transform Vacant Westside Properties Into Affordable Housing","promo_title":"Hagar CTM Set to Transform Vacant Westside Properties Into Affordable Housing","published_date":"2018-05-17","featured_image":{"id":650,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"westside_home.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1790880,"resource_updated_at":"2018-05-22T11:12:10.184-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-05-22T11:12:10.397-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-17T16:01:45.345-04:00","filename_hash":"westside_home_V12PXlL.jpg","width":5160,"height":3108},"filename":"hagar-ctm-set-to-transform-vacant-westside-properties-into-affordable-housing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"8EPgXQ","created_at":"2018-05-21T14:16:04.573-04:00","updated_at":"2018-05-29T09:34:34.839-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n With Invest Atlanta support, Hagar Civilization Training Missionary (CTM) will convert 7 vacant Vine City and English Avenue properties into 20 affordable housing units.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWith Invest Atlanta support, Hagar Civilization Training Missionary (CTM) will convert 7 vacant Vine City and English Avenue properties into 20 affordable housing units. At their monthly board meeting in May, the IA Board of Directors approved an $812,000 grant from the Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Community Improvement Fund and an $812,000 loan from the Vine City Housing Trust Fund to support the project.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The work that you all [at Hagar CTM] are doing is really admirable, serving that community,\u0026rdquo; said IA Board Treasurer Randy Hazelton. \u0026ldquo;Unfortunately, organizations like yours don\u0026rsquo;t get the publicity they deserve, but we recognize and appreciate it.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe plans for this project involve taking vacant single-family properties in various stages of disrepair and converting them into multifamily units and a single-family home. Kelly Brown, a recent graduate of Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/board-approves-pre-development-fund-for-westside-tad-community-builders\"\u003eCommunity Builders\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;program, is assisting with the project. Rents will be affordable for residents earning below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The Westside TAD Advisory Committee recommended approval of this project, and the Vine City Civic Association and English Avenue Neighborhood Association gave their positive recommendations.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHagar CTM is a 501(C)3 nonprofit volunteer organization that provides unsubsidized affordable rental housing to low-income senior, disabled, and veteran residents. Hagar CTM\u0026rsquo;s work has significantly improved the quality and mix of housing stock in their target neighborhoods, while also creating new employment opportunities. Hagar also partners with organizations like the Atlanta Community Food Bank to provide wrap-around services to residents.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Their primary business model is to serve the underserved populations, whether it\u0026#39;s low-income seniors, the disabled, or veterans,\u0026rdquo; said Jennifer Fine, VP of Planning \u0026amp; Strategic Initiatives at Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHagar recently completed\u0026mdash;with matching funds from Invest Atlanta\u0026mdash;a 10-unit senior citizen, veteran and accessible multi-family property that significantly improved the quality and mix of housing stock in the English Avenue community. (\u003ca href=\"investatlanta.com/impact-insights/hagar-celebrates-renovation-of-nine-affordable-units\"\u003eRead more here\u003c/a\u003e.)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":190,"title":"FinTech Leader InComm Creating 100 Jobs in Atlanta","promo_title":"FinTech Leader InComm Creating 100 Jobs in Atlanta","published_date":"2018-05-16","featured_image":{"id":627,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"incomm_ia.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":376223,"resource_updated_at":"2018-05-03T13:42:53.830-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-05-03T13:42:53.944-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-17T16:02:18.493-04:00","filename_hash":"incomm_ia_bzwWElE.jpg","width":3576,"height":2632},"filename":"fintech-leader-incomm-creating-100-jobs-in-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"7UD2pg","created_at":"2018-05-03T13:48:41.815-04:00","updated_at":"2018-05-21T14:18:03.189-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n InComm, a leading prepaid product and payment technology company based in Atlanta, will create more than 100 jobs and invest over $20 million in capital developments in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInComm, a leading prepaid product and payment technology company based in Atlanta, will create more than 100 jobs and invest over $20 million in capital developments in Atlanta. Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Business Retention and Expansion team worked with our city and state partners on this project.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am pleased that InComm has chosen to continue its growth in Atlanta, bringing more than 100 new, well-paying jobs and an additional capital investment to the downtown area,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;In the last year, several major companies have announced expansions in the city, including Accenture and the Boston Consulting Group. Their commitments are helping increase economic opportunity throughout Atlanta. I look forward to working alongside InComm\u0026rsquo;s executive leadership as they grow their business in our city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInComm provides connectivity to a variety of service providers that allow consumers to conduct everyday business at more than 500,000 points of retail distribution. The company enables consumers to activate prepaid products, pay bills online, purchase digital goods in stores or add funds to an online account.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis expansion follows the close of InComm\u0026rsquo;s deal to acquire distribution rights of American Express\u0026rsquo;s\u0026reg; prepaid reloadable and gift card products in the U.S., as well as the purchase of the Serve\u0026reg; technology platform. InComm has become the program manager and processor, and American Express will remain the issuer and network for all products involved in the transaction.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The addition of the American Express suite of products strengthens the already extensive portfolio of prepaid cards and technologies that we provide to retailers and consumers,\u0026rdquo; said Brooks Smith, CEO of InComm. \u0026ldquo;In addition to bringing new distribution partners into our network, we look forward to welcoming 400 employees to our workforce nationally, more than 150 of whom will work in several of our Georgia offices. Some are transitioning from American Express and others are being hired by InComm as a result of the new business. Their knowledge will be invaluable as we integrate these products into our portfolio over the coming months.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMetro Atlanta has become known as Transaction Alley because of the number of FinTech companies located in the region. In fact, 70% of all U.S. financial transactions pass through the state of Georgia.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":191,"title":"Partners In The Spotlight: Mtamanika Youngblood \u0026 Hamilton Howell House","promo_title":"Partners In The Spotlight: Mtamanika Youngblood \u0026 Hamilton Howell House","published_date":"2018-05-16","featured_image":{"id":633,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"hamilton_howell_house_v2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1983294,"resource_updated_at":"2018-05-15T09:53:52.054-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-05-15T09:53:52.299-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-17T16:03:16.922-04:00","filename_hash":"hamilton_howell_house_v2_38zkg9e.jpg","width":3944,"height":3016},"filename":"partners-in-the-spotlight-mtamanika-youngblood-hamilton-howell-house","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lpLxUA","created_at":"2018-05-10T16:05:25.986-04:00","updated_at":"2018-05-15T09:54:01.783-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n An Invest Atlanta Community Empowerment Fund Grant helped Mtamanika Youngblood preserve a historic Sweet Auburn property.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn 1984, Mtamanika Youngblood and her husband George Howell were looking to move from the suburbs to the city and happened upon a house on Howell Street \u0026ndash; not far from Martin Luther King Jr.\u0026rsquo;s birthplace and childhood home. Despite its disrepair and downtrodden neighborhood, they decided to make it their own.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMtamanika and George soon learned that 102 Howell Street was built in 1890 by Alexander Hamilton Jr., Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s leading African American contractor, as his family home. Hamilton, in fact, was one of the business leaders who laid the groundwork for Sweet Auburn\u0026rsquo;s evolution into the center of African American cultural and commercial excellence. Mtamanika managed the substantial renovation of the home and ensured its recognition as a historic property in keeping with the State of Georgia\u0026rsquo;s Historic Preservation Division and utilizing the Secretary of the Interior standards for revitalization.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We didn\u0026rsquo;t touch the outside of the house for seven years because it would\u0026rsquo;ve stuck out like a sore thumb,\u0026rdquo; Mtamanika says. \u0026ldquo;But when we opened the front door, people were amazed by the inside.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMtamanika and George had aspirations to revitalize the entire neighborhood - and did so one home at a time. They both joined the Board of the Historic District Development Corporation (HDDC) - which facilitates the preservation, revitalization, and non-displacement of residents in the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic District - and learned that persistence pays.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEven after George\u0026rsquo;s passing, Mtamanika has continued their work. To date, she and the HDDC have renovated or built 120 architecturally compatible homes, as well as commercial, retail, and multi-family buildings. Mtamanika is once again renovating 102 Howell Street - this time to convert it into a bed and breakfast. When finished, it will be the only privately owned renovated historic house in the MLK District and its only bed and breakfast. An Invest Atlanta Community Empowerment Fund Grant helped Mtamanika make the property handicap accessible, and she hopes it will serve as a community amenity for gatherings, meetings, and receptions. There\u0026rsquo;s something special about the neighborhood that shaped Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I want people to understand the importance of that legacy and tell the amazing stories of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s prominent African Americans, like Alexander Hamilton Jr., in the context of Sweet Auburn.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRead more of our \u0026ldquo;Partners In The Spotlight\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;in our \u003ca href=\"/about-us/statements-records\"\u003e2017 Annual Report\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":195,"title":"Dawn Luke Named VP of National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies","promo_title":"Dawn Luke Named VP of National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies","published_date":"2018-05-16","featured_image":{"id":648,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"dl-site.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2139307,"resource_updated_at":"2018-05-22T09:37:47.725-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-05-22T09:37:48.011-04:00","updated_at":"2018-07-17T16:03:54.272-04:00","filename_hash":"dl-site_LgnoL8r.png","width":5247,"height":2044},"filename":"dawn-luke-named-vp-of-national-housing-finance-org","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"MisODA","created_at":"2018-05-21T10:26:39.567-04:00","updated_at":"2018-05-22T09:37:54.897-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta Chief Operating Officer Dawn Luke has been named Vice President of the 2018-2019 National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA) Executive Committee.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta Chief Operating Officer Dawn Luke has been named Vice President of the 2018-2019 National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA) Executive Committee. NALHFA\u0026nbsp;officially named Luke to the position at their annual conference in New Orleans.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;Throughout the past year NALHFA has proven its effectiveness in representing the interests of the local housing finance industry and its members,\u0026quot; said newly-elected NALHFA President Richard Froehlich. \u0026quot;Following recent tax legislation and continued uncertainty over HUD funding it is essential that our voice is heard in Washington DC. NALHFA will continue to be a leader in the fight to preserve and enhance federal affordable housing resources.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNALHFA is a 34-year-old national association of professionals who help finance affordable housing at the local level in support of broader community development. The organization advocates before Congress and federal agencies on behalf of legislation and regulations that support affordable housing and provides technical assistance and education to NALHFA members and the public.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDawn Luke is Chief Operating Officer at Invest Atlanta and oversees Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s finance, information technology, human resources and investment services departments, and continue to support the organization\u0026rsquo;s community development programs. Prior to her current position, Dawn served as Senior Vice President of Community Development responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction in the successful execution of a shared vision of comprehensive community development, quality affordable housing, and economic growth in the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s ten Tax Allocation Districts.\u0026nbsp; Ms. Luke has also served as the Managing Director of Housing Finance for five years and was responsible for overseeing the successful implementation of $250M in pivotal affordable housing programs which served to provide viable housing solutions for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s workforce, seniors, disabled and individuals confronted with homelessness. During her tenure with Invest Atlanta, Ms. Luke also managed and operated the Issuer\u0026rsquo;s multifamily and single-family Housing Bond Portfolio of approximately $1.6 billion and more than 20,000 units of housing.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMs. Luke earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from Spelman College and a MBA in International Business from Georgia State University.\u0026nbsp; She currently serves as President Emeritus of the Board of Directors of Georgia Sustainable Committee Alliance, Chairwoman of the Southwest Atlanta Partnership Board of Directors, and the Atlanta Land Trust.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":189,"title":"Legacy at Vine City Breaks Ground, Will Offer 105 Affordable Senior Units","promo_title":"Legacy at Vine City Breaks Ground, Will Offer 105 Affordable Senior Units","published_date":"2018-05-05","featured_image":{"id":626,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"legacy_vine_city.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":2275240,"resource_updated_at":"2018-05-02T10:29:38.012-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-05-02T10:29:38.274-04:00","updated_at":"2018-05-15T12:52:24.577-04:00","filename_hash":"legacy_vine_city_Bx3YVqV.jpg","width":5407,"height":3605},"filename":"legacy-at-vine-city-breaks-ground-will-offer-105-affordable-senior-units","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"dunVag","created_at":"2018-05-02T10:30:37.907-04:00","updated_at":"2018-05-15T12:52:24.559-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta joined with our partners to celebrate the April 27 groundbreaking of The Legacy at Vine City, a $20 million,\u0026nbsp;105-unit\u0026nbsp;affordable housing development for seniors above the age of 62.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta joined with our partners to celebrate the April 27 groundbreaking of The Legacy at Vine City, a $20 million, 105-unit affordable housing development for seniors above the age of 62. All residents will pay no more than 30% of their income on rent thanks to assistance from the Atlanta Housing Authority.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;With this new project, people like my mother and my family, can now still have a place,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;As the 60th Mayor of this city and the product of the Vine City and English Avenue community, I say congratulations and the best is yet to come.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This project will allow us to have resident retention and it will address the affordable housing needs and concerns that we have in this community,\u0026rdquo; said Bishop Dexter Johnson of the Higher Ground Empowerment Center Church.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the ceremony, the audience also heard from city officials and community leaders, including: Councilman Ivory Young, City of Atlanta, District 3; Alan Ferguson of Invest Atlanta; Ms. Catherine Buell, President, Atlanta Housing Authority; Ms. Laurel Hart, Division Director, Georgia Department of Community Affairs; and property developer Mr. Philip Searles, President of the Beverly J. Searles Foundation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe state-of-the-art Legacy at Vine City community will offer 1- and 2-bedroom affordable apartments for senior living. The Higher Ground Empowerment Center Church (HGECC) is spearheading the development through its community development corporate The Oasis of Vine City, Inc. The Beverly J. Searles Foundation serve as co-developers and will help bring to life the 25-year-old vision of Bishop Johnson.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta supported The Legacy at Vine City through $10 million in tax-exempt bond financing, as well as a $1 million Vine City Trust Fund loan.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOther key financial supporters included the Atlanta Housing Authority, Cabretta Capital, Community Development Trust, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and PNC Real Estate.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":187,"title":"Adair Court to Bring 77 Affordable Senior Units to Atlanta BeltLine","promo_title":"Adair Court to Bring 77 Affordable Senior Units to Atlanta BeltLine","published_date":"2018-05-04","featured_image":{"id":624,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"adair_court_v2.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1274609,"resource_updated_at":"2018-04-30T15:57:22.287-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-04-30T15:57:22.407-04:00","updated_at":"2018-05-15T12:52:13.330-04:00","filename_hash":"adair_court_v2_eXW9mbW.png","width":1453,"height":649},"filename":"adair-court-to-bring-77-affordable-senior-units-to-atlanta-beltline","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"fCwBjQ","created_at":"2018-04-30T16:00:14.544-04:00","updated_at":"2018-05-15T12:52:13.312-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta and the Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) recently announced the development of a new 91-unit, senior housing facility located on the Westside Trail.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and the Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) recently announced the development of a new 91-unit, senior housing facility located on the Westside Trail. Through a $500,000 BeltLine Affordable Housing Trust Fund loan from Invest Atlanta to The Woda Group, Inc. and Parallel Housing, Inc., this investment will help fund affordable housing projects in the Adair Park Historic District.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocated along the Atlanta BeltLine corridor, 77 of the units\u0026nbsp;will be affordable, while the remainder will be rented at market rate.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Affordable housing is an essential component of the Atlanta BeltLine and communities like Adair Court help maintain the diverse and inclusive fabric of Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;Building an equitable Atlanta Beltline depends on developments like this to help increase access to quality, affordable housing. This announcement is another significant step forward in ensuring the residents of the Adair Park Historic District can share in our city\u0026rsquo;s success.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAdair Court is located at 806 Murphy Avenue. The $15 million development includes a picnic area, community garden, computer lab, workout facilities, on-site laundry and is only a few blocks from the West End MARTA station and ABI\u0026rsquo;s Westside Trail and Urban Farm. Just down the road, Carter Development recently announced its acquisition of the 40-acre Metropolitan property with plans for an $80 million adaptive reuse project to create office space and residential units. Projects such as this one and ABI\u0026rsquo;s Murphy Crossing development position the area along the Westside Trail as an imminent redevelopment node with the potential to generate jobs, housing, and economic activity along the transportation corridor.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Adair Park\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":188,"title":"Music Tech Giant Pandora Creating 250 Jobs in Atlanta","promo_title":"Music Tech Giant Pandora Creating 250 Jobs in Atlanta","published_date":"2018-04-29","featured_image":{"id":625,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"atlantic_station.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":730855,"resource_updated_at":"2018-04-30T16:16:04.057-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-04-30T16:16:04.095-04:00","updated_at":"2018-05-01T08:27:39.410-04:00","filename_hash":"atlantic_station_1OXYvzK.png","width":719,"height":499},"filename":"music-tech-giant-pandora-creating-250-jobs-in-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"bOeYPA","created_at":"2018-04-30T16:16:51.509-04:00","updated_at":"2018-05-01T08:27:39.379-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Pandora, the largest music streaming service in the U.S., will expand its presence and create 250 jobs in Atlanta over the next three years.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePandora, the largest music streaming service in the U.S., will expand its presence and create 250 jobs in Atlanta over the next three years.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Pandora\u0026rsquo;s investment in Atlanta is a testament to the value of our highly skilled workforce and business-friendly environment for attracting innovative companies,\u0026rdquo; said Deal. \u0026ldquo;With this expansion, Pandora will benefit from the strategic resources available to digital leaders operating in Georgia, as well as close proximity to our vibrant arts and entertainment communities. We appreciate Pandora\u0026rsquo;s ongoing commitment here in Georgia and look forward to strengthening our partnership as the company continues to grow and create meaningful employment opportunities for our citizens.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePandora plans to hire for positions in product and engineering, sales, client services, legal and human resources.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta has been home to a wide array of top artists who have both defined and defied genres,\u0026rdquo; said Pandora CEO Roger Lynch. \u0026ldquo;This rich music history, combined with Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s diverse talent, dynamic startup culture, and extensive higher education community, make it the right place to grow our team. We look forward to expanding our presence in Atlanta and becoming a bigger part of the local community.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Like Pandora, Atlanta sits at the nexus of music and technology,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;We are a premier destination for some of the world\u0026rsquo;s most talented musical artists and producers, as well as tech talent. I trust this combination will be beneficial to Pandora as it stays at the forefront of music technology and am pleased to welcome many new Pandora employees to Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGeorgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Project Manager Laura Pemberton represented the Global Commerce Division in partnership with the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the Development Authority of Fulton County and Georgia Power.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta places Pandora at the ideal intersection of culture, technology and a diverse workforce,\u0026rdquo; said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. \u0026ldquo;Georgia has been long known for its robust entertainment and technology sectors, and we look forward to welcoming a company that is invested in both the entertainment and technology world.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":186,"title":"Board Approves Pre-Development Fund for Westside TAD Community Builders","promo_title":"Board Approves Pre-Development Fund for Westside TAD Community Builders","published_date":"2018-04-19","featured_image":{"id":619,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"community_builders_event_2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1545156,"resource_updated_at":"2018-04-19T10:50:56.861-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-04-19T10:50:57.147-04:00","updated_at":"2018-04-19T10:52:02.125-04:00","filename_hash":"community_builders_event_2_xDNw3XR.jpg","width":5308,"height":3539},"filename":"board-approves-pre-development-fund-for-westside-tad-community-builders","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"z564Ug","created_at":"2018-04-19T10:52:02.099-04:00","updated_at":"2018-04-19T10:52:02.099-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n At the April 2018 monthly meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved the creation of a $150,000 Westside TAD Community Builders Pre-Development Fund.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt the April 2018 monthly meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved the creation of a $150,000 Westside TAD Community Builders Pre-Development Fund.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta launched the Community Builders program October 2017 to train Westside resident property owners and other community stakeholders in core property redevelopment skills. The six-month training concluded with final project presentations in March 2018.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Everyone I spoke to said the program was really valuable and taught them so much,\u0026rdquo; Dr. Klementich said of the Community Builders participants. \u0026ldquo;They feel encouraged about moving their projects forward.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs a next step to assisting participants, Invest Atlanta will now take on a more well-rounded support process by providing graduates with grants for eligible pre-development expenses.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe fund will award grants of up to $15,000 for eligible pre-development expenses, such as site inspection, environmental assessments, and permitting. Awardees will have to provide 20% of the pre-development costs and have a clear plan for post-development operations of the project. They also must successfully complete the new Community Builders training program and have ownership or site control of the project property.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Not only are we really excited about bringing in new development, but especially because we are supporting it organically within the Westside neighborhoods,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;The Community Builders program and this new fund will support residents who want to develop properties within their communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBoth the Community Builders pilot training program and Pre-Development Fund are funded through the Westside TAD and meet Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s larger goals in the Westside neighborhoods of Vine City, English Avenue, and portions of Castleberry Hill. By helping participants develop core property redevelopment skills, while also providing up-front capital for their projects, this effort builds community capacity for revitalization efforts, helps retain existing residents, and improves the overall quality of life in the community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":185,"title":"Owner-Occupied Rehab Meetings Wrap Up Ahead of May 15 App Deadline","promo_title":"Owner-Occupied Rehab Meetings Wrap Up Ahead of May 15 App Deadline","published_date":"2018-04-17","featured_image":{"id":618,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"oor_meeting_v2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":145027,"resource_updated_at":"2018-04-18T14:00:28.158-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-04-18T14:00:28.196-04:00","updated_at":"2018-04-19T13:18:42.247-04:00","filename_hash":"oor_meeting_v2_E6b1WwV.jpg","width":1600,"height":900},"filename":"owner-occupied-rehab-meetings-wrap-up","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"M-MK1Q","created_at":"2018-04-17T13:10:53.537-04:00","updated_at":"2018-04-19T13:18:42.231-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n In March and April, Invest Atlanta hosted four citywide community meetings to provide information about the Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab Program. The deadline to apply is May 15.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn March and April, Invest Atlanta hosted four citywide community meetings to provide information about the \u003ca href=\"/homebuyers/owner-occupied-rehab\"\u003eHeritage Owner-Occupied Rehab Program\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;The deadline to apply is May 15.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nNearly 800 attendees came to the meetings that covered all quadrants of the city:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarch 10:\u003c/strong\u003e Bessie Branham Recreation Center\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarch 24:\u003c/strong\u003e C.T. Martin Recreational Center\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApril 7: \u003c/strong\u003eAtlanta Technical College\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApril 14:\u003c/strong\u003e Peachtree Hills Recreation Center\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe meeting a C.T. Martin Rec Center saw a standing-room-only crowd of 400, while a second session had to be added at Atlanta Technical College to handle the overflow audience. The team also hosted an info session on March 3 at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School focused on the Choice Neighborhoods Heritage Program for residents in the Choice Neighborhoods of Ashview Heights and Atlanta University Center communities.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nHeritage Owner-Occupied Rehab (OOR) is a new affordable housing initiative to help current lower-income City of Atlanta residents remain in their homes and avoid displacement. Heritage OOR includes three programs offering residents forgivable loans to make critical health and safety repairs on their homes.\u0026nbsp; Senior households aged 55+, military veterans, disabled head of households, and those that have been in their homes for 15+ years will have priority in the programs. The program is being implemented by Invest Atlanta with support from the City of Atlanta, Atlanta Housing Authority, Choice Atlanta, Meals on Wheels Atlanta and other organizations.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nProgram managers are currently accepting applications. To learn more about the program, download an application, and find out when and where to apply, visit our \u003ca href=\"/homebuyers/owner-occupied-rehab\"\u003eHeritage Owner-Occupied Program\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;site.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe Heritage OOR programs are part of Mayor Bottoms\u0026rsquo; larger goal of investing $1 billion from public and private sources to support affordable housing in Atlanta, the largest such investment in Atlanta\u0026#39;s history.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":183,"title":"Mayor Bottoms, IA \u0026 WorkSource Atlanta Launch Students2Startups","promo_title":"Mayor Bottoms, IA \u0026 WorkSource Atlanta Launch Students2Startups","published_date":"2018-04-08","featured_image":{"id":644,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"s2s-site.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":5376159,"resource_updated_at":"2018-05-21T12:17:37.196-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-05-21T12:17:37.418-04:00","updated_at":"2018-05-21T12:17:54.115-04:00","filename_hash":"s2s-site_xDrv8K9.png","width":3424,"height":1529},"filename":"mayor-bottoms-ia-worksource-atlanta-launch-students2startups","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"vADc_Q","created_at":"2018-04-08T16:18:25.020-04:00","updated_at":"2018-05-21T12:17:54.099-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Invest Atlanta and WorkSource Atlanta Launch Students2Startups Program\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nInitiative will build a pipeline of diverse talent to support Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s growing startups\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta officially announced the launch of Students2Startups \u0026ndash; an initiative of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Invest Atlanta and WorkSource Atlanta. Developed to help the city continue to build its tech talent pipeline, Students2Startups will subsidize high-potential students, including those from backgrounds underrepresented in the technology industry, for entrepreneurial-focused internships at Atlanta-based startup companies. In addition, this innovative initiative will support Atlanta startups by meeting some of their tech talent needs \u0026ndash; helping to retain more of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s top talent in the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Students2Startups will connect more of our college and university students to a network of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s seasoned entrepreneurs,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;All too often, Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s next generation of innovators and job creators lack access to the financial resources and institutional knowledge needed to succeed in a 21st-century economy. Through mentorship programs like Students2Startups, the City aims to open doors of opportunity for our students and startups while reinforcing Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as a leading city for high-tech sector jobs and commerce.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStartup companies often have limited budgets for the talent necessary to scale up in a swift and nimble manner. As a result, they often rely on unpaid interns, which can be financially challenging for students with limited resources. In addition, many students need assistance connecting to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s startup ecosystem to help them develop entrepreneurial skills through experiential learning.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As we continue nurturing Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s tech startups, an important driver of economic growth and competitiveness for the city, Students2Startups will build on the robust talent base in Atlanta while providing students access to invaluable, hands-on experience in our dynamic startup ecosystem,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWorkSource Atlanta will subsidize internships for 14 students interested in technology-focused summer internships. Invest Atlanta will partner with Startup Atlanta to identify program participants and support ongoing program management.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Students2Startups is an innovative program that will create meaningful career opportunities in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s high-demand information technology sector,\u0026rdquo; said Audrey Lawrence, WorkSource Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Interim Executive Director. \u0026ldquo;This program will help Atlanta build the strong and resilient IT workforce needed to compete regionally, nationally, and globally.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHigh potential students, including those underrepresented in the industry, from Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s four-year universities\u0026mdash;including Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, Spelman, SCAD and Emory\u0026mdash;are eligible to participate in the program. Participating Atlanta-based startups will commit to providing mentorship and creating a substantive work plan to expose students to various tech-related careers. Students2Startups will also provide professional development opportunities during the program, including ChooseATL\u0026#39;s After 5 program and a Startup Atlanta lunch-and-learn series to help students deepen their inroads into Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurial community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStudents and startups can get additional information and apply for the program through Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s website at \u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/students2startups\"\u003ewww.investatlanta.com/students2startups\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":182,"title":"AEMI Supports New Arts-Focused Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta Facility","promo_title":"AEMI Supports New Arts-Focused Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta Facility","published_date":"2018-03-28","featured_image":{"id":595,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"bgcma_closing_6.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2105269,"resource_updated_at":"2018-03-29T08:52:02.111-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-03-29T08:52:02.166-04:00","updated_at":"2018-03-29T09:36:34.945-04:00","filename_hash":"bgcma_closing_6_KDZqM7e.png","width":1167,"height":774},"filename":"deal-closed-boys-and-girls-club-of-metro-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"NYOV4w","created_at":"2018-03-28T12:54:12.362-04:00","updated_at":"2018-03-29T09:36:34.933-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n On March, 28 2018, Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) closed on a $10 million New Markets Tax Credits transaction to support the construction of the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s new 25,000-square-foot facility in southwest Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOn March, 28 2018, Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) closed on a $10 million New Markets Tax Credits transaction to support the construction of the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s new 25,000-square-foot facility in southwest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe building is scheduled to be completed later this year, and once it opens, the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) will be able to bring innovative, arts-focused youth development programming to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside neighborhoods.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe facility, located at 434 Peeples St. SW, will have an emphasis on engaging teens through the arts to achieve positive youth development outcomes. It replaces the currently outdated and underutilized John Harland facility and will be the first Club of its kind for emphasis on arts programming. The dedicated arts spaces will include music and film studios, visual arts studio and gallery, dance studio, maker space, graphic design and tech lab, and a spoken word caf\u0026eacute;.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll this will be open and accessible to all BGCMA members. The organization was founded in 1938 and currently operates 25 locations across metro Atlanta.\u0026nbsp; They serve 9,000 unique members annually and see 3,500 individuals daily. Programming revolves around three core areas: academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character/leadership. Eighty-four of their funds are spent on programming, and member fees are only $50 per school year, which can be waived for financial need. The Club has seen strong results, as at the close of the 2015-2016 school year 95% of 6th-12th grade members were on track to graduate high school on time.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Boys and Girls club projects that 225 individuals will be served at this facility daily, up from the current total of 131 daily, and 1,100 individuals will be served annually. They will also look to partner on additional programming with Atlanta Public Schools, Woodruff Arts Center, SCAD, and Moving in the Spirit.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePhoto Credit: Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":184,"title":"Executive Corner: Honeywell Home and Building Technologies","promo_title":"Executive Corner: Honeywell Home and Building Technologies","published_date":"2018-03-27","featured_image":{"id":610,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"executivecorner-honeywell.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":746426,"resource_updated_at":"2018-04-12T09:47:29.618-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-04-12T09:47:29.725-04:00","updated_at":"2018-04-19T13:25:16.355-04:00","filename_hash":"executivecorner-honeywell_r69WnpR.png","width":1280,"height":720},"filename":"executive-corner-honeywell-home-and-building-technologies","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lxovVQ","created_at":"2018-04-12T09:49:51.454-04:00","updated_at":"2018-04-19T13:25:16.338-04:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/261527422","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Gary Michel, President and CEO of Honeywell Home and Building Technologies, recently participated in our Executive Corner video series.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGary Michel, President and CEO of Honeywell Home and Building Technologies, recently participated in our Executive Corner video series. Michel explains how Atlanta\u0026#39;s \u0026quot;great level of talent,\u0026quot; thriving tech community, and concentration of Fortune 500 companies attracted the company to Midtown Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe company announced in 2016\u0026nbsp;they would establish their first software development center and\u0026nbsp;home and building technologies headquarters operation in Atlanta. This project is bringing 800 new full-time positions and $19 million in investment to the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHoneywell\u0026rsquo;s new Georgia operation will serve as a development center for software and technologies ranging across the company\u0026rsquo;s three divisions: Honeywell Aerospace, Performance Materials,\u0026nbsp;and Technologies; Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":181,"title":"IA Team Heads to South By Southwest to Tell the Atlanta Story","promo_title":"IA Team Heads to South By Southwest to Tell the Atlanta Story","published_date":"2018-03-19","featured_image":{"id":585,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"sxsw_panel_ia.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":143422,"resource_updated_at":"2018-03-19T12:55:09.365-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-03-19T12:55:09.449-04:00","updated_at":"2018-03-19T16:10:10.978-04:00","filename_hash":"sxsw_panel_ia_Qggw7N2.jpg","width":1085,"height":814},"filename":"south-by-southwest-sxsw-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lrQ9WA","created_at":"2018-03-19T12:56:09.364-04:00","updated_at":"2018-03-19T16:10:10.966-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Last week, members of the Invest Atlanta team traveled to Austin, Texas for South by Southwest (SXSW), where they promoted the City of Atlanta and laid the groundwork for future collaborations.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLast week, members of the Invest Atlanta team traveled to Austin, Texas for South by Southwest (SXSW), where they promoted the City of Atlanta and laid the groundwork for future collaborations. While at the tech, film, and music festival, the team also attended sessions about the latest trends in tech, including Virtual Reality (VR), blockchain (over 35 sessions!), and Internet of Things (IoT). The team was pleased to find the conference schedule was full of opportunities to engage on dialogue around diversity and inclusion, smart cities, music and entertainment tech, and building investment pipelines, all topics that the Invest Atlanta team is currently engaged in.\u0026nbsp; The knowledge the IA team gained at SXSW will no doubt inform future programs and initiatives.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNoelle London and Sheoyki Jones both participated in informative panel discussions on the Comcast stage. London talked about the state of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s startup ecosystem with Holly Beilin of \u003ca href=\"https://hypepotamus.com/\"\u003eHypeotamus\u003c/a\u003e, Burunda Prince-Jones of Comcast\u0026rsquo;s \u003ca href=\"https://thefarmatl.com/\"\u003eThe Farm\u003c/a\u003e innovation accelerator, and Charlton Cunningham of \u003ca href=\"http://www.startupatlanta.com/\"\u003eStartup Atlanta\u003c/a\u003e. Jones covered Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s booming media and entertainment sector with ChooseATL\u0026rsquo;s Kate Atwood and Blossom Media\u0026rsquo;s Diamonde Williamson.\u0026nbsp; The recently-launched \u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/startups-creatives/creative-industries-loan-fund\"\u003eCreative Industries Loan Fund\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;was a key topic in a discussion about how the City of Atlanta is supporting our independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral Atlanta-based startups took part in SXSW\u0026nbsp;pitch competitions.\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://polyport.io/landing/\"\u003ePolyPort\u003c/a\u003e, a 3D design asset protection company, took home first prize in the \u0026ldquo;Security and Privacy Technologies\u0026rdquo; category. Both \u003ca href=\"https://www.gyomo.com/\"\u003eGyomo\u003c/a\u003e, whose software provides email security protection and \u003ca href=\"http://www.trycrescendo.com/\"\u003eCrescendo\u003c/a\u003e, who offers performance assessment software powered by AI, were recognized as standouts in their respective categories. \u003ca href=\"https://qoins.io/\"\u003eQoins\u003c/a\u003e,\u0026nbsp;a former Invest Atlanta International Startup Exchange participant, placed 2nd in Tech.co\u0026rsquo;s Startup of the Year competition.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe ChooseATL house, hosted by the Metro Atlanta Chamber, was once again a big hit, thanks to informative panel discussions and a guest appearance by T.I. Along with the launch of \u003ca href=\"https://www.thea.network/\"\u003eTHEA\u003c/a\u003e, the first city-based video streaming platform, the ChooseATL team told the Atlanta story in an effort to show off our city to businesses and the next-generation of talent. Atlanta showed up strong to SXSW 2018, and Invest Atlanta was proud to be a part of it.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":179,"title":"Pittsburgh Yards Marks Groundbreaking With Community Celebration","promo_title":"Pittsburgh Yards Marks Groundbreaking With Community Celebration","published_date":"2018-03-12","featured_image":{"id":574,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"pittsburgh_yards_v5.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":891660,"resource_updated_at":"2018-03-12T15:58:48.837-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-03-12T15:58:48.875-04:00","updated_at":"2018-03-12T16:02:42.559-04:00","filename_hash":"pittsburgh_yards_v5_E665yDo.png","width":789,"height":625},"filename":"pittsburgh-yards-marks-groundbreaking-with-community-celebration","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"nQ8Shw","created_at":"2018-03-12T15:57:11.828-04:00","updated_at":"2018-03-12T16:02:42.546-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Residents of southwest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Pittsburgh neighborhood gathered together to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for Pittsburgh Yards, a development that will be a catalyst of economic growth and equity for southside communities.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eResidents of southwest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Pittsburgh neighborhood gathered together to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for Pittsburgh Yards, a development that will be a catalyst of economic growth and equity for southside communities.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlso in attendance were members of the Atlanta City Council, Invest Atlanta,\u0026nbsp;the Columbia Core Partners development team, and leaders from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the nonprofit philanthropy that owns the parcel and has invested toward ensuring the development benefits the community.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePittsburgh Yards will be a key community-focused, economically-inclusive asset for the Southside and for the city as a whole. When complete, it will offer accessible rental rates for local small businesses to thrive. This in turn will create a range of employment and entrepreneurship opportunities even as it bolsters the sense of community in this part of the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic landscape is changing with more major development initiatives breaking ground south of Interstate 20,\u0026rdquo; said Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;Pittsburgh Yards will create a range of employment and entrepreneurship opportunities that will help bring new, sustainable growth and nearly $40 million in economic impact to the area.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe $26 million first phase of development will happen on the eastern side of the property around an existing 61,000 square foot structure that will create work spaces at accessible rental rates for approximately 100 businesses, including light-industrial, administrative, artisanal, maker and creative enterprises. A large, natural-turf green space will be created, along with a business-centric area that features repurposed shipping containers that will be used as work spaces and storefronts. The first phase will also include necessary road, sewer, storm-water management, landscaping and pedestrian-oriented infrastructure \u0026mdash; including a spur to the Atlanta BeltLine \u0026mdash; as well as three adaptable pad-ready sites.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe first phase of the development create approximately 200 new permanent jobs. And over the next decade, that number will climb to 1,000 new positions. And importantly, Annie E. Casey will work with the Center for Working Families and other organizations to ensure local residents have access to employment and training opportunities.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePittsburgh Yards is a critical project for south Atlanta, which over the next few years will see unprecedented levels of investment, from the former site of Turner Field to the Atlanta BeltLine to Ft. McPherson to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta supported this project with a New Markets Tax Credits allocation through our community development subsidiary, Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. Since 2010, AEMI has invested in 16 projects, including Grady Hospital\u0026rsquo;s Emergency Center and Women and Infants Center, as well as Families First\u0026rsquo;s new headquarters.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnd recently, Mayor Bottoms announced the news that AEMI will receive another $60 million allocation from the U.S. Treasury Department. We stand at the ready to support many more game-changing projects like Pittsburgh Yards in the years to come.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":178,"title":"Mayor Bottoms Announces New Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab Housing Programs","promo_title":"Mayor Bottoms Announces New Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab Housing Programs","published_date":"2018-03-12","featured_image":{"id":586,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"oor_ia_insight.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":802369,"resource_updated_at":"2018-03-19T16:38:47.505-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-03-19T16:38:47.650-04:00","updated_at":"2018-05-15T15:40:45.510-04:00","filename_hash":"oor_ia_insight_p55EznQ.jpg","width":4394,"height":2607},"filename":"mayor-bottoms-announces-new-heritage-owner-occupied-rehab-housing-programs","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"J9G_2A","created_at":"2018-03-09T10:18:03.224-05:00","updated_at":"2018-03-19T16:38:55.104-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The $9 Million investment augments citywide anti-displacement efforts.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms unveiled a new housing initiative to preserve affordable housing in the City of Atlanta and help current lower-income residents avoid displacement. The initiative includes three owner-occupied rehabilitation (OOR) programs, Atlanta Heritage, Westside Heritage, and Choice Neighborhoods Heritage, which will provide forgivable loans to residents to make critical health and safety repairs on their homes.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is conducting four citywide information sessions for residents starting March 10. Program managers will begin accepting applications in early April. More information about the Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab programs can be found at \u003ca href=\"/homebuyers/owner-occupied-rehab\"\u003ewww.investatlanta.com/owneroccupiedrehab/\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe program is being implemented by Invest Atlanta with support from the City of Atlanta, Atlanta Housing Authority, Choice Atlanta, Meals on Wheels Atlanta and other organizations.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Building a city for all means ensuring those who\u0026rsquo;ve put down roots can remain in their communities,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;The Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab programs demonstrate Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s continued commitment to preserving affordability for homeowners and renters alike. Through this effort, we will keep longtime residents from being pushed out of their homes by rising property values.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCelebrating the announcement alongside Mayor Bottoms were members of the Atlanta City Council, Commissioner of the Department of City Planning Tim Keane, Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich, Atlanta Housing Authority President and CEO Catherine Buell, and Meals on Wheels Atlanta CEO Charlene Crusoe-Ingram.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s population continues to expand, we need to constantly think about new ways to prevent displacement, maintain affordability and preserve the rich character and history of our communities,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Atlanta Heritage follows our successful Owner-Occupied Rehab pilot program in the Westside and will provide critical assistance to more City of Atlanta residents. Ultimately, we want to ensure that Atlanta sees balanced, equitable growth benefiting residents in neighborhoods throughout the city.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSenior households aged 55+, military veterans, disabled head of households, and those that have been in their homes for 15+ years will have priority in the programs. They include one citywide program, Atlanta Heritage, and two area-specific programs:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAtlanta Heritage: \u003c/strong\u003eThe $5 million citywide program will provide up to $30,000 to eligible City of Atlanta homeowners, and is funded under the Housing Opportunity Bond, a $40 million bond issuance unanimously approved and supported by Atlanta City Council in March 2017;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWestside Heritage: \u003c/strong\u003eThe $2 million OOR program is for residents in Westside TAD neighborhoods (Vine City, English Avenue and portions of Castleberry Hill), and is funded by the Vine City Trust Fund and Westside TAD tax increment financing.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChoice Neighborhoods Heritage:\u003c/strong\u003e A $2 million OOR program is for residents in the Choice Neighborhoods (Ashview Heights and Atlanta University Center Communities) and is supported by a Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant, as well as City of Atlanta and Atlanta Housing Authority Moving to Work funds.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eForgivable loan amounts for the Westside Heritage and Choice Neighborhoods Heritage programs will vary based on the nature of repairs recommended by the program manager, Meals on Wheels Atlanta (MOWA). MOWA is a non-profit social services agency with a mission to support senior independence through meals, shelter, education and communities, with more than a decade of experience providing such services for seniors in the metro Atlanta area.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe program launch followed the success of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s pilot owner-occupied rehab program in the Vine City and English Avenue neighborhoods. The success of the pilot allowed Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta, the Atlanta Housing Authority, and Meals on Wheels to expand the program.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Heritage OOR programs are part of Mayor Bottoms\u0026rsquo; larger goal of investing $1 billion from public and private sources to support affordable housing in Atlanta, the largest such investment in our city\u0026rsquo;s history. This comes soon after the City of Atlanta and the Westside Future Fund announced the Anti-Displacement Tax Fund Program, an initiative which will pay any property tax increases for qualifying homeowners in the English Avenue, Vine City, Ashview Heights and Atlanta University Center communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":180,"title":"IA’s Kevin Johnson Helps Launch WiredScore Certification for Atlanta Commercial Real Estate","promo_title":"IA’s Kevin Johnson Helps Launch WiredScore Certification for Atlanta Commercial Real Estate","published_date":"2018-03-07","featured_image":{"id":575,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"wiredscore_ia.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":965464,"resource_updated_at":"2018-03-13T10:02:17.903-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-03-13T10:02:17.946-04:00","updated_at":"2018-03-13T10:04:41.770-04:00","filename_hash":"wiredscore_ia_W11ZeM4.png","width":974,"height":732},"filename":"ias-kevin-johnson-helps-launch-wiredscore-certification-for-atlanta-commercial-real-estate","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"GmnvJA","created_at":"2018-03-13T10:04:41.746-04:00","updated_at":"2018-03-13T10:04:41.746-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n ​At an event at Atlanta Tech Village, WiredScore\u0026nbsp;announced the official launch of Wired Certification into the Atlanta commercial real estate market. With this launch, Atlanta businesses can now identify office buildings that offer best-in-class connectivity infrastructure to keep their companies online and productive.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt the Atlanta Tech Village, WiredScore\u0026nbsp;announced the official launch of Wired Certification into the Atlanta commercial real estate market. With this launch, Atlanta businesses can now identify office buildings that offer best-in-class connectivity infrastructure to keep their companies online and productive. A recent market research report, Atlanta 2018 Tenant Tech Trends, found that 96% of Atlanta tenants surveyed said access to reliable internet was critical to their success.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;We support WiredScore\u0026#39;s mission to improve transparency around digital infrastructure in commercial properties. By doing so, we can promote Atlanta\u0026#39;s global competitiveness as a destination for businesses across all sectors and support the existing community of innovative organizations that call Atlanta home. With Wired Certification, companies in Atlanta will be able to identify properties that provide access to the reliable and resilient connectivity their businesses depend on and be confident that the property is future-proofed to support continued growth,\u0026rdquo; said Kevin Johnson, Senior Vice President of Economic Development for Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe commercial owners and developers leading the adoption of Wired Certification in Atlanta are: The Allen Morris Co, The Ardent Companies, The Brookdale Group, Columbia Property Trust, Hines, Jamestown, Lionstone Investments, North American Properties, Richard Bowers and Co, Seven Oaks Management, Third Rail Studios and Zeller Realty Group with more committing to Wired Certification in the coming weeks.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTenants including Amazon, Deloitte, Google, and Salesforce have signed leases in Wired Certified buildings across the country. Prominent local projects such as T3 West Midtown, Atlantic Yards and Northwinds VII are using Wired Certification to ensure the projects are future-proofed and well-connected as they target prominent corporate occupiers for pre-leasing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The growing adoption of Wired Certification will showcase Atlanta as a smart place to grow businesses and invest. Connectivity is a fundamental resource for businesses to operate successfully and demonstrating that Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Commercial Real Estate assets have advanced connectivity infrastructure, by providing transparent, globally-recognized ratings will help to attract and retain businesses to Atlanta. We are thrilled to be working with the industry leaders and Invest Atlanta to promote better connectivity infrastructure across the market,\u0026rdquo; said WiredScore\u0026rsquo;s Head of Atlanta, JD Jeske.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":176,"title":"Mayor Bottoms and Anthem Break Ground on New Technology Center ","promo_title":"Mayor Bottoms and Anthem Break Ground on New Technology Center ","published_date":"2018-03-02","featured_image":{"id":558,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"anthem_groundbreaking_v3.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1872206,"resource_updated_at":"2018-03-02T10:22:33.661-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-03-02T10:22:33.717-05:00","updated_at":"2018-03-02T10:26:51.001-05:00","filename_hash":"anthem_groundbreaking_v3_QggM4Vw.png","width":1193,"height":797},"filename":"mayor-bottoms-and-anthem-break-ground-on-new-technology-center","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"UezCow","created_at":"2018-03-02T10:23:41.975-05:00","updated_at":"2018-03-02T10:26:50.987-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n In February, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms joined other dignitaries at a groundbreaking ceremony for Anthem\u0026rsquo;s new technology center in Midtown Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Tech Square.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn February, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms joined other dignitaries at a groundbreaking ceremony for Anthem\u0026rsquo;s new technology center in Midtown Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Tech Square.\u0026nbsp; When opened in 2020, the 352,000 square-foot state-of-the-art structure will house approximately 3,000 multi-disciplinary IT professionals dedicated to simplifying the health care experience for consumers and care providers, improving quality of care, and lowering health care costs.\u0026nbsp; Anthem, Inc. is one of the nation\u0026rsquo;s leading health benefits companies.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Midtown Atlanta is one of the most dynamic technology and innovation centers in the United States and we are excited to add Anthem\u0026rsquo;s new expansion to our growing healthcare IT ecosystem,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;Anthem\u0026rsquo;s decision to build its new Technology Center here underscores its workers\u0026rsquo; desire for the mobility options and the diverse, accessible lifestyle offered in one of America\u0026rsquo;s best urban neighborhoods.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta played a key role in ensuring this project moved forward. In October 2017, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved an $850,000 Economic Opportunity Fund grant to Anthem. The Board also approved the issuance of lease-purchase bonds to support the construction of the new building at the corner of 4th and West Peachtree streets in Tech Square.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnthem chose to locate in Tech Square because it has become known globally as an innovation hotbed and includes research facilities, incubators, technology start-ups, the Georgia Institute of Technology campus, and the neighboring mixed-use Coda building currently under construction. In addition, the state of Georgia is hotbed for Health IT companies, with more than 200 companies employing approximately 30,000 people.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta is rich with technology talent, and we are excited to take this next step in creating a hub for our IT organization here with a contemporary and inspiring space for current and future Anthem IT professionals,\u0026rdquo; said Tom Miller, Anthem senior vice president of innovation and chief information officer. \u0026ldquo;Located in the technology epicenter of Atlanta, the collaborative environment will enable Anthem\u0026rsquo;s IT team to more quickly turn health care ideas into real-time solutions and develop innovative tools and resources that will make it easier and more convenient for consumers to manage their health and wellbeing.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe architectural firm, John Portman \u0026amp; Associates, designed the building and provided Anthem the opportunity to create spaces that support its progressive and collaborative work style. More than 14,000 square-feet of terrace area will allow for an inviting green space, bringing the outside in, to support health and wellness. As part of the LEED- and Fitwel-certified design, Anthem placed an emphasis on energy and water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and design that encourages an active work environment through indoor and outdoor spaces.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Portman is delighted to partner with Anthem to create another significant development in Midtown Atlanta. The Anthem Technology Center will complement Coda and further cement Midtown as the focal destination for businesses that are focused on collaboration, recruitment, and positioning,\u0026rdquo; said Ambrish Baisiwala, chief executive officer of Portman Holdings.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":177,"title":"URFA Supports 100+ Affordable Rental Units for Seniors in Vine City","promo_title":"URFA Supports 100+ Units for Seniors in Vine City","published_date":"2018-03-02","featured_image":{"id":560,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"oasis_vine_city_v1.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1702537,"resource_updated_at":"2018-03-02T14:21:57.875-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-03-02T14:21:57.924-05:00","updated_at":"2018-03-02T15:15:22.010-05:00","filename_hash":"oasis_vine_city_v1_8mmZxZK.png","width":1159,"height":704},"filename":"urfa-supports-100-units-for-seniors-in-vine-city","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"gvRI3w","created_at":"2018-03-02T14:22:06.825-05:00","updated_at":"2018-03-02T15:15:21.997-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Urban Residential Finance Authority (URFA) closed on $10 million in tax-exempt bond financing transaction to support the construction of 105 units of senior housing at Oasis of Vine City.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Urban Residential Finance Authority (URFA) closed on $10 million in tax-exempt bond financing transaction to support the construction of 105 units of senior housing at Oasis of Vine City.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe groundbreaking for Oasis of Vine City will take place in the coming months, and once complete, it will offer units to seniors over the age of 62 at\u0026nbsp;60% Area Median Income (AMI). (The 60% AMI income limit for FY2017 is $29,280 for a one-person household, and $33,480 for a two-person household.) All renters will pay no more than 30% of their income towards rent.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis project closing represents a great start to the year after the team supported the creation or retention of a nearly 2,000 affordable units, a record for the organization, in 2017. Knowing how critical it is for the city\u0026rsquo;s growing senior population to have access to affordable living options, the Community Development team has been working to complete this deal for several years.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOasis of Vine City will be located near Rodney Cook Sr. Park and amenities will include a fitness center and energy-efficient appliances.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":173,"title":"Board Supports Creation of 180 Affordable Rental Units for Seniors","promo_title":"Board Supports Creation of 180 Affordable Rental Units for Seniors","published_date":"2018-02-20","featured_image":{"id":542,"parent_id":8,"resource_file_name":"sylvan_hills_senior_new_site.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2043236,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-20T14:30:17.970-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-20T14:30:18.029-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-22T08:49:55.633-05:00","filename_hash":"sylvan_hills_senior_new_site_ZOOYgrP.png","width":1138,"height":715},"filename":"board-approves-support-for-180-affordable-rental-units-for-seniors","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"VWZsAw","created_at":"2018-02-20T14:31:11.037-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-22T08:49:55.603-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved financing for the construction of Sylvan Hills Senior, a brand-new affordable housing development in southwest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved financing for the construction of Sylvan Hills Senior, a brand-new affordable housing development in southwest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce complete, the multifamily housing development will offer 180 units to seniors over the age of 62. All the units are reserved for those making 60% of Area Median Income (AMI) and qualifying residents will pay no more than 30% of their income on housing costs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This is great,\u0026rdquo; said Randy Hazelton, the board\u0026#39;s Treasurer. \u0026ldquo;There\u0026rsquo;s obviously a huge need for affordable senior housing in and around the city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Benoit Group will soon begin work on the four-story wood-framed building lcoated in the Sylvan Hills community. The propertiy is be easily accessible from several MARTA bus stops and Highway 166, and will include amenities like a community room, business center, courtyard, energy star appliances, and washer dryer hookups.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe board approved\u0026nbsp;two resolutions supproting this project\u0026nbsp;at their monthly board meeting on Thursday, February 15. The first was an inducement resolution to issue $15 million in tax-exempt bond financing, and the second was a Housing Opportunity Bond loan resolution for $1.5 million.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re bringing these types of tools to the market at just the right time,\u0026rdquo; said Alan Ferguson, Interim VP of Community Development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":175,"title":"IA Supports Workforce Housing at Edgewood-Candler Park MARTA Station","promo_title":"IA Supports Workforce Housing at Edgewood-Candler Park MARTA Station","published_date":"2018-02-20","featured_image":{"id":545,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"edgewood_tod_new.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1509798,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-20T15:18:59.257-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-20T15:18:59.300-05:00","updated_at":"2018-05-29T13:48:19.855-04:00","filename_hash":"edgewood_tod_new_XJJX9B4.png","width":953,"height":604},"filename":"workforce-housing-edgewood-tod","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"trl6Ag","created_at":"2018-02-20T15:19:51.867-05:00","updated_at":"2018-05-29T13:48:19.837-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n A new transit-oriented development (TOD) near the Edgewood-Candler Park MARTA Station will include 34 affordable workforce housing units, thanks to support from Invest Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA new transit-oriented development (TOD) near the Edgewood-Candler Park MARTA Station will include 34 affordable workforce housing units, thanks to support from Invest Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe IA board approved a resolution to issue $42.9 million in lease purchase bonds to support the project. The residential and retail development is nearly complete, and once open, will offer 224 rental units, 34 of which will be workforce housing units affordable to households earning 80% AMI or below.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBy converting underutilized parking to productive mixed-use space, this TOD will provide new mixed-income housing, retail, and service options to the surrounding community. The total economic output for the project is estimated to be over $60 million.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis project aligns with Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s goal to create more affordable living options close to transit, and with it, greater access to opportunities for our residents. Invest Atlanta has supported MARTA\u0026rsquo;s Transit Oriented Development strategy with other projects, including one at \u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/invest-atlanta-supports-projects-key-to-citys-past-present-and-future\"\u003eKing Memorial Station\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUPDATE: \u003c/strong\u003eInvest Atlanta closed on the $42.9MM lease-purchase bond in early May 2018, a few months before the development\u0026#39;s grand opening.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":174,"title":"Mayor Bottoms and IA Announce $60 Million in New Markets Tax Credits","promo_title":"Mayor Bottoms and IA Announce $60 Million in New Markets Tax Credits","published_date":"2018-02-13","featured_image":{"id":544,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"families_first_new.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":212826,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-20T14:42:35.154-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-20T14:42:35.272-05:00","updated_at":"2024-09-30T17:49:02.068-04:00","filename_hash":"families_first_new_kbbaqyV.jpg","width":2048,"height":1365},"filename":"60-million-new-markets-tax-credits","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"QMXrmA","created_at":"2018-02-20T14:42:42.609-05:00","updated_at":"2024-09-30T17:49:02.058-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The allocation from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to provide gap financing for economic development projects that help create jobs and revitalize neighborhoods in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms recently\u0026nbsp;announced that Invest Atlanta received $60 million in New Markets Tax Credit allocation from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to provide gap financing for economic development projects that help create jobs and revitalize neighborhoods in Atlanta. This latest award is the sixth given to Invest Atlanta in the last 10 years and will be used by Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI), Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) entity, to fund catalytic development projects in low-income areas.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;My Administration is committed to increasing prosperity for all through our city\u0026rsquo;s economic development efforts, while steadfastly working to improve equity and affordability in our communities,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;This latest New Markets Tax Credit award is one of the largest in the country and will provide additional funding to stimulate investment for residents in parts of our city where greater economic opportunity is needed most.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCongress established the NMTC program in 2000 to attract investment to areas with low median income and high unemployment. The NMTC program takes private equity contributed by investors and turns it into gap financing for redevelopment projects. Investors receive non-refundable tax credits in exchange for an equity investment in a local project that demonstrates meaningful community impact. This year, a total of 230 community development entities applied for $3.5 billion of available NMTC allocation and 73 organizations, about 31 percent, received funding.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are pleased to see the Treasury Department continues to recognize the impact New Markets Tax Credits are making on economic revitalization and job creation in the City of Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta continues to receive higher award amounts with each application, which has enabled us, through AEMI, to invest in 22 projects since 2010 that have created more than 3,250 jobs in areas that are often overlooked by conventional capital markets.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSome of AEMI\u0026rsquo;s recent NMTC investments include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePittsburgh Yards:\u003c/strong\u003e A $6.5 million AEMI investment to help finance redevelopment at 352 University Avenue in Southwest Atlanta. The project led by the Annie E. Casey Foundation will create a vibrant, living-wage ecosystem that clusters a range of businesses together, including industrial, office, administrative, artistic and creative enterprises.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrady Memorial Hospital:\u003c/strong\u003e A $12 million investment to help finance Grady\u0026rsquo;s $76,000,000 expansion and renovation of its new Emergency Department building. The recently dedicated Marcus Trauma and Emergency Center will serve 20,000 additional patients annually.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamilies First: \u003c/strong\u003eA $8.5 million investment to convert a former Atlanta Public Schools building in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside into the organization\u0026rsquo;s new 38,000 square-foot headquarters. The new building will enable Families First to serve 52,000 children, women and families a year, many of whom report income well below the poverty line.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":172,"title":"Atlanta Tech Start-Up Volantio Secures $2.6 Million in Financing","promo_title":"Atlanta Tech Start-Up Volantio Secures $2.6 Million in Financing","published_date":"2018-02-12","featured_image":{"id":539,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"volantio_hype_new.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":185968,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-20T11:42:22.554-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-20T11:42:22.593-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-22T08:53:45.408-05:00","filename_hash":"volantio_hype_new_eXX2b2e.jpg","width":800,"height":600},"filename":"atlanta-tech-start-up-volantio-secures-26-million-in-financing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"kJVHwQ","created_at":"2018-02-20T11:42:34.588-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-22T08:53:45.393-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Volantio, a global leader in post-booking revenue and capacity optimization software for airlines, announced a $2.6M Series B funding round.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVolantio, a global leader in post-booking revenue and capacity optimization software for airlines, announced a $2.6M Series B funding round led by Ingleside Investors and strategic investors International Airlines Group (IAG), JetBlue Technology Ventures, and Qantas Ventures.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are extremely proud that the investment arms of three key global aviation leaders, spanning three distinct geographies, have chosen to back Volantio and its market leading technology\u0026rdquo; said Azim Barodawala, Volantio\u0026rsquo;s CEO.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe offices of Volantio can be found at Flatiron City in Downtown Atlanta, thanks in part to assistance from Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s business attraction team. The company was also a participant in the \u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/companies-announced-for-2017-atlanta-international-startup-exchange\"\u003e2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange\u003c/a\u003e, which allowed them to travel to Toulouse, France and connect with prospective customers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYanaTM, Volantio\u0026rsquo;s flagship web-based platform, leverages machine learning algorithms to drive higher unit revenues and improved capacity utilization after customers have booked their flights, while also improving overall customer experience. Airlines use the technology to proactively identify flexible passengers on high demand flights, make them offers to move to lower demand flights, and automatically rebook them once they accept. Passengers are notified, via mobile, days in advance of departure, minimizing last-minute hassle and providing enough time to change plans accordingly. Offers can include upgrades, travel vouchers, and frequent flier points.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;Our platform provides a rare triple-win,\u0026rdquo; said Barodawala. \u0026ldquo;Flexible passengers receive a benefit for changing their travel plans, last-minute travelers are able to access flights that otherwise would have been full, and airlines can better maximize network capacity and unit revenue, while putting greater predictability and control back in the hands of their customers.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":162,"title":"Cristo Rey Atlanta Officially Opens New Downtown Building","promo_title":"Cristo Rey Atlanta Officially Opens New Downtown Building","published_date":"2018-01-31","featured_image":{"id":508,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"cristo_rey_main-1024x529.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":113713,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-06T14:59:09.757-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-06T14:59:09.786-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-22T08:54:51.689-05:00","filename_hash":"cristo_rey_main-1024x529_r6NxO1m.jpg","width":1024,"height":529},"filename":"cristo-rey-atlanta-officially-opens-new-downtown-building","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"AaYMWg","created_at":"2018-02-04T13:31:14.874-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-22T08:54:51.675-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Cristo Rey Atlanta celebrated the grand opening of their new 88,000 square-foot Downtown facility with the help of several high-profile guests, including Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Governor Nathan Deal.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCristo Rey Atlanta celebrated the grand opening of their new 88,000 square-foot Downtown facility with the help of several high-profile guests, including Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Governor Nathan Deal.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I want you all to know that as a city, we continue to support you, we continue to cheer you on and we continue to await your leadership,\u0026rdquo; Mayor Bottoms said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. \u0026ldquo;Because you are the future of our great city. You are the example that we want all of our communities to model.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn early 2017,\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.atlantaemergingmarkets.org/\"\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc.\u003c/a\u003e, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s certified Community Development Entity, closed an $11 million New Markets Tax Credits transaction to help Cristo Rey Atlanta complete the renovations of their new building. Raza Development Fund and SunTrust Bank also provided NMTC allocations.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta has done so much work with all of our partners to make sure that we are here today,\u0026rdquo; added Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;On your toughest days, please remember there\u0026rsquo;s a city that stands behind you, a city that stands with you, there\u0026rsquo;s a city awaiting your future.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCristo Rey Atlanta (CRA) is an independent affiliate of the Cristo Rey Network of 32 schools nationally. The CR network serves students of limited means, most whom are Hispanic or African-American, and combines a challenging college preparatory curriculum with extracurricular activities and an innovative Corporate Work Study Program. CRA\u0026nbsp;was previously leasing its campus, serving nearly 400 students from grades 9-11. The new facility will allow them to accept an incoming freshman class and serve 520 total students, with the capacity to grow enrollment to 600 in the future.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe campus also provides\u0026nbsp;CRA with resources that were previously unavailable, such as a gymnasium, assembly space, music and arts space, and their own kitchen. The $27 million project is located on Piedmont Avenue in a central location near multiple MARTA stops and bus lines to maximize the area that can be served by the school. The project is anticipated to retain 42 and create approximately 22 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) positions.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLast year, Cristo Rey partnered with 100 Atlanta businesses to place every student in an office work-study job while completing their academic studies.\u0026nbsp;CRA exclusively serves Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economically disadvantaged students of all faiths by opening the door to excellence in higher education, the workforce, community citizenship and Catholic values. Religion is not a criteria for admission, and 48% of the student body is non-Catholic. Low family income is the number one qualifying criterion for CRA students. The average household income for CRA families is $30,500 (no household income exceeds $15,000 per dependent). 98% of CRA students qualify for the federal free and reduced lunch program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe academic rigor and innovative work-study program has helped 100 percent of Cristo Rey graduates earn college acceptance since 1996. In most cases, these students will be the first person in their extended family to go to college, providing them with a path to opportunity. Across the CR Network, students\u0026mdash;95% of whom are first generation college students\u0026mdash;complete college at a rate over 2.5 times that of their non-Cristo Rey peers in the same income cohort.\u0026nbsp; For the class of 2018, CRA projects that 70% of its graduates will complete a bachelor\u0026rsquo;s degree within 5 years, or nearly 5 times the average rate for low-income high school graduates.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) offers service providers like Cristo Rey flexible financing to support catalytic projects that serve low-income residents. In November 2016, AEMI received a $50 million NMTC allocation from the U.S. Department of Treasury.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBesides Cristo Rey, AEMI provided NMTC allocation to several other important projects in 2017, including the Grady Hospital Women\u0026rsquo;s and Infants\u0026rsquo; Center, the Boys \u0026amp; Girls Club Innovation and Expression Studio (TIES), the YMCA headquarters, and Civic Impact Loans.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":171,"title":"Atlanta Sleep Tech Innovator To Expand Thanks to IA Support","promo_title":"Atlanta Sleep Tech Innovator To Expand Thanks to IA Support","published_date":"2018-01-30","featured_image":{"id":538,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"smart-mattress-tablet-new-site.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":129042,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-20T11:34:18.911-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-20T11:34:18.942-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-20T11:34:27.863-05:00","filename_hash":"smart-mattress-tablet-new-site_gvvlNLP.jpg","width":900,"height":601},"filename":"atlanta-sleep-tech-innovator-to-expand-thanks-to-ia-support","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"pyweNg","created_at":"2018-02-20T11:31:07.043-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-20T11:34:27.829-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Responsive Surface Technology announced it had received funding through two Invest Atlanta-affiliated programs, the Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund and New Markets Tax Credit financing.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eResponsive Surface Technology, an Atlanta-based sleep technology innovator, announced it had received funding through two Invest Atlanta-affiliated programs, the Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund and New Markets Tax Credit financing. The additional capital provided will enable ReST to grow its inventory and expand marketing and research efforts.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eManaged through Advantage Capital Partners, the Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund is a revolving loan program for businesses in the City of Atlanta located in census designated distressed neighborhoods. Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s New Markets Tax Credit program is administered through Atlanta Emerging Markets Inc. and aims to attract private investment to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s underserved neighborhoods and financially support catalytic projects that provide services or create quality jobs accessible to low-income residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta is proud to play a key role in helping innovative businesses like Responsive Surface Technology expand and grow in the City of Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Dale Royal, President, Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. \u0026ldquo;Tech companies like ReST employ over 270,000 people in metro Atlanta alone. Through a variety of programs like the Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund and New Market Tax Credits, Invest Atlanta and Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. offer businesses additional ways to access to capital so they can prosper in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s vibrant economy and help bring new investment to neighborhoods throughout the city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs the company expands, ReST aims to become the leading sleep technology innovator in the world. ReST is committed to expanding its Atlanta footprint by continuing to grow its operations in West Midtown and creating new jobs. The company plans to invest in local talent, including skilled workers from Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are excited to have received additional funding through Invest Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Lloyd Sommers, General Manager of ReST. \u0026ldquo;The funds will support our efforts to expand distribution so that more people than ever before will have the opportunity to experience why the ReST Bed\u0026trade; has in less than two years become the leading mattress for endurance athletes and those with back pain.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":163,"title":"Co-Working Leader WeWork Opens 3rd Atlanta Location","promo_title":"Co-Working Leader WeWork Opens 3rd Atlanta Location","published_date":"2018-01-30","featured_image":{"id":509,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"wework_2_main.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2310929,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:00:20.817-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-06T15:00:20.876-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-22T08:55:27.161-05:00","filename_hash":"wework_2_main_1OQ45q2.png","width":1346,"height":710},"filename":"co-working-leader-wework-opens-3rd-atlanta-location","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"3pEyww","created_at":"2018-02-04T13:44:01.790-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-22T08:55:27.149-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n WeWork celebrated the official grand opening of its third location in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWeWork, along with Governor Nathan Deal and leadership from Invest Atlanta and the Metro Atlanta Chamber, celebrated the official grand opening of WeWork\u0026rsquo;s third location in Atlanta, 1372 Peachtree, and the company\u0026rsquo;s continued growth in Georgia.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta is the 5th-largest co-working\u0026nbsp;market in the U.S., with 230,000 square feet of new co-working space added last year, more than twice the space of any other market in the Southeast.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;That\u0026rsquo;s the kind of momentum that gets me excited,\u0026rdquo; said Kevin Johnson, Senior Vice President of Economic Development at Invest Atlanta, at the grand opening. \u0026ldquo;This WeWork expansion further\u0026nbsp;strengthens Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as a place where entrepreneurs and small businesses have the support and resources to build their dreams.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOver the past\u0026nbsp;8 years, Invest Atlanta has helped more than 69 businesses\u0026nbsp;expand within the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are thrilled to continue expanding across Georgia with our third Atlanta location, WeWork 1372 Peachtree,\u0026rdquo; said Bobby Condon, WeWork General Manager for the Southeast. \u0026ldquo;It is only fitting to build upon this growth in a creative and diverse community like Atlanta but also in the No. 1 state in which to do business. 1372 Peachtree, which will now serve as the WeWork headquarters for the entire southeast region, offers Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s top creators \u0026ndash; people of all ages and companies of all sizes \u0026ndash; the space, culture and flexibility that will help recruit and retain the talent they need for their business to flourish.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOther speakers at the event included Governor Deal, Hala Moddelmog of the Metro Atlanta Chamber,\u0026nbsp; and Larry Williams of the Technology Association of Georgia. They all welcomed WeWork and congratulated the company on their growth and expansion in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;As the capital of the Southeast, the Hollywood and Silicon Valley of the South, and as the greatest place to live, work, and call home, Atlanta has a thriving startup, tech, music, and creative-industries landscape,\u0026rdquo; said Deal. \u0026ldquo;WeWork helps provide these creators with a global network of more than 175,000 members in addition to workspaces, professional services, and resources necessary for success. Whether they be a one-person, two-person, 25-person business or whatever size they may be in their initial stages, this is a great place to be in order to give them that start.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePhoto courtesy of Joi Pearson Photography.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":164,"title":"Group PSA, Europe’s 2nd Largest Carmaker, Establishes HQ in Atlanta","promo_title":"Group PSA, Europe’s 2nd Largest Carmaker, Establishes HQ in Atlanta","published_date":"2018-01-25","featured_image":{"id":510,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"psa_groupe_mailchimp.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":80847,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:01:23.904-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-06T15:01:23.935-05:00","updated_at":"2018-05-03T14:14:54.800-04:00","filename_hash":"psa_groupe_mailchimp_XJj2vDY.jpg","width":1506,"height":672},"filename":"group-psa-europes-2nd-largest-carmaker-establishes-hq-in-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"gvS5NA","created_at":"2018-02-04T13:47:05.664-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:01:29.903-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Governor Nathan Deal, and Invest Atlanta announced that Groupe PSA will locate its new North American headquarters in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Governor Nathan Deal, and Invest Atlanta announced that Groupe PSA, a French multinational manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles, will locate its new North American headquarters in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am very pleased that PSA Groupe has selected Atlanta for its North American headquarters and look forward to working with the company\u0026rsquo;s executive leadership to grow their operations here,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s automotive sector continues to expand, and the city is now home to three leading European automotive company headquarters, including PSA Groupe, Mercedes-Benz USA and Porsche Cars North America. Automotive companies are attracted to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s highly skilled workforce, a strong research and technology community, and easy access to Europe and points across the world through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith its five world-renowned brands, Peugeot, Citro\u0026euml;n, DS, Opel and Vauxhall Motors, as well as its mobility application brand called Free2Move, Groupe PSA is one of the largest car manufacturers in the world, and the second largest in Europe.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Attracting foreign direct investment is critical to making Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy globally competitive, and it is great news to have Groupe PSA, Europe\u0026rsquo;s second-largest carmaker, invest in our city,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;We look forward to working closely with Groupe PSA as they take this step of re-entering the North American market. They are the twentieth company to announce a headquarters relocation or major expansion in Atlanta since 2010, which has created a total of nearly 11,000 new jobs.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are thrilled that Groupe PSA, the second-largest carmaker in Europe and one of the top mobility providers in the world, has picked Atlanta for its new North American home,\u0026rdquo; said Governor Deal. \u0026ldquo;Groupe PSA joins a growing family of innovative automotive manufacturers and suppliers operating here in Georgia. This announcement is a great win for our state and yet another testament to the strength of our business environment and infrastructure.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGroupe PSA employs more than 200,000 individuals worldwide, with an annual revenue of $60 billion and 3.6 million vehicles sold annually. Georgia is home to more than 320 automotive facilities that employ more than 27,800 Georgians. Groupe PSA will be the third North American headquarters in Atlanta of a major global Original Equipment Manufacturer.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":165,"title":"GSMA Opens North American Regional Office at Armour Yards","promo_title":"GSMA Opens North American Regional Office at Armour Yards","published_date":"2018-01-12","featured_image":{"id":511,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"gsma_eloisa_feature-1024x768.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":123276,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:02:08.833-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-06T15:02:08.863-05:00","updated_at":"2018-05-03T14:15:12.597-04:00","filename_hash":"gsma_eloisa_feature-1024x768_E6VQ1pK.jpg","width":1024,"height":768},"filename":"gsma-opens-north-american-regional-office-at-armour-yards","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"sRPr8Q","created_at":"2018-02-04T13:50:45.947-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:02:14.576-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;GSMA held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate its new North American regional office in Armour Yards near Midtown Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;At a ceremony attended by Dr. Eloisa Klementich and other dignitaries and leaders from the Atlanta technology community, the GSMA officially opened its new 15,000 square-foot offices, which will house nearly 90 GSMA employees.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are so excited to welcome GSMA to the City of Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Klementich.\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;To have the organization at the forefront of the global mobile industry here at Armour Yards gets 2018 off to a terrific start. This move will strengthen Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as a tech hub in the global mobility space, and further promote Atlanta as a city with a thriving tech industry sector to retain and attract top talent and business.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta has been ranked as the most mobile-friendly city in the U.S., and we\u0026rsquo;re home to leaders in all facets of mobile technology. Our region is home to leading mobile tech marketers\u0026mdash;like Coca-Cola and Delta\u0026mdash;leading mobile content producers like Turner and Cox\u0026mdash;and mobility telecom companies\u0026mdash;like AT\u0026amp;T Wireless and Earthlink. In fact, 100 communication service companies are located in our state, putting Georgia at #5 in the country.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta is\u0026nbsp;a leader, not just in mobility, but also in the Internet of Things\u0026mdash;or IoT\u0026mdash;Health IT, FinTech, and cybersecurity. Georgia\u0026rsquo;s more than 14,000 tech companies employ around 200,000 workers, with an estimated annual economic impact of $113 billion. In the last two years, company relocations and expansions in Atlanta account for more than 6,000 new technology jobs and over $600 million of capital investment in the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith global headquarters in London, the GSMA represents nearly 800 mobile operators worldwide, as well as more than 300 other companies including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers, internet companies and organizations in adjacent industry sectors. Operator members in the North America region include companies such as AT\u0026amp;T, Bell Mobility, Digicel, Rogers Communications, Sprint, T-Mobile, Telus and Verizon, among many others.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The opening of our new North American office marks the start of the next chapter for the GSMA in the region,\u0026rdquo; said Mats Granryd, Director General, GSMA. \u0026ldquo;Our new location in Midtown Atlanta puts us at the very center of the vibrant, dynamic tech scene in the city, enabling us to draw on a rich talent pool and engage even more closely with the broad technology ecosystem that has developed here.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":166,"title":"IA Ends 2017 On High Note With Support For Hundreds of Affordable Housing Units","promo_title":"IA Ends 2017 On High Note With Support For Hundreds of Affordable Housing Units","published_date":"2018-01-11","featured_image":{"id":512,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"city-lights-2_rendering_main.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1002626,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:02:43.943-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-02-06T15:02:43.982-05:00","updated_at":"2019-12-24T08:34:05.064-05:00","filename_hash":"city-lights-2_rendering_main_RJNvPDD.png","width":1073,"height":494},"filename":"ia-ends-2017-on-high-note-with-support-for-hundreds-of-affordable-housing-units","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"-cAO3A","created_at":"2018-02-04T13:53:56.199-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:02:50.243-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta closed on several important affordable housing projects to put the total number of affordable housing units supported this year at 1,962.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAs 2017 came to an end, Invest Atlanta closed on several important affordable housing projects to put the total number of affordable housing units supported this year at 1,962. Below are the multi-family and senior housing projects Invest Atlanta closed in December:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCity Lights II:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eInvest Atlanta issued $11.5 million in tax-exempt bonds to finance Wingate Companies\u0026rsquo; City Lights II, a 96-unit multifamily project located at 444 Boulevard in the Old Fourth Ward Neighborhood.\u0026nbsp; This new construction project will provide affordable housing targeting families at or below 60% AMI.\u0026nbsp; AHA will provide a Housing Assistance Payment Contract, allowing residents to pay no more than 30% of their income towards housing costs. This is the second phase in a five-phase development in the Old Fourth Ward Community, and Invest Atlanta previously funded City Lights I, a senior development that was fully leased prior to completion.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEdgewood Court:\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta issued $26.4\u0026nbsp;million tax exempt bonds to finance the acquisition and rehabilitation of Edgewood Court, a 222-unit multifamily project located at 1572 Hardee Street, NE.\u0026nbsp; This project will provide preservation of affordable housing targeting families at or below 60% AMI. AHA will provide a Housing Assistance Payment Contract for 80% of the units, allowing residents to pay no more than 30% of their income towards housing costs.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGeorgia Avenue:\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;A total of $52.2 million lease purchase bonds were issued to support the first phase of the Georgia Avenue mixed-use development, which contains 120-units of multifamily rental housing, of which 18 are set aside as workforce affordable units. The development, located Turner Field Stadium Area, will also house retail and creative office space.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAllen Hills \u0026amp; Rolling Bends I:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta issued $58 million in tax exempt bonds to finance the acquisition and rehab of Allen Hills, a 458-unit multifamily project located at 3086 Middleton Road, NW in the Westhaven neighborhood. In addition, $25\u0026nbsp;million in tax exempt bonds will finance the acquisition and rehab of Rolling Bends I, a 164-unit multifamily project located at 2500 Center Street, NW, in Carey Park.\u0026nbsp; Both projects preserve affordable housing targeting families at or below 60% AMI, with HUD providing a Housing Assistance Payment Contract for 100% of the units, allowing residents to pay no more than 30% of their income towards housing costs. The developer is Preservation Partners Development is a California based development group specializing in the acquisition and preservation of HUD insured and assisted affordable housing developments.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis year, the organization looks forward to continuing our work supporting the construction and preservation of affordable housing throughout the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Old Fourth Ward\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":167,"title":"Invest Atlanta Names Dawn Luke Chief Operating Officer","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Names Dawn Luke Chief Operating Officer","published_date":"2018-01-09","featured_image":{"id":513,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"dawnluke-cco-facebook-v2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":85002,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:03:32.732-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-06T15:03:32.759-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:03:40.419-05:00","filename_hash":"dawnluke-cco-facebook-v2_4XEZym6.jpg","width":1200,"height":537},"filename":"invest-atlanta-names-dawn-luke-chief-operating-officer","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"2wZvEQ","created_at":"2018-02-04T13:56:20.053-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:03:40.411-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta announced the appointment of Dawn Luke as chief operating officer of Invest Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta announced the appointment of Dawn Luke as chief operating officer of Invest Atlanta. As a longtime employee of Invest Atlanta and member of its Executive Team, Ms. Luke brings substantial knowledge of Invest Atlanta and all facets of the agency\u0026rsquo;s operations to the position. In her new role, Ms. Luke will oversee Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s finance, information technology, human resources and investment services departments, and continue to support Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s community development programs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I could not be prouder to announce Dawn Luke as our new COO,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;She is a proven leader and a passionate advocate for community development and affordable housing. I look forward to working alongside her as we strive to make Invest Atlanta more efficient, responsive and innovative than ever before.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith more than 20 years of experience at Invest Atlanta and the Urban Residential Finance Authority, she is an expert in housing development, finance, neighborhood investment and other areas of community development. Ms. Luke previously served as Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s senior vice president of Community Development and was responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction in the successful execution of a shared vision of comprehensive community development, quality affordable housing, and economic growth in the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s 10 Tax Allocation Districts (TADs).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBefore that, she was Managing Director of Housing Finance for five years overseeing the successful implementation of over $250 million in pivotal affordable housing programs which served to provide viable housing solutions for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s workforce, seniors, disabled and individuals confronted with homelessness. During her tenure with Invest Atlanta, Ms. Luke also managed and operated a multifamily and single-family housing bond portfolio of approximately $1.6 billion and more than 20,000 units of housing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It is an honor and privilege to accept this position,\u0026rdquo; said Dawn Luke. \u0026ldquo;Over the years, I have seen Invest Atlanta grow into one of the premier organizations of its kind in the world, thanks in large part to our talented and dedicated staff. Under the leadership of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Dr. Klementich, our organization will continue to play a key role in fostering growth, equity and inclusion in Atlanta. I cannot wait to get started in this role.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMs. Luke earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Spelman College and a MBA in International Business from Georgia State University. She currently serves as President Emeritus of the board of directors of Georgia Sustainable Committee Alliance, Chairwoman of the Southwest Atlanta Partnership board of directors, an active member of the board of directors for the National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA), the Atlanta Land Trust as well as Partners for Prosperity.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":168,"title":"NCR Officially Opens New Global Headquarters in Midtown","promo_title":"NCR Officially Opens New Global Headquarters in Midtown","published_date":"2018-01-08","featured_image":{"id":514,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"ncr_hq_main-1024x539.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":142649,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:04:12.350-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-06T15:04:12.379-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:04:20.340-05:00","filename_hash":"ncr_hq_main-1024x539_DN1jRqQ.jpg","width":1024,"height":539},"filename":"ncr-officially-opens-new-global-headquarters-in-midtown","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"dDbASA","created_at":"2018-02-04T14:01:59.308-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:04:20.332-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n NCR Corporation opened its new global headquarters campus in Midtown Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNCR Corporation opened its new global headquarters campus in Midtown Atlanta. The two-tower campus will provide the space needed to prepare for future growth and create innovations that will help power the digitally-connected economy.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn total, NCR\u0026rsquo;s new headquarters will be home to approximately 5,000 skilled professionals. The state-of-the-art campus will be roughly 750,000 square feet of space, comprised of two office towers situated at the corner of 8th and Spring Streets in the heart of burgeoning Midtown Atlanta. Employees will begin moving into the first tower today, with the second tower opening later this year.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am pleased that NCR has chosen the City of Atlanta for its new headquarters, and this major capital investment that will bring over 5,000 skilled jobs to Midtown,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;Atlanta is a global technology center that offers companies access to top talent, renowned research institutions and advanced technology infrastructure. I look forward to working with Mr. Nuti and everyone at NCR as we continue to strengthen Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s role as a premier global tech and innovation hub. The opening of NCR\u0026rsquo;s new corporate campus represents another major step towards that goal.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eConstruction of the first tower began in November 2015. In September 2016, NCR announced it would expand the campus and build a second tower. NCR partnered with Invest Atlanta and the Georgia Department of Economic Development on development of the campus to create $450 million of public and private investment in Midtown Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This Campus symbolizes the power of reinvention. It celebrates the innovators, dreamers, and problem-solvers who walk through our doors every day and have the courage to build a better tomorrow,\u0026rdquo; said NCR Chairman and CEO Bill Nuti. \u0026ldquo;Our move to Midtown is part of our vision for transforming Atlanta into the Silicon Valley of the East.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe global headquarters will enable optimal collaboration and teamwork; feature the technology and tools to support the changing nature of how, when and where work is done; and excite and inspire employees and customers. The campus will feature such amenities as dining options and outdoor seating, coffee bar, gym, informal spaces that spark creativity, and a large lecture space. It will become the permanent home for the NCR Innovation Lab and continue the already robust partnership between NCR and Georgia Tech, as the organizations are now located side-by-side in the center of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Technology Square.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":169,"title":"BRE Team Supports CapTech’s Expansion at Bank of America Plaza","promo_title":"BRE Team Supports CapTech’s Expansion at Bank of America Plaza","published_date":"2018-01-03","featured_image":{"id":515,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"captech_main-1024x610.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":92957,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:04:51.813-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-06T15:04:51.841-05:00","updated_at":"2018-05-07T16:09:32.942-04:00","filename_hash":"captech_main-1024x610_ymQpOeO.jpg","width":1024,"height":610},"filename":"bre-team-supports-captechs-expansion-at-bank-of-america-plaza","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ws9Nrw","created_at":"2018-02-04T14:04:35.766-05:00","updated_at":"2018-05-07T16:09:32.908-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The company recently moved to Bank of America Plaza, and plans to add 50 new positions this year.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) team met with executives from CapTech, a management and IT consulting firm growing its presence in Atlanta.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe company recently moved to Bank of America Plaza, and plans to add 50 new positions this year. CapTech is a national firm based in Richmond, Virginia, but opened an Atlanta office\u0026nbsp;to gain access to the city\u0026rsquo;s high concentration of Fortune 500 companies and talented workforce.\u0026nbsp; CapTech chose Bank of America Plaza specifically for it\u0026rsquo;s location near Georgia Tech and a MARTA rail station.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026ldquo;The tech market in Atlanta is just booming and CapTech\u0026rsquo;s business in Atlanta is growing faster and more robustly than expected,\u0026rdquo; a CapTech spokeswoman\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2017/11/10/atlanta-pitching-the-gulch-as-no-1-site-for-amazon.html\"\u003esaid recently\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCapTech has been already become active in the surrounding communities. Since opening their Atlanta office, the company has participated in Coca-Cola\u0026rsquo;s Year Up program, worked with Usher\u0026rsquo;s New Look, and supported the Covenant House.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe BRE team recently met with company representatives to discuss incentives, including the Opportunity Zone Tax Credit, which offers a maximum annual tax credit of $3,500 per new job for five years. They also discussed how to meet their workforce development needs and made\u0026nbsp;introduced the company to other regional organizations.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":170,"title":"City of Atlanta Launches Creative Industries Loan Fund to Support and Retain Local Talent","promo_title":"City of Atlanta Launches Creative Industries Loan Fund to Support and Retain Local Talent","published_date":"2017-12-23","featured_image":{"id":516,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"creative_industries_top-1024x625.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":99118,"resource_updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:05:33.930-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-02-06T15:05:33.958-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:05:41.380-05:00","filename_hash":"creative_industries_top-1024x625_OPlbvyM.jpg","width":1024,"height":625},"filename":"city-of-atlanta-launches-creative-industries-loan-fund-to-support-and-retain-local-talent","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"EA7pfw","created_at":"2018-02-04T14:09:10.301-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T15:05:41.372-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n New Creative Industries Loan Fund will assist our city\u0026rsquo;s independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta recently announced the new\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/creative-industries-fund\"\u003eCreative Industries Loan Fund\u003c/a\u003e, a joint project between the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Film and Entertainment and Invest Atlanta to assist our city\u0026rsquo;s independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs. The program offers loans with low interest rates and flexible repayment terms for local creative entrepreneurs to use for production, post-production, distribution, marketing outreach, touring, prototype development, product development and sales and attraction for their creative projects. (Learn more about the Fund\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"/businesses/startups-creatives/creative-industries-fund\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Our city is rich in talent and ideas, but funding decisions are often made elsewhere,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed. \u0026ldquo;With the new Creative Industries Loan Fund, we will help our homegrown innovators as they build and keep their businesses in the City of Atlanta. We will continue to build our creative economy and enhance Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as the center of Georgia\u0026rsquo;s booming film, TV and entertainment business.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTogether, the City of Atlanta and the State of Georgia have established world-class infrastructure for the film, television and entertainment industries. As a result, the State of Georgia was the number-one location in the world for film and TV production last year. Film and television production in Georgia generated more than $6 billion in economic impact in 2015. In the time since Mayor Reed took office in 2010, the industry has grown from $250 million per year to $9.5 billion, representing a growth of 2,000 percent. The City of Atlanta issued more than 1,000 permits for film production in Fiscal Year 17, generating $763,000 in revenue.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;To ensure our city\u0026rsquo;s creative industries thrive for years and decades to come, we need to support our homegrown artists who are creating the next box office smash, hit music track, or top-rated video game,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;The Creative Industries Loan Fund gives us a new tool to create jobs, retain our top creative talent, and strengthen Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as a global entertainment capital.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eApplications for the Creative Industries Loan Fund are open to independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs operating within the City of Atlanta who plan to create within the City of Atlanta, independent content creators and creative entrepreneurs registered as a business within the City of Atlanta, and independent record and management companies operating within the City of Atlanta, as well as their talent located within the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We have a phenomenal opportunity here. The creative impact on our city, both culturally and economically has been unprecedented,\u0026rdquo; Christopher Hicks, Director of the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Film and Entertainment. \u0026ldquo;We look forward to building on top of those successes with this endeavor.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eApplications for the Fund will be made through Invest Atlanta; a new Creative Industries Advisory Board will review the applications and make funding decisions. Awards will be made through Invest Atlanta, which will report on all approved awardees to the Invest Atlanta Economic Development Committee.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":19,"title":"The iVillage @ MLK Shipping Container Village Officially Announced","promo_title":"The iVillage @ MLK Shipping Container Village Officially Announced","published_date":"2017-12-19","featured_image":{"id":226,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"ivillage_top.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":960803,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:45:07.880-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T14:45:08.396-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T12:42:40.454-05:00","filename_hash":"ivillage_top_DNxem41.jpg","width":5155,"height":3147},"filename":"the-ivillage-mlk-shipping-container-village-officially-announced","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"kaIk_A","created_at":"2017-12-20T14:47:06.001-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T12:42:40.422-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Kasim Reed, Invest Atlanta and MARTA announced The iVillage @ MLK, a transit-oriented development made of repurposed shipping containers.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Kasim Reed, Invest Atlanta and MARTA officially announced The iVillage @ MLK, a transit-oriented development made out of repurposed shipping containers, at H.E. Holmes MARTA Station.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This shipping-container iVillage is not only the first of its kind in the State of Georgia, it\u0026rsquo;s another example of how the City of Atlanta supports innovation and entrepreneurship,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed. \u0026ldquo;This concept is being featured in leading cities such as London, Copenhagen and San Francisco. With the new iVillage at the H.E. Holmes MARTA station, we are leveraging a smart, sustainable idea to expand our commitment to creating new hubs of innovation all over the City. I am pleased that this new iVillage will be one component of improvements and investments to improve mobility and access to economic opportunity along the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive corridor.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce construction on the project is complete, the iVillage @ MLK will provide affordable, transit-accessible retail and office space for small businesses. A total of 14 shipping containers will be used to create around 6,500 square feet of commercial space. The development will also include sizable lawn and deck areas to host public events.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m looking forward to the day when local entrepreneurs are here every day, bringing their new ideas and energy to this area,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;One day, we hope to see many of the businesses launched take root up and down the MLK Corridor and look forward to working with the community to make The iVillage @ MLK a place of pride and purpose.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe iVillage @ MLK will provide the opportunity for reimagining the possibilities of a public space, putting it to new and attractive use for local businesses and residents. MARTA will examine future opportunities for transit-oriented development at H.E. Holmes Station to ensure more people can live affordably near our job centers and transit nodes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThough this is the first project of its kind in Georgia, container villages have been launched around the world. Cities like Las Vegas, London, Copenhagen, and San Francisco have developed container villages to create new affordable retail or living space. Innovative developments like these around the world have been successful in not only economic growth, but also creating a greater sense of place within communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe iVillage @ MLK is part of the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s larger effort continue to transform Westside communities, especially along the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Corridor. The iVillage is more than just development of office and retail space, it\u0026rsquo;s part of a larger strategy to bring economic investment to key commercial corridors throughout the city like MLK Drive.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLast year, the City of Atlanta was awarded a $10 million TIGER grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help improve MLK Drive. That grant is part of a $22.7 million effort to improve mobility and increase access to transit, employment centers and services along MLK.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eApplications will be made available soon for entrepreneurs interested in leasing space at The iVillage @ MLK.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n MLK Corridor\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":153,"title":"IA Joins Inaugural Atlanta Housing Equity and Affordability Forum","promo_title":"IA Joins Inaugural Atlanta Housing Equity and Affordability Forum","published_date":"2017-12-14","featured_image":{"id":383,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"dawn_equity_panel-feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":388504,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:14:41.480-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T16:14:41.753-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:15:32.379-05:00","filename_hash":"dawn_equity_panel-feature_W1a5gPy.jpg","width":3354,"height":2516},"filename":"ia-joins-inaugural-atlanta-housing-equity-and-affordability-forum","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"zTBcXA","created_at":"2017-12-21T16:15:31.838-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:15:31.838-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta participated in the first Atlanta Housing Equity and Affordability Forum on Thursday, December 14 at The Gathering Spot.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta participated in the first Atlanta Housing Equity and Affordability Forum on Thursday, December 14 at The Gathering Spot. Hosted by the Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA), the event consisted of three panel discussions with leaders in affordable housing development and policy.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We really hope that this will be the first of a series of discussions that we\u0026rsquo;ll have about how we address the affordability and equity issues here in the City of Atlanta in a thoughtful and inclusive way,\u0026rdquo; said Catherine Buell, CEO of the AHA.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDawn Luke, Senior Vice President of Community Development at Invest Atlanta, sat on the day\u0026rsquo;s first panel, \u0026ldquo;The New Deal Makers: Emerging Developers and Public Innovators.\u0026rdquo; Joining her in conversation were Leonard Adams, founder of the Quest Community Development Organization, Inc., Kelly King of Oakwood Development, Brandon Riddick-Seals of the Atlanta Housing Authority\u0026rsquo;s Board of Commissioners, and Janis Ware, the Executive Director of Summech CDC.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe participants had a robust discussion about how smaller developers can look to build more affordable housing in our city. Luke shared some advice for those interested in the field.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Always be accountable for what you\u0026rsquo;re going to do,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;Because you are impacting people\u0026rsquo;s lives.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe also spoke about Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s emphasis on empowering developers that live in the Atlanta neighborhoods they serve.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We had to, as an organization, step back and say, \u0026lsquo;How can we really help these developers that are committed to the community?\u0026rdquo; said Luke.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe informed the audience about a new pilot program Invest Atlanta called Community Builders. This program empowers participants to partner with Invest Atlanta on the organization\u0026rsquo;s work on the Westside. Over a 6-week period, participants will learn core property redevelopment skills, and cover topics like zoning and property selection. Once they complete the Community Builders program, these future developers be eligible to apply for funding assistance to support their own redevelopment projects.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAdams emphasized the importance of building partnerships between developers, financial backers, and the community to move projects forward.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;These deals don\u0026rsquo;t happen in a vacuum,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;You talk to everybody to make the deal happen, and that includes the people on the ground all the way up to the funding sources.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":24,"title":"Piedmont Senior Tower Breaks Ground on Extensive Upgrades","promo_title":"Piedmont Senior Tower Breaks Ground on Extensive Upgrades","published_date":"2017-12-12","featured_image":{"id":231,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"piedmont-senior-tower_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":328748,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:10:27.337-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T15:10:27.566-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:11:26.811-05:00","filename_hash":"piedmont-senior-tower_feature_p5VxENj.jpg","width":2745,"height":2059},"filename":"piedmont-senior-tower-breaks-ground-on-extensive-upgrades","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"L0rhoA","created_at":"2017-12-20T15:11:26.277-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:11:26.277-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The groundbreaking celebration at Piedmont Senior Tower celebrated the beginning of extensive renovations and upgrades to the complex.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA groundbreaking celebration took place at Piedmont Senior Tower on December 12 to celebrate the beginning of extensive renovations and upgrades to the complex. Once complete, the building will be fully rehabilitated, preserving more than 200 affordable units for the elderly and disabled.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I believe housing is about people,\u0026rdquo; said Councilmember Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;That\u0026rsquo;s what this is all about. We have to preserve the opportunity to be in this area, with wonderful access to Buckhead. With AHA, with Invest Atlanta, and with everyone else, we will make sure there\u0026rsquo;s opportunity to live everywhere in this city at all income bands.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has been working on this project for more than two years with the Michaels Development Company, the Atlanta Housing Authority, and other financial partners.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This project is a long time coming,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s with immense pride that I\u0026rsquo;m here today to help break ground on Piedmont Senior Tower and ensure more of our seniors live and thrive here in Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe families living in the complex will to continue living in in the Buckhead Forest neighborhood, where they\u0026rsquo;ll be near the amenities like grocery stores and a MARTA bus stop\u0026mdash;complete with a new shelter\u0026mdash;right outside their door. They\u0026rsquo;ll receive new countertops and flooring within their units, as well as upgraded HVAC and water systems throughout.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBut most importantly, the upgrades will mean families will be able live here affordably for many years to come.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I love living here,\u0026rdquo; said Alice Gailes, a two-year resident of Piedmont Senior Tower. \u0026ldquo;I love everything about this tower. We have everything we need here, and we can live carefree.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta continues to work with public and private partners to invest in senior housing developments like this one throughout the City of Atlanta. Some of the more recent projects include the Reynoldstown Senior Residences, City Lights in the Old Fourth Ward, The Remington in Carey Park, Abernathy Towers in the West End, and the Oasis of Vine City.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThese efforts are part of a larger affordability strategy Invest Atlanta, under the leadership of Mayor Reed, has implemented with our partners to serve families across the income and age spectrums. These policies have created more than 4,000 affordable units during Mayor Reed\u0026rsquo;s administration.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePiedmont Senior Tower is the first Rental Assistance Demonstration, or RAD, project in the City of Atlanta. More of these types of innovative solutions as our senior population grows. One forecast found that by the year 2035, one out of 5 Americans will be over the age of 65. And the need for more affordable living options will continue to increase.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEnsuring more of our seniors live and thrive here in Atlanta also has benefits for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy. In fact, the Atlanta Regional Commission recently found that for every 1,000 new residents over the age of 65 the city welcomes, the region\u0026rsquo;s GDP increases by $7.8 billion.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Buckhead\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":155,"title":"Invest Atlanta Gives Back During the Holidays","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Gives Back During the Holidays","published_date":"2017-12-11","featured_image":{"id":385,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"bagathon_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":584484,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:17:00.806-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T16:17:01.216-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:18:31.239-05:00","filename_hash":"bagathon_feature_oMaLWYy.jpg","width":4032,"height":3024},"filename":"invest-atlanta-gives-back-during-the-holidays","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"a_2HAw","created_at":"2017-12-21T16:17:52.012-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:17:52.012-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Team IA once again came together to help others during the holiday season.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTeam IA once again came together to help others during the holiday season.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout the month of November, staff provided aid and support for the ongoing Hurricane Maria relief efforts in Puerto Rico. The group \u0026ldquo;Atlanta Levanta a Puerto Rico\u0026rdquo; organized the effort. Canned goods, diapers, and batteries were among the much-needed items gathered at the Invest Atlanta office before being distributed.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlso in November, Invest Atlanta participated in Central Atlanta Progress hosted Sneaker Week to promote sustainability and health in Atlanta. Collection bins for used sneakers were placed in major office buildings throughout Downtown Atlanta. Team IA came through in a big way, with our office finishing third among City of Atlanta government buildings. These sneakers will be donated to those in need or recycled depending on wear and tear.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFinally, more than a dozen staff members volunteered their time in December to assemble snack bags for the annual United Way Bag-A-Thon. The team put together 525 bags this year, which went to children attending the after-school programs at City of Refuge and the Nicholson House.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThose who joined in included Shelease, Daphne, Devon, Michele, Rita, Stephen, Dale, Payson, Flor, June, Robert, Heide, Kiera, Elaine, Christie, Kent, Malaika, Anita, and Jennifer. Other IA staff members contributed or purchased snacks as part of the effort.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWe are IA!\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":22,"title":"IA Leads Southwest BeltLine Existing Business Resource Event","promo_title":"IA Leads Southwest BeltLine Existing Business Resource Event","published_date":"2017-12-11","featured_image":{"id":228,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"sw_beltline_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":675919,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:53:16.533-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T14:53:16.995-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:12:23.021-05:00","filename_hash":"sw_beltline_feature_DNxemvv.jpg","width":5119,"height":3840},"filename":"ia-leads-southwest-beltline-existing-business-resource-event","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"w4vj7g","created_at":"2017-12-20T15:02:05.821-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:12:22.466-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta led the Southwest Atlanta BeltLIne Existing Resource Event to present the resources and programs available to small businesses.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta recently led the Southwest Atlanta BeltLIne Existing Resource Event to present the many resources and programs available to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe event, the first in a series planned for other locations along the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://beltline.org/\"\u003eAtlanta BeltLine\u003c/a\u003e, took place on November 30.\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.dcafeatl.com/\"\u003eD Caf\u0026eacute; \u0026amp; Catering\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;in Westview hosted and provided breakfast to presenters and participants.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKiyomi Rollins, owner of\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.thegoodhairshop.com/\"\u003eThe Good Hair Shop\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;and a recipient of a small business loan through Invest Atlanta, urged attendees to seek out the resources they need to sustain and grow their business.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Call them up, apply,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;They are giving you the path to success, the path to sustainability. Everyone at Invest Atlanta has been very supportive with the tools we need to retain businesses.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, Ms. Rollins took over Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Twitter feed to update those who couldn\u0026rsquo;t attend about the resources available to existing small businesses along the Atlanta BeltLine.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral members from the Invest Atlanta team also spoke at the event. Erika Smith covered IA\u0026rsquo;s Business Retention and Expansion programs, while Lonnie Saboor detailed our available\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/business/small-business-loan-programs/\"\u003esmall business loan programs\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJerald Mitchell from Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., Jim Skinner from the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://atlantaregional.org/\"\u003eAtlanta Regional Commission (ARC)\u003c/a\u003e, and Terry Collier from the MLK, Jr. Dr. Merchants Association also presented, as did representatives from\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.villagemicrofund.com/\"\u003eThe Village Micro Fund\u003c/a\u003e,\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://aceloans.org/\"\u003eAccess to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE)\u003c/a\u003e,\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.sba.gov/offices/district/ga/atlanta\"\u003eSBA\u003c/a\u003e,\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.georgiasbdc.org/atlanta-office/\"\u003eSBDC\u003c/a\u003e, and\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.wellsfargo.com/\"\u003eWells Fargo\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThanks to all the presenters and attendees\u0026mdash;including members of the Atlanta City Council\u0026mdash;for coming out, and a special thanks to Ms. D for hosting and catering the event.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":151,"title":"Financing Approved for Preservation of 812 Affordable Housing Units","promo_title":"Financing Approved for Preservation of 812 Affordable Housing Units","published_date":"2017-12-07","featured_image":{"id":381,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"rolling_bends_3_feature.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1535694,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:12:21.446-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T16:12:21.642-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:13:29.521-05:00","filename_hash":"rolling_bends_3_feature_MYqVPxj.png","width":966,"height":724},"filename":"financing-approved-for-preservation-of-812-affordable-housing-units","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"M764EA","created_at":"2017-12-21T16:13:28.453-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:13:28.453-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The URFA Board of Directors approved financing for the acquisition and rehabilitation of 812 units of affordable rental housing.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe URFA Board of Directors recently approved financing for the acquisition and rehabilitation of three multifamily rental complexes with 812 units of affordable rental housing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAt a special called meeting, the board approved a total of $128.8 million in tax-exempt bond financing to support the preservation of three multifamily housing developments: Allen Hills, Rolling Bends I, and Rolling Bends II. Here are the details:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAllen Hills:\u0026nbsp;$66.7 million in tax-exempt bond financing will support the preservation of 458 units of multifamily housing in the Westhaven community.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRolling Bends I \u0026amp; II:\u0026nbsp;The URFA board approved a bond resolution approving $28.75 million and another for $33.35 million in tax-exempt bond financing. This will support a total of 354 units within the two complexes located in northwest Atlanta.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are excited we are able to preserve affordable housing for families,\u0026rdquo; said Dawn Luke, Senior Vice President of Community Development at Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll the units will be reserved for households earning no more than 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). (For example, a family of two can earn up to $33,390 and be eligible.) In addition, HUD subsidies ensure all residents will pay no more than 30% of their income in rent.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePreservation Partners Development will own and manage all three properties. They\u0026rsquo;ll soon start making extensive renovations to all three properties, including upgrades to kitchens, windows, and community spaces. In addition, the company will implement plans for both neighborhood integration and enhanced security, as well as work with nearby churches and community non-profits to offer support services to their residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":28,"title":"Invest Atlanta Small Business Stories: The Nest Nursery School","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Small Business Stories: The Nest Nursery School","published_date":"2017-12-04","featured_image":{"id":236,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"nest_still_feature.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":740497,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:31:38.624-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T15:31:38.777-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:44:39.164-05:00","filename_hash":"nest_still_feature_azne97y.png","width":703,"height":527},"filename":"invest-atlanta-small-business-stories-the-nest-nursery-school","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"hCkOPA","created_at":"2017-12-20T15:37:02.463-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:37:02.463-05:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/242983668","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n In November, Invest Atlanta launched our brand-new video series, \u0026ldquo;Small Business Stories,\u0026rdquo; featuring successful Atlanta small business owners.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn November, Invest Atlanta launched our brand-new video series, \u0026ldquo;Small Business Stories,\u0026rdquo; in which we feature successful Atlanta small business owners. First up is\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://thenestnurseryschool.org/\"\u003eThe Nest\u003c/a\u003e, a neighborhood nursery school that expanded in Grant Park thanks to a small business loan from Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;[Invest Atlanta wants] to help you, they want to support small businesses and make our larger community better,\u0026rdquo; says co-founder Mandy Palmer.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStay tuned for more Small Business Stories in 2018!\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":149,"title":"Civic Center to Be Redeveloped Into Mixed-Use Development With Affordable Housing","promo_title":"Redevelopment of Civic Center to Include Affordable Housing","published_date":"2017-11-21","featured_image":{"id":379,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"civic-center.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1242938,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:08:55.445-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T16:08:55.609-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:10:08.967-05:00","filename_hash":"civic-center_vl6qay2.png","width":1005,"height":750},"filename":"civic-center-to-be-redeveloped-into-mixed-use-development-with-affordable-housing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"UWSkDg","created_at":"2017-12-21T16:10:08.357-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:10:08.357-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Kasim Reed announced the sale of the Civic Center to the Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA) for $31 million.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Kasim Reed announced the City of Atlanta has sold the Civic Center to the Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA) for $31 million. Mayor Reed was joined by AHA President and CEO Catherine Buell and Invest Atlanta General Counsel and Senior Vice President Rosalind Rubens Newell for the announcement.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAHA will partner with Weingarten Realty Investors to develop plans for the site, which is expected to result in a $300 million total investment, and will commit to 30 percent affordable housing at a time when affordability and mobility are the most important issues facing our city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am pleased to announce today that the City has closed on the sale of the Civic Center to our partners at the Atlanta Housing Authority, which has committed to making 30 percent of new residential units at this property affordable to low-income and working families,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough its HomeFlex program, AHA will build 250 low-income housing units. Through its bond inducement requirements, Invest Atlanta will support development of at least 10 percent workforce housing units. Overall, at least 30 percent of new residential units will be affordable to low-income and working families.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The redevelopment of the Civic Center will be a transformative project for north Downtown, bringing new jobs, investment, and amenities to the area,\u0026rdquo; said Rosalind Rubens Newell, general counsel for Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;It will also create much-needed affordable workforce housing in the heart of our city, making it easier for more city residents to live near employment centers like Midtown and Downtown. Today\u0026rsquo;s announcement represents another important step forward in our work to increase economic vitality, mobility, and equity for all Atlantans.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re happy that we can help execute this game-changing acquisition,\u0026rdquo; says Catherine Buell, president and CEO of the Atlanta Housing Authority. \u0026ldquo;As the site land owner, we can collaborate with all parties in a way that allows AHA to structure and guarantee a level of permanent affordability.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe mixed-use development will also incorporate retail and commercial space, with consideration given to a performing arts venue.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":48,"title":"IA Moves Forward With Innovative Housing Affordability Strategies","promo_title":"IA Moves Forward With Innovative Housing Affordability Strategies","published_date":"2017-11-16","featured_image":{"id":256,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"affordability_innovative_top.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1553524,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:31:41.489-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:31:41.657-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:37:50.990-05:00","filename_hash":"affordability_innovative_top_NnPxD6n.png","width":1081,"height":661},"filename":"ia-moves-forward-with-innovative-housing-affordability-strategies","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"iZgM8Q","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:37:50.414-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:37:50.414-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved two resolutions to provide new opportunities for long-term affordability on the Westside.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved two resolutions to provide new opportunities for long-term affordability in the Westside neighborhoods of English Avenue and Vine City. These initiatives will offer new affordable living options for both renters and potential homeowners.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We recognize that we have to have a solution for all the residents living in this community,\u0026rdquo; said Dawn Luke, senior VP of community development for Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe board\u0026rsquo;s first action approved the selection of four developers to award the sale or ground lease of 24 vacant single-family home lots. These properties, all of which are located within the Westside TAD, will be redeveloped and marketed to residents earning between $39,000 \u0026ndash; $58,000 annually.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe homes will remain affordable through a community land trust model in which the trust acquires and maintains the land, while the homeowner finances and owns the improvements. When the homeowner sells, the family earns a portion of the increased property value. The remainder is kept by the trust, preserving the affordability for future low to moderate-income families. By separating the ownership of land and the home, this innovative approach lowers the property tax burden for the homeowners and guarantees that the housing will remain affordable for future generations.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe second board item focused on maintaining long-term affordability for Westside renters through the redevelopment of an existing multi-family property on English Avenue. The board authorized the staff to negotiate the terms of a long-term ground lease to allow the Westside Future Fund (WFF) to renovate 6 units for residents earning no more than 50% AMI. To ensure affordability in perpetuity, Invest Atlanta will retain ownership of the land and sell the building to WFF.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis project supports the goals of the Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside TAD Neighborhood Strategic Implementation Plan and the Community Retention Strategy currently being finalized by the Westside Future Fund. Renovations are scheduled to be complete by the summer of 2018.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":46,"title":"Residents Learn About Atlanta BeltLine Affordability and Inclusionary Zoning","promo_title":"Residents Learn About Atlanta BeltLine Affordability and Inclusionary Zoning","published_date":"2017-11-02","featured_image":{"id":255,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"beltline_iz_feature-1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":73561,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:26:45.894-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:26:46.033-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:27:33.532-05:00","filename_hash":"beltline_iz_feature-1_lpV2BwY.jpg","width":800,"height":600},"filename":"residents-learn-about-atlanta-beltline-affordability-and-inclusionary-zoning","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"z3165w","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:27:32.954-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:27:32.954-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Councilmember Andre Dickents recently led a special citywide conversation to discuss efforts to expand affordable housing around the Atlanta BeltLine.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCouncilmember Andre Dickents recently led a special citywide conversation to discuss efforts to expand affordable housing around the Atlanta BeltLine.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAt the Families First headquarters, Councilmember Dickens delivered a special presentation on proposed legislation that would introduce affordable workforce housing to the Atlanta Zoning Ordinance in the Atlanta BeltLine Overlay District. If the policy is implemented, any new rental housing developments with more than 10 units would be required to set aside a percentage of units for affordable workforce housing. Attendees at the October 12 event were able to learn more about this approach to create more opportunities for Atlanta to live affordably on the Atlanta BeltLine.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInclusionary zoning policy is not new to the City of Atlanta. Last year, Mayor Reed, Councilmember Dickens, and Invest Atlanta passed a new affordable housing policy last year that requires any developer receiving an incentive to either set aside 15% of total residential units for households earning 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) or 10% of units for households earning 60% AMI or below.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince 2016, the City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta, and our partners have allocated nearly $140 million to impact affordable housing and homelessness in our city, including $12 million from the Atlanta BeltLine Affordable Housing Trust Fund and $3.2 million from the BeltLine TAD. Additional funding was allocated through Invest Atlanta and the Atlanta Housing Authority ($60 million), Homeless Opportunity Bonds ($26 million + an additional $25 million from philanthropic sources), and Housing Opportunity Bonds ($40 million).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":5,"title":"MLK Ignite Capital Grants Awarded to 14 Small Businesses","promo_title":"MLK Ignite Capital Grants Awarded to 14 Small Businesses","published_date":"2017-11-02","featured_image":{"id":210,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"mlk_ignite_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":164235,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T12:49:17.951-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T12:49:18.186-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T12:47:01.147-05:00","filename_hash":"mlk_ignite_feature_gvV2gx3.jpg","width":2048,"height":1536},"filename":"mlk-ignite-capital-grants-awarded-to-14-small-businesses","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"O4q2FA","created_at":"2017-12-20T12:50:46.096-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T12:47:01.134-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta and Mayor Kasim Reed announced the 14 small businesses receiving MLK Ignite Capital Grants.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt an event held at Atlanta City Hall, Invest Atlanta and Mayor Kasim Reed announced the 14 winners of the MLK Ignite Capital\u0026nbsp;Grant\u0026nbsp;program, which awards $100,000 to small businesses located on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. Under Mayor Reed\u0026rsquo;s leadership, Invest Atlanta created the grant program as part of the city\u0026rsquo;s overall efforts to revitalize the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Corridor. The 14 small businesses will receive $5,000-$10,000 each to meet their immediate, short-term needs, such as building fa\u0026ccedil;ade upgrades, property improvements and equipment purchases. Atlanta City Councilmember Ivory Young, Jr. joined Mayor Reed and Invest Atlanta CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich for the ceremony today.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The street honoring Dr. King\u0026rsquo;s legacy in Atlanta should and will be one of the most attractive, vibrant and important streets in our city,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed. \u0026ldquo;By investing in small businesses along the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Corridor, we are supporting the women and men who have supported their communities for years. These businesses offer local residents more choices to shop, dine and work closer to home. I congratulate each one of our grant recipients, and look forward to the changes and improvements they make with the support of the MLK Ignite Capital Grant.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEach small business was required to provide 30 percent of the cost of the capital investment they proposed to make for their business. The grant award covered the remaining 70 percent of the capital cost. The grant funds come from the $10 million federal TIGER VII grant awarded to the City of Atlanta in August 2016, and is the centerpiece of the $35 million renovation to improve safety and mobility and promote economic development along more than seven miles of this this historic street.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The future strength and equity of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy depend largely on making effective investments in commercial corridors like MLK Drive,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;The work we\u0026rsquo;re doing to support businesses through this program goes hand in hand with our economic growth strategies to increase small business activity and provide access to retail amenities in target areas throughout the city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe grant recipients are:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eLatifah Allah, Unity Hair Salon;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTerrance Barron, University Barbershop;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eKhadijah Baynes, The Beauty Industry;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ePhoebe Dawson, Alfonzo Dawson Mortuary, Inc.;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eKenneth Dean, All-Pro Insurance Agency;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMarion Hargett, Jamal\u0026rsquo;s Buffalo Wings;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eImani Maisonelt, Imani\u0026rsquo;s Too Hair \u0026amp; More Salon;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eEdward Martin, Murden\u0026rsquo;s Barber Shop;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJaseph Moultrie, Jr., Aesthetic Ink \u0026amp; Design;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eDr. Charles Nichols, Alphia Health \u0026amp; Wellness Solutions;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCorey Reeves, Aldridge Services, Inc.;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHope Stoney, Hope Health \u0026amp; Wellness Center;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAndrew Taylor, Pro Cuts ATL; and\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ePauline Warrior, Warnun Industries, Ltd.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe MLK Capital Ignite Grants were funded through the Economic Opportunity Fund for Business Retention and Expansion, approved by the Atlanta City Council in November 2016. Under the leadership of Mayor Reed, the Invest Atlanta board of directors gave final approval for the funding in August 2017.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n MLK Corridor\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":2,"title":"IA Hosts Second Annual Small Business Excellence Awards","promo_title":"IA Hosts Second Annual Small Business Excellence Awards","published_date":"2017-11-01","featured_image":{"id":42,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"sbal_awardees.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":233239,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-18T17:07:38.221-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-18T17:07:38.286-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T13:18:06.015-05:00","filename_hash":"sbal_awardees_gvVg9W3.jpg","width":800,"height":535},"filename":"ia-hosts-second-annual-small-business-excellence-awards","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"h9CJ3A","created_at":"2017-12-20T11:03:11.518-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T13:18:06.001-05:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/245262848","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta hosted the second annual Excellence in Small Business Awards to honor Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s outstanding small businesses.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta hosted the second annual Excellence in Small Business Awards at The Gathering Spot on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 to honor Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s outstanding small businesses. Eight Atlanta businesses were recognized for all they\u0026rsquo;ve done to strengthen our city\u0026rsquo;s small business sector.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Your determination has made Atlanta one of the most vibrant city\u0026rsquo;s for small business,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Whether it\u0026rsquo;s a tech startup or a brick and mortar business serving the community, entrepreneurs like you throughout Atlanta are changing our city for the better. You\u0026rsquo;re not only selling products and services, you\u0026rsquo;re creating new jobs, and building stronger communities. It\u0026rsquo;s your determination that has made Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business sector strong and successful.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe theme of the event was \u0026ldquo;Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Spirit,\u0026rdquo; with entrepreneur and Spotify senior manager Amber Grimes delivering a riveting keynote address about the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Don\u0026rsquo;t let anyone, ever, dim your light,\u0026rdquo; she told the audience.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis year, the first Excellence in Small Business Pitch Competition took place during the event, which brought together three emerging entrepreneurs to present how their business would create new economic opportunities. The presenters were Ngozi Chuku from Reel Chemistry, JaQuis McCullough from Numis, and Mbye Nije from Legal Equalizer. Legal Equalizer, an app that provides a crash course in civil and constitutional rights, took home the top prize.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2017 Small Business Excellence Award recipients were:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSpotlight Award: Atlanta Movie Tours, Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eExcellence In Longevity: Like a River Salon and Spa LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eFranchise Excellence: This Is It! Seafood \u0026amp; BBQ\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eEntrepreneur Of The Year: Watkins Mortuary Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eManufacturing Excellence: The Good Hair Shop LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eExpansion Excellence: Brewed to Serve Restaurant Group Inc.\u0026rsquo;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCommunity Favorite: The Trophy Room Barbershop LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eStart-Up Excellence: Doux South Specialties LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe event sponsors were: Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc., Wharton Law, Ground Floor, New Realm Brewing Company, New Africa Business Association of Atlanta, and Shay Latte.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince 2001, Invest Atlanta has invested more than $11.5 million in 187 small businesses in the City of Atlanta, leveraging an additional $32.5 million from the private sector.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":3,"title":"Invest Atlanta and Partners Showcase Atlanta FinTech at Money2020","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta and Partners Showcase Atlanta FinTech at Money2020","published_date":"2017-10-31","featured_image":{"id":209,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"money2020_main.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":306850,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T11:32:36.398-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T11:32:36.688-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:30:23.205-05:00","filename_hash":"money2020_main_4X3bk4q.jpg","width":3362,"height":1815},"filename":"invest-atlanta-and-partners-showcase-atlanta-fintech-at-money2020","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"adGRMA","created_at":"2017-12-20T11:34:07.568-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:30:22.537-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Economic Development team traveled to Las Vegas for Money 2020, the world\u0026rsquo;s largest FinTech innovation conference.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Economic Development team traveled to Las Vegas in October for Money 2020, the world\u0026rsquo;s largest payments and financial services innovation conference. Working with the state of Georgia, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and FinTech Atlanta, Invest Atlanta had an incredibly successful time in Las Vegas as the city, state, and region continue to rise as a leader in the FinTech industry.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe region was well represented at Money 2020, with 20 large Atlanta companies and 156 FinTech companies with a Georgia presence in attendance. In addition, 12 speakers and 14 panel sessions focused on the region\u0026rsquo;s strengths in the FinTech industry. In addition, the FinTech Atlanta team hosted a high-profile curated discussion with Bloomberg at a CEO dinner, while more than 60 people (14 large funds) attended their venture capital reception. The team hosted more than 10 individual meetings at a sold-out reception attended by 300 people. In addition, FinTech Atlanta posters and signs around could be sign throughout the event space.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta has become known as \u0026ldquo;Transaction Alley\u0026rdquo; for its role as the epicenter of a growing segment of the FinTech, or financial services, industry. Around 70 percent of U.S. financial transactions pass through Georgia. The state\u0026rsquo;s FinTech companies generate an annual revenue of more than $72 billion, and collectively process more than 118 billion transactions per year. Together, this represents $2 trillion of purchase volume each year, supporting nearly 4 million merchants.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":4,"title":"Westside Community Builders Program Officially Launched","promo_title":"Westside Community Builders Program Officially Launched","published_date":"2017-10-30","featured_image":{"id":39,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"community_builders_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":192291,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-18T17:07:37.901-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-18T17:07:37.972-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:30:56.249-05:00","filename_hash":"community_builders_feature_xD2qEjD.jpg","width":800,"height":600},"filename":"westside-community-builders-program-officially-launched","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"I1UL8A","created_at":"2017-12-20T11:41:58.394-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:30:55.686-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The first members of the Community Builders program gathered at a welcoming reception to launch of the initiative.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe first members of the\u0026nbsp;Community\u0026nbsp;Builders program gathered at a welcoming reception the Invest Atlanta offices on October 26 to mark the official launch of the initiative.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta created the Community Builders program in response to growing interest from residents on the Westside to learn how to redevelop vacant, abandoned, and blighted commercial and multi-family properties. The goal of the program is to empower participants to partner with Invest Atlanta on the organization\u0026rsquo;s work on the Westside.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough this program, participants will learn core property redevelopment skills, and once they complete it, they\u0026rsquo;ll be eligible to apply for funding assistance to support their own redevelopment projects.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has committed $15 million to the Westside Community Fund and leverages these dollars in coordination with public and private partners to address critical areas of need \u0026ndash; such as affordable housing, employment opportunities, and retail development. The work is focused on the neighborhoods of English Avenue, Vine City, and Castleberry Hill.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe work is being done in several different areas. First, IA is working to create and retain the affordable workforce housing stock so more people can call Atlanta \u0026ldquo;home,\u0026rdquo; whether they\u0026rsquo;re renting, leasing, or looking to buy a home.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor example, IA is working with developers to turn 24 vacant properties into new affordable housing units in English Avenue and Vine City that will go to families earning 80%-100% of the area median income. IA is also expanding employment opportunities through our support of great organizations like Westside Works, and supporting area small businesses on the Westside like Steed Media Group through grants and low-interest small business loans. In addition, IA is improving quality of life in many ways, from removing blight to creating greenspace, and reenergizing the MLK corridor with economic investment to supporting service organizations like Families First.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe ultimate goals are to create jobs, invest in neighborhoods, and create greater equity in our communities. This is all being done along with our other economic and community development programs, as well as alongside Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s many public and private partners.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":43,"title":"Invest Atlanta Joins 8th Annual APAB Citizen Engagement and Community Day","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Joins Annual APAB Citizen Engagement and Community Day","published_date":"2017-10-28","featured_image":{"id":251,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"apab_meeting_1_feature-1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":46492,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:14:36.930-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:14:37.092-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:15:37.111-05:00","filename_hash":"apab_meeting_1_feature-1_OPqgQx9.jpg","width":800,"height":601},"filename":"invest-atlanta-joins-8th-annual-apab-citizen-engagement-and-community-day","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"POrJxw","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:15:36.123-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:15:36.123-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta took an active role in the Atlanta Planning Advisory\u0026rsquo;s Citizen Engagement and Community Day, held at Zoo Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta took an active role in the Atlanta Planning Advisory\u0026rsquo;s Citizen Engagement and Community Day, held at Zoo Atlanta on October 14. Dawn Luke, Senior Vice President of Community Development, shared information about community development and housing finance with the attendees.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe annual event, now in its eighth year, aims to equip Atlanta residents with the information they need to mobilize their communities for positive change. This year\u0026rsquo;s event was themed, \u0026ldquo;MY City\u0026hellip;YOUR\u0026hellip; City\u0026hellip;OUR City,\u0026rdquo; and several panel discussions convened in the morning covered issues such as Economic Development, Health and Wellness, and Community Organizing and Public Policy. In the afternoon, attendees had the chance to participate in charrettes on affordable housing, economic and community development, and mobility.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThose who were able to attend gained valuable insights on how to advocate successfully for the resources, services, and programs they need to empower and strengthen their communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta Planning Advisory Board (APAB) draws on representation from the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) system and partner organizations. APAB\u0026rsquo;s mission is to facilitate citizen participation in advising City Administration and City Council on issues, goals, and objectives relative to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Comprehensive Development Plan. Bill Bozarth is the APAB representative on the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":1,"title":"Historic Atlanta Constitution Building Is Sold","promo_title":"Historic Atlanta Constitution Building Is Sold","published_date":"2017-10-19","featured_image":{"id":40,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"constitution_building_feature.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":930046,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-18T17:07:38.001-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-18T17:07:38.103-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-19T12:04:58.855-05:00","filename_hash":"constitution_building_feature_gvVg9W3.png","width":800,"height":600},"filename":"historic-atlanta-constitution-building-is-sold","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"DKJCpw","created_at":"2017-12-19T12:04:57.892-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-19T12:04:57.892-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Atlanta Constitution building will be redeveloped into a mixed-used development with 34 affordable housing units.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors has approved the sale of the Atlanta Constitution building, which will be redeveloped into a mixed-used development with 34 affordable housing units. This historic structure has been vacant since the 1970\u0026rsquo;s.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This is a project that\u0026rsquo;s near and dear to all our hearts,\u0026rdquo; said Dawn Luke, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Senior Vice President of Community Development. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re excited because this project not only protects and restores a blighted property, but it also provides a much-needed asset in Downtown Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn Thursday, October 19, the board awarded the sale of the building located at 143 Alabama Street for $2 million to Pope \u0026amp; Land and Place Properties. The joint venture will redevelop the property into a mixed-use project that will include into 67,000 square-feet of loft office and 2,5000 square-feet of retail space. It will also include a residential component with at least 112 new multi-family rental units, 34 of which will be income-restricted to households earning 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis project will preserve an historic building, serve as an economic anchor bringing 24-hour vitality to South Downton, and provide 30-year housing affordability in Downtown Atlanta. The $40.6 million project is estimated to have an economic impact of $56.5 million and will create 360 permanent jobs in the new office and retail spaces. Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2018, with the office portion wrapping up in 2019 and the residential construction ending in early 2020.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n South Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":6,"title":"Startups Pitch at Second Annual ATL Aviation Innovation Demo Day","promo_title":"Startups Pitch at Second Annual ATL Aviation Innovation Demo Day","published_date":"2017-10-18","featured_image":{"id":211,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"demo_day_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":508154,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T12:52:17.804-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T12:52:18.163-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T12:56:29.640-05:00","filename_hash":"demo_day_feature_wjy1V4N.jpg","width":4032,"height":3024},"filename":"startups-pitch-at-second-annual-atl-aviation-innovation-demo-day","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Wc1Ncg","created_at":"2017-12-20T12:56:29.136-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T12:56:29.136-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Six startups from Atlanta, the United Kingdom, and France presented their innovations at ATL Aviation Innovation Demo Day.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSix startups from Atlanta, the United Kingdom, and France presented their innovations at the second annual ATL Aviation Innovation Demo Day. Held on October 13, 2017 at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the event featured startups delivering 7-minute pitches to representatives from the airport and several airlines.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta, the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs, and the airport\u0026rsquo;s ATL Business Ventures division organized the event.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;If you fail to innovate, you can lose market share and lose the hearts and minds of your customers,\u0026rdquo; said Doug Strachan, Innovation \u0026amp; Strategic Business Development Manager for the Innovation Unit at ATL Business Ventures. \u0026ldquo;Even as an airport, we can lose control over our own destiny, so innovation is vitally important.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral of the presenting startups are based in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s sister cities of Newcastle, UK and Toulouse, France, and are participating in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s International Startup Exchange Program. DroneOps and ReciteMe are from Newcastle, and NanoMade is from Toulouse. All the other startups are all based in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are working with startups in Atlanta interested in growing and expanding into new markets to help them explore opportunities,\u0026rdquo; said Noelle London, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Manager of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. \u0026ldquo;And we\u0026rsquo;re also excited to bring some of innovation and technology coming out of our sister cities in front of you today because we want that innovation to thrive in the City of Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll the presenting teams went through an extensive vetting process before arriving at the Demo Day. Several Atlanta-based startup incubators helped assemble nominees, and airport and airline representatives chose these pitch finalists:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eDropOps:\u0026nbsp;Offers commercial drone construction, training, and technical support.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eNanoMade:\u0026nbsp;Brings multi-point force sending on any material with their patented technology.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eVolantio:\u0026nbsp;Delivers marketing optimization in dynamic pricing environments.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCognosos:\u0026nbsp;An IoT-as-a-service platform offering fully managed, end-to-end wireless sensing solutions for inventory tracking.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eReciteMe:\u0026nbsp;A cloud-based web accessibility solution providing access to online and mobile content.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTrustStamp:\u0026nbsp;Provides enterprises and consumers with identify and trust as a service through cutting-edge biometric solutions.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eEvidentID:\u0026nbsp;Offers a secure solution for business and individuals to share verified personal information.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Airport\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":7,"title":"Boys \u0026 Girls Club Breaks Ground on The Innovation \u0026 Expression Studio","promo_title":"Boys \u0026 Girls Club's Innovation \u0026 Expression Studio Breaks Ground","published_date":"2017-10-12","featured_image":{"id":212,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"bgc_pro_v1_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":86117,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:01:21.824-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T13:01:21.978-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:03:40.444-05:00","filename_hash":"bgc_pro_v1_feature_W1aevkj.jpg","width":570,"height":428},"filename":"boys-girls-club-breaks-ground-on-the-innovation-expression-studio","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"LJIFTQ","created_at":"2017-12-20T13:03:39.926-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:03:39.926-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Harland Boys \u0026amp; Girls Club broke ground on their new creative arts hub: The Innovation and Expression Studio (TIES).\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOn Tuesday, October 10, the John H. Harland Boys \u0026amp; Girls Club in the West End of Atlanta broke ground on their new creative arts hub: The Innovation and Expression Studio (TIES).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe new 27,000 square-foot space will provide arts and innovation programming to more than 200 children and teens per day. Both current members of the Harland Club, as well as youth from the surrounding area, will have access to TIES.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The focus is going to remain the same, helping kids reach their full potential,\u0026rdquo; said SunTrust CEO Bill Rogers during the speaking portion of the program. \u0026ldquo;But we\u0026rsquo;ll use creative youth development approach driven by arts, innovation, and expression.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe children and teens at TIES will have access to programming in the visual, performing, and culinary arts. Stephanie Blank, the outgoing Corporate Board chair for the Boys \u0026amp; Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta announced that they had established partnerships with creative arts groups to provide training and educational support. The organizations include the Woodruff Arts Center, the High Museum of Art, Alliance Theater, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Morehouse College, Spelman College, Georgia State University, Moving in the Spirit, Museum of Design Atlanta, the Center for Puppetry Arts, and re:imagine/ATL.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) supported the new center through a $7 million New Markets Tax Credit allocation. Other funding partners included The Harland Foundation, Chick-fil-A Foundation, Georgia-Pacific Foundation, LUBO Fund, Piedmont Charitable Foundation, SunTrust Bank Foundation, Toll Charitable Foundation, Wish Foundation, Fidelity Foundation, and the Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAEMI is a U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Entity (CDE) created by Invest Atlanta in 2006 that specializes in providing gap financing for projects that create jobs and revitalize Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s distressed neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n West End\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":9,"title":"Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Celebrates Inaugural Graduating Class","promo_title":"Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Celebrates Inaugural Graduating Class","published_date":"2017-10-06","featured_image":{"id":214,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"wei_graduation_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":156439,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:16:26.002-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T13:16:26.221-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:41:54.115-05:00","filename_hash":"wei_graduation_feature_eX166EW.jpg","width":1953,"height":1465},"filename":"womens-entrepreneurship-initiative-celebrates-inaugural-graduating-class","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Ib3Oxg","created_at":"2017-12-20T13:24:31.692-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:41:53.489-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) recently celebrated the inaugural graduating class of 15 women entrepreneurs.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) recently celebrated the inaugural graduating class of 15 women entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn attendance were Mayor Kasim Reed, Theia Smith, Executive Director of WEI, and members of the WEI Advisory Board, including Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich. As the only city-funded initiative of its kind in the nation, WEI is a 15-month business incubator program that fosters growth and sustainability through business education, financial literacy, access to mentors and consultants, and peer-to-peer networking.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I congratulate the 15 women entrepreneurs who participated in WEI\u0026rsquo;s inaugural year,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed. \u0026ldquo;Their achievements over the past 15 months show what can happen when government and the private sector join together to provide access to resources, technology and hands-on mentorship. These women had the courage to lay their futures on the line and chase their dreams; their ambition inspires us all.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe vision for WEI was sparked by Mayor Reed during his first mayoral campaign. Launched in 2014, and guided by a seven-member advisory board, WEI aims to align entrepreneurial opportunities for women in Atlanta with the City\u0026rsquo;s mission of elevating and strengthening its economic development efforts. Atlanta was recently ranked 18th out of 50 best global cities for women entrepreneurs in Dell\u0026rsquo;s 2017 Women Entrepreneur Index.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;WEI\u0026rsquo;s first 15-member graduating class shows that women entrepreneurs are fearless, pioneering and worth championing,\u0026rdquo; said Theia Smith, Executive Director of WEI. \u0026ldquo;Their passion and accomplishments will serve as a great example of what can be achieved by the next class of WEI entrepreneurs.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOver the course of the 15-month business incubator, nine of the 15 entrepreneurs have hired additional employees; six entrepreneurs have collaborated with fellow WEI classmates to create additional business opportunities; one entrepreneur has grown her 2017 revenues beyond $1.1 million; and, to date, the revenue gain of the first class of WEI entrepreneurs\u0026rsquo; businesses stands at more than $480K.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the graduation ceremony, the City of Atlanta announced that Flatiron City, which has partnered with the City since WEI\u0026rsquo;s inception, will extend office space leases to two graduating WEI entrepreneurs free of charge; WeWork, a national shared office space company located in Buckhead, will also provide free office space for three months to all of the WEI graduates; Jump Fund, a Tennessee-based venture capital firm, will come to Atlanta to invest in the businesses of the WEI women entrepreneurs; and WEI will now be a part of the Invest Atlanta team which will ensure the legacy of support for the WEI business incubator program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I would like to congratulate the members of WEI\u0026rsquo;s inaugural class on their graduation,\u0026rdquo; said Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich. \u0026ldquo;Nearly 48 percent of women cite a lack of community support as a key challenge to starting a business, and in its first year, WEI has already created a vibrant, collaborative, and supportive community of entrepreneurs. These WEI businesses have generated more than $480,000 in revenue and created jobs, and they will continue to make a positive impact on Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy for years to come. I\u0026rsquo;m glad WEI has joined the Invest Atlanta team, and I look forward to working together to support future women entrepreneurs.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 15 women entrepreneurs honored during the WEI graduation ceremony were:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eLynn Lilly, CraftBox Girls;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMelanie Rhodes, MelanCo. Enterprises/DSS Experts;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSamantha Hodgkins, SparkFire Active LLC;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJoanna Douglas, Parketing;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eDawn Belisle, Delights by Dawn;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJeannell Darden, Cococurls;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJennifer Bluemling, Borrowed By Design;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSherry Popovic, cME compete;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCicely Gay, Amplifiers Inc.;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eLogan Williams, Rapid Parking Solutions;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAdrienne Brown, Adrienne J. Media;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTiffany Ray, Generation Infocus;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMonica Hooks, m-oracle;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSheila Woodhouse, DoxMed; and\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTonya Hicks, Women Do Everything.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWEI recently completed the application process for the new 15-member class of women entrepreneurs. The businesses chosen to participate in the 2018-19 WEI incubator program will be announced in December 2017.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":10,"title":"New 20PLUS Homebuyer Incentive Launches at West Highlands Open House Tour","promo_title":"20PLUS Homebuyer Incentive Launches at West Highlands Open House Tour","published_date":"2017-10-06","featured_image":{"id":215,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"west_highlands_ecd_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":60842,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:27:47.230-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T13:27:47.375-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:29:03.380-05:00","filename_hash":"west_highlands_ecd_feature_YBNeevz.jpg","width":732,"height":550},"filename":"new-20plus-homebuyer-incentive-launches-at-west-highlands-open-house-tour","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"77x9ZQ","created_at":"2017-12-20T13:29:02.934-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:29:02.934-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n More than 100 attendees attended the West Highlands Open House to tour homes and learn about our 20PLUS homebuyer incentive.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMore than 100 attendees came to the West Highlands Open House, where they toured model homes for sale and learned about 20PLUS, the newest\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/intown-living/homebuyer-incentives/\"\u003eInvest Atlanta homebuyer incentive\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe event, held on Saturday, September 30, showcased newly-constructed, affordable homes available for sale to prospective 20PLUS participants in West Highlands, an award-winning, Brock Built master planned community in West Midtown. On the tour, visitors saw single-family homes and townhomes, as well as the area\u0026rsquo;s walking paths, playgrounds, and open greenspaces.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e20PLUS offers 20% of the home purchase price towards your down payment and closing costs, and may be compatible with down payment assistance programs offered by Invest Atlanta community partners.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAt the open house tour, mortgage lenders, real estate agents, and Invest Atlanta Homeownership Center specialists were available to share resources to assist homebuyers achieve and maintain affordable, intown living with 20PLUS. Invest Atlanta also hosted a special Homebuyer Q \u0026amp; A Session for helpful information about 20PLUS and other incentives that help reduce down payment and closing costs for prospective homebuyers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":8,"title":"IA Grant Supports Housing for Homeless Women and Children","promo_title":"IA Grant Supports Housing for Homeless Women and Children","published_date":"2017-10-06","featured_image":{"id":213,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"city_of_refuge_v2_larger.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":60481,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:09:11.563-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T13:09:11.699-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:10:44.873-05:00","filename_hash":"city_of_refuge_v2_larger_jpvjjDb.jpg","width":800,"height":601},"filename":"ia-grant-supports-housing-for-homeless-women-and-children","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"-6RPag","created_at":"2017-12-20T13:10:44.362-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:10:44.362-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n City of Refuge will use a $350,000 Housing Opportunity Fund grant to develop supportive housing for homeless women and children.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA $350,000 grant from the Housing Opportunity Fund will go to the City of Refuge to reimburse the organization for property being developed into supportive housing for homeless women and children. The Urban Residential Finance Authority board approved the grant in June, and the grant closed in September.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe property, located directly across from the City of Refuge\u0026rsquo;s center off Joseph E. Boone Blvd., will be redeveloped into at least 43 units of new supportive housing. Formerly homeless residents will have access to a variety of services, including meal services, day care, after school programming, counseling, and job training.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCity of Refuge is non-profit organization that provides access to opportunities in housing, vocational training, healthcare and youth development on Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside. They have served over 20,000 men, women, and children in crisis over the past two decades. Over 100 full-time City of Refuge and partner staff members are trained, educated, and experienced in assisting individuals and families in crisis to access resources and create a plan for future success. Their partners include Invest Atlanta, as well as St. Joseph\u0026rsquo;s Mercy Care Clinic, Westcare, Bright Futures Academy, Feed My Lambs, Genuine Parts Company, BB\u0026amp;T, Regions Bank, SunTrust Bank, Chick-fil-a, Coca-Cola, and Georgia Public Defenders.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLast year, City of Refuge received more than\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/2016/10/19/city-of-refuge-receives-funding-to-expand-job-training-on-the-westside/\"\u003e$7 million in philanthropic support\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;for the construction and renovation of a 20,000-sq.ft. training center and culinary academy, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2019.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":11,"title":"Atlanta BeltLine’s Westside Trail Officially Opens","promo_title":"Atlanta BeltLine’s Westside Trail Officially Opens","published_date":"2017-10-04","featured_image":{"id":216,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"westside_trail_feature_-1-.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":827622,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:34:21.438-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T13:34:21.822-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:35:28.114-05:00","filename_hash":"westside_trail_feature_-1-_8myOOlr.jpg","width":4688,"height":3516},"filename":"atlanta-beltlines-westside-trail-officially-opens","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ncZgEw","created_at":"2017-12-20T13:35:27.583-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:35:27.583-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Westside Trail, a new three-mile corridor on the Atlanta BeltLine, is now open and available for everyone to enjoy.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Westside Trail, a new three-mile corridor on the Atlanta BeltLine, is now open and available for everyone to enjoy.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at Gordon White Park on Friday, September 29. In attendance were Mayor Kasim Reed, Rep. John Lewis, Atlanta BeltLine Inc. President and CEO Brian McGowan, Atlanta BeltLine Partnership Executive Director Rob Brawner, Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich, and many others.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe $43 million investment brings the Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. closer to its goal of connecting every community in the City of Atlanta. Running from Washington Park to Adair Park in Southwest Atlanta, the new 14-foot wide multi-use trail features 14 access points, public art and greenway. Of the 14 access points, 11 entrances are ADA accessible \u0026ndash; representing more accessibility than any other trail in the city. For a half mile along White Street, the trail will use the existing West End Trail.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Today is a good day in the City of Atlanta as we celebrate a promise kept with the opening of the new Westside Trail,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Kasim Reed. \u0026ldquo;My Administration was committed to working with the Atlanta BeltLine and other partners to make this shared public space available in Southwest Atlanta, connecting some of the city\u0026rsquo;s most important and historic neighborhoods in a new way while honoring them with such a valuable and significant investment.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Westside Trail is the largest expansion of the Atlanta BeltLine since its inception. The amenity connects four schools, four parks and a dozen Westside neighborhoods. The trail will also feature murals, sculptures and other artwork.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are proud to celebrate this significant milestone in the Atlanta BeltLine\u0026rsquo;s history \u0026ndash; the opening of the Westside Trail,\u0026rdquo; said Brian McGowan. \u0026ldquo;This trail will have a transformative effect on the city and will foster new jobs, promote business creation and ensure livable communities in Southwest Atlanta. As we continue to build upon this amenity, we are 100 percent committed to working with the community to identify the unique needs that must be built in our planning as much as our concrete trails are.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":12,"title":"Two BRE Clients Open Office Expansions in the City of Atlanta","promo_title":"BRE Clients Open Office Expansions in the City of Atlanta","published_date":"2017-10-01","featured_image":{"id":217,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"salesloft_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":404870,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:41:58.775-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T13:41:59.220-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:43:04.117-05:00","filename_hash":"salesloft_feature_RJqe8rr.jpg","width":4761,"height":3571},"filename":"two-bre-clients-open-office-expansions-in-the-city-of-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"a6bFUw","created_at":"2017-12-20T13:43:03.672-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:43:03.672-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) team saw two clients\u0026mdash;GCI Graphics and Salesloft\u0026mdash;open brand-new office spaces in September.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) team saw two clients\u0026mdash;GCI Graphics and Salesloft\u0026mdash;open their brand-new office spaces in September.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn Thursday, September 28, GCI Graphics cut the ribbon on their new 40,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art production facility in Atlanta Industrial Park. The additional room will provide the 25-year-old company with the ability to add new jobs, take on more grand format printing projects, and serve their clients more efficiently.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The new GCI Graphics facility is truly one of a kind, and we are excited about the opportunity to give guests a behind-the-scenes look at our new space and allow them to experience the breadth of our unique capabilities first-hand,\u0026rdquo; said Greg Pappas, VP Business Development at GCI Graphics.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe following day, on September 29, the BRE team was at another ribbon-cutting ceremony, this time at Salesloft\u0026rsquo;s new 27,000 square-foot office space in Midtown. The company plans to grow from 150 to 500 employees by 2020.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m proud to bring the SalesLoft team to the Regions Plaza and give them a wonderful space to make our customers succeed,\u0026rdquo; said Kyle Porter, CEO of SalesLoft. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re growing rapidly with an amazing, selfless culture, and we want our people to have the best possible location to do so.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAt both events, company leaders thanked Invest Atlanta, members of the Atlanta City Council, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and the Georgia Department of Economic Development for their assistance in ensuring these expansion projects came to fruition.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":13,"title":"Long-Vacant Adair Elementary to Be Redeveloped Info Affordable Housing Units","promo_title":"Long-Vacant Adair Elementary to Be Redeveloped Info Affordable Housing Units","published_date":"2017-09-22","featured_image":{"id":219,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"adair_park_feature_copy.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":208164,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:57:49.341-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T13:57:49.500-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:59:10.770-05:00","filename_hash":"adair_park_feature_copy_mpoarQ5.jpg","width":894,"height":670},"filename":"long-vacant-adair-elementary-to-be-redeveloped-info-affordable-housing-units","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"cMOtfw","created_at":"2017-12-20T13:59:10.090-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:59:10.090-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Funding raised through the Housing Opportunity Bond will finance the adaptive reuse and redevelopment of the historic Adair Elementary School.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOn Thursday, September 14, the Urban Residential Finance Authority Housing Committee approved $1.5 million from funding raised through the Housing Opportunity Bond to finance the adaptive reuse and redevelopment of the historic Adair Elementary School. The school has been vacant since the 1970\u0026rsquo;s.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe new development, called Academy Lofts, will include 35 residential units, of which 25 will be income-restricted to 60% Average Median Income (AMI). Another 5 will be income-restricted to 30% AMI. The school is located in the Adair Park neighborhood and is close to the West End and Oakland City MARTA rail stations.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Creatives Project, a local non-profit, will assist in marketing the units to local artists and creatives. The building will also include 10,000 square-feet of commercial and programmatic space. The resolution did not need to come before the full URFA board for approval.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Adair Park\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":15,"title":"FlatironCity Named ULI Atlanta’s 2017 Project of the Year","promo_title":"FlatironCity Named ULI Atlanta’s 2017 Project of the Year","published_date":"2017-09-15","featured_image":{"id":222,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"flatiron_poty_iainsight.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":905179,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:28:44.937-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T14:28:45.114-05:00","updated_at":"2018-08-03T15:18:50.421-04:00","filename_hash":"flatiron_poty_iainsight_mpoaK91.png","width":1029,"height":628},"filename":"flatironcity-named-uli-atlantas-2017-project-of-the-year","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"BQTw3Q","created_at":"2017-12-20T14:30:28.854-05:00","updated_at":"2018-08-03T15:18:50.404-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n FlatironCity was awarded the 2017 Project of the Year by ULI Atlanta at the organization\u0026rsquo;s annual Awards of Excellence.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFlatironCity was awarded the 2017 Project of the Year by The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Atlanta at the organization\u0026rsquo;s annual Awards of Excellence. Invest Atlanta supported the renovation of the Flatiron building, Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s oldest skyscraper, into a next-generation office space.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe project received a $1.5 million Westside TAD investment from Invest Atlanta, as well as a $11.2 million New Markets Tax Credit allocation through Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The financing for this project was particularly creative, using various public and private sector financial tools,\u0026rdquo; one award juror told the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2017/09/15/project-of-the-year-flatiron-city-transforms.htm\"\u003eAtlanta Business Chronicle\u003c/a\u003e. \u0026ldquo;In addition, this project took an existing Atlanta asset that was a burden in an important location downtown and repurposed it through adaptive reuse into a source of energy and creativity.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":14,"title":"Atlanta Cuts the Ribbon on the North Avenue Smart Corridor","promo_title":"Atlanta Cuts the Ribbon on the North Avenue Smart Corridor","published_date":"2017-09-15","featured_image":{"id":221,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"north_ave_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1483350,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:23:49.244-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T14:23:49.651-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:25:50.153-05:00","filename_hash":"north_ave_feature_bzneky8.jpg","width":5120,"height":3840},"filename":"atlanta-cuts-the-ribbon-on-the-north-avenue-smart-corridor","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"p5D3cg","created_at":"2017-12-20T14:25:49.019-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:25:49.019-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The City of Atlanta and Georgia Tech launched the North Avenue Smart Corridor at Ponce City Market on September 14.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta and Georgia Tech officially launched the North Avenue Smart Corridor at Ponce City Market on September 14.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFunded by the Renew Atlanta Infrastructure Bond, the Smart Corridor will have more than 100 street sensors gather real-time data, which will then be used to provide efficient traffic management through data analytics. The goal is to improve traffic flow, increase automotive and pedestrian safety, and reduce emergency response times.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This event represents another giant step forward for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Smart City future, and it\u0026rsquo;s all about our progress in being first to the future,\u0026rdquo; Mayor Kasim Reed said at the ceremony. \u0026ldquo;The North Avenue Smart Corridor really is a game changer for the City of Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis project is part of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s larger Smart City strategy to implement a data-centric approach to improving quality of life, growing the local economy, and ensuring greater equity in the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNorth Avenue was chosen as the location for the initial pilot project because of its importance as an employment corridor and an important east-west transportation artery. The street connects Georgia Tech, Coca-Cola headquarters, Georgia Department of Transportation headquarters, the North Ave. MARTA rail station, and the Atlanta BeltLine\u0026rsquo;s Eastside Trail.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta funded the purchase of smart cameras that will be used to gather critically important data. Several Atlanta-based technology companies are involved in implementing the project. Applied Information is providing connected vehicle infrastructure, and Surtrac will offer their Artificial Intelligence-based adaptive traffic signal system.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the dozens on hand to celebrate the occasion were Georgia Tech President G.P. \u0026ldquo;Bud\u0026rdquo; Peterson, Renew Atlanta General Manager Faye DiMassimo, Chief Information Officer Samir Saini, as well as Councilmembers Alex Wan, Andre Dickens, and C.T. Martin.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n North Avenue\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":16,"title":"Companies Announced for 2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange","promo_title":"Companies Announced for 2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange","published_date":"2017-09-13","featured_image":{"id":223,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"startup_feature_final.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1456523,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:33:14.498-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T14:33:14.661-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:34:32.877-05:00","filename_hash":"startup_feature_final_lpVQowr.png","width":800,"height":600},"filename":"companies-announced-for-2017-atlanta-international-startup-exchange","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"TTT30Q","created_at":"2017-12-20T14:34:32.170-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:34:32.170-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The City of Atlanta announced the ten companies participating in the 2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta announced on September 5 that the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs and Invest Atlanta, along with international partners including the U.K. Department for International Trade, Sage and Metropole Toulouse, had selected the final ten companies for the 2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Startup Exchange is a one-week international residency which will provide four Atlanta-based companies a platform for global expansion in either Toulouse, France or the United Kingdom. Two Toulouse-based and four United Kingdom-based companies will travel to Atlanta on this occasion.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The International Startup Exchange provides the selected Atlanta companies a unique opportunity and resources needed to grow their business and ultimately create jobs here in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Kasim Reed. \u0026ldquo;I congratulate the Atlanta-based companies that will participate and share innovative ideas in this year\u0026rsquo;s Exchange. We also look forward to welcoming the French and British companies to Atlanta where they will find a city with a robust and growing startup community.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta-based companies Qoins, a FinTech startup that encourages savings for millennials, and Babylogger, a software and hardware company that helps catalogue baby activities, will travel to the U.K. the week of November 14, 2017 during Venturefest North East. In addition, Vayando, a social impact travel organization and Volantio, an airline booking tool for improving flight utilization, will visit Toulouse the week of October 1, 2017 during the EmTech Conference.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eToulouse companies Nanomade and Nanolike, which provide IoT solutions applicable to smart cities initiatives, will travel to Atlanta during VentureAtlanta, which will take place October 8-14, 2017. They will be joined by Newcastle-based companies Drone Ops and Recite Me, which respectively provide commercial drone capabilities and web access solutions for the disabled.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFinally, London-based companies Citizen and Immersive labs, two cyber-security companies providing authentication services and skills training, will participate in CyberCon the week of October 1.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta, Toulouse, and the U.K. have partnered for the exchange based on the strength of existing relationships and shared growing industries. Over the course of the one-week residency in each location, the visiting startups will connect with local startup ecosystems, gain access to international conferences and engage with investors, business leaders and potential clients.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe inaugural Atlanta International Startup Exchange program was launched in October 2016. Atlanta startups Carbice and Partpic traveled to Toulouse while the City of Atlanta hosted Toulouse companies Uwinloc and Donecle. The Atlanta International Startup Exchange program was awarded Sister Cities International\u0026rsquo;s Innovation Award for Economic Development in 2017.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":27,"title":"Much-Needed Upgrades Coming to Midtown’s Colony Square","promo_title":"Much-Needed Upgrades Coming to Midtown’s Colony Square","published_date":"2017-09-09","featured_image":{"id":234,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"colony_square_feature.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1832122,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:26:56.653-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T15:26:56.808-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:27:20.205-05:00","filename_hash":"colony_square_feature_np9kjXZ.png","width":898,"height":674},"filename":"much-needed-upgrades-coming-to-midtowns-colony-square","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"-WR4Ig","created_at":"2017-12-20T15:27:19.695-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:27:19.695-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n North American Properties to transform Colony Square, which sits in the heart of Midtown Atlanta, into a vibrant mixed-use development.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNorth American Properties is set to transform Colony Square, which sits in the heart of Midtown Atlanta at Peachtree and 14th Streets, into a vibrant mixed-use development. And under Mayor Reed\u0026rsquo;s leadership, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors passed an inducement resolution to provide up to $160 million in bond financing for the project.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;What the company is trying to do right now is turn Colony Square\u0026mdash;which occupies the center of one of the most important communities\u0026mdash;from something that looks like it sits in the 1970\u0026rsquo;s to something that looks like it sits in 2020,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Kasim Reed at the July board meeting. \u0026ldquo;We all have a compelling interest in making sure that occurs.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePlans call for the redevelopment of Colony Square\u0026rsquo;s existing retail and office space, as well as the addition of a new 25,000 square-foot food hall and 8-screen movie theater. Other project improvements will include a plaza area for public events, better pedestrian access, traffic enhancements, increased energy efficiency, and the addition of new green space.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe $160 million investment will create up to 390 new retail employees and 250 new office employees, and will have an estimated economic impact of $230.1 million. The updated Colony Square is also expected to attract new companies to Atlanta and catalyze additional development in Midtown.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":17,"title":"AEMI Awards Civic Impact Loans to Three Atlanta Social Entrepreneurs","promo_title":"AEMI Awards Civic Impact Loans to Three Atlanta Social Entrepreneurs","published_date":"2017-09-08","featured_image":{"id":224,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"civic_impact_loan_1_share-1024x680.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":111248,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:36:39.672-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T14:36:39.825-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:37:54.849-05:00","filename_hash":"civic_impact_loan_1_share-1024x680_kbVD1BO.jpg","width":1024,"height":680},"filename":"aemi-awards-civic-impact-loans-to-three-atlanta-social-entrepreneurs","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"EiFTjg","created_at":"2017-12-20T14:37:54.274-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:37:54.274-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) closed on the first round of Civic Impact Loans going to three Atlanta social entrepreneurs.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.atlantaemergingmarkets.org/\"\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI)\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;officially closed on the first round of its new Civic Impact Loans program that will go to three Atlanta social entrepreneurs. The flexible, zero-percent interest rate loans will support honorCode, Marddy\u0026rsquo;s, and Gilliam\u0026rsquo;s Community Garden as they seek to expand their businesses and make a greater impact in the communities they serve.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We established the Civic Impact Loan fund to support local businesses in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Michael Syphoe, Board Chair of Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. \u0026ldquo;From enhancing K-12 STEAM education to cultivating urban agriculture to supporting our city\u0026rsquo;s unique culinary culture, these three companies demonstrate how small social enterprises can have a big impact within our communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;These first three loan recipients all demonstrate how businesses can focus on the bottom line while also making a difference in our city,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta and a member of the AEMI board. \u0026ldquo;Atlanta is a place where social entrepreneurship can continue to thrive, and we look forward to supporting more social impact investing and talented enterprises in the future.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Center for Civic Innovation assisted the entrepreneurs with the application process, and all three recipients are former CCI fellows or members. The three Civic Impact Loan recipients are:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ehonorCode: A non-profit social enterprise that provides curriculum and training to schools to bring computer science and social emotional learning into the general K12 classroom. honorCode plans to use the loan funding to hire an additional team member to facilitate more trainings for teachers within Atlanta Public Schools. Last year, honorCode won the 2016 Forbes Change the World Entrepreneurship Competition at their Under 30 Summit last year. And their Founder and CEO, Jeffrey Mart\u0026iacute;n, was recently honored on the 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 List and The Wharton School\u0026rsquo;s 40 Under 40 List, where Mart\u0026iacute;n is an alumnus (W\u0026rsquo;13).\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eGilliam\u0026rsquo;s Community Garden: An outdoor kitchen to teach residents how to prepare healthy food for their families. Their goal is to improve community health in the area around Oakland City neighborhood through urban agriculture. Gilliam\u0026rsquo;s provides residents with access to fresh fruits, vegetables and poultry products.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMarddy\u0026rsquo;s: A shared kitchen space and marketplace for food-based entrepreneurs on the Westside. The owner, Keitra Bates, was recently featured on the NPR series, \u0026ldquo;Kitchen Table Conversations.\u0026rdquo; Her mission is to preserve culinary culture of the Westside by supporting home chefs within the community. Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE), a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), has already provided support to the business with a loan to purchase the building where the business is located. Funding obtained through the Civic Impact Loan will be used for staffing and marketing purposes.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAEMI is a U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Entity created by Invest Atlanta in 2006 that specializes in providing gap financing for projects that create jobs and revitalize Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s distressed neighborhoods. In 2016, the AEMI board of directors approved the allocation of $100,000 to finance a pilot revolving loan fund for social entrepreneurship in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":18,"title":"Groundbreaking Kicks Off Work on Rehab of Wheat Street Towers","promo_title":"Groundbreaking Kicks Off Work on Rehab of Wheat Street Towers","published_date":"2017-09-01","featured_image":{"id":225,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"wheat_street_main-768x420.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":85062,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:42:51.321-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T14:42:51.463-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:43:46.694-05:00","filename_hash":"wheat_street_main-768x420_p5Vxm7p.jpg","width":768,"height":420},"filename":"groundbreaking-kicks-off-work-on-rehab-of-wheat-street-towers","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"30nnyQ","created_at":"2017-12-20T14:43:46.211-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:43:46.211-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The official groundbreaking for upgrades to the Wheat Street Towers on Auburn Avenue took place on Thursday, August 17.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe official groundbreaking for upgrades to the Wheat Street Towers on Auburn Avenue took place on Thursday, August 17. The Urban Residential Finance Authority (URFA) supported the acquisition, rehabilitation, preservation of the residential complex through a $12.5 million bond financing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce open, the Wheat Street Towers will have 208 units available for seniors earning 60% Average Median Income (AMI). The existing Housing Assistance Payments Contract will stay in place, and residents will pay no more than 30% of their income. Residents will live in updated residences, with access to amenities like a business center, fitness center, and a central laundry.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMembers of the Invest Atlanta team were on hand to celebrate alongside the Benoit Group, Wheat Street Charitable Foundation, Dorchester Management, and others who made the day possible.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":20,"title":"IA Travels to Hong Kong to Exchange Transit-Oriented Development Insights","promo_title":"IA Travels to Hong Kong to Exchange Transit-Oriented Development Insights","published_date":"2017-08-31","featured_image":{"id":227,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"hong_kong_1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":764912,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:48:47.982-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T14:48:48.278-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:49:45.106-05:00","filename_hash":"hong_kong_1_E6xeJvV.jpg","width":4032,"height":3024},"filename":"ia-travels-to-hong-kong-to-exchange-transit-oriented-development-insights","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"EEIDPQ","created_at":"2017-12-20T14:49:44.558-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:49:44.558-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Erika Davis from Invest Atlanta joined with other City of Atlanta officials for a fact-finding trip focused on transit-oriented development.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eErika Davis, Senior Project Manager of Business Retention and Expansion at Invest Atlanta, recently joined with several other City of Atlanta officials for a fact-finding trip focused on transit-oriented development, or TOD. Along with Davis, the Atlanta contingent included: William Johnson, Commissioner of Public Works; Jalal Slade, Senior Policy Advisor on Real Estate; and Catherine Buell, CEO of the Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA) .\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe group met with a variety of Hong Kong government officials to discuss housing, walkability, and connectivity to transit. With the Bureau of Land, the team learned that Hong Kong leases land to TOD developers, who generally prefer to focus on commercial development first rather than residential. These commercial developments, many of which sit on or near transit stations, offer convenience to city residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePublic transit is critically important to Hong Kong, since only 6 percent of residents own a car, and 90 percent of all commutes rely on public transportation. To handle the large ridership in an efficient way, the Atlanta team learned, HK officials have focused on improving pedestrian accessibility to stations in the central business districts. They\u0026rsquo;ve also worked to plan and developing new residential areas along rail transit extensions.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOf course, the Atlanta team also shared information about the city\u0026rsquo;s efforts on TOD. Davis presented on several of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s recent efforts on TOD. She spoke about the MLK Innovation Village is being created at Hamilton E. Holmes MARTA station using repurposed shipping containers. She also presented about Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s role in supporting TOD at King Memorial MARTA Station. Through a $6 million Eastside TAD grant, IA is ensuring that 20 percent of the 400 residential units being constructed will be affordable.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDavis and the others concluded their trip by attending an international TOD and smart city conference, joining other officials from Singapore, China, and Vancouver, Canada.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":21,"title":"Sheltering Arms Early Education Center Officially Opens in Peoplestown","promo_title":"Sheltering Arms Early Education Center Officially Opens in Peoplestown","published_date":"2017-08-24","featured_image":{"id":229,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"sheltering_arms_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":2430033,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:55:20.361-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T14:55:20.872-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:55:37.267-05:00","filename_hash":"sheltering_arms_feature_1OmJlbw.jpg","width":5120,"height":3840},"filename":"sheltering-arms-early-education-center-officially-opens-in-peoplestown","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"jze3tw","created_at":"2017-12-20T14:55:36.763-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T14:55:36.763-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Sheltering Arms, Georgia\u0026rsquo;s largest nonprofit early education and child care organization, opened its newest center with a ribbon cutting ceremony.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSheltering Arms, Georgia\u0026rsquo;s largest nonprofit early education and child care organization, opened its newest center during a ribbon cutting ceremony on August 24. Members of the Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) team were on hand to celebrate the occasion.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocated on the campus of Barack and Michelle Obama Academy (formerly D.H. Stanton Elementary School), the new 26,600 square-foot building will serve approximately 180 children and their families in the Peoplestown community. The center will provide high quality early education and care to children six weeks to five years of age, and serve as a partner with Atlanta Public Schools to promote a direct pipeline for education.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are so excited about this brand new facility and the opportunity to impact the lives of children and families in this community,\u0026rdquo; said Blythe Keeler Robinson, president and CEO, Sheltering Arms. \u0026ldquo;Studies show that when children attend a high-quality early learning program, they\u0026rsquo;re more prepared for kindergarten and are more likely to succeed in school, graduate high school and college, and earn higher incomes as adults.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSheltering Arms will also provide holistic support services that address a family\u0026rsquo;s needs from health and wellness to educational attainment to economic security.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe new facility will house 14 classrooms, with the infant, toddler and preschool rooms organized into \u0026ldquo;neighborhoods\u0026rdquo; that connect to offices for family support coaches and curriculum specialists. The building also has meeting rooms and hospitality areas for parents; a large multi-purpose room for indoor play and events; and a unique outdoor play area that mimics Georgia\u0026rsquo;s topography \u0026mdash; the Blue Ridge mountains, the Piedmont region and the coastal plains.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAEMI provided $6.3MM in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation to provide financial support, and worked closely with Bank of America and Reinvestment Fund, a community development financial institution, to enable Sheltering Arms to secure financing to bridge capital campaign pledges and proceed with the construction of the building.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Peoplestown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":23,"title":"Board Approves $26 Million in Bond Financing to Support Homelessness Initiatives","promo_title":"Board Approves $26 Million to Support Homelessness Initiatives","published_date":"2017-08-18","featured_image":{"id":230,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"homelessness_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":171396,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:10:00.471-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T15:10:00.683-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:11:04.658-05:00","filename_hash":"homelessness_feature_5E5Va4O.jpg","width":2289,"height":1717},"filename":"board-approves-26-million-in-bond-financing-to-support-homelessness-initiatives","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"-MuC9w","created_at":"2017-12-20T15:11:04.154-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:11:04.154-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board of Directors unanimously passed a resolution to provide $26 million for eradicating homelessness in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(56, 64, 71); font-family: \u0026quot;Whitney SSm A\u0026quot;, \u0026quot;Whitney SSm B\u0026quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\"\u003eMayor Kasim Reed and the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors unanimously passed a resolution at its August board meeting that will provide $26 million in additional funding for initiatives to eradicate homelessness in the City of Atlanta.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":144,"title":"Invest Atlanta Continues to Get Federal Funds Through GDOT Recertification","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Continues to Get Federal Funds Through GDOT Recertification","published_date":"2017-08-17","featured_image":{"id":342,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"pasted_image_at_2017_12_20_04_24_pm.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":217989,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:02.712-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":3,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:02.922-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:06:55.877-05:00","filename_hash":"pasted_image_at_2017_12_20_04_24_pm_wjyzvEe.png","width":1080,"height":1080},"filename":"invest-atlanta-continues-to-get-federal-funds-through-gdot-recertification","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"5ZLC1w","created_at":"2017-12-21T16:04:42.900-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:04:42.900-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Georgia Department of Transportation\u0026rsquo;s (GDOT) Local Administered Project Certification Committee has approved Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s recertification application.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Georgia Department of Transportation\u0026rsquo;s (GDOT) Local Administered Project Certification Committee has approved Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s recertification application. The action means that Invest Atlanta will continue to receive federal funding through GDOT for Atlanta Beltline projects until Aug. 31, 2019.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn February 2015, Invest Atlanta learned that its existing certification \u0026ndash;issued in 2013 \u0026ndash; would expire in May 2016, but the IA staffers who had been responsible for that certification were no longer with the agency. In order to win recertification, at least two individuals from IA would be required to get certification in four different training courses covering Local Administered Projects, the Plan Development Process, Rights of Way Acquisition and Title VI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTwo current Invest Atlanta team members, Assistant General Counsel June Ford and Jennifer Fine, vice president of Neighborhood Development, responded to the challenge and completed the coursework within a matter of months.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere also were two other recertification requirements for Invest Atlanta: it had to develop a policy demonstrating IA\u0026rsquo;s compliance with Title VI, which bans discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin by any organization receiving federal funding; and it had to formulate a policy in compliance with the Brooks Act, which compels agencies to promote open competition by advertising, ranking, selecting, and negotiating contracts based on demonstrated competence and qualifications for the type of engineering and design services being procured at a fair and reasonable price. Both policies that IA prepared and submitted were approved.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":25,"title":"AEMI Supports Renovation of Grady Women’s and Infants’ Center","promo_title":"AEMI Supports Renovation of Grady Women’s and Infants’ Center","published_date":"2017-08-16","featured_image":{"id":232,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"grady_feature.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":838679,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:14:03.304-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T15:14:03.458-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:14:56.794-05:00","filename_hash":"grady_feature_7J634Dl.png","width":768,"height":577},"filename":"aemi-supports-renovation-of-grady-womens-and-infants-center","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"IOy-7A","created_at":"2017-12-20T15:14:56.377-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:14:56.377-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Grady Hospital\u0026rsquo;s Women\u0026rsquo;s and Infants\u0026rsquo; Center will undergo a $20 million renovation and expansion.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGrady Hospital\u0026rsquo;s Women\u0026rsquo;s and Infants\u0026rsquo; Center will undergo a $20 million renovation and expansion, thanks in part to funding from a New Markets Tax Credit allocation received through\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.atlantaemergingmarkets.org/\"\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI)\u003c/a\u003e. (AEMI is a certified Community Development Entity created by Invest Atlanta in 2006 that specializes in providing gap financing for large-scale, high-impact projects in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s distressed neighborhoods.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGrady\u0026rsquo;s Women\u0026rsquo;s and Infants\u0026rsquo; Center is home to the only specialized obstetric ICU in Georgia and serves prenatal and gynecological care for vulnerable populations not able to receive care elsewhere. Once the renovation project is complete, the Center, which has not received substantial upgrades in more than two decades, will be able to provide improved medical services to thousands more women. Grady estimates they\u0026rsquo;ll be able to handle 20% more deliveries (up to 3,700 annually), 29% more prenatal visits (around 17,500 annually), and 37% more services visits for women (around 13,000 annually).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe care provided to Grady\u0026rsquo;s patients will improve, thanks to better coordination for prenatal, birthing, and post-partum care, as well as the installation of modern design and equipment. The upgrades will also result in operational efficiencies at one of the most important public hospitals in the southeast, and the creation of 50 full-time jobs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAEMI officially closed on an $8 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation on Wednesday, August 16. The Urban Research Park CDE and SunTrust are allocating $12 million and $2 million in NMTC respectively. Grady is covering the remaining project cost.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eConstruction has already begun, and the first phase of the project is expected to be complete by the end of this year. The second phase is slated to begin in 2018.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe improved Women\u0026rsquo;s and Infants\u0026rsquo; Center will help Grady perform at the highest levels of patient satisfaction, clinical quality, and operation efficiency, while delivering more for women and children when it matters most.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":29,"title":"Invest Atlanta Supports Projects Key to City’s Past, Present, and Future","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Supports Projects Key to City’s Future","published_date":"2017-08-09","featured_image":{"id":235,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"newport_feature.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1790667,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:30:04.755-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T15:30:04.922-05:00","updated_at":"2018-04-03T12:29:08.995-04:00","filename_hash":"newport_feature_2ampqRr.png","width":934,"height":701},"filename":"invest-atlanta-supports-projects-key-to-citys-past-present-and-future","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"5rjZbw","created_at":"2017-12-20T15:40:46.704-05:00","updated_at":"2018-04-03T12:29:08.982-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n At their July meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors authorized seven Eastside TAD grants totaling $27.4 million.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt their July meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors authorized seven Eastside TAD grants totaling $27.4 million. Once finalized, this funding will support projects that honor Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s past through the rehabilitation of key historic assets, while also strengthening the city\u0026rsquo;s economy for the future. In total, the seven projects these grants support will create 3,456 new full-time jobs, attract $486.7 million in investment, and have an estimated economic impact of $694.3 million.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral of the grants will be used to renovate key historic buildings\u0026mdash;including the 90-year-old Medical Arts Building and the 127-year-old historic home of Alexander Hamilton, Jr.\u0026mdash;and bring them into higher and better use. Others focus on attracting new investment and development to areas like Underground Atlanta and South Downtown.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;A lot of very hard, deliberate work has been done, piece by piece,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Kasim Reed, who led the meeting in his role as Board Chair. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re just staying at it.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBelow is an overview of the economic benefits these projects provide, along with a brief description of each.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"text-align:center\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" data-save-url=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/excel_chart_5.png\" data-verified=\"redactor\" src=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/excel_chart_5.png\" style=\"max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; border: 0px; width: auto; height: auto; color: rgb(56, 64, 71); font-family: \u0026quot;Whitney SSm A\u0026quot;, \u0026quot;Whitney SSm B\u0026quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\" /\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMedical Arts Building:\u0026nbsp;This Beaux-Arts style office building designed by G. Lloyd Preacher, the architect of Atlanta City Hall, is on the National Register of Historic places. The historic preservation of this vacant property will reactivate 85,000 square-feet of Downtown space.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"text-align:center\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/medical_arts_2.png\" style=\"color: rgb(61, 138, 235); text-decoration-line: none; outline: none; margin-bottom: 0px;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" data-verified=\"redactor\" src=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/medical_arts_2-300x267.png\" style=\"max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; border-width: 0px; border-style: initial; width: auto; height: auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e135 Auburn Avenue:\u0026nbsp;Gene Kansas Commercial Real Estate will renovate the second floor and exterior of the building into 9,500 square-feet of office space for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profits. \u0026ldquo;This is one of the projects I\u0026rsquo;m excited about,\u0026rdquo; Board Vice-Chair Constance Barkley-Lewis said at the meeting. \u0026ldquo;I think this will a huge impact on improving an area that arguably should be the number one priority because it really is the heartbeat, the soul of Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"text-align:center\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/auburn_2.png\" style=\"color: rgb(61, 138, 235); text-decoration-line: none; outline: none; font-family: \u0026quot;Whitney SSm A\u0026quot;, \u0026quot;Whitney SSm B\u0026quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" data-verified=\"redactor\" src=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/auburn_2-300x157.png\" style=\"max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; border-width: 0px; border-style: initial; width: auto; height: auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eUnderground Atlanta Retail and Office Development:\u0026nbsp;An Eastside TAD grant will support the development of 325,000 square-feet of retail space that will include an anchor grocery store, as well as 25,230 square-feet of office space. Councilmember Cleta Winslow, who represents the area surrounding Underground, spoke in support of the project at the board meeting. \u0026ldquo;This is a very exciting moment for us,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m looking forward to the future positive development of this area.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"text-align:center\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/underground_1.png\" style=\"color: rgb(61, 138, 235); text-decoration-line: none; outline: none; font-family: \u0026quot;Whitney SSm A\u0026quot;, \u0026quot;Whitney SSm B\u0026quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" data-verified=\"redactor\" src=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/underground_1-300x173.png\" style=\"max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; border-width: 0px; border-style: initial; width: auto; height: auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Hamilton Howell House:\u0026nbsp;With the help of the $100,000 Eastside TAD grant, Mtamanika Youngblood will renovate and convert the historic home of Alexander Hamilton Jr. into a bed and breakfast that will promote cultural tourism and historic preservation within the Sweet Auburn community. \u0026ldquo;This is a prime example of providing moneys to support folks in the community,\u0026rdquo; said Board Treasurer Randy Hazelton.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"text-align:center\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/hamilton_howell_1.png\" style=\"color: rgb(61, 138, 235); text-decoration-line: none; outline: none; font-family: \u0026quot;Whitney SSm A\u0026quot;, \u0026quot;Whitney SSm B\u0026quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" data-verified=\"redactor\" src=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/hamilton_howell_1-300x216.png\" style=\"max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; border-width: 0px; border-style: initial; width: auto; height: auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Avery at Underground Atlanta:\u0026nbsp;This $36.7 million, 4-story workforce multifamily development will sit within the heart of Underground Atlanta. Of the 180 total units, 150 (83%) will be income restricted to households earning 60% AMI or below and 30 units (17%) will be market-rate units targeted at households earning 80%-120% of AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"text-align:center\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/avery_rendering_feature.jpg\" style=\"color: rgb(61, 138, 235); text-decoration-line: none; outline: none; font-family: \u0026quot;Whitney SSm A\u0026quot;, \u0026quot;Whitney SSm B\u0026quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" data-verified=\"redactor\" src=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/avery_rendering_feature-300x225.jpg\" style=\"max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; border-width: 0px; border-style: initial; width: auto; height: auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNewport South Downtown Redevelopment:\u0026nbsp;The board approved an $8 million Eastside TAD grant to Newport U.S. RE to renovate and adaptively reuse 38 buildings in South Downtown into a vibrant mixed-income, mixed-use neighborhood. The development will include 52 residential units, 11 of which will be targeted to households earning 80% AMI. The overall project is estimated to create 2,300 new permanent jobs and have an economic impact of $260 million.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"text-align:center\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" data-verified=\"redactor\" src=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/newport_2-300x169.png\" style=\"max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; border: 0px; width: auto; height: auto; color: rgb(56, 64, 71); font-family: \u0026quot;Whitney SSm A\u0026quot;, \u0026quot;Whitney SSm B\u0026quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\" /\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKing Memorial MARTA Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): The board approved a $6 million Eastside TAD grant to Place Properties to support the development of a $64.5 million, 385-unit modular multifamily community at the King Memorial MARTA station. Twenty-five percent of the units, or 93, will be income-restricted to households earning 80% AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n South Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":31,"title":"Invest Atlanta Hosts Inaugural Westside Housing Fair","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Hosts Inaugural Westside Housing Fair","published_date":"2017-08-08","featured_image":{"id":238,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"westside_housing_fair_1_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":420595,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:50:19.380-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T15:50:19.689-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:51:13.946-05:00","filename_hash":"westside_housing_fair_1_feature_RJqevOr.jpg","width":3616,"height":2713},"filename":"invest-atlanta-hosts-inaugural-westside-housing-fair","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"307BQg","created_at":"2017-12-20T15:51:13.408-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:51:13.408-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The first-ever Westside Housing Fair offered residents valuable housing information, as well as prizes and fun activities for the family.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe first-ever Westside Housing Fair, held on Saturday, July 22 at the Hollis Innovation Academy, offered residents valuable housing information from Invest Atlanta and our partners, as well as prizes and fun activities for the entire family.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe partners participating at the Fair provided valuable insights to attendees, whether they currently rent, already own a home, or are looking to buy a home on the Westside. The highlight of the event was an informative presentation during which each group offered a brief overview of what products and services they provide. Here\u0026rsquo;s a quick overview of the program:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRenters: The Atlanta Housing Authority spoke about their work on the Westside and the Housing Choice Voucher Program, while Invest Atlanta representatives spoke about our land acquisition efforts and the Dalvigney and Oasis of Vine City developments. The Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation focused on renters\u0026rsquo; rights and the effect of rising property values on Westside renters.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHomebuyers: Invest Atlanta spoke about our\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/intown-living/homebuyer-incentives/\"\u003edown payment assistance programs\u003c/a\u003e, as well as our new\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/intown-living/trio/\"\u003eTrio lease-to-own option\u003c/a\u003e. The On the Rise Financial Center spoke about preparing for the homebuying process, and Atlanta Habitat for Humanity discussed their future construction plans on the Westside.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHomeowners: The Westside Future Fund focused on the recently announced Anti-Displacement Tax Fund. Meals on Wheels spoke about their joint work with IA on an owner-occupied rehabilitation program, while the Georgia Heirs Property Law Center emphasized the importance of correcting title issues.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAttendees also enjoyed fun outdoor activities, back-to-school giveaways, prize drawings, and free food. The non-profit Soccer in the Streets even set up an area where children could play a quick game of pickup soccer.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Westside Housing Fair is part of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s larger effort to support the Westside revitalization and resident retention effort. Learn more about Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s work\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/westside-tad-investments/\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":32,"title":"Executive Corner: GPTC’s Preisinger On the Emory Proton Therapy Center","promo_title":"Executive Corner: GPTC’s Preisinger On the Emory Proton Therapy Center","published_date":"2017-08-04","featured_image":{"id":239,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"gptc_exec_corner_feature.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":811400,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:54:56.940-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T15:54:57.102-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:55:19.193-05:00","filename_hash":"gptc_exec_corner_feature_QgDeO5o.png","width":722,"height":541},"filename":"executive-corner-gptcs-preisinger-on-the-emory-proton-therapy-center","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"XFyZJw","created_at":"2017-12-20T15:55:18.622-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:55:18.622-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Ashley Preisinger recently visited Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Executive Corner to discuss why they chose to build a facility in Midtown Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAshley Preisinger, President of the Georgia Proton Treatment Center, recently visited Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Executive Corner to discuss the benefits of proton therapy treatment, why they chose to build a facility in Midtown Atlanta, and how Invest Atlanta and the City of Atlanta have supported this effort. Take a look:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn July, the Emory Proton Therapy Center\u0026rsquo;s cyclotron\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/2017/07/14/cyclotron-emory-proton-therapy-center/\"\u003earrived in Atlanta\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;and was loaded into the facility. A 78-wheel truck towing a 210-foot trailer was necessary to bring the 90-ton proton accelerator on its 250-mile journey from Savannah to Atlanta.Once complete, the Center will treat 35,000 cancer patients over the next 20 years using a highly-advanced form of radiation therapy. The new facility will be part of North Avenue\u0026rsquo;s expanding medical technology district, further solidifying the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as a global healthcare destination. It will also bring 128 permanent medical jobs and $500 million in projected economic impact to Midtown.Invest Atlanta provided the support necessary to make the project a reality. Our Board of Directors passed the issuance to $400 million in tax-exempt 501(c)(3) bonds, with proceeds going toward final construction costs and refinancing the project\u0026rsquo;s existing debt. On June 28, 2017, the board approved the final bond pricing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":33,"title":"Chris Ahrenkiel Joins Invest Atlanta Board of Directors","promo_title":"Chris Ahrenkiel Joins Invest Atlanta Board of Directors","published_date":"2017-08-03","featured_image":{"id":240,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"chris_ahrenkiel_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":55588,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:58:45.435-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T15:58:45.587-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:59:24.828-05:00","filename_hash":"chris_ahrenkiel_feature_mpoay4x.jpg","width":1200,"height":900},"filename":"chris-ahrenkiel-joins-invest-atlanta-board-of-directors","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"-j6grQ","created_at":"2017-12-20T15:59:24.461-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:59:24.461-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board of Directors welcomed their newest member, Chris Ahrenkiel, at their meeting in July.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors welcomed their newest member, Chris Ahrenkiel, at their meeting in July. Chris brings with him a wealth of commercial real estate knowledge and experience to Invest Atlanta. He is currently a Managing Director of Tishman Speyer and leads the firm\u0026rsquo;s activities in Atlanta. Locally, Tishman Speyer\u0026rsquo;s focus is the development and leasing of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s newest office development, Three Alliance Center, a 500,000 square foot, 30 story tower in Buckhead.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eChris also serves on the Board of Directors of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors. Previously, Chris has served on the Board of Directors of REGA (Real Estate Group of Atlanta), Midtown Alliance, GSU Real Estate Alumni Board, Georgia Institute of Real Estate, and was a co-founder of NAIOP Future Leaders (NFL).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eChris is a Leadership Atlanta alumnus (Class of 2017) and in 2015 he was honored as one of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s 40 under 40 by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. A native of Germany, he\u0026rsquo;s has lived in Atlanta for 31 years. He graduated Cum Laude with a B.B.A. from the University of Georgia in 1998 and earned his M.B.A. with a concentration in Commercial Real Estate from Georgia State University in 2003.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWelcome, Chris!\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":35,"title":"City of Atlanta Launches 2017 International Startup Exchange","promo_title":"City of Atlanta Launches 2017 International Startup Exchange","published_date":"2017-08-02","featured_image":{"id":242,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"ia_exchange_graphic_3.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":2556077,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:02:32.640-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T16:02:32.905-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:03:28.110-05:00","filename_hash":"ia_exchange_graphic_3_DNxejbQ.png","width":1837,"height":1378},"filename":"city-of-atlanta-launches-2017-international-startup-exchange","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"My7-Hg","created_at":"2017-12-20T16:03:27.455-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:03:27.455-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs and Invest Atlanta recently launched the 2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange Program.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs and Invest Atlanta recently launched the 2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange Program\u0026mdash;a one-week international residency which will provide eight selected companies a platform for global expansion in either Toulouse, France or the United Kingdom.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We look forward to building off the success of last year\u0026rsquo;s startup exchange by further strengthening the bonds between the Atlanta startup community with those in our sister cities of Toulouse and Newcastle,\u0026rdquo; said Kevin Johnson, Senior Vice President of Economic Development for Invest Atlanta, the City\u0026rsquo;s economic development agency. \u0026ldquo;Atlanta has become a top-ranked tech capital, thanks to our talent base, a growing cluster of 20 innovation centers and programs like this one that connect talented entrepreneurs from around the world.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs part of the program, Atlanta will also welcome four startups from Toulouse and the U.K. to participate in Atlanta Cyber Week scheduled for October 1- 7 or Venture Atlanta Week slated for October 8-14.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are happy to launch this year\u0026rsquo;s International Startup Exchange Program in partnership with the City of Toulouse, the U.K. Department for International Trade, Invest Newcastle and Sage. Our office works to provide Atlanta companies with unique opportunities and resources to increase their global presence and achieve substantial growth,\u0026rdquo; said Claire Angelle, Director of the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs. \u0026ldquo;The International Trade Administration reports that companies which export grow faster, pay higher wages and are more resilient than companies relying solely on the domestic market. We invite entrepreneurs throughout the region to apply for this exciting program.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eToulouse and Newcastle were selected for sharing growing industries and strong, existing relationships with Atlanta. Over the course of the one-week residency, the selected startups will connect with local startup ecosystems, gain access to international conferences and engage with investors, business leaders and potential clients in the aerospace, smart cities and cybersecurity industries. Selected startups will also receive roundtrip airfare, accommodations, dedicated co-working space and ground transportation for one representative.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe inaugural Atlanta International Startup Exchange program was launched in October 2016. Atlanta startups Carbice and Partpic traveled to Toulouse while the City of Atlanta hosted Toulouse companies Uwinloc and Donecle.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta International Startup Exchange program was awarded Sister Cities International\u0026rsquo;s Innovation Award for Economic Development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more about the 2017 Atlanta International Startup Exchange, visit\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.f6s.com/atlantainternationalstartupexchange\"\u003ewww.f6s.com/atlantainternationalstartupexchange\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":41,"title":"Invest Atlanta Approves Creation and Retention of Nearly 500 Units of Affordable and Workforce Housing","promo_title":"Creation and Retention of nearly 500 Affordable Workforce Housing Units Approved","published_date":"2017-07-20","featured_image":{"id":249,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"avery_rendering_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":292841,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:06:04.526-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:06:04.720-05:00","updated_at":"2018-04-03T12:31:04.779-04:00","filename_hash":"avery_rendering_feature_1OmY7Ea.jpg","width":2223,"height":1667},"filename":"invest-atlanta-approves-creation-and-retention-of-500-units-of-affordable-and-workforce-housing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"TbDKEg","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:08:03.113-05:00","updated_at":"2018-04-03T12:29:32.982-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003eMayor Kasim Reed and the Invest Atlanta board approved five projects that will support nearly 500 units of affordable workforce housing.\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s July monthly board meeting this morning, Mayor Kasim Reed and members of the Invest Atlanta board approved five projects that in total would create or retain 484 units of affordable and workforce housing. The new developments will increase the availability of affordable housing within Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s in-town communities and are located near MARTA transit lines.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;For Atlanta to remain a place everyone can call home, we must continue to prioritize affordability and mobility. I am proud that the Invest Atlanta board was able to support the creation of nearly 500 units of affordable housing for working families,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Kasim Reed. \u0026ldquo;I believe it is essential for every public agency in Atlanta to prioritize affordability, and I look forward to continuing to work with the development community to ensure more of our residents have access to affordable, high-quality housing.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Under Mayor Reed\u0026rsquo;s leadership, the board took significant action in our efforts to create, rehabilitate, and preserve affordable housing throughout Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Working with our partners at Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA), the City of Atlanta, and the Atlanta BeltLine Inc., our goal is to produce or rehabilitate 10,000 residential units for a range of incomes by 2020. Today, we took another step forward to achieve this.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe board approved resolutions dealing with five development projects:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eThe Avery at Underground Atlanta:\u0026nbsp;The board approved a $3.6 million Eastside TAD grant to develop a $36.7 million, 4-story workforce multifamily development within the heart of Underground Atlanta. Of the 180 total units, 150 (83%) will be income restricted to households earning 60% AMI or below and 30 units (17%) will be market-rate units targeted at households earning 80%-120% of AMI.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eNewport South Downtown Redevelopment:\u0026nbsp;The board approved an $8 million Eastside TAD grant to Newport U.S. RE to renovate and adaptively reuse 38 buildings in South Downtown into a vibrant mixed-income, mixed-use neighborhood. The development will include 52 residential units, 11 of which will be targeted to households earning 80% AMI. The overall project is estimated to create 2,300 new permanent jobs and have an economic impact of $260 million.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eKing Memorial MARTA Transit-Oriented Development (TOD):\u0026nbsp;The board approved a $6 million Eastside TAD grant to Place Properties to support the development of a $64.5 million, 385-unit modular multifamily community at the King Memorial MARTA station. Twenty-five percent of the units, or 93, will be income-restricted to households earning 80% AMI.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eEdgewood Court Apartments:\u0026nbsp;The board approved an inducement resolution to issue $26.4 million in tax-exempt bonds to finance the acquisition, rehabilitation, and preservation of 222 units of multifamily affordable housing. These units are income-restricted to households earning 60% AMI, with residents paying no more than 30% of their income toward rent.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eQuest Village at D\u0026rsquo;alvigney:\u0026nbsp;The board approved a resolution authorizing a $245,800 loan from the Vine City Housing Trust fund to rehabilitate a 12-unit multifamily development at 694 and 700 D\u0026rsquo;alvigney Street. Quest Community Development Organization will manage the construction.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta board approved an unprecedented 27 resolutions, including 16 projects that address our city\u0026rsquo;s most important goals like job growth, affordable housing, mobility, and neighborhood revitalization. From catalytic projects, like Underground Atlanta and Colony Square to transit-oriented development at King Memorial MARTA station, to preserving affordable housing in Edgewood, these newly approved projects will help our city for years to come. In total, these projects will bring more than 7,000 new jobs, a total capital investment in our city of over $750 million, an economic impact of $1.5 billion, and almost 500 affordable workforce housing units close to our major employment centers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLast month, the Invest Atlanta board approved resolutions supporting the creation and retention of 161 affordable housing units. Looking ahead, a significant amount of funding for affordable housing will be invested in the coming years. This $140 million in funding includes $40 million from Housing Opportunity Bonds, $26 million in Homeless Opportunity Bonds (along with an additional $25 million contribution from the United Way), $60 million through a funding agreement between Invest Atlanta and the Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA), and $12 million from the Atlanta BeltLine Affordable Housing Trust Fund.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n South Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":37,"title":"Cyclotron Arrival a Major Step Forward for Emory Proton Therapy Center","promo_title":"Cyclotron Arrives at Emory Proton Therapy Center","published_date":"2017-07-14","featured_image":{"id":244,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"proton_center_main_option_2_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":144609,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:13:51.082-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T16:13:51.268-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:15:08.015-05:00","filename_hash":"proton_center_main_option_2_feature_qN9gke9.jpg","width":1666,"height":1250},"filename":"cyclotron-arrival-a-major-step-forward-for-emory-proton-therapy-center","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"iv31Ug","created_at":"2017-12-20T16:15:07.344-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:15:07.344-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The\u0026nbsp;Emory Proton Therapy Center\u0026rsquo;s cyclotron, nicknamed \u0026ldquo;Jocelyn,\u0026rdquo; will provide targeted cancer treatment to around 1,700 patients annually.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Emory Proton Therapy Center\u0026rsquo;s cyclotron, nicknamed \u0026ldquo;Jocelyn,\u0026rdquo; was loaded into the facility in front of dozens of onlookers on Thursday, July 13. Once operational, the Center will provide targeted cancer treatment to around 1,700 patients annually.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The most profound thing about today\u0026rsquo;s event is the tremendous capacity that this cyclotron has for saving lives and reducing suffering of cancer patients at their most vulnerable moments,\u0026rdquo; Mayor Kasim Reed said at the event.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe new facility will be part of North Avenue\u0026rsquo;s expanding medical technology district, and will bring 128 permanent medical jobs and $500 million in projected economic impact to Midtown.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Reed added: \u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m proud that the City of Atlanta, through Invest Atlanta, has been able to partner with the Emory Proton Therapy Center to see that this facility realizes its full potential. The Proton Center will further solidify the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as a global healthcare destination.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAshley Preisinger, GPTC President, spoke about the cylcotron\u0026rsquo;s journey in numerical terms. She said it took a 78-wheel truck towing a 210-foot trailer to bring the 90-ton proton accelerator on its 250-mile trip from Savannah to Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;But 35,000 is my favorite number, and the one that has kept me motivated during uncertain times,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;That\u0026rsquo;s the number of patients we\u0026rsquo;ll be able to treat here over the next 20 years.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta board supported the Center by agreeing to issue up to $400 million in tax-exempt 501(c)(3) bonds, with proceeds going toward final construction costs and refinancing the project\u0026rsquo;s existing debt. And on June 28, 2017, the board approved the final bond pricing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eProton therapy is a highly-advanced form of radiation therapy that can provide cancer patients with an increased likelihood of superior clinical outcomes and fewer side effects or complications when compared to surgery, chemotherapy, and conventional radiation therapy alternatives. The Emory Proton Therapy Center will be one of just 25 such facilities in the U.S.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBuilding construction will continue as additional equipment for each of four gantry rooms arrives. Patient consults are slated to begin for the center in fall 2018, and the first patients will be treated in winter 2018.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":40,"title":"Dr. Klementich to CREW Atlanta: Let’s Strenghten Our Commercial Corridors","promo_title":"Dr. Klementich to CREW Atlanta: Let’s Strenghten Our Commercial Corridors","published_date":"2017-07-12","featured_image":{"id":248,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"commercial_corridors_metropolitan_feature_1.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1603476,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T09:59:35.930-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T09:59:36.204-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:02:51.234-05:00","filename_hash":"commercial_corridors_metropolitan_feature_1_38XmLal.png","width":1042,"height":782},"filename":"dr-klementich-to-crew-atlanta-lets-strenghten-our-commercial-corridors","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"isjSSg","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:02:50.120-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:02:50.120-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich emphasized the importance of investing in our city\u0026rsquo;s emerging corridors for CREW Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich recently wrote about the importance of investing in our city\u0026rsquo;s emerging corridors for the CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) Atlanta blog. Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s real estate industry will be deeply involved with this issue in the coming years, especially as the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s population continues to grow.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.crewatlanta.org/\"\u003eCREW Atlanta\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;is a member of\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://crewnetwork.org/home\"\u003eCREW Network\u003c/a\u003e. Founded in 1982, CREW Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s mission is to influence the success of the commercial real estate industry by advancing the achievements of women. CREW Network is the industry\u0026rsquo;s premier business networking organization dedicated to supporting the achievements of women in commercial real estate. Its 8,000 members represent nearly every discipline within the industry and are located in 74 major markets across North America. CREW Network seeks to influence the success of the commercial real estate industry by focusing on fulfilling four key initiatives: business development, leadership development, industry research and career outreach.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eImages courtesy of City of Atlanta Department of Planning.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHere is Dr. Klementich\u0026rsquo;s article,\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.crewatlantablog.com/strengthening-atlantas-commercial-corridors/\"\u003ereprinted in full\u003c/a\u003e:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStrengthening Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Commercial Corridors\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBy: Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO, Invest Atlanta\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nPublished: July 12, 2017\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe future strength and equity of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy depends on several key factors, one of which is how we can effectively invest in our city\u0026rsquo;s emerging commercial corridors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s population is expected to double in the coming years\u0026mdash;from 465,000 today to an estimated 1.3 million by 2050\u0026mdash;a large percentage of these new residents will be living and working along our city\u0026rsquo;s major corridors. Therefore, we must invest in these to ensure they connect neighborhoods and accommodate growth in a way that benefits all Atlantans.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWe have all heard that many of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s driving directions include the phrase, \u0026ldquo;Go down Peachtree.\u0026rdquo; It\u0026rsquo;s our city\u0026rsquo;s most prominent street, connecting the areas with the highest employment densities in the region: Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead. Peachtree has thrived throughout Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s history, and will continue do so in the future.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBut Invest Atlanta is now focused on making targeted investments along corridors in Atlanta that are in development\u0026mdash;streets like Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and Hollowell Parkway on the Westside, and Campbellton Road and Metropolitan Road in Southwest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCurrently, all these major avenues share similar characteristics. They are all wide, multiple-lane roads filled with high-speed vehicular traffic. Commercial properties are often small and narrow in shape and separated long distances from each other by parking lots and underutilized properties. In addition, these corridors lack the amenities found in other parts of the city, such as greenspace and grocery stores.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo be successful, Invest Atlanta and many partners are working to address these issues. Working on multiple fronts, we hope to ensure these corridors become vibrant, attractive, and equitable connectors between neighborhoods for all forms of mobility.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eImproving infrastructure along these corridors is a key focus area for us. Last year, Mayor Kasim Reed and the City of Atlanta secured a $10 million TIGER grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to fund the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Innovation Corridor Project. The grant will fund improvements along MLK that include roadway enhancements such as synchronized traffic lights, new sidewalks, improved medians, and upgraded crosswalks.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta are both working to create more greenspace along these corridors. Near Hollowell, the Bellwood Quarry will soon be transformed into a reservoir and Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s largest park. Along Metropolitan Parkway, the Invest Atlanta board has approved funding for a Livable Communities Initiative (LCI) plan and the creation of a multiuse trail through the area\u0026rsquo;s Tax Allocation District (TAD\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and our partners are also working to create concentrated nodes of activity along these corridors. We\u0026rsquo;re doing so by coordinating and reconfiguring investment through property assembly, improving the marketability to targeted users, such as grocery stores, and creating an improved \u0026ldquo;sense of place\u0026rdquo; in the process. We\u0026rsquo;re also working to activate commercial activity in a targeted away. A few years ago, Invest Atlanta provided a grant to EUE/Screen Gems with the expansion of their film studio on the former site of the Lakewood Fairgrounds on Metropolitan Parkway. More recently, our board approved a $410,000 Cambellton Road TAD grant to build the Fort Mac FiberNet that will serve residents and businesses along Cambellton Road, as well those in the Oakland City, Sylvan Hills, Venetian Hills, and Capital View neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnd looking ahead, Invest Atlanta is working with MARTA to create an Innovation Village at the Hamilton E. Holmes MARTA station adjacent to MLK, Jr. Dr. made entirely of repurposed shipping containers. This \u0026ldquo;iVillage,\u0026rdquo; first of its kind in the city, will offer transit-accessible, affordable office and retail space to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurs eager to build and grow their new businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll these efforts go hand in hand with the work we do every day to support residents and business owners throughout the city through our small business loan programs and down payment assistance programs. Many of those who have used our programs live and work along these corridors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOur approach here at Invest Atlanta will include a key focus on redeveloping our city\u0026rsquo;s most important commercial corridors. By doing so, we\u0026rsquo;ll strengthen the city\u0026rsquo;s core neighborhoods, address equity and support increased resiliency and mobility.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":156,"title":"NALHFA Board Travels to D.C. to Push For Affordable Housing Solutions","promo_title":"NALHFA Board Pushes For Affordable Housing Solutions in D.C.","published_date":"2017-07-11","featured_image":{"id":386,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"nalhfa_dawn_feature_v2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":72629,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-22T08:48:01.143-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-22T08:48:01.320-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-22T08:48:19.939-05:00","filename_hash":"nalhfa_dawn_feature_v2_W1a5x14.jpg","width":960,"height":720},"filename":"nalhfa-board-travels-to-dc-to-push-for-affordable-housing-solutions","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"2IFQPQ","created_at":"2017-12-22T08:48:19.162-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-22T08:48:19.162-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Dawn Luke, Senior VP of Community Development, joined fellow board members of the National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA).\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDawn Luke, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Senior VP of Community Development, joined fellow board members of the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.nalhfa.org/\"\u003eNational Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA)\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;on a trip to Washington, D.C. to speak with federal lawmakers about solutions to the nation\u0026rsquo;s affordable housing crisis. Luke was\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/2016/05/19/nalhfa-elects-dawn-luke-to-its-board-of-directors/\"\u003eelected to the NALHFA board\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;in May of last year.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn June 29, NALHFA board members and staff met with the Ja\u0026rsquo;Ron Smith, Director of Urban Affairs and Revitalization Policy at the White House and ten different Congressional offices. Discussion topics included enhancing the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program, preserving funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs, strengthening the municipal bond market, and increasing opportunities for public-private partnerships in the affordable housing industry.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNALHFA board members and staff also held several constructive meetings with Congressional offices. Every office was supportive of affordable housing programs and requested to remain engaged with NALHFA about what can be done to address the affordable housing crisis.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe NALHFA trip achieved several positive outcomes on the following issues:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eThe Municipal Finance Support Act of 2017:\u0026nbsp;This would allow large banks to count some of their municipal bond investments, including tax-exempt housing bonds, as high-quality liquid assets (HQLAs) under federal bank liquidity standard. NALHFA received the support of Senator David Perdue\u0026rsquo;s (R-GA) office and they have since co-sponsored the bill.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eThe Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2017:\u0026nbsp;Passage of this legislation would be a huge win for the industry and provide a much needed boost to the LIHTC program. NALHFA was able to secure Senator Dianne Feinstein\u0026rsquo;s (D-CA) office commitment to co-sponsor the legislation.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHUD Funding and the President\u0026rsquo;s Budget Proposal:\u0026nbsp;The Congressional offices the team visited all indicated that the President\u0026rsquo;s budget is not being used to determine funding levels for these programs and there are no plans to eliminate programs like Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME).\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the White House meeting, Luke and the other NALHFA board members discussed the importance of the affordable housing programs to public-private partnerships, infrastructure development, and economic growth. Ja\u0026rsquo;Ron Smith emphasized the Administration\u0026rsquo;s focus on getting the biggest bang for the federal dollar and making affordable housing programs more efficient and effective. Smith also said he would like to continue engaging with NALHFA members. The NALHFA Legislative Committee will continue to work with policymakers in Washington to ensure the vitality of affordable housing programs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo join this ongoing dialogue with the White House, please contact NALHFA Policy Director Heather Voorman at\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"mailto:hvoorman@nalhfa.org\"\u003ehvoorman@nalhfa.org\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":42,"title":"Economic Development Team Travels to Europe With Focus on FinTech","promo_title":"Economic Development Team Travels to Europe With Focus on FinTech","published_date":"2017-07-06","featured_image":{"id":250,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"copenhagen_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":145602,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:10:19.444-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:10:19.613-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:11:16.281-05:00","filename_hash":"copenhagen_feature_RJq84br.jpg","width":1536,"height":1152},"filename":"economic-development-team-travels-to-europe-with-focus-on-fintech","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"sY4b0g","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:11:15.623-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:11:15.623-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta traveled to Copenhagen and London recently to continue their work attracting global FinTech companies to Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta traveled to Copenhagen and London recently to continue their work attracting global financial technology (FinTech) companies to Atlanta and the state of Georgia.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRandi Mason, Director of Economic Development at Invest Atlanta, joined representatives from the Metro Atlanta Chamber along with other regional partners at the Money20/20 Europe conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. Money20/20 is one of the world\u0026rsquo;s largest events focused on FinTech, with companies representing mobile, retail, marketing services, data, and technology. More than 3,700 payments and financial services professionals from around the world attended this year\u0026rsquo;s conference, including more than 1,000 CEOs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMason also traveled to the United Kingdom to meet with our counterparts\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.londonandpartners.com/\"\u003eLondon \u0026amp; Partners\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;about the upcoming\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170202005344/en/LondonAtlanta-Partnership-Launches-P20-Global-Payments-Industry\"\u003eP20 Annual Meeting\u003c/a\u003e. The P20 will be the first transatlantic payments initiative of its kind, and will convene 20 of the most influential leaders in the payments industry and top UK and US officials and regulators.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe P20 will rotate annually between London and Atlanta, with the inaugural session taking place this October in London. Attendees will gather together to discuss the importance of payments and FinTech to the world economy, the vital role both London and Atlanta play in the industry, and how our cities can work together to promote growth of the industry globally.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta has become known as \u0026ldquo;\u003ca href=\"https://www.atpcoalition.org/transaction-alley\"\u003eTransaction Alley\u003c/a\u003e\u0026rdquo; thanks to the region\u0026rsquo;s robust and growing financial technology (FinTech) sector. Seventy percent of the nation\u0026rsquo;s financial transactions passing through Georgia-based software systems, and the state\u0026rsquo;s FinTech industry processes 118 billion transactions per year representing $2 trillion in transaction volume. Georgia is home to 90 FinTech companies, employing 30,000 professionals in state, and over 130,000 across the world.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough incentives, permitting assistance, and recruitment efforts, Invest Atlanta has worked to attract several prominent FinTech companies to the City of Atlanta. NCR is bringing more than 5,000 jobs to its new headquarter towers in Midtown near Technology Square. Global Payments is investing $18 million in a new headquarters in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Buckhead community. And Equifax, the credit reporting and financial technology giant, invested $17 million for an expansion of their offices at One Atlantic Center in Midtown, and will bring 800 jobs into the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":50,"title":"Innovation Village Made of Shipping Containers Coming to MLK Corridor","promo_title":"Innovation Village Made of Shipping Containers Coming to MLK Corridor","published_date":"2017-06-30","featured_image":{"id":259,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"mlk_innovation_village_400-1.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":794584,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:41:10.568-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:41:10.736-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:42:14.629-05:00","filename_hash":"mlk_innovation_village_400-1_JjMQrJo.png","width":800,"height":600},"filename":"innovation-village-made-of-shipping-containers-coming-to-mlk-corridor","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lBaP2w","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:42:14.139-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:42:14.139-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta board voted to authorize the use of $550,000 to create the MLK Innovation Village using shipping containers.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta board recently voted to authorize the use of $550,000 to create the MLK Innovation Village using repurposed shipping containers at the H.E. Holmes MARTA station.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe container village will provide transit-accessible retail and office space for small businesses along the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive corridor.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We think there\u0026rsquo;s going to be an exciting mix of new, innovative businesses that have yet to open on MLK, Jr. Drive,\u0026rdquo; said Invest Atlanta Real Estate Director Chris Leutzinger. \u0026ldquo;Hopefully these owners will decide this is a great area where they can spin off their businesses and build them along the corridor.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce the Innovation Village is complete, Invest Atlanta will solicit applications for tenants over the next six months, and those who are chosen will pay an affordable monthly rent pegged at cost recovery levels.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I think it\u0026rsquo;s a really economical way to service this kind of incubation, and it\u0026rsquo;s a great project for that site,\u0026rdquo; said Invest Atlanta board member Randy Hazelton.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is partnering with MARTA on this project, and they see it as an innovative opportunity to jumpstart future interest in transit-oriented development (TOD) at this station.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We reached out to MARTA to come up with this concept to utilize repurposed shipping containers,\u0026rdquo; said Kevin Johnson, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Senior VP of Economic Development. \u0026ldquo;What we\u0026rsquo;ve come up with is a really unique opportunity for the City of Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe MLK Innovation Village is part of the larger effort led by Mayor Kasim Reed to invest in the MLK corridor. Last year, the City of Atlanta received a $10 million TIGER grant from the USDOT that will fund a portion of the $22 million in infrastructure improvements planned for MLK, Jr. Drive.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":53,"title":"Grant to Fund Affordable Workforce Housing in Downtown Development","promo_title":"Grant to Fund Affordable Workforce Housing in Downtown Development","published_date":"2017-06-20","featured_image":{"id":262,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"161_peachtree_feature_1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":63990,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:48:59.602-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:48:59.755-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:50:04.702-05:00","filename_hash":"161_peachtree_feature_1_XJ5YRL4.jpg","width":852,"height":640},"filename":"grant-to-fund-affordable-workforce-housing-in-downtown-development","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"fg_rcQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:50:04.095-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:50:04.095-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Board of Directors approved a $9 million Eastside TAD grant to develop a residential tower with sixty affordable units.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt their June 15 meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors passed a resolution approving the use of $9 million from the Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) for the development of a $90.5 million, 14-story, 302-unit residential tower at 161 Peachtree Center Avenue in Downtown Atlanta. Sixty of the units, or 20 percent of the total units, will be set aside as affordable workforce housing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am pleased that Invest Atlanta is able to support a new residential development in Downtown Atlanta with 20 percent affordable, workforce housing units,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Kasim Reed. \u0026ldquo;The development at 161 Peachtree will be the second new residential development for families and young professionals in Downtown Atlanta in the past decade, demonstrating that developers are growing increasingly confident about building in the core of our city. This is another example of how we are taking action to ensure high-quality, affordable housing options for all families.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBanyan Street Capital LLC, the owner of Peachtree Center, is proposing to partner with Greystar, a national multifamily developer and property manager, to build the residential tower above an existing parking garage adjacent to Peachtree Center.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe project will bring approximately 150 temporary construction jobs, and more than $90M in capital investment to the Downtown area. The total economic impact of the project is estimated at more than $129 million. Construction is expected to begin in early 2018.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This project will not only attract more residents and commercial activity to Downtown, but activate an existing structure in a new and innovative way that brings greater affordability and mobility to Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;With 20 percent of the units being offered at 80 percent of area median income, more working families can live within a short walk or transit trip from Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s jobs centers.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe news about the 161 Peachtree residential tower continues the positive economic momentum already underway in Downtown Atlanta. Post Centennial Park apartment complex will open soon, and construction of the Castleberry Park and Hard Rock Hotel development is underway. In addition, WRS, Inc. will soon begin the redevelopment of Underground Atlanta into a live-work-play destination, ensuring significant investment in the South Downtown area.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":56,"title":"A Month of Tech Travels for Economic Development Team","promo_title":"A Month of Tech Travels for Economic Development Team","published_date":"2017-06-13","featured_image":{"id":265,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"kevin_infosec_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":189014,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:52:54.274-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:52:54.484-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:54:08.814-05:00","filename_hash":"kevin_infosec_feature_V1Do8K9.jpg","width":2048,"height":1536},"filename":"a-month-of-tech-travels-for-economic-development-team","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"3swufw","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:54:08.121-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:54:08.121-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta team represented Atlanta, networked with company executives, and mett with savvy entrepreneurs at several international technology conferences.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMembers of the Invest Atlanta team spent the month of June representing Atlanta, networking with company executives, and meeting with savvy entrepreneurs at several international technology conferences. These trips are part of IA\u0026rsquo;s larger strategy to attract and retain businesses from targeted industry sectors, including cybersecurity, health IT, and the biosciences.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKevin Johnson, IA\u0026rsquo;s Senior Vice President of Economic Development, traveled to London on June 6 for\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.infosecurityeurope.com/\"\u003eInfosecurity (Infosec) Europe\u003c/a\u003e, as well as London Tech Week the following week. During the week of June 19, Economic Development Director Randi Mason will be in San Diego for the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://convention.bio.org/\"\u003eBIO International Convention\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;to meet with biotech companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers, and related organizations from around the world.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInfosec Europe is the continent\u0026rsquo;s top cybersecurity conference, welcoming more than 13,500 information security professionals this year. While there, Johnson made valuable connections with European tech companies, including several Welsh-based firms. Atlanta has a thriving cybersecurity sector, with a strong focus on financial technology, or FinTech. Fortune Magazine recently named Atlanta 1 of 7 cities that could become the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://fortune.com/2017/04/06/cyber-security-cities/\"\u003eworld\u0026rsquo;s cybersecurity capital\u003c/a\u003e, and the state of Georgia is home to 115 cybersecurity companies that generate a\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.atlantafdiportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/16-57-FDI-FINAL_WEB-2.pdf\"\u003equarter of the sector\u0026rsquo;s global revenue\u003c/a\u003e. Metro Atlanta has become known as \u0026ldquo;Transaction Alley\u0026rdquo; thanks to its strength in FinTech, with the industry employing nearly 40,000 in the metro region.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFrom June 12-16, more than 40,000 attendees from 70-plus countries came together for\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://londontechweek.com/\"\u003eLondon Tech Week\u003c/a\u003e. The week-long conference provided IA with the chance to talk about Atlanta with an engaged tech audience. Johnson met with the corporate leadership of Skignz, a late stage start-up based in Middlesbrough, UK, who has an established base in Atlanta with plans to rapidly grow their presence in the US market. He also met with Teesside University\u0026rsquo;s innovation and workforce leadership to discuss how the institution supports local start-ups and entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://convention.bio.org/\"\u003eBiotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) International Convention\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;will bring over 1,100 biotech organizations to San Diego from June 19-22. While there, Randi Mason will network with global biotech and pharma leaders to talk about Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s growing bioscience industry. Metro Atlanta is home to renowned national and global health organizations, including the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Cancer Society, Arthritis Foundation, CARE, The Carter Center, and the Task Force for Global Health. Health IT is a thriving industry in the state of Georgia, with over 250 companies employing around 30,000 people.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":60,"title":"Boston Consulting Group Bringing 200 Jobs to Atlanta","promo_title":"Boston Consulting Group Bringing 200 Jobs to Atlanta","published_date":"2017-06-12","featured_image":{"id":269,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"bcg_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":65587,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:01:25.555-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2017-12-21T11:01:25.708-05:00","updated_at":"2020-12-21T10:59:54.459-05:00","filename_hash":"bcg_feature_MYq4Dyj.jpg","width":736,"height":552},"filename":"boston-consulting-group-bringing-200-jobs-to-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"fMwpfw","created_at":"2017-12-21T11:01:57.426-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:01:57.426-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) will create more than 200 jobs at a new regional support center in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGov. Nathan Deal and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a global management and consulting firm, will create more than 200 jobs and invest $9.2 million in a new regional support center in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe new jobs will include highly skilled positions in creative visual services, finance, client and business support, legal and information technology, and other areas. BCG expects to create more than 500 jobs over the next 10 years with this new facility.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re excited about Boston Consulting Group choosing to expand their presence in our city,\u0026rdquo; said Reed. \u0026ldquo;By doing so, Boston Consulting Group will bring 232 well-paying jobs to the City of Atlanta, close to many of the Fortune 500 and 1000 clients they serve. Boston Consulting Group is known for its consulting expertise, as well as being an excellent and in-demand employer. We look forward to their continued growth and success in Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;BCG plays an important and unique role in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy, and this new investment will have an estimated $52.7 million total economic impact on our city,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Having advised Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s top companies for decades, this expansion will allow BCG to provide their top-tier services to even more businesses across a wide spectrum of industries.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe new support center will consolidate and expand operational functions in support of BCG\u0026rsquo;s North American and global businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm and the world\u0026rsquo;s leading advisor on business strategy. It partners with clients from the private, public and not-for-profit sectors in all regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges and transform their enterprises. Its customized approach combines deep insight into the dynamics of companies and markets with close collaboration at all levels of the client organization. Founded in 1963, BCG is a private company with 85 offices in 48 countries.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Since opening BCG Atlanta in 1995, we\u0026rsquo;ve been deeply committed to the Atlanta community through pro bono consulting projects, individual volunteering, and direct support to local organizations,\u0026rdquo; said Alan Wise, senior partner and managing director for BCG in Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;To be able to bring several hundred additional skilled jobs with competitive compensation, market-leading benefits, and excellent career prospects to our city is another way of showing our commitment to Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":58,"title":"Southwest Connector Trail Open House Showcases Homebuyer Incentives","promo_title":"Southwest Connector Trail Open House Showcases Homebuyer Incentives","published_date":"2017-06-12","featured_image":{"id":267,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"walking_tour_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":1027780,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:56:06.161-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:56:06.609-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:57:03.505-05:00","filename_hash":"walking_tour_feature_KDqalW4.jpg","width":4032,"height":3024},"filename":"southwest-connector-trail-open-house-showcases-homebuyer-incentives","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"PstA_A","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:57:03.028-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:57:03.028-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n On Saturday, June 10 Invest Atlanta and Atlanta BeltLine co-hosted the Southwest Connector Trail Open House Walking Tour 2017.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOn Saturday, June 10 Invest Atlanta and Atlanta BeltLine co-hosted the Southwest Connector Trail Open House Walking Tour 2017. The free home tour event, now in its third year, allowed hundreds of prospective homebuyers to learn helpful information about purchasing a home near the Southwest Connector Trail with Invest Atlanta down payment incentives.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStarting from Beecher Hills Elementary School, attendees could take a self-guided walking tour of available homes for sale in the adjacent Beecher Hills, Westview, and Audobon Forest neighborhoods. All the available homes were located within two miles of the school and were featured on a handy event map.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnita Allgood, manager of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s homeownership center, led a well-attended Homebuyer Q\u0026amp;A session, while Michele Lewis and other IA homeownership specialists answered questions throughout the day. Community leaders, mortgage lenders, real estate agents, and homebuyer education providers were also on hand to share homebuyer education and financial wellness resources to homebuyers interested in affordable intown living.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOther IA partners in attendance were Trees Atlanta, who led an arbotreum tour, and Relay Bike Share, who offered bike rentals for those interested in exploring the 1.15-mile Southwest Connector Spur Trail. And with live music, a DJ, and a face painting station at the Kids Corner, the day was fun for the entire family.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":61,"title":"Publix On Moores Mill Now Open for Business","promo_title":"Publix On Moores Mill Now Open for Business","published_date":"2017-06-09","featured_image":{"id":782,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"publix.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1282466,"resource_updated_at":"2019-01-16T08:38:40.571-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2019-01-16T08:38:40.689-05:00","updated_at":"2019-01-16T08:38:58.463-05:00","filename_hash":"publix_1OP6zJ6.png","width":1251,"height":690},"filename":"publix-on-moores-mill-now-open-for-business","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Houp6g","created_at":"2017-12-21T11:06:10.907-05:00","updated_at":"2019-01-16T08:38:58.442-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Kasim Reed, members of the Atlanta City Council, Dr. Klementich, and Publix representatives opened the Moores Mill grocery store.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Kasim Reed, alongside members of the Atlanta City Council, Dr. Eloisa Klementich, and representatives of Publix, cut the ribbon to announce the grand opening of a Publix grocery store at Moores Mill. The new Publix, part of the first phase of the $95 million shopping center development, opened for business later that morning.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Today marks a great day for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s upper Westside, and we\u0026rsquo;re proud to partner with Publix on this development effort,\u0026rdquo; said Herbert Ames, Vice President of Southeast for EDENS, the project developer. \u0026ldquo;Publix and Moores Mill have already proven to be a community catalyst for this corridor, sparking significant interest and investment throughout the neighborhood.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe shopping center, originally envisioned over a decade ago, will house a grocery store in an area of Atlanta that has lacked this resource for years. Construction on the second phase of the center will begin this summer, with plans for up to 345 apartments and 15,000 square-feet of retail space.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta was instrumental in getting this project across the finish line. In 2015, the board approved $500,000 from the Perry Bolton TAD bond issue to fund the extension Moores Mill Road from Bolton Road into the shopping center, including new traffic signalization at the nearby intersection. This infrastructure work was integral to the redevelopment of the Moores Mill Shopping Center and the construction of a Publix grocery store as the anchor tenant.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s kind of funny that we\u0026rsquo;re that excited about the opening of a grocery store but it\u0026rsquo;s that important to this side of town,\u0026rdquo; Kevin Shankwiler, a resident of the area, told CBS46. \u0026ldquo;It really means a lot to the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.cbs46.com/story/35553534/opening-of-new-publix-location-part-of-neighborhood-revitalization-project\"\u003efuture development\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;that\u0026rsquo;s going to happen over here.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":62,"title":"Atlanta-Toulouse International Startup Exchange Recognized as Innovative Economic Development Program","promo_title":"Atlanta-Toulouse International Startup Exchange Recognized as Innovative Economic Development Program","published_date":"2017-06-07","featured_image":{"id":271,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"sister_cities_awards_feature.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1658863,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:08:33.617-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T11:08:33.858-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:08:56.232-05:00","filename_hash":"sister_cities_awards_feature_xD2ne9y.png","width":1749,"height":1312},"filename":"atlanta-toulouse-international-startup-exchange-recognized-as-innovative-economic-development-program","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"woX4Cg","created_at":"2017-12-21T11:08:55.705-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:08:55.705-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International and Invest Atlanta received the Sister Cities International (SCI) 2017 Innovation Award for Economic Development.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International and Invest Atlanta were honored with the the Sister Cities International (SCI) 2017 Innovation Award for Economic Development for a city with a population between 100,001 and 500,000. The Sister Cities Innovation Award for Economic Development recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding community and individual sister city programs that promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe prize was awarded in recognition of the launch of the first Atlanta International Startup Exchange with Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s sister city Toulouse, France. The goal of the exchange is to ingrain an international strategy in the foundation of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s emerging enterprises. The two-week residency program provided selected companies a platform for global expansion as well as identify potential partners, investors, clients, and access two of the top aerospace and tech industries clusters. The program also provided an opportunity to showcase Atlanta and Toulouse as economically-sound choices for future international operations to the visiting Toulouse-based and Atlanta-based companies, respectively.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSCI Award winners will be honored at the Lou Wozar Diplomatic Awards Dinner on Saturday, July 15 during SCI\u0026rsquo;s 61st Annual Conference in Virginia Beach, VA.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":64,"title":"Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Hosts InnovateHER Challenge","promo_title":"Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Hosts InnovateHER Challenge","published_date":"2017-06-05","featured_image":{"id":273,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"innovateher_selfie.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":528101,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:12:16.945-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T11:12:17.265-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:12:43.101-05:00","filename_hash":"innovateher_selfie_W1aKkO3.jpg","width":2048,"height":1538},"filename":"womens-entrepreneurship-initiative-hosts-innovateher-challenge","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"jmqY6w","created_at":"2017-12-21T11:12:42.582-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:12:42.582-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) hosted the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 2017 InnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.weiatlanta.com/\"\u003eWomen\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI)\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;hosted the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 2017\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.sba.gov/content/sba-launches-2017-innovateher-business-challenge-innovations-empower-womens-lives\"\u003eInnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;on Thursday, June 1.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInnovateHER is a national business competition seeking entrepreneurs who are creating products or services that have a measurable impact on women and their families, fills a need in the marketplace and has potential for commercialization. This is the third consecutive year that WEI has served as a local host for this national competition.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The City of Atlanta Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneur Initiative is honored to host this innovative business challenge geared specifically to women,\u0026rdquo; said Theia Smith, Founding Executive Director, WEI. \u0026ldquo;It is important to understand the value of empowering our local entrepreneurs with opportunities to bring their products and services to market. We\u0026rsquo;re proud of the caliber of talent we\u0026rsquo;ve seen in our Atlanta applicants and look forward to nominating one of them for the chance to compete on the national stage.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCesar Vence, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Senior Project Manager of Business Attraction, served as one of the three judges, along with Jill Goodrich, President of the Women\u0026rsquo;s Chamber of Commerce, and Camille Wright of the Style Consortium.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter a rigorous application process, WEI, as well as other host organizations and SBA Resource Partners around the country, identified five applicants with the most innovative and entrepreneurial business ideas to participate in the pitch competition held at WEI headquarters in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s historic Flatiron Building.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe five local entrepreneurs selected to pitch their business idea at the WEI Business Pitch Challenge were: Justina Davis, Omod\u0026eacute;; Jennifer Bluemling, Borrowed by Design; Asma Young, Hijabi Pop; Quyionah Wingfiled, Cool Moms Dance Too; and Courtney Harmon, The Bribe Bag.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJustina Davis was chosen to advance to the semi-final round and pitch her business, called Omod\u0026eacute;. SBA will then select up to 10 finalists who will be invited to the national InnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge to be held this summer. The finalists will pitch their products and ideas to a panel of expert judges and compete for the top three awards along with $70,000 in prize money provided to SBA for the InnovateHER competition through a gift from the Sara Blakely Foundation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Ms. Davis is incredibly deserving of the nomination win and we\u0026rsquo;re proud to advance her to the next round of the InnovateHER competition. Omod\u0026eacute;, which fills a void in the market and taps into a unique need of mothers and families, is exactly the type of business that best aligns with the goals of the competition,\u0026rdquo; added Smith.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLaunched in May 2016 with the support of the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta, the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative operates as an incubator for 15 women business owners designed to foster and promote interaction and engagement with their likeminded counterparts. Through an ecosystem of educational resources, access to funding assistance and mentorship, the women will grow their businesses, over the course of 15 months, and then transition the business back into the City of Atlanta at the culmination of that period.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":65,"title":"Newly Closed Housing Opportunity Bonds to Fund Affordable Housing Initiatives","promo_title":"Newly Closed Housing Opportunity Bonds to Fund Affordable Housing Initiatives","published_date":"2017-06-01","featured_image":{"id":274,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"briarcliff_summit_bottom.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":95622,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:14:55.980-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T11:14:56.130-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:15:18.586-05:00","filename_hash":"briarcliff_summit_bottom_DNxypV1.jpg","width":820,"height":615},"filename":"newly-closed-housing-opportunity-bonds-to-fund-affordable-housing-initiatives","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Esocng","created_at":"2017-12-21T11:15:17.985-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:15:17.985-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Urban Residential Finance Authority closed on $40 million of Housing Opportunity Bonds to fund affordable and workforce housing development.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThanks to the support of Mayor Kasim Reed, the Urban Residential Finance Authority has closed on $40 million of Housing Opportunity Bonds that will be used to fund critical affordable and workforce housing development initiatives, including homeowner renovations, multifamily loans, single family loans, nonprofit development loans, and land assemblage.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBack in March, both the Atlanta City Council and the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors unanimously approved the issuance of the bonds.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This is a tremendous step forward in securing affordable housing for the residents of Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Councilmember Julian Bond, who introduced the legislation authorizing the bond issuance, when the legislation passed.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Housing is about people,\u0026rdquo; added Councilmember Andre Dickens, a former member of the Invest Atlanta board. \u0026ldquo;This bond is an important tool to develop equitable and inclusionary housing options for our residents and promote development without displacement.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Housing Opportunity Bonds represent a key part of a larger housing strategy the City of Atlanta adopted in 2015, and the HOB funds will be used to finance:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMultifamily Loans:\u0026nbsp;Loans will be provided to nonprofit and for profit multifamily developers offering affordable rental workforce housing units.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSingle Family Loans:\u0026nbsp;Loans will be used for construction financing, down payment assistance, and owner occupied rehabilitation.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eNon-Profit Development Loans:\u0026nbsp;Funds will be set aside for eligible nonprofit developers for multifamily and single family affordable housing development.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eLand Assemblage:\u0026nbsp;Funds to be used by non-profit and for-profit developers, as well as City Agencies, to acquire land and vacant property for affordable housing development.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Atlanta City Council first established the Housing Opportunity Bond Program in 2007. With the funding raised from this bond issuance, Invest Atlanta produced over 2,200 affordable housing units, leveraging over $260 million in capital investment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe lessons learned and feedback received over the course of the past decade informed how the funding raised from this year\u0026rsquo;s effort will be invested. For example, stakeholders emphasized the need for more funds for owner-occupied rehabilitation efforts to ensure more residents could stay in their homes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are very excited and very happy this is coming to fruition,\u0026rdquo; said Alan Ferguson, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Vice President and Deputy Director of Community Development. \u0026ldquo;These programs are based on the current market, as well as input from various groups: elected officials, neighborhood residents, community leaders, non-profits, and developers.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn April and May, Invest Atlanta and the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Office of Housing and Community Development hosted two Housing Opportunity Bond events at the Georgia Hill Neighborhood Center. Close to 200 interested affordable housing developers and advocates gathered together to participate in work sessions in which they delivered feedback and comment regarding the Housing Opportunity Bond Program guidelines.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOther notable attendees included Councilmembers Julian Bond, Andre Dickens, Cleta Winslow, as well as Planning Commissioner Tim Keane, Planning Deputy Commissioner Terri Lee, and Invest Atlanta Board Member Bill Bozarth.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":66,"title":"ATL Officials Break Ground on Vine City’s Rodney Cook, Sr. Park","promo_title":"ATL Officials Break Ground on Rodney Cook, Sr. Park","published_date":"2017-05-25","featured_image":{"id":275,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"cook_park_feature.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":5505055,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:18:19.779-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T11:18:20.099-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:19:13.703-05:00","filename_hash":"cook_park_feature_5E5p43y.png","width":2048,"height":1536},"filename":"atl-officials-break-ground-on-vine-citys-rodney-cook-sr-park","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"D6k9ug","created_at":"2017-12-21T11:19:13.218-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:19:13.218-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Kasim Reed gathered with other Atlanta dignitaries for the groundbreaking ceremony for Rodney Cook, Sr. Park in Vine City.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Kasim Reed gathered with other Atlanta officials and dignitaries on May 19 for the groundbreaking ceremony for Rodney Cook, Sr. Park in Historic Vine City.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe $45 million, 16-acre park represents the largest investment in a public park in the Westside neighborhoods in more than fifty years, and will serve as a grand and appropriate symbol of the neighborhood\u0026rsquo;s tremendous historical legacy. The park, slated to be completed in summer 2018, will feature a stormwater retention pond, a splash-pad, a playground, a performance plaza, a picnic pavilion, courts for multi-use sports, a fitness area, a boardwalk, an overlook and terraced pools.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta donated approximately 4 acres of land for this critically important project.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are proud to break ground today and watch this state-of-the-art park move from vision to reality,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed. \u0026ldquo;The synergy to revitalize and reactivate the Historic Vine City neighborhood and surrounding areas is remarkable, and I would like to thank all the partners involved who are making a positive impact. Rodney Cook, Sr. Park in Historic Vine City will serve as a catalyst for economic development in the Westside, and be a source of pride for Atlanta for decades to come.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Reed was joined by Ambassador Andrew Young, Arthur Blank, Invest Atlanta President and CEO Eloisa Klementich, Department of Watershed Management Commissioner Kishia L. Powell, Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner, Amy Phuong, Atlanta City Councilmember Ivory Lee Young, Jr., National Monuments Foundation President Rodney Cook, Jr., The Trust for Public Land Georgia State Director George Dusenbury and Higher Ground Empowerment Center Rev. Dexter Johnson at the official ceremony.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs part of the park design, the Department of Watershed Management will carry out important environmental remediation work, and has committed $20 million to fund and manage the design and construction of a stormwater retention pond. The official name for the project is the Upper Proctor Creek Capacity Relief Pond at Cook Park. In response to the floods in Vine City over the past decades, the new park will be able to accommodate a 100-year flood event. Similar to the Historic Old Fourth Ward Park stormwater retention pond model, the project aims to reduce flooding and the amount of pollutants entering Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s waterways, as well as increase the capacity of the combined sewer system which will eliminate sewer spills.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Trust for Public Land and its design consultant firm, Andropogon, in collaboration with the City of Atlanta, worked with several stakeholders and the community to finalize the plan design. In addition, The Trust for Public Land is raising $12.7 million from the private sector for the construction and design of the greenspace. With lead gifts from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, and support from other notable family and corporate foundations, The Trust for Public Land is on track to complete fundraising for the project by the end of September.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe park is named in honor of Rodney, Cook Sr., a former state representative from Atlanta who helped bridge racial divides. To pay tribute to the City of Atlanta being the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement, the park will include 18 statues of Georgia civil rights leaders and peacemakers, as well as a 110-foot peace column dedicated to civil and human rights and the Dr. C.T. Vivian Library of African American Literature.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":67,"title":"YMCA Regional HQ and Head Start Facility Coming to Vine City","promo_title":"YMCA Regional HQ and Head Start Facility Coming to Vine City","published_date":"2017-05-18","featured_image":{"id":276,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"ymca_feature_second.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1597924,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:22:06.602-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T11:22:06.841-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:22:35.807-05:00","filename_hash":"ymca_feature_second_JjMQOax.png","width":1664,"height":1248},"filename":"ymca-regional-hq-and-head-start-facility-coming-to-vine-city","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"yX63hg","created_at":"2017-12-21T11:22:35.218-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:22:35.218-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The IA board approved a $2.5 million Westside TAD grant for the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta Center in Vine City.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta board of directors approved at their May meeting a $2.5 million Westside TAD grant to fund the new YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta Leadership and Learning Center in Vine City.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Center will house the YMCA of Metro Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s administrative offices and Head Start learning facility serving 70-90 children aged zero to four-years-old. Priority for these spaces will be given to eligible residents of Vine City, English Avenue, Castleberry Hill and other Westside neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA good deal of thought was put into the Center\u0026rsquo;s design, which involves the redevelopment of Jordan Hall, a privately‐owned former Morris Brown University facility. Based on the input received at community meetings and listening sessions, the Center will preserve the iconic entry building fronting Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, and much of the new fa\u0026ccedil;ade will complement the style and scale of the original building. Significant areas of the Center will also be named to pay respect to the history of the site(pending approval from Morris Brown), including Bishop Jordan Hall Pavilion , the Asa Ware Early Learning Center, and the Ruth Hall Hodges Art Hall and Gallery.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe plans for the Center received recommendations from the Vine City Civic Association, NPU-L, and the Westside TAD Advisory Board.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Head Start learning facility will also serve as a regional innovation and training lab, providing training for all YMCA early learning classrooms and more than 1,500 YMCA staff throughout the southeast. Members of the surrounding communities, along with local non-profits, will also have access to the facility.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, the Center will include a small community market offering quality, affordable groceries and healthy \u0026ldquo;grab and go\u0026rdquo; meal options sourced from local farms.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTwo-thirds of the funding for the $24 million Center will come from philanthropic contributions, raised as part of an aggressive YMCA capital campaign. Invest Atlanta is providing $2.5 million through the TAD grant approved on Thursday, and Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc., Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s certified community development entity, is using New Markets Tax Credits to attract private investors to contribute an additional $6.8 million to the project.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta Leadership and Learning Center is expected to begin construction this summer and open in the fall of 2018. Learn more about Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s efforts on the Westside\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/westside-tad-investments/\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":68,"title":"Equifax Opens New Office in Midtown","promo_title":"Equifax Opens New Office in Midtown","published_date":"2017-05-12","featured_image":{"id":279,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"equifax_400.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":164130,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T12:56:55.786-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T12:56:55.955-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T12:57:55.132-05:00","filename_hash":"equifax_400_zmlZY4j.jpg","width":1837,"height":1378},"filename":"equifax-opens-new-office-in-midtown","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"I67Q7w","created_at":"2017-12-21T12:57:54.078-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T12:57:54.078-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Equifax, a global FinTech leader, unveiled of its new office space at One Atlantic Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEquifax, a global FinTech leader, unveiled of its new office space at One Atlantic Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, May 10. Invest Atlanta supported this project through an $325,000 Economic Opportunity Fund grant, which the board approved in May of last year.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn attendance at the opening were Mayor Kasim Reed Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich, Equifax Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard F. Smith and Chief Global Operations Officer Andy Bodea, as well as Georgia State Senator Brandon Beach and Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development Pat Wilson.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I want to congratulate Equifax for its ongoing success and expansion,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Kasim Reed. \u0026ldquo;Equifax is a company with deep, established roots in our great city, and has redefined itself as a front-runner in the FinTech space. The organization\u0026rsquo;s commitment to the city\u0026rsquo;s growth trajectory has also helped further establish Atlanta as one of the leading technology and innovation hub in the world.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCurrently, Equifax employs more than 2,200 Atlantans with the number expected to reach close to 3,000 over the next five years. The $17 million investment Equifax is making with this expansion is expected to generate over $62 million of economic impact.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;In the FinTech space, Atlanta is competing with global financial capitals like New York, London, Zurich, and Singapore,\u0026rdquo; said. Dr. Klementich. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s great news for our city when Equifax, a dominant FinTech player in the identity, fraud prevention, and analytics fields, decides to strengthen their already deep roots in Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocated near the Georgia Tech campus, the new five-floor, 100-000-square-foot office space will house Equifax employees from different functions such as IT, data/analytics, marketing, and finance.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s a very exciting day for us as we continue to expand our presence in the Atlanta Metro Area and reaffirm our commitment to the growth of our great city,\u0026rdquo; said Andy Bodea, Chief Global Operations Officer at Equifax. \u0026ldquo;These new offices are both a testament to the strength of our operations as well as to the vitality of the FinTech community in Atlanta, a growth engine in the U.S. We remain committed to drive innovation in all areas of our business and investing in the best talent to ensure we continue to deliver value to customers and consumers.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":69,"title":"I-85 Business Resource Event Supports Area Businesses","promo_title":"I-85 Business Resource Event Supports Area Businesses","published_date":"2017-05-10","featured_image":{"id":280,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"i85_resource_event_400.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":499434,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:00:00.002-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:00:00.321-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:00:45.506-05:00","filename_hash":"i85_resource_event_400_5E5pVKD.jpg","width":4219,"height":3164},"filename":"i-85-business-resource-event-supports-area-businesses","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"sDdmug","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:00:44.983-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:00:44.983-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta and other participating organizations hosted the I-85 Small Business Resource Event at the Peachtree Hills Recreation Center.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and more than a dozen participating organizations hosted the I-85 Small Business Resource Event on Tuesday, May 9 at the Peachtree Hills Recreation Center. At the event, businesses affected by the closure could meet with local service providers offering technical assistance, small and medium-sized business lending, consulting services, and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;On behalf of the City of Atlanta, Mayor Reed, and the City Council, we are here to support you,\u0026rdquo; said Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich. \u0026ldquo;We are not going away, this is what we do all the time. You will hear from us after the bridge is open to find out how your business was impacted.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe following organizations, representing a variety of areas, participated in the event:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTechnical Assistance Providers:\u0026nbsp;U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA); Small Business Development Center (SBDC); SCORE\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTransportation Providers \u0026amp; Partners:\u0026nbsp;MARTA; Lyft; Livable Buckhead\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eFinancial Assistance Providers:\u0026nbsp;Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Small Business Team; ACE Loans; PNC; Wells Fargo\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eInsurance Providers:\u0026nbsp;BB\u0026amp;T Insurance; King \u0026amp; Spalding\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMunicipal \u0026amp; Membership-based Support:\u0026nbsp;City of Atlanta Office of Resilience; WorkSource Georgia; The Metro Atlanta Chamber\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKevin Johnson, IA\u0026rsquo;s Senior VP of Business Development, also announced the launch of a Dine and Shop Week hosted by the Cheshire Bridge Road Restaurant \u0026amp; Retail Association. It\u0026rsquo;s part of the effort to attract customers back to the impacted area and support neighborhood businesses, and will run from Wednesday, May 17 through Sunday, May 21.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe decision to host the I-85 Business Resource Event was based on information Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Business Retention and Expansion team gathered soon after the closure. The BRE team spoke to businesses in the area to determine how the event impacted them. These businesses said they were facing three key challenges: a loss of customers, workers being delayed when commuting to work, and a delay in delivery times.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis feedback also helped our partners identify key actions to take in support of affected businesses. For example, MARTA extended their operating hours, and the city launched of the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/2017/05/10/i-85-business-resource-event/commuteatl.com\"\u003eCommuteATL\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;to shared up-to-the-minute traffic data.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGoing forward, affected businesses can continue to reach out to Invest Atlanta with questions and concerns by email at\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"mailto:bizimpact@investatlanta.com\"\u003ebizimpact@investatlanta.com\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":70,"title":"Reynoldstown Senior Residencies Celebrates Long-Awaited Opening","promo_title":"Reynoldstown Senior Residencies Celebrates Long-Awaited Opening","published_date":"2017-05-10","featured_image":{"id":281,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"reynoldstown_ia_insight_400_2.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":534238,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:02:24.149-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:02:24.545-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:03:28.189-05:00","filename_hash":"reynoldstown_ia_insight_400_2_5E5pVDJ.jpg","width":4020,"height":3016},"filename":"reynoldstown-senior-residencies-celebrates-long-awaited-opening","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"pMbyzQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:03:27.486-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:03:27.486-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The senior housing development along the Atlanta BeltLine offers 70 affordable housing units for residents over the age of 62.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAfter many years of hard work, the Reynoldstown Senior Residencies officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 4. The brand-new senior housing development along the Atlanta BeltLine offers 70 high-quality highly affordable housing units reserved for residents over the age of 62.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;What I find amazing is the commitment, not only of Invest Atlanta, but our partners in taking care of those who take care of us,\u0026rdquo; said Dawn Luke, SVP of Community Development at Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;The seniors in this community have been the bedrock in this community for years, and the fact they get to reside and live in this community is amazing.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMercy Housing, a nationally-recognized housing operator, will own and manage the Reynoldstown Senior Residencies. Financing for the project came from a variety of sources, including $5.5 million in financing from multifamily housing revenue bonds that the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved in 2014 under the leadership of Mayor Kasim Reed.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOther partners involved with the project include the Atlanta BeltLine, the City of Atlanta, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Atlanta City Councilmember Natalyn Archibong, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and the National Affordable Housing Trust.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, few deserve more credit than Reynoldstown community activist Young Hughley, who originally began work on this project more than a decade ago. Through the non-profit he founded, Reynoldstown Revitalization Corporation, Hughley bought the property in 2002.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;What makes me happy and gives me joy is the end use, that\u0026rsquo;s my joy,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;I want us to continue to do this difficult and hard work. I appreciate Mercy Housing and all the partners who helped to make it happen.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eProviding better housing options for our seniors is a key priority for Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince 2010, Invest Atlanta has joined with our public and private partners to invest in 9 senior housing developments located across the City of Atlanta. Most recently, Invest Atlanta has worked on projects such as City Lights in the Old Fourth Ward, The Remington in Carey Park, and Abernathy Towers in the West End.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll these senior housing developments ensure more members of the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s senior population, who represent the legacy of their respective communities, can age in place in a facility with the accessibility and amenities they need to thrive.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":72,"title":"Board Takes Steps Forward on Westside Affordable Housing","promo_title":"Board Takes Steps Forward on Westside Affordable Housing","published_date":"2017-05-03","featured_image":{"id":282,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"oasis_vine_city_rendering_400.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1102623,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:07:14.392-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:07:14.563-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-22T08:40:43.463-05:00","filename_hash":"oasis_vine_city_rendering_400_BxkNe82.png","width":825,"height":619},"filename":"board-takes-steps-forward-on-westside-affordable-housing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"f_yU6g","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:07:58.754-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:07:58.754-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Board of Directors signed off on two efforts to create more affordable housing options on the Westside.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt their April meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors signed off on two efforts to create more affordable housing options on the Westside.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe first, on Dalvigney Street in English Avenue, will involve the renovation of 12 units for residents earning no more than 50 percent area median income (AMI), with rents capped at 30 percent of income. And the 105-unit Oasis of Vine City complex will be reserved for seniors above the age of 62, who will pay no more than 60 percent AMI.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor the Dalvigney Street properties, the board authorized staff to negotiate a ground lease with Quest Community Development Organization. Once terms are agreed to, Quest will convert the currently vacant facilities into 12 newly refurbished units, all with robust affordability requirements.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta originally bought the Dalvigney Street property as part of the larger Westside land acquisition strategy.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The purchase of this property was made with the intention of redeveloping this, along with our other multi-family assets, for affordable housing,\u0026rdquo; said Jennifer Fine, VP of Planning and Strategic Initiatives. \u0026ldquo;Having access to affordable rental housing is one of the top priorities identified by [Westside] residents.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe site is located on the same block as two other Invest Atlanta projects on the Westside:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/2017/03/07/hagar-celebrates-renovation-of-nine-affordable-units/\"\u003eHagar House\u003c/a\u003eand the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/2017/04/04/mattie-freeland-community-house-opening/\"\u003eMattie Freeland Community House\u003c/a\u003e. Quest has previously partnered with Invest Atlanta to finance the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/2016/11/17/new-home-for-westside-works-opens-in-vine-city/\"\u003eQuest Community Complex\u003c/a\u003e, the new home of Westside Works.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith Oasis of Vine City, the board approved a $10 million bond resolution to fund the construction of 105 units of senior housing, enabling these long-time residents to age in place in their communities. Additional funding for the project will come from a variety of sources, including Georgia\u0026rsquo;s Department of Community Affairs, the Vine City Trust Fund, and affordable housing tax credits.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe units will all be affordable and high quality, with amenities such as energy efficient appliances, pre-wired security, and a fitness center.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBoth Dalvigney and Oasis of Vine City support the goals of the Westside TAD Neighborhood Strategic Implementation Plan and the Community Retention Strategy currently being finalized by the Westside Future Fund.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":73,"title":"On the Rise Financial Center Opens on Westside","promo_title":"On the Rise Financial Center Opens on Westside","published_date":"2017-04-25","featured_image":{"id":283,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"financial_center_400.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":552939,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:09:47.204-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:09:47.504-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:10:17.441-05:00","filename_hash":"financial_center_400_7J6b3xg.jpg","width":3797,"height":2848},"filename":"on-the-rise-financial-center-opens-on-westside","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"bIrtTQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:10:16.533-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:10:16.533-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The On the Rise Financial Center offers access to affordable financial services and products, one-on-one financial counseling, and homeownership education.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.ontherisefc.org/\"\u003eOn the Rise Financial Center\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;officially opened Thursday, April 20, with Mayor Kasim Reed, Dr. Eloisa Klementich, and Councilmember Ivory Young, Jr. on hand to celebrate with Westside residents. Joining them were representatives from supporting organizations, including Equifax, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions (NFCDCU) and the CDFI Fund.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAt the Center, clients can access affordable financial services and products, one-on-one financial counseling and homeownership education. Ultimately, the Center will provide new financial opportunities for residents and businesses in Westside communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta board approved a\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/2016/12/02/new-westside-financial-capability-center-receives-tad-support/\"\u003e$100,000 Westside TAD Community Improvement Fund grant\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;that went toward the purchase of computers, IT equipment, and office furniture for the On the Rise Financial Center.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Increasing the availability of financial education and services is critically important for our city,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Klementich. \u0026ldquo;This isn\u0026rsquo;t just a philanthropic issue, it\u0026rsquo;s an economic development issue.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.equifax.com/assets/corp/social_responsibility_report.pdf\"\u003eOne in four Atlanta residents are unbanked or underbanked\u003c/a\u003e, meaning they have often rely on alternatives financial services like payday loans. In certain areas of the Westside that percentage can\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://cfed.org/assets/pdfs/Most_Unbanked_Places_in_America.pdf\"\u003ereach as high as 75 percent\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThose without access to safe, affordable banking find it difficult to thrive financially.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn the short term, the unbanked often pay avoidable fees to check cashing services or exorbitant interest rates to payday lenders. These added costs have an enormous impact on families in the Westside, where\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.equifax.com/assets/corp/social_responsibility_report.pdf\"\u003e37 percent of adults and 57 percent of children\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;live below the poverty line. And being unbanked creates additional long-term difficulties. The average credit score on the Westside is around 500, making it difficult for many to secure a standard car loan or home mortgage.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has committed $15 million through the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/westside-tad-investments/\"\u003eWestside TAD Community Improvement Fund\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;to encourage more equitable development in English Avenue, Vine City and Castleberry Hill. So far, 11 projects, including the On the Rise Financial Center, have received funding. Each project investment addresses critical areas of need including employment, housing and neighborhood development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":74,"title":"IA to Redevelop Westside Properties Into Affordable Workforce Housing","promo_title":"IA to Redevelop Westside Properties Into Affordable Workforce Housing","published_date":"2017-04-21","featured_image":{"id":284,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"westside_400.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":997245,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:12:22.689-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:12:23.047-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:12:44.925-05:00","filename_hash":"westside_400_7J6b31p.jpg","width":4032,"height":3024},"filename":"ia-to-redevelop-westside-properties-into-affordable-workforce-housing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"8nokDw","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:12:44.326-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:12:44.326-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta is seeking to develop 24 abandoned land parcels in English Avenue and Vine City into affordable workforce housing.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta recently announced the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking to develop 24 single-family properties in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s English Avenue and Vine City neighborhoods, with the goal of turning these currently abandoned land parcels into affordable workforce housing units.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis redevelopment of 24 Invest Atlanta-owned properties will add new housing for Westside residents and help to reduce blight, enhance security and catalyze future private investment in these communities. The acquisition of these vacant and blighted properties for development was completed as part of the Westside TAD Neighborhood Strategic Implementation Plan with the approval of the Invest Atlanta board of directors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We implemented a Westside land assembly strategy in 2014 to activate vacant and blighted land, putting these properties to use for the community as affordable workforce housing,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO, Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;This initiative is one part of our larger strategy to encourage equitable development that benefits residents in English Avenue, Vine City and other Westside neighborhoods.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDevelopers can submit bids using a variety of unique and innovative housing types, whether through new construction or the renovation of existing homes. All responses must align with the vision articulated in the Land Use Action Plan, which recommends the preservation of homes with historical importance and the implementation of new housing design that is consistent with the existing historic homes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This effort will bring a variety of new affordable housing options to English Avenue and Vine City while also preserving the heritage of these historic neighborhoods,\u0026rdquo; said Dawn Luke, senior vice president of Community Development, Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll units also must be developed for homeownership and be made available at prices affordable to households earning a maximum of 120 percent of the area median income for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s metropolitan statistical area. A new unit also needs to be certified through the EarthCraft House residential green building program, demonstrating it is designed in an energy and resource efficient way.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":159,"title":"WICERS Honors IA President \u0026 CEO Dr. Klementich","promo_title":"WICERS Honors IA President \u0026 CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich","published_date":"2017-04-18","featured_image":{"id":404,"parent_id":7,"resource_file_name":"wicers_new_ia.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":355571,"resource_updated_at":"2018-01-02T09:51:10.934-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2018-01-02T09:51:11.234-05:00","updated_at":"2018-01-02T09:52:21.253-05:00","filename_hash":"wicers_new_ia_p59VmpO.jpg","width":3024,"height":2298},"filename":"wicers-honors-ia-president-ceo-dr-klementich","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"g8A5Zg","created_at":"2018-01-02T09:52:20.367-05:00","updated_at":"2018-01-02T09:52:20.367-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003eDr. Klementich received the Level Award from WICERS (Women in Construction, Engineering, and Related Services).\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich was honored on Friday, April 14 with the Level Award from WICERS (Women in Construction, Engineering, and Related Services). She received the honor at the last day of the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://wicersatlanta.com/\"\u003eWICERS\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;conference held at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta Hotel.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Reed delivered the closing remarks, taking time to recognize Dr. Klementich for all her work on behalf of the City of Atlanta, and especially the effort she and the Invest Atlanta team put in to bring NCR to Midtown Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;She delivered NCR, and the 5,000 jobs and $300M campus is going to have an economic impact of a billion dollars a year for the City of Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; he said.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDr. Klementich thanked Mayor Reed and WICERS for the award before reminding the audience there is still much to do to support women in the workplace. She noted that while women make up 57 percent of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s senior leadership, it\u0026rsquo;s a different story when it comes to many S\u0026amp;P 500 companies, where women make up only 14.2% of the top five leadership positions. Out of these 500 companies,\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.catalyst.org/knowledge/women-sp-500-companies\"\u003eonly 24 are led by female CEOs\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;What this tells me is that women are still bumping up against the glass ceiling,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;The way we can ensure that the glass ceiling is permanently broken is address three areas to support the professional development and successes of women: access to capital, access to mentorship, and access to networks.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe spoke of how Invest Atlanta and the City of Atlanta are working on initiatives dealing with these three key types of access.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and organizations like Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) are making it easier for women to secure capital. Invest Atlanta is doing so through its small business revolving loan funds, forty-one percent of which go to businesses owned by women.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Imitative (WEI), an organization supported by Invest Atlanta, women entrepreneurs in Atlanta have access to mentorship opportunities as well as a wonderful working space in The Flatiron building in Downtown Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor stronger networks, women can turn to professional organizations like WICERS for invaluable access to support, friendship, and professional contacts across industries.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;What WICERS is doing is socializing the direct involvement of women in areas where the economy is going to be thriving,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Kasim Reed.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I know you will succeed, thanks in large part to the energy and encouragement that WICERS provides and your own tenacity and grit,\u0026rdquo; Dr. Klementich told the WICERS audience. \u0026ldquo;As one of my favorite personal role models, Eleanor Roosevelt, would say, \u0026lsquo;A Women is like a tea bag, you never know how strong she is until you put her in hot water.\u0026rsquo;\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":75,"title":"Executive Corner: Portman CEO Ambrish Baisiwala on Coda’s Impact","promo_title":"Executive Corner: Portman CEO Ambrish Baisiwala on Coda’s Impact","published_date":"2017-04-15","featured_image":{"id":285,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"exec_corner_400.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":35194,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:22:56.931-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:22:57.091-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:24:02.703-05:00","filename_hash":"exec_corner_400_OPqggJQ.jpg","width":749,"height":561},"filename":"executive-corner-portman-ceo-ambrish-baisiwala-on-codas-impact","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"FGk_ZQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:24:02.131-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:24:02.131-05:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/244065995","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Portman CEO Ambrish Baisiwala visited our Executive Corner to discuss how\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/2016/12/13/coda-tower-breaks-ground-in-tech-square/\" style=\"color: rgb(61, 138, 235); text-decoration-line: none; outline: none; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: \u0026quot;Whitney SSm A\u0026quot;, \u0026quot;Whitney SSm B\u0026quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\"\u003eCoda\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;will strengthen Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s position as a technology hub.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePortman CEO Ambrish Baisiwala recently visited Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/news-press/executive-corner/\"\u003eExecutive Corner\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;to discuss how his company\u0026rsquo;s\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/2016/12/13/coda-tower-breaks-ground-in-tech-square/\"\u003eCoda project\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;will strengthen Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s position as a global technology hub, foster new collaboration between those in private industry and academic research, and attract new talent to the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;[Coda] will establish Atlanta as the place for collaborative research,\u0026rdquo; he said.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBaisiwala also spoke about how city and university partners came together to move this project forward.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Without the help that we had from the City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta, and Georgia Tech,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;This project would not have happened.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eConstruction on the 25-story Coda Tower in Midtown\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://insight.investatlanta.com/2016/12/13/coda-tower-breaks-ground-in-tech-square/\"\u003ebegan in December 2016\u003c/a\u003e. With access to Coda\u0026rsquo;s powerful tools and resources, Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s students, faculty, and tech entrepreneurs will be better equipped to conduct research and commercialize new applications. The computing center contained within Coda will also further elevate Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s reputation as one of the world\u0026rsquo;s top engineering and research institutes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta board approved the issuance of up to $440 million in bonds to support the creation of the 90,000-square-foot data center. The overall mixed-use Coda project, scheduled to open in late 2018, will create approximately 2,400 new jobs and produce an estimated economic impact of $813.8 million over the next two decades.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":77,"title":"Trio and Invest Atlanta Showcase a New Path to Home Ownership","promo_title":"Trio and Invest Atlanta Showcase a New Path to Home Ownership","published_date":"2017-04-13","featured_image":{"id":287,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"trio_homeowning_400.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":372438,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:28:18.140-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:28:18.409-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:28:49.031-05:00","filename_hash":"trio_homeowning_400_azn33ZX.jpg","width":3498,"height":2623},"filename":"trio-and-invest-atlanta-showcase-a-new-path-to-home-ownership","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"bKMR_g","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:28:48.175-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:28:48.175-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Trio and Invest Atlanta co-hosted a Homeowner\u0026rsquo;s Workshop to share key information about Trio\u0026rsquo;s affordable and flexible lease-to-own model.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTrio and Invest Atlanta co-hosted a Homeowner\u0026rsquo;s Workshop on Wednesday, April 12 to share key information about Trio\u0026rsquo;s affordable and flexible lease-to-own model. The event took place at the Georgia-Pacific Center\u0026rsquo;s Auditorium.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTrio provides an alternative financing solution for those who want to own a home, but are looking outside of the traditional mortgage box.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;What\u0026rsquo;s unique about Trio is that\u0026rsquo;s built to give you all the resources to support you in your pathway to home ownership,\u0026rdquo; said Darryl Lewis, Managing Director at Trio. \u0026ldquo;We work in partnership with you.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe program offers the opportunity to secure a lease on a home with the option to buy it at a locked-in interest rate and terms based on today\u0026rsquo;s pricing underwritten to Federal Housing Administration standards. The home price can also be locked in for as low as 1 percent for up to five years.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eProgram participants can work with a real estate agent to find the right home that qualifies for Trio, and they have the flexibility to move out of the home if a job relocation or another life event requires it.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo qualify, participants must meet the following requirements:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eGross household income of $3,600/month +\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eDocumentation to support income and positive housing history\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCredit score at 580 or above\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eNo active bankruptcy or foreclosure action\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAt least two months of your desired lease payment (cash, savings, retirement or gifted funds)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, for those who qualify, Trio can be used in partnership with Invest Atlanta down payment assistance that can help put in-town living within reach for prospective homebuyers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLearn more about how Trio\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.thinktrio.com/\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e, and more about Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s homebuyer incentives\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/intown-living/homebuyer-incentives/\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":79,"title":"New Community Space Honors English Avenue’s Mattie Freeland","promo_title":"New Community Space Honors English Avenue’s Mattie Freeland","published_date":"2017-04-04","featured_image":{"id":289,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"mattie_house_400.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":826601,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:32:12.030-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:32:12.397-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:32:32.557-05:00","filename_hash":"mattie_house_400_38XmmKP.jpg","width":4032,"height":3024},"filename":"new-community-space-honors-english-avenues-mattie-freeland","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"AI2SAg","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:32:31.707-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:32:31.707-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Mattie Freeland Community House will host workshops, classes, and meetings for English Avenue residents.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Mattie Freeland Community House officially opened on Friday, March 31 in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s English Avenue neighborhood.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis new space will host workshops, classes, and meetings, all offering nearby residents a place to learn new skills, make connections within their community, and grow as individuals. Classes will focus on areas such as financial literacy, computer basics, and resume building. Neighbors will also be able to come together to discuss issues impacting the community such as affordable housing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMattie Freeland, known affectionately as \u0026ldquo;Miss Mattie,\u0026rdquo; was an English Avenue anchor and icon for decades, opening her home to children and offering support to those in need.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;From this corner she brought healing, from this corner she brought restoration, and from this corner she brought reconciliation,\u0026rdquo; said New Life\u0026rsquo;s Senior Pastor Rev. Timothy Rodgers. \u0026ldquo;We will continue to build on her legacy and continue what she was doing here.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDr. Mironda Williams, Miss Mattie\u0026rsquo;s granddaughter, was there to celebrate the grand opening, and shared stories of how her grandmother encouraged her to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor. Dr. Williams also announced that she was launching The Mattie Elizabeth Patterson Freeland Foundation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;What I hope that foundation will be is to replicate what has happened in this community, and create community safe spaces for our children, for our neighbors, for our elderly,\u0026rdquo; she said.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA few minutes later, Councilmember Ivory Lee Young, Jr. (District 3) surprised Dr. Williams with the announcement he was donating $10,000 to the foundation to assist on developing a nearby park to honor Miss Mattie\u0026rsquo;s legacy.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYoung said the area will be a \u0026ldquo;visible reminder of how we are all called to love those around us.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMany volunteers and organizations were involved in completing the construction of the Mattie Freeland Community House, including New Life Covenant Church, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, the Home Depot Foundation, Holder, Hunt, Russell, and Moody and English Avenue residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta was involved from the start to ensure Miss Mattie\u0026rsquo;s house became a community resource, and several staff members volunteered their time to help with painting and landscaping.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mattie Freeland Community House is only a block away from nine newly upgraded affordable housing units at the Hagar Housing Development, another Invest Atlanta project that also opened recently on the Westside.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":80,"title":"Invest Atlanta Helps New Realm Brewing Come Home to Atlanta","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Helps New Realm Brewing Come Home to Atlanta","published_date":"2017-04-04","featured_image":{"id":290,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"new_realm_brewing_rendering_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":151761,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:37:30.575-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:37:30.740-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-07T15:41:27.312-05:00","filename_hash":"new_realm_brewing_rendering_feature_lpV22Dg.jpg","width":1200,"height":900},"filename":"invest-atlanta-helps-new-realm-brewing-come-home-to-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"kz2DVg","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:38:15.311-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:38:15.311-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n New Realm Brewing will soon open in Poncey-Highlands along the Atlanta BeltLine, thanks in part to Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s behind-the-scenes efforts.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNew Realm Brewing, co-founded by well-known Brewmaster Mitch Steele, will soon open in Poncey-Highlands along the Atlanta BeltLine, thanks in part to Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s behind-the-scenes efforts.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKent Spencer, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Manager of Business Expansion and Retention, provided New Realm Brewing\u0026rsquo;s three founding partners\u0026mdash;Steele, CEO Carey Falcone, and CMO Bob Powers\u0026mdash;assistance with site development and connectivity issues involved with their project.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We probably would not be in Atlanta if it were not for Invest Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Falcone. \u0026ldquo;Putting a stake in the ground in my home city is incredibly fulfilling.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNew Realm Brewing will serve craft beer and food within its new 20,000-square-foot facility on Ralph McGill Avenue, with plans to make create an \u0026ldquo;inviting, unique, and fun atmosphere\u0026rdquo; for its guests.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSteele comes to Atlanta from Escondido, California, where he worked for a decade as the Brewmaster at Stone Brewing, the 10th largest craft brewer in the U.S. Over the years, Steele has become known as a leading authority on IPA brewing techniques.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am looking forward to the opportunity to become part of the growing craft beer movement in Atlanta and the Southeast,\u0026rdquo; said Steele in the project\u0026rsquo;s official announcement.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe news comes on the heels of good news for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s craft beer makers as the Georgia state legislature recently passed a bill allowing local breweries to sell their products directly to customers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":116,"title":"Construction Begins on Major New Development on Atlanta BeltLine","promo_title":"Construction Begins on Major New Development on Atlanta BeltLine","published_date":"2017-04-01","featured_image":{"id":348,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"construction-begins-on-major-new-development-on-atlanta-beltline-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":79981,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:58:15.820-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:58:15.989-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:58:42.210-05:00","filename_hash":"construction-begins-on-major-new-development-on-atlanta-beltline-featured_jpv6yDN.jpg","width":1000,"height":750},"filename":"construction-begins-on-major-new-development-on-atlanta-beltline","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"oWwwPA","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:58:41.673-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:58:41.673-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n 725 Ponce, the latest development along the Atlanta BeltLine, broke ground as the start of construction on an \u0026ldquo;urban prototype.\u0026rdquo;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e725 Ponce, the latest major development along the Atlanta BeltLine, broke ground on December 14, 2106 at a ceremony celebrating the start of construction on an \u0026ldquo;urban prototype\u0026rdquo; Kroger grocery store and a 360,000 square-foot office tower.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn October 2016, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved $188 million in lease purchase bonds for the project, which will position the Ponce corridor as a robust area for future office space construction. Leases will be \u0026ldquo;triple net,\u0026rdquo; allowing the benefit of the tax incentive to be passed on to tenants leasing space at the project. The total economic impact of 725 Ponce is estimated to total more than $268 million.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Kasim Reed, Councilmember Kwanzaa Hall, New City Founder and President Jim Irwin, and Atlanta BeltLine President and CEO Paul Morris were all on hand to celebrate the project\u0026rsquo;s official launch. The gathered crowd was treated to the sights and sounds of the start of demolition on the old Kroger store.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce complete, 725 Ponce will be offer direct access to the BeltLine, both for shoppers at the 60,000 square-foot Kroger and for those working in the first Class A office space development along the BeltLine. The mixed-use development is in a prime location directly across the street from Ponce City Market.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This new development will bring more than 2,000 construction jobs and approximately 1,550 permanent office and retail jobs, welcoming a new, diverse population who can enjoy all what the community has to offer,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed. \u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m certain 725 Ponce will create the same kind of inclusive, urban energy we see every day n the Atlanta BeltLine and at Ponce City Market.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe project is led by New City, LLC. Jim Irwin, New City\u0026rsquo;s president and founder, who previously spearheaded the redevelopment of Ponce City Market while at Jamestown Properties. At the groundbreaking ceremony, Mayor Reed and Irwin each thanked the other for bringing the project to fruition.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The 725 Ponce project is the largest investment in new construction on the Atlanta BeltLine to date and would not have happened without the vision of Mayor Kasim Reed,\u0026rdquo; said Irwin.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":81,"title":"Mayor Kasim Reed Announces Closing of Sale of Underground Atlanta","promo_title":"Mayor Kasim Reed Announces Closing of Sale of Underground Atlanta","published_date":"2017-03-31","featured_image":{"id":291,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"underground_rendering_400.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":57738,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:40:54.393-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:40:54.542-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:41:15.559-05:00","filename_hash":"underground_rendering_400_azn338W.jpg","width":425,"height":319},"filename":"mayor-kasim-reed-announces-closing-of-sale-of-underground-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lAPYvg","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:41:14.843-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:41:14.843-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Kasim Reed announced the closing of the sale of Underground Atlanta to WRS, Inc. for $34.6 million.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Kasim Reed announced on March 31, 2017 the closing of the sale of Underground Atlanta to WRS, Inc. for $34.6 million. WRS, Inc., a real estate investment company based in Charleston, South Carolina, will redevelop the 12-acre site into a live-work-shop community with retail, hospitality, entertainment and residential space. The sale will result in $8 million annual cost savings for the City.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The sale of Underground Atlanta is another milestone in the revitalization of South Downtown Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed. \u0026ldquo;WRS, Inc. brings a high level of expertise and strong track record of successful developments to an area of our City in need of a fresh approach. Based on the City\u0026rsquo;s track record with Ponce City Market, the Lakewood Fairgrounds (now EUE Screen Gems) and Buckhead Atlanta, I am confident that we will succeed in transforming Underground Atlanta into a vibrant component of our City\u0026rsquo;s commercial business district.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Reed announced the sale of Underground Atlanta in 2014. Earlier this month, the Board of Directors of DDA approved WRS\u0026rsquo;s master development concept plan, which approval was necessary in order to close the sale of Underground Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince announcing the sale of Underground Atlanta to WRS, Inc. nearly two years ago, the City has facilitated and participated in numerous public conversations with stakeholders, residents and the developer. In their commitment to being an excellent partner for Atlanta and the surrounding downtown community, the firm has agreed to meet the requirements of the City\u0026rsquo;s affordable housing ordinance, regardless of whether it pursues development incentives. Any multi-family development at Underground Atlanta will include 10 or 15 percent units at 60 or 80 percent AMI \u0026ndash; a tremendous opportunity for working families to live in the new residential development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s been more than 30 years since we\u0026rsquo;ve seen any significant investment in this high-potential area of Downtown,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;As new development moves south from Buckhead and Midtown, Downtown is seeing a surge of new catalytic investments like Post Centennial, Castleberry Park, the redevelopment of Turner Field, and the Atlanta Streetcar. The sale of Underground will enable Downtown to continue its resurgence by bringing new business activity, more jobs, and additional housing to this unique and cherished part of our city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWRS, Inc. has also agreed to preserve a grid for public pedestrian and bicycle use on Alabama Street and Pryor Street; to share its written plan for community engagement to be conducted throughout the development process, which has been approved by the Atlanta Downtown Neighborhood Association, Inc. and the City; and to accept protective covenants which require the preservation of certain portions of Underground Atlanta that are historical in nature. WRS also agreed to accept the Downtown Development Authority\u0026rsquo;s (DDA) right to approve the master development concept plan for this project as well as any material modifications thereof, but only after public advertisement and opportunity for public review and comment of the modifications have been provided. These agreements will be memorialized in protective covenants and easements that run with the land and will bind WRS and future owners of Underground Atlanta. These agreements demonstrate WRS\u0026rsquo;s ongoing strong partnership with our city and with downtown stakeholders.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Some years ago, the idea of redeveloping Underground Atlanta was evidently slightly unseen and more than a few folks were skeptical, including skepticism from our peers. Not surprisingly, popular sentiment has certainly changed in a favorable direction,\u0026rdquo; said Scott Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of WRS, Inc. \u0026ldquo;We have always been and remain strong believers in the potential for great things in downtown Atlanta and Underground in particular. The redevelopment of Underground is a truly unique opportunity, something that cannot be found anywhere else in the Southeast. For us as developers, this represents an incredibly awesome opportunity and we know that it also represents an equally awesome responsibility. We take both very seriously. Somewhat distinct from other projects in Atlanta, Underground Atlanta holds a special place in the memories of many people. We intend to undertake this redevelopment with great care, communicate closely with the neighboring constituents and most importantly we intend to create a new community that makes everyone very proud of this corner of the rapidly changing downtown Atlanta landscape.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe DDA was created in 1982 by state law to revitalize and redevelop Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s central business district. The City and DDA have jointly owned Underground Atlanta since August 1986. In April 2014, the City purchased a long-term sublease to make the property available for revitalization and redevelopment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWRS, Inc. has a significant track record in retail development. WRS, Inc. has developed over thirty anchored shopping centers covering seven million square feet of retail space and has also aided in the development of more than 100 additional retail projects encompassing more than ten million square feet of retail space. Notable development projects in the WRS, Inc. portfolio include the Horizon District in South Carolina, an urban research district that will contain over 2.5 million square feet of mixed-used space with street-level retail, restaurant and office space, and workforce housing. The company has also developed a number of retail anchored projects for nationally known corporations including Belk, Staples, Kohl\u0026rsquo;s, and Dick\u0026rsquo;s Sporting Goods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s exciting to see a new chapter in Underground Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s history begin,\u0026rdquo; said A.J. Robinson, President of Central Atlanta Progress. \u0026ldquo;We support the WRS vision and capability to bring the density of mixed uses to the 12 acres of downtown Atlanta that has so much potential. Bravo to the city and WRS for reaching an agreement.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":82,"title":"Resurgens Fund Grants to Bring New Life to Eastside Properties","promo_title":"Resurgens Fund Grants to Bring New Life to Eastside Properties","published_date":"2017-03-24","featured_image":{"id":292,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"hub_featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":62842,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:44:17.266-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:44:17.400-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:44:37.128-05:00","filename_hash":"hub_featured_xD2nnMq.jpg","width":788,"height":591},"filename":"resurgens-fund-grants-to-bring-new-life-to-eastside-properties","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"4D0Q3w","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:44:36.541-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:44:36.541-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n One grant will allow The Ethical Property Group to create a new space for non-profit organizations.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt their March meeting, the Invest Atlanta board approved two Resurgens Fund grants, including one that will allow The Ethical Property Group to create a new space for non-profit organizations.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Resurgens Fund was deliberately created to with the intention of reactivating these vacant and obsolete buildings,\u0026rdquo; said Jennifer Fine, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Vice President of Planning and Strategic Initiatives.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ethical Property Group will receive a grant of up to $547,565 to transform a vacant commercial property on Auburn Avenue into The Hub. The bottom floor of The Hub will offer office space for local non-profits, while the top floor will consist of short-term and long-term \u0026ldquo;micro unit\u0026rdquo; apartments. Two of the units will be available for rent with income restrictions to ensure affordability.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe recipient of another Resurgens Fund grant of up to $297,115 will renovate a two-story historic building dating back to the late 19th century, at 101 Peachtree St. SW in South Downtown. Once fa\u0026ccedil;ade improvements and interior renovations are complete, the building will house a first-floor retail space and the second floor will bring two much-needed residential apartment units to the area.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSouth Downtown, Fine pointed out, is an area where Invest Atlanta really sees a \u0026ldquo;tremendous need for this type of funding.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has now issued three Resurgens Fund grants within the Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD). In December 2016, the board approved a $1 million grant for the future Sweet Auburn Ballroom, an entertainment space located along the Atlanta Streetcar route.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":83,"title":"UK Women Entrepreneurs Learn About IA Small Business Financing","promo_title":"UK Women Entrepreneurs Learn About IA Small Business Financing","published_date":"2017-03-22","featured_image":{"id":293,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"wei_uk_featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":414784,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:46:30.895-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:46:31.208-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:46:52.577-05:00","filename_hash":"wei_uk_featured_ymr88v8.jpg","width":4032,"height":3024},"filename":"uk-women-entrepreneurs-learn-about-ia-small-business-financing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"NwAa9Q","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:46:52.043-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:46:52.043-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Cynthia Freeman spoke to the entrepreneurs from the north of England about expanding their business in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCynthia Freeman, Loan Service Coordinator at Invest Atlanta, spoke to a group of women entrepreneurs from the north of England looking to expand their business in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn Tuesday, March 21, at the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.weiatlanta.com/\"\u003eWomen\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI)\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;office in the Flatiron building in Downtown, Freeman participated in the session, \u0026ldquo;Creative Financing for Startups \u0026amp; Small Businesses.\u0026rdquo; The powerhouse panel included Freeman, as well as Kathryn Petralia, Founder and Head of Operations at Kabbage, Genevieve Bos, Managing Partner of Thought Capital, and Mayte Peck, Director of the Women\u0026rsquo;s Business Center for Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs, Inc. (ACE).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe panelists discussed the different ways small businesses can finance a small business expansion, including through equity investments, bank loans, peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, microloans, or gap financing from organizations like Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;If you\u0026rsquo;re thinking about moving to the City of Atlanta, we\u0026rsquo;d like you to come in and work with Invest Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Freeman. To receive a loan through Invest Atlanta, these entrepreneurs would first have to set up a subsidiary within the City of Atlanta. Since 2001, Invest Atlanta closed 174 loans representing $10.9 million and leveraging $41.3 million to support small businesses as they seek to expand or relocate to Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFreeman pointed out that 41 percent of the businesses that receive a loan through Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business loan programs are owned by women.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re very proud of that, and we\u0026rsquo;d like to get that number up,\u0026rdquo; she added.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFreeman\u0026rsquo;s participation in the WEI-hosted event is part of a larger strategy to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Atlanta by highlighting the city\u0026rsquo;s competitive business strengths and distinctive economic assets.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMetro Atlanta is home to 2,500 foreign-owned enterprises employing nearly 135,000 people. Of these, 17,600, or 13.1 percent, are created by businesses headquartered in the U.K., making the island nation the second largest source of FDI by jobs created in metro Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":84,"title":"Key Sectors Targeted at Global Mobility and Health IT Conferences","promo_title":"Key Sectors Targeted at Global Mobility and Health IT Conferences","published_date":"2017-03-13","featured_image":{"id":294,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"key-sectors-targeted-at-global-mobility-and-health-it-conferences-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":119951,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:49:39.388-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:49:39.547-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:50:27.570-05:00","filename_hash":"key-sectors-targeted-at-global-mobility-and-health-it-conferences-featured_vl6ggB6.jpg","width":1200,"height":900},"filename":"key-sectors-targeted-at-global-mobility-and-health-it-conferences","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"5xHQ5w","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:50:26.583-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:50:26.583-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Business Attraction team was busy in February and March communicating with leaders in the mobility and Health IT sectors.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMembers of the Business Attraction team were busy in February and March focusing on communicating with leaders in two key industry sectors: mobility and Health IT. Senior VP of Economic Development Kevin Johnson traveled to Barcelona for Mobile World Congress, the world\u0026rsquo;s largest gathering for the mobile industry. Randi Mason, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Economic Development Director, attended the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Annual Conference \u0026amp; Exhibition in Orlando, Florida.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBoth Johnson and Mason focused on gaining a better understanding of these target industries, as well as communicating Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s strengths to the global business community. The value these trips provide is evident in the large amount of investment mobile and Health IT companies have made and are planning to make in the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis year, Mobile World Congress welcomed 108,000 attendees representing 208 countries. Given the global audience, Johnson made sure to tout the geographic advantage Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport provides along with the city\u0026rsquo;s strengths in mobility. He also talked about how Atlanta is home to some of the biggest technology marketers in the world (AT\u0026amp;T Mobility, The Coca-Cola Company Delta Air Lines, The Home Depot, InterContinental Hotels and UPS), consumer content leaders (Turner and Cox Enterprises), as well as 14,000 technology companies employing nearly 189,000 workers. Metro Atlanta is also a leader in FinTech, with companies like NCR calling the city home, and NerdWallet recently ranked Atlanta as the #1 mobile-friendly city in the U.S.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo build on the connections made in Barcelona, Johnson plans to attend the upcoming Mobile World Congress America this fall in San Francisco.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMason joined more than 40,000 health IT professionals from the around the world at HIMMS. The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Innovation Crescent Regional Partnership, and 13 Health IT companies hosted a booth at the convention touting the state\u0026rsquo;s role as the nation\u0026rsquo;s health IT capital. Georgia is home to over 225 health IT companies, part of a growing global industry valued at $55 billion.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has helped Health IT companies like Anthem and athenahealth bring offices to Atlanta, and looks forward to working with more companies from this sector in the future.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":85,"title":"AEMI Helps Cristo Rey Serve More Students","promo_title":"AEMI Helps Cristo Rey Serve More Students","published_date":"2017-03-09","featured_image":{"id":295,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-helps-cristo-rey-serve-more-students-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":88433,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:52:44.763-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:52:44.936-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:53:01.687-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-helps-cristo-rey-serve-more-students-featured_1OmY6ZP.jpg","width":800,"height":600},"filename":"aemi-helps-cristo-rey-serve-more-students","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"u4tWNw","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:53:01.126-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:53:01.126-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n An $11 million New Markets Tax Credits transaction will help Cristo Rey Atlanta complete renovations of their new Downtown building.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc., Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s certified Community Development Entity, has closed an $11 million New Markets Tax Credits transaction that will allow Cristo Rey Atlanta to complete the renovations of their new high school building in Downtown Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Cristo Rey network serves students of limited means, most whom are Hispanic or African-American, and combines a challenging college preparatory curriculum with extracurricular activities and an innovative Corporate Work Study Program. This year, Cristo Rey partnered with 100 Atlanta businesses to place every student in an office work-study job while completing their academic studies. The academic rigor and innovative work-study program has helped 100 percent of Cristo Rey graduates earn college acceptance since 1996. In most cases, these students will be the first person in their extended family to go to college, providing them with a path to opportunity.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCristo Rey Atlanta currently leases its existing campus, and with nearly 400 students from grades 9-11, is at capacity. The new 88,000 square-foot Downtown facility will allow them to accept an incoming freshman class and serve 520 total students, with the capacity to grow enrollment to 600 in the future. The campus also provides Cristo Rey Atlanta with resources that were previously unavailable, such as a gymnasium, assembly space, music and arts space, and their own kitchen.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI) offers service providers like Cristo Rey flexible financing to support catalytic projects that serve low-income residents.\u0026nbsp;In November 2016, AEMI received a $50 million NMTC allocation from the U.S. Department of Treasury. In December, AEMI closed on another education-focused transaction\u0026mdash;an early childhood education center operated by Sheltering Arms in the Peoplestown neighborhood.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRenovations on the seven-story Cristo Rey\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":86,"title":"Work Begins on Phoenix House Affordable Housing Complex","promo_title":"Work Begins on Phoenix House Affordable Housing Complex","published_date":"2017-03-08","featured_image":{"id":296,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"work-begins-on-phoenix-house-affordable-housing-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":45146,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:55:27.108-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:55:27.243-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:55:45.251-05:00","filename_hash":"work-begins-on-phoenix-house-affordable-housing-featured_p5VDm2p.jpg","width":710,"height":532},"filename":"work-begins-on-phoenix-house-affordable-housing-complex","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"XyvzDw","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:55:44.752-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:55:44.752-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Phoenix House broke ground on the site of their 69-unit affordable housing complex reserved for the homeless and mentally disabled.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe groundbreaking ceremony for Phoenix House, the future site of a 69-unit affordable housing complex reserved for the homeless and mentally disabled, took place on Friday, March 3.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLeading the project are Invest Atlanta, The National Housing Trust Enterprise Preservation Corporation (NHT-Enterprise)\u0026mdash;a Washington, D.C. non-profit affordable housing owner and developer\u0026mdash;Tapestry Development Group, and 3Keys, Inc.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta awarded a $500,000 Housing Opportunity Bond-CHDO loan in support of this project, which is another example of the investments being made in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCouncilmember Joyce Sheperd (District 12) and project partners were there to celebrate the launch of this $10.2 million redevelopment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThree existing buildings on the Phoenix House property which will be rebuilt to feature 69 efficiency units, and two houses will be rehabilitated for continued use as tenant common space and property staff offices. Once complete, the Phoenix House will offer many great amenities to its residents, including a computer center, job training, supportive services for the special needs population, and access to mass transit at the nearby Oakland City MARTA Station.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":87,"title":"Hagar Celebrates Renovation of Nine Affordable Units","promo_title":"Hagar Celebrates Renovation of Nine Affordable Units","published_date":"2017-03-07","featured_image":{"id":297,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"hagar-celebrates-renovation-of-nine-affordable-units-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":139083,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:58:48.114-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:58:48.266-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:59:02.188-05:00","filename_hash":"hagar-celebrates-renovation-of-nine-affordable-units-featured_E6x2K6q.jpg","width":1200,"height":900},"filename":"hagar-celebrates-renovation-of-nine-affordable-units","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"s_ZERA","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:59:01.703-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:59:01.703-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n With a cut of a blue ribbon, nine retained and renovated affordable units opened in the English Avenue neighborhood.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWith a cut of a blue ribbon, the partners involved in completing the Hagar Housing Development celebrated the opening of nine retained and renovated affordable units in the English Avenue neighborhood.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I love turning concept into concrete,\u0026rdquo; said Akilah Ali of Hagar Civilization Missionary, an all-volunteer organization that spearheaded the effort. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re working to keep our residents living in Vine City and English Avenue.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Hagar Housing Development now has 9 upgraded affordable units for seniors, along with a community space. Other renovations included renovations to the plumbing, HVAC, fixtures, and flooring. All nine units now have modern kitchens, new cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and lighting.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta provided the project a $500,000 award through the Westside TAD Community Improvement Fund. The total project cost was $2,980,000.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This is just the beginning and the first of many projects like this on the Westside,\u0026rdquo; said Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich. Dr. Klementich pointed out these nine apartments are part of the 120 affordable units on the Westside currently in the Invest Atlanta project pipeline.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We want to make a difference and be a partner in any way we can,\u0026rdquo; she added.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlong with Hagar Civilization Missionary and Invest Atlanta, other partners participating in the ribbon cutting were Councilmember Ivory Lee Young (District 3), Makeda Johnson of the Sisters Action Team, and the Sustainable Design Collaborative of Atlanta. SDCA members volunteered their services to ensure some of the elements of the apartment building were sustainable. Two of the residents, both named George, were also on hand.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I believe in the dream and the possibilities,\u0026rdquo; said Johnson. \u0026ldquo;I want to be sure the assets within our community are fed so they can grow. What you\u0026rsquo;re looking at today is love, passion, and determination.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCouncilmember Young and others also recognized the contribution of Sister Precious Muhammad, a Westside resident who Young described as a \u0026ldquo;giant\u0026rdquo; of the community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;People driving by this place said, \u0026lsquo;We can do better\u0026rsquo;; Sister Precious said, \u0026lsquo;We\u0026nbsp;will\u0026nbsp;do better,\u0026rsquo;\u0026rdquo; said Young.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":88,"title":"Castleberry Park Breaks Ground on Westside","promo_title":"Castleberry Park Breaks Ground on Westside","published_date":"2017-03-06","featured_image":{"id":302,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"castleberry_400.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":694760,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:07:39.237-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:07:39.630-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:08:22.471-05:00","filename_hash":"castleberry_400_zmlZvr8.jpg","width":4106,"height":3080},"filename":"castleberry-park-breaks-ground-on-westside","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"j_W7Jw","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:08:21.482-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:08:21.482-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Kasim Reed, Dr. Eloisa Klementich, and others broke ground on Castleberry Park, a $90M mixed-use development in Castleberry Hill.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Kasim Reed and Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich were among those who celebrated the official groundbreaking for Castleberry Park, a new $90 million mixed-use development in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood on Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Castleberry Park is yet another example of how our Administration is keeping our promise of promoting revitalization and equitable development in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside neighborhoods,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed. \u0026ldquo;Castleberry Hill has already established itself as one of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s most vibrant arts communities, and welcoming a new complex with a Hard Rock brand hotel is a perfect addition to the neighborhood. The new development is steps away from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and will serve as an economic catalyst for the area.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOthers in attendance for the Feb. 28 event included: Bolton Atlanta, LP general manager Yanfeng \u0026ldquo;Frank\u0026rdquo; Chen, Gallman Development Group, LLC CEO Bruce Gallman, Central Atlanta Progress President A.J. Robinson, Atlanta City Councilmembers Ivory Young, Kwanza Hall and Cleta Winslow, Horwath HTL Managing Director Paul Breslin, and Castleberry Hill Neighborhood Association President Carrie Sagel Burns.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce complete, Castleberry Park will include a 200-room Hard Rock brand hotel, ground-level retail, a public park, and approximately 130 apartments. The Invest Atlanta board has approved a grant of $4.2 million from the Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) to assist with the project, which will help ensure that 20 percent of the new apartments in the development are affordable units. The property is slated to be completed in 2019.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta continues to focus on delivering strategic investments in projects throughout the Westside TAD, and we are proud to work with Bolton Atlanta, LP and Gallman Development Group to bring Castleberry Park to fruition,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Thanks to our partnership, this new complex will offer more affordable housing options for working families within the City of Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Reed and Invest Atlanta continue to bring in new public and private resources to support economic and civic development in the Westside, particularly along the Martin Luther King Jr. Drive corridor. Last year, the City of Atlanta pledged more than $30 million in new infrastructure, greenspace expansion and to fund MLK Dr. streetscape improvements, which will transform the iconic road into a connected corridor with a Complete Streets approach.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":89,"title":"Invest Atlanta Joins College and Career Week at Hollis","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Joins College and Career Week at Hollis","published_date":"2017-03-06","featured_image":{"id":303,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-joins-college-and-career-week-at-hollis-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":138567,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:11:20.704-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:11:20.847-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:12:03.065-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-joins-college-and-career-week-at-hollis-featured_982qa3V.jpg","width":1000,"height":750},"filename":"invest-atlanta-joins-college-and-career-week-at-hollis","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Z6oKQA","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:12:02.194-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:12:02.194-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The team spent a day at Hollis, part of a week of career-related activities exposing students to professional possibilities.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePresident and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich, Assistant General Counsel Justin Giboney, Mortgage Loan Specialist Michele Lewis, and Vice President of Compliance Christie Barnes recently took part in Michael R. Hollis Innovation Academy\u0026rsquo;s College and Career Week. The team spent a day in February with the students, and it was part of a full week of career-related activities meant to expose a broader scope of future educational and professional possibilities open to the Hollis students.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHollis is a PreK-8 STEM neighborhood school on the Westside led by Dr. Diamond Jack. Their College and Career Week is just one way in which Hollis is taking hands-on approach to learning, allowing kids to connect the instruction they\u0026rsquo;re getting in the classroom to the real world. Guest speakers from Invest Atlanta, as well as a Delta Air Lines pilot, came to speak with the students.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEveryone from Invest Atlanta had a wonderful time and came away impressed by the sharp questions the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade students asked. Dr. Klementich informed students about all of the exciting developments going on in the city, while Giboney spoke about the importance of doing great work each and every day. Barnes talked about her experience going to law school and how her education opened up a world of opportunities for her. And as a fun way to show how Invest Atlanta can help families buy a home, Lewis worked with the kids to decorate a play house.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn December, Dr. Klementich and Invest Atlanta, along with Portman Holdings, worked with Dr. Jack to raise $10,000 to provide all of Hollis\u0026rsquo; students with two school uniforms each.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":119,"title":"IA Staff Helps Restore Mattie Freeland House","promo_title":"IA Staff Helps Restore Mattie Freeland House","published_date":"2017-02-28","featured_image":{"id":351,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"ia-staff-helps-restore-mattie-freeland-house-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":141631,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:03:26.453-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:03:26.610-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:03:55.375-05:00","filename_hash":"ia-staff-helps-restore-mattie-freeland-house-featured_lpV2rpe.jpg","width":1000,"height":750},"filename":"ia-staff-helps-restore-mattie-freeland-house","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"gTs8tw","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:03:54.459-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:03:54.459-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Dr. Eloisa Klementich and members of the Invest Atlanta team volunteered to help renovate the former home of Mattie Freeland\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePresident and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich, along with four other members of the Invest Atlanta team, volunteered their time to help renovate the former home of English Avenue matriarch Mattie Freeland. The team spent time on Saturday, February 25 painting the exterior of the building, which is being converted into a community center operated by New Life Covenant Church (NLCC).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce complete, the building will serve as a welcoming neighborhood community center in honor of Ms. Freeland, who sheltered and took care of many in her English Avenue home until her death in 2008. She also loved to give candy to children and send bread to her neighbors. Her legacy will continue through the educational programs, meetings, and events that will be held at the Mattie Freeland House.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to Invest Atlanta, the NLCC has also enlisted the help of the English Avenue community, Home Depot, and the Arthur M. Blank Foundation to reconstruct Ms. Freeland\u0026rsquo;s former home. Skilled workers from the nearby Mercedes-Benz Stadium construction site kicked off the project, with the rest to be completed through a collaborative volunteer effort spanning several weeks.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":91,"title":"Kevin Johnson Touts Airport’s ‘Booming Submarket’","promo_title":"Kevin Johnson Touts Airport’s ‘Booming Submarket’","published_date":"2017-02-28","featured_image":{"id":305,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"kevin-johnson-touts-airport-booming-submarket-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":64996,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:14:54.469-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:14:54.616-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:15:28.328-05:00","filename_hash":"kevin-johnson-touts-airport-booming-submarket-featured_lpV2oyg.jpg","width":1000,"height":750},"filename":"kevin-johnson-touts-airports-booming-submarket","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"GdAOfw","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:15:27.701-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:15:27.701-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n He spoke at a panel discussion about the positive changes coming to the area surrounding Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eKevin Johnson, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s senior vice president of economic development and vice-chair of the Aerotropolis Alliance, spoke at the South Metro Development Outlook conference on February 23. He took part in a panel discussion about the positive changes coming to the area surrounding Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world\u0026rsquo;s busiest passenger airport.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJoining Johnson on the panel were Michael Paris, president and CEO of the Council for Quality Growth, and Roosevelt Council, the airport\u0026rsquo;s general manager.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Many companies are located in Atlanta because of our airport,\u0026rdquo; Johnson said. \u0026ldquo;The Aerotropolis is a booming submarket with many wonderful assets and many more to come.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The opportunities around the airport are immense,\u0026rdquo; added Paris.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBefore the panel, Mayor Kasim Reed received the South Metro Development Outlook Award in recognition of his success in making the airport more successful than ever.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re doing absolutely amazing things here,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;This is south metro\u0026rsquo;s moment.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor 15 years, Michael Hightower, managing partner at The Collaborative Firm, has convened elected officials and industry professionals interested in the counties of metro Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s southern counties: Clayton, Coweta, Douglas, Fayette, Henry, Spalding, and\u0026nbsp;South Fulton. This year\u0026rsquo;s conference covered many topics, including the area\u0026rsquo;s thriving logistics industry, transportation, the region\u0026rsquo;s Community Improvement Districts (CIDs), and the airport.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHartsfield-Jackson is not only the world\u0026rsquo;s busiest and most efficient passenger airport, it\u0026rsquo;s also the economic engine and job creator for a significant chunk of metro Atlanta. The airport employs 63,000 people\u0026nbsp;onsite, making it the state\u0026rsquo;s largest employer, and enables\u0026nbsp;a total of\u0026nbsp;400,000 jobs and $35 billion in economic impact.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJohnson sees plenty of opportunity for new companies to relocate or expand on the hundreds of undeveloped land within the \u0026ldquo;corporate crescent\u0026rdquo; along the airport\u0026rsquo;s north side. Delta Air Lines and Porsche North American already call the area home.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I like to say that Atlanta has three central business districts: Downtown, Midtown, and\u0026nbsp;Buckhead,\u0026rdquo; said Johnson. \u0026ldquo;But the region has one central business district, the airport, and we need to start treating it that way.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJohnson says the Aerotropolis Alliance is working to attract $1 billion in new private investment to the area within the next five to 10 years, not including the improvements already underway at the airport.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re making a statement, putting a stake in the ground, that\u0026nbsp;this place will lead the region in the future,\u0026rdquo; he said.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRoosevelt Council spoke about the $6 billion ATL Next capital improvement project he\u0026rsquo;s overseeing. Once work is complete, the airport will have a 4-start InterContinental Hotel, a sixth runway, the new Concourse G, an expanded Concourse T, and enough cargo capacity to make it a top 5 cargo airport. Council pointed out that 27,000 jobs are tied to air cargo in the state of Georgia.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCouncil emphasized that even with the continued growth of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, his focus would remain on ensuring the people of the south metro region benefit from the influx of new investment and jobs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Despite our size, we see ourselves as a community airport,\u0026rdquo; Council said.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":96,"title":"Critical Repair Work Begins on Five Westside Homes","promo_title":"Critical Repair Work Begins on Five Westside Homes","published_date":"2017-02-13","featured_image":{"id":317,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"critical-repair-work-begins-on-five-westside-homes-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":177711,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:23:03.978-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:23:04.132-05:00","updated_at":"2018-03-21T13:39:47.635-04:00","filename_hash":"critical-repair-work-begins-on-five-westside-homes-featured_Pg7zORo.jpg","width":1000,"height":750},"filename":"critical-repair-work-begins-on-five-westside-homes","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"bpYiEA","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:24:20.164-05:00","updated_at":"2018-03-21T13:39:47.606-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Homes in the Vine City and English Avenue neighborhoods will receive repairs as part of an owner-occupied home rehabilitation program.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFive homes in the Vine City and English Avenue neighborhoods will receive repairs as part of an Invest Atlanta owner-occupied home rehabilitation pilot program. In December, Invest Atlanta issued a grant to partner Habitat for Humanity to complete the work, which will focus on repairs to roofs, plumbing, electrical systems, and other areas deemed critical to the life and safety of the occupants. \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(UPDATE: The citywide owner-occupied rehab initiative launched in March 2018. Learn more \u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/homebuyers/owner-occupied-rehab\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe success of the pilot program will allow Invest Atlanta and its partners\u0026mdash;Habitat, the Atlanta Housing Authority, and Meals on Wheels\u0026mdash;to move forward with expanding the program to additional Westside homes. The program will remain focused on residences owned and occupied by the elderly, disabled heads of households, and families who have been in their homes for many years and foregone necessary repairs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has dedicated $2 million to assist in retaining existing homeowners in Vine City and English Avenue. Along with critical home repairs, the program for qualified low-to-moderate income households will also assist residents with estate planning and title issues. All repair work will be done through qualified third party contractors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":94,"title":"The 2017 Business Client Experience Survey Is Live","promo_title":"The 2017 Business Client Experience Survey Is Live","published_date":"2017-02-13","featured_image":{"id":312,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"the-2017-business-client-experience-survey-is-live-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":80098,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:19:33.488-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:19:33.648-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:20:12.496-05:00","filename_hash":"the-2017-business-client-experience-survey-is-live-featured_bznOkQg.jpg","width":1000,"height":750},"filename":"the-2017-business-client-experience-survey-is-live","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"V3jRMA","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:20:11.953-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:20:11.953-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta launched the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/investatlantabre\"\u003eBusiness Client Experience Survey\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;to learn how we can better serve the city\u0026rsquo;s 17,000 small businesses.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has launched the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/investatlantabre\"\u003eBusiness Client Experience Survey\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;to learn how our Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) team can better serve the city\u0026rsquo;s 17,000 small businesses. (Take the survey\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/investatlantabre\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e, and please share with others.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta is a great place to start a business. NerdWallet recently named Atlanta it\u0026rsquo;s\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/226485\"\u003e#1 place to start a business\u003c/a\u003e, while Thumbtack found the city had a\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2016/06/16/atlanta-no-10-best-environment-for-small-business.html\"\u003eTop 10 small business-friendly environment\u003c/a\u003e. And Invest Atlanta assists local enterprises in several ways, including one-on-one consultations with the BRE team and a robust\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/business/small-business-loan-programs/\"\u003esmall business loan program\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, Invest Atlanta is always looking for ways to make things even better for entrepreneurs looking to launch, grow, or accelerate their businesses. To help the organization do just that, the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/investatlantabre\"\u003eBusiness Client Experience Survey\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;asks participants to share their experiences, concerns, and ideas about Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business environment. What\u0026rsquo;s working? What\u0026rsquo;s not? Is anything holding back further expansion? And the survey asks why, like so many other entrepreneurs, did they choose Atlanta?\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce the data is gathered, experts at the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) will analyze it and help Invest Atlanta produce a final report on the state of small business in the city. The report will lay out what Invest Atlanta, as well as the City of Atlanta, is doing right and what can be improved to assist small businesses more effectively. Survey participants will be sent the final report before it is released to the general public.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePrevious surveys have helped deliver results for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small businesses. For example, after receiving feedback from emerging tech companies, Invest Atlanta championed occupation tax and license fee exemptions for new businesses classified as high technology, life sciences, and intellectual property.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYour participation can help make a difference for small business in Atlanta, so please take the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/investatlantabre\"\u003eBusiness Client Experience Survey\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;today.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":101,"title":"Westside Residents Learn Latest on Community Projects","promo_title":"Westside Residents Learn Latest on Community Projects","published_date":"2017-02-07","featured_image":{"id":326,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"westside-residents-learn-latest-on-community-projects-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":159755,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:32:32.355-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:32:32.515-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:32:48.687-05:00","filename_hash":"westside-residents-learn-latest-on-community-projects-featured_DNxymDB.jpg","width":1000,"height":750},"filename":"westside-residents-learn-latest-on-community-projects","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"3yDFdQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:32:48.069-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:32:48.069-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta provided more than 100 Westside residents updates on Community Improvement Fund (CIF) projects happening in their communities.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOn January 25, Invest Atlanta provided more than 100 Westside residents the latest updates on all the Community Improvement Fund (CIF) projects happening in their communities. Invest Atlanta staff, including Vice President of Planning \u0026amp; Strategic Initiatives Jennifer Fine, presented at the Westside Community Benefits Plan Committee meeting.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe committee meets periodically to update communities around the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium on the implementation of the Westside Community Benefits plan. Members include Councilmembers Kwanza Hall (D-2), Ivory Young (D-3), Cleta Winslow (D-4), Michael Bond (Post-1), and Ceasar Mitchell (Council President). Community stakeholders also participate, as do representatives from the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s office, key city departments and agencies, Invest Atlanta and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has committed $15 million to the CIF and leverages these funds in coordination with public and private partners to address critical areas of need in the English Avenue, Vine City, and Castleberry Hill neighborhoods. The fund focuses on these six key areas:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHousing: Increasing access to homeownership opportunities and affordable rental housing through property redevelopment and rehabilitation.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eEmployment: Increasing access to permanent fulltime jobs through training and job placement.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eBusiness: Strengthening neighborhood businesses and creating more economic activity.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eNeighborhood: Improving streets, parks, and blighted properties to make neighborhoods safer and more attractive.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSecurity: Improving neighborhood safety and deterring crime.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCommunity: Supporting service providers and promoting community life.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEarlier in January, Invest Atlanta staff also convened the Westside TAD Neighborhood Advisory Board, a body comprised of representatives from neighborhood and civic associations in English Avenue and Vine City. The board\u0026rsquo;s role is to make recommendations to Invest Atlanta on projects that could receive TAD funding. The homeownership team also hosted a workshop on January 27 with Westside Works graduates to help prepare them for the home buying process. The workshop covered how to secure a mortgage loan, as well as Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s first-time homebuyer incentives.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAt a future community meeting, Invest Atlanta plans to discuss strategies to retain residents through diverse housing models.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":100,"title":"WEI Entrepreneurs Showcased at IA Demo Days","promo_title":"WEI Entrepreneurs Showcased at IA Demo Days","published_date":"2017-02-07","featured_image":{"id":322,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"wei-entrepreneurs-showcased-at-ia-demo-days-1024x494.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":72356,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:28:47.301-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:28:47.456-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:30:35.058-05:00","filename_hash":"wei-entrepreneurs-showcased-at-ia-demo-days-1024x494_p5VDEMr.jpg","width":1024,"height":494},"filename":"wei-entrepreneurs-showcased-at-ia-demo-days","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"oLXqKQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:30:34.221-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:30:34.221-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Business and Retention (BRE) team recently hosted two Demo Days for the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative\u0026rsquo;s inaugural participants.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Business and Retention (BRE) team recently hosted two Demo Days for the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative\u0026rsquo;s inaugural participants. Over the course of two days, Invest Atlanta learned more about their businesses, and the WEI entrepreneurs learned more about the services Invest Atlanta can provide.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta BRE team shared information about Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s resources and programs. They covered many topics, including access to capital, site location, government procurement, supply chain, workforce, and tools to help the entrepreneurs grow their businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re committed to seeing you succeed,\u0026rdquo; said BRE Manager Kent Spencer. \u0026ldquo;We want success, big success, coming out of WEI.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe WEI entrepreneurs come from different backgrounds and run a variety of types of businesses. Yet everyone who presented at the Demo Day demonstrated the intelligence, drive, and willingness to take risks that any successful business owner must have.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLogan Williams is preparing to transition away from her successful towing business,\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://rapidparkingsolutions.com/\"\u003eRapid Parking Solutions\u003c/a\u003e, to create an innovative 12-week academy for truck drivers. She plans to craft a well-rounded curriculum for drivers along with in-the-field training. She\u0026rsquo;ll also offer hands-on experience with other aspects of the business, such as dispatching and customer service. Logan\u0026rsquo;s main need is finding a space for her business, with an office and an outdoor training area. Spencer told her he could help her locate an available space within her budget.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTonya Hicks, who describes herself as a \u0026ldquo;mom, entrepreneur and electrician,\u0026rdquo; has started the company\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.weiatlanta.com/women-do-everything/\"\u003eWomen Do Everything\u003c/a\u003e. Tonya\u0026rsquo;s company provides home repair and management services for professional women and couples in the Atlanta Metro Area. Hicks is also looking for office space and wants to hire full-time staff, with benefits. BRE coordinator Cesar Vence told her about the benefits of locating in an Opportunity Zones, as well as the Eastside TAD grants and small business loans available through Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The feedback from my presentation was very good for me,\u0026rdquo; said Hicks.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Reed first had the vision for WEI during his first campaign for mayor, and under the leadership of Executive Director Theia Washington Smith, WEI has provided the first group of entrepreneurs a high-quality workspace at the Flatiron Building, tech resources through Microsoft, and mentorship opportunities. In its first year, WEI has already become more than a brick and mortar resource\u0026mdash;it\u0026rsquo;s now a vibrant, collaborative and supportive community that will support entrepreneurs for years to come.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and WEI will continue to support program participants as they build their companies, and both organizations are especially focused on providing the right resources to make the path to job creation more accessible for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSpencer and Vence were excited to find out all of the entrepreneurs said they were planning to stay and grow, hiring locally in the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We want to stay here and keep our business here,\u0026rdquo; said Lynn Lill of\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://craftboxgirls.com/\"\u003eCraftbox Girls\u003c/a\u003e. \u0026ldquo;We love Atlanta!\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":103,"title":"Ernestine Garey Honored at Invest Atlanta Retirement Party","promo_title":"Ernestine Garey Honored at Invest Atlanta Retirement Party","published_date":"2017-02-05","featured_image":{"id":331,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"ernestine-garey-honored-at-invest-atlanta-retirement-party-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":74479,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:35:45.365-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:35:45.525-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:36:10.351-05:00","filename_hash":"ernestine-garey-honored-at-invest-atlanta-retirement-party-featured_NnPxvKV.jpg","width":1000,"height":750},"filename":"ernestine-garey-honored-at-invest-atlanta-retirement-party","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"kOxKwA","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:36:09.919-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:36:09.919-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Friends, family, and colleagues came together at The Gathering Spot to celebrate Ernestine Garey\u0026rsquo;s career at Invest Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFriends, family, and colleagues came together at The Gathering Spot on Tuesday, January 31 to celebrate Ernestine Garey\u0026rsquo;s career at Invest Atlanta. Ernestine Garey held the executive vice president and chief operating officer position before deciding to retire from the organization this year.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Kasim Reed shared some kind words of admiration about Ms. Garey before presenting her with the city\u0026rsquo;s highest honor, the Phoenix Award. Councilmember Andre Dickens also spoke, delivering her a proclamation on behalf of the Atlanta City Council. Other speakers included Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich and Senior Vice President of Community Development Dawn Luke.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Few people have done more for community development in the City of Atlanta than Ernestine,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Klementich. \u0026ldquo;Her work on housing and neighborhood revitalization has touched the lives of countless Atlantans. We wish her the best in all her future endeavors.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlso in attendance were Ms. Garey\u0026rsquo;s family, Invest Atlanta co-workers past and present, colleagues from prior organizations, as well as fellow church members and sisters of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDuring her 30-year tenure at Invest Atlanta, Garey made significant contributions to the Atlanta community in the economic and community development arena.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn her most recent capacity as COO, Ms. Garey managed and directed the day-to-day activities of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s operating departments and was a strategic liaison fortifying relationships with the board of directors, Atlanta City Council, and other governmental and community stakeholders. She also served as interim president and CEO of Invest Atlanta and was instrumental in the issuance of over $1 billion in housing revenue bonds, creating more than 15,000 units of affordable workforce housing in the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA 2014 graduate of Leadership Atlanta, Ms. Garey holds a Master\u0026rsquo;s Degree from Clark Atlanta University in French with further studies at Georgia State University in Urban Policy. She has received certification from the National Development Council as a Housing Development and Economic Development Finance Professional.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich announced on Tuesday, February 7 that Keith Ivory Millner would be taking over for Ms. Garey as Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s executive vice president and chief operating officer. Millner\u0026rsquo;s corporate and entrepreneurial career spans more than three decades and includes executive-level experience across a diverse set of industries.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":105,"title":"Invest Atlanta Helps Westside Small Businesses Grow","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Helps Westside Small Businesses Grow","published_date":"2017-01-30","featured_image":{"id":335,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-helps-westside-small-businesses-grow-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":41531,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:38:17.371-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:38:17.542-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:38:35.421-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-helps-westside-small-businesses-grow-featured_QgDnwml.jpg","width":1000,"height":750},"filename":"invest-atlanta-helps-westside-small-businesses-grow","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"8HOoqw","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:38:34.868-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:38:34.868-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The small business development team at Invest Atlanta recently closed on two loans for businesses located in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe small business development team at Invest Atlanta recently closed on two loans for businesses located in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHagger International, Inc. received a $50,000 loan to update and renovate Hagger Station, their convenience store serving the Vine City and English Avenue communities. They plan to purchase new equipment for food and beverage service, as well as update existing furniture fixtures.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePamela Baker, an H\u0026amp;R Block tax return preparer and proprietor of Baker Taxx Services, is currently leasing a space on Martin Luther King Drive in southwest Atlanta. She plans to use the $50,000 loan she just closed with Invest Atlanta, along with additional bank financing, to purchase a building of her own along the MLK corridor.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBoth of these entrepreneurs were assisted through the Business Improvement Loan Fund, one of seven available loan funds Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Small Business team taps to provide gap financing to business owners throughout Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDuring his time at Invest Atlanta, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Director of Small Business Development Lonnie Saboor has worked on over 600 projects.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re here to fill the gap for good projects in the City of Atlanta that we think are deserving of financing,\u0026rdquo; said Saboor. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re here to make dreams come true.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSmall business owners interested in learning more about working with Invest Atlanta to start or grow their business can learn more by attending the next informational seminar on Wednesday, February 22 at 5 pm. Future seminars will be held on the third Wednesday of every month.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":107,"title":"Grant Supports Preliminary Study for Atlanta Urban Ecology Resource Center in Vine City","promo_title":"Grant Supports Study for Atlanta Urban Ecology Resource Center","published_date":"2017-01-18","featured_image":{"id":339,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"grant-supports-preliminary-study-for-atlanta-urban-ecology-resource-center-in-vine-city-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":102521,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:42:39.334-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:42:39.493-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:43:05.184-05:00","filename_hash":"grant-supports-preliminary-study-for-atlanta-urban-ecology-resource-center-in-vine-city-featured_zmlZwN7.jpg","width":444,"height":333},"filename":"grant-supports-preliminary-study-for-atlanta-urban-ecology-resource-center-in-vine-city","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"0NTryQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:43:04.657-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:43:04.657-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta has given a $100,000 grant to Community Improvement Association, a partner for the Atlanta Urban Ecology Resource Center.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has given a $100,000 grant to Community Improvement Association, the lead partner for the Atlanta Urban Ecology Resource Center (AUERC) Collaborative. The grant will fund a feasibility study for the creation of the Center and will be sited near the soon-to-be-developed Boone Park West in the English Avenue neighborhood in NW Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Center will provide environmental education for students of all ages, host events, provide employment opportunities, and be a valuable resource for the Westside communities within the Proctor Creek watershed.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We see the Center as being able to deliver a variety of positive outcomes for the local community, including environmental education, workforce training, and employment opportunities,\u0026rdquo; said Shannon Lee, the Urban Conservation Manager at The Conservation Fund. \u0026ldquo;In addition, by siting this facility in English Avenue, AUERC offers a chance to reconnect this community with downtown and deliver additional benefits to local residents.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe feasibility study grant will enable the AUERC Collaborative to build out future programming, and to work hand-in-hand with the community to identify the Center\u0026rsquo;s long-term goals and objectives. The study will also outline funding, operational, and capital campaign requirements this project will need to ensure long-term sustainability.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This is looking at the idea of building an environmental resource center that\u0026rsquo;s focused on K-12 education, but also plays a role in terms of hosting jobs training events and other activities along those lines,\u0026rdquo; said Michael Halicki, Executive Director of Park Pride. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s really trying to provide something that\u0026rsquo;s more than a park and helps to lift up the community in a meaningful way.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Collaborative performing the study consists of several community groups and non-profits, including the Community Improvement Association, ECO-Action, the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WASA), Park Pride, The Conservation Fund, and University Center Development Corporation of the Atlanta University Center.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe idea of creating the Atlanta Urban Ecology Resource Center came from Tony Torrence of the Community Improvement Association, a grassroots organization based in English Avenue. While on a trip to Milwaukee sponsored by The Conservation fund, Tony saw the benefits their Urban Ecology Center had within the Riverside Park neighborhood. He quickly brought the idea back with him to Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll of this is part of a larger effort to provide the Westside with additional greenspace to beautify and improve the quality of life in these neighborhoods. Lindsay Street Park and Vine City Park have recently opened, thanks to the support of Invest Atlanta, Park Pride, The Conservation Fund, the Arthur Blank Foundation, and others. Boone Park West is set to be built soon. Once open, Boone Park West will not only create a safe place for kids and families to gather, but it will also reduce the impacts of flooding by providing nearly 300,000 gallons of additional stormwater storage capacity.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":109,"title":"Invest Atlanta Holds First “Family Day” Event","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Holds First “Family Day” Event","published_date":"2017-01-17","featured_image":{"id":341,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-holds-first-family-day-event-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":53828,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:44:54.099-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:44:54.253-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:45:27.161-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-holds-first-family-day-event-featured_lpV2LwY.jpg","width":800,"height":600},"filename":"invest-atlanta-holds-first-family-day-event","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"qPk3zQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:45:26.720-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:45:26.720-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta opened its doors to family members of Invest Atlanta employees\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLast month before the December holidays, Invest Atlanta opened its doors to family members of Invest Atlanta employees. For this first-ever Family Day event, staff was invited to bring their kids, spouse, siblings, parents and other family members for a morning of fun and holiday refreshments at Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKids enjoyed several different activity centers, including holiday craft-making, games, and an animated movie. Everyone received a tour of the office, featuring a birds-eye view of the many projects Invest Atlanta has supported over the years.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich also led an interactive discussion about Invest Atlanta and its role in helping residents of the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":110,"title":"Invest Atlanta’s Sam Adams Shares Start-Up Knowledge at Armenian Tech Forum","promo_title":"Sam Adams Shares Start-Up Knowledge at Armenian Tech Forum","published_date":"2017-01-11","featured_image":{"id":343,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-sam-adams-shares-start-up-knowledge-at-armenian-tech-forum-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":30308,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:06.997-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:07.143-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:24.418-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-sam-adams-shares-start-up-knowledge-at-armenian-tech-forum-featured_7J6b4Eb.jpg","width":526,"height":394},"filename":"invest-atlantas-sam-adams-shares-start-up-knowledge-at-armenian-tech-forum","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ovHTYg","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:23.772-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:23.772-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Sam Adams, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Economic Development Manager for Entrepreneurship, traveled to Armenia to speak at the \u0026ldquo;Empowering Ideas Forum\u0026rdquo;.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSam Adams, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Economic Development Manager for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, traveled to Armenia in December 2016 to speak at the \u0026ldquo;Empowering Ideas Forum\u0026rdquo; sponsored by the U.S. Department of State\u0026rsquo;s Office of Citizen Exchange. Councilmember Kwanzaa Hall also attended as a representative of the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe forum focused on how a developing nation like Armenia can learn how cities like Atlanta have successfully cultivated a thriving start-up and innovation ecosystem. Attendees shared some of the best practices they\u0026rsquo;ve found work best to encourage the development of local tech companies.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAdams shared how Invest Atlanta and the City of Atlanta are supporting and partnering with the start-up community, specifically through several emerging Smart City initiatives that include partnerships with tech companies to collect and analyze complex traffic data.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I think the idea of collaboration between governments, large companies, and startups is where we see a lot of success,\u0026rdquo; said Adams. \u0026ldquo;Governments can\u0026rsquo;t make a startup successful, but they need to recognize that in the digital economy if you are not supporting startups you are effectively encouraging them to go elsewhere. Supporting the startups helps keep them where they started.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe forum was organized with support from the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, Armenia and the Digital Communication Network (DCN). The DCN is a 2,000-member group of digital professionals from Europe\u0026rsquo;s Baltic region who come together regularly to engage in cross-sector learning and information sharing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eArmenia faces immense challenges, including a limited export market, as they seek to modernize their post-Soviet economy. Officials there have turned to the internet economy as a way to \u0026ldquo;bootstrap\u0026rdquo; their way to growth. The country has been especially focused on preparing their students to thrive in the 21st century workforce.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSam and the forum participants toured an after-school teaching facility in Gyumri that focuses on six tech-related modules, including web development and animation. They also oversaw a pitch competition and heard from tech leaders from the U.S., Israel, and the Netherlands who spoke about their experiences in tech.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Look at IT ecosystem as a community,\u0026rdquo; added Adams. \u0026ldquo;That can be anything from weekly drinks with other people in startup community who understand what you\u0026rsquo;re going through to conferences like this. Creating that sense of community and support is huge.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":112,"title":"Home Sweet Home Mixer Informs Real Estate Pros About Trio Program","promo_title":"Home Sweet Home Mixer Informs Real Estate Pros About Trio","published_date":"2017-01-06","featured_image":{"id":344,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"home-sweet-home-mixer-informs-real-estate-pros-about-trio-program-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":131489,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:50:27.606-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:50:27.749-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:50:55.428-05:00","filename_hash":"home-sweet-home-mixer-informs-real-estate-pros-about-trio-program-featured_p5VDEJp.jpg","width":700,"height":525},"filename":"home-sweet-home-mixer-informs-real-estate-pros-about-trio-program","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"HytYqA","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:50:54.943-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:50:54.943-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta real estate professionals learned about the innovative Invest Atlanta homebuyer tool, the Trio Lease-to-Own program.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDuring the recent holiday season, a large group of Atlanta real estate professionals attended the Home Sweet Home Holiday Mixer and learned about the latest innovative Invest Atlanta homebuyer tool, the Trio Lease-to-Own program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe event, hosted jointly by Invest Atlanta and Trio, was held at The Gathering Spot, an intown Atlanta membership club designed to bring creative, corporate, and entrepreneurial professionals together in a unique environment. Guests were treated to holiday desserts and a presentation to help them better understand how they can serve their clients through the Trio program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Kasim Reed and the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors unanimously approved the introduction of the Trio program, the first of its kind in Georgia, at their September 2016 meeting. Through this public-private partnership, City of Atlanta residents who might normally have difficulty obtaining a traditional mortgage can secure a lease on a home with the option to buy it.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTrio offers several advantages to participants, including a simple qualification process, no down payment requirement, and the option to lock in mortgage interest rate. Participants can also receive a term based on today\u0026rsquo;s pricing that is underwritten to FHA standards.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe completion of a Homebuyer Education course from eHome America is a prerequisite to participate, as is an income of at least $3,600 per month and a credit score of 580 or higher. In addition, homes financed through Trio must be new or substantially remodeled within the last 10 years with a purchase price that does not exceed $374,268.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTrio can be used in tandem with any of the other homebuyer incentives Invest Atlanta offers to help make the dream of homeownership a reality for more Atlantans. Through these diverse offerings of incentives, Invest Atlanta will continue to expand housing opportunities and enable more people to live in their own home sweet home in the city, in 2017 and beyond.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":114,"title":"Top-Quality Affordable Senior Housing Opens in Old Fourth Ward","promo_title":"Top-Quality Affordable Senior Housing Opens in Old Fourth Ward","published_date":"2017-01-05","featured_image":{"id":346,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"top-quality-affordable-senior-housing-opens-in-old-fourth-ward-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":64304,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:54:45.597-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:54:45.793-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:56:12.539-05:00","filename_hash":"top-quality-affordable-senior-housing-opens-in-old-fourth-ward-featured_MYq4BBB.jpg","width":1200,"height":900},"filename":"top-quality-affordable-senior-housing-opens-in-old-fourth-ward","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"1G3yzg","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:55:12.241-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:56:11.883-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The first phase of City Lights, an affordable housing community reserved for seniors, celebrated its grand opening on December 15.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe first phase of City Lights, a new affordable housing community reserved for seniors, celebrated its grand opening on December 15. The 80-unit complex is located on Boulevard in the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Old Fourth Ward neighborhood. Senior residents were joined at the grand opening celebration Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich, First Lady of Atlanta Sarah-Elizabeth Reed, Councilmember Kwanza Hall, Commissioner Camila Knowles from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and many others.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta played a key role in bringing the City Lights project to fruition, issuing $7.5 million in tax- tax-exempt bonds and providing $600,000 in HOME funds to finance the development. Other partners included the City of Atlanta, the Community Affordable Housing Equity Corp., Sugar Creek Capital, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Wingate Companies and Columbia Residential worked jointly on the project, which offers high-quality 1 bedroom apartments to residents over the age of 62 with income at or below 60% of the area\u0026rsquo;s median income.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCity Lights is not only affordable, it\u0026rsquo;s also of the highest quality. In fact, the National Association of Home Builders gave City Lights its \u0026ldquo;Gold Achievement Award\u0026rdquo; for Best 55+ Affordable Rental Community in the U.S. All of the five-story complex\u0026rsquo;s 80 units were leased within 3 days of becoming available. With access to amenities such as a sundeck, fitness center, and covered parking, the low-income senior residents will be able to live independently right in the heart of the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe support Mayor Reed and Invest Atlanta provided to the City Lights project is part of a larger effort in Atlanta to create high-quality, mixed-income housing in neighborhoods throughout Atlanta. Since 2010, Invest Atlanta has approved nine senior housing developments. Projects funded or opening in 2016 include City Lights, as well as the 70-unit Reynoldstown Seniors Development along the Atlanta BeltLine and The Remington, a 160-unit complex that replaced several blighted properties.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWingate announced the beginning of construction on the project\u0026rsquo;s Phase II, a 96-unit multi-family affordable housing community called Station 464. Construction could start on the project this year.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Old Fourth Ward\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":120,"title":"Sweet Auburn Ballroom Receives Resurgens Grant","promo_title":"Sweet Auburn Ballroom Receives Resurgens Grant","published_date":"2016-12-14","featured_image":{"id":353,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"sweet-auburn-ballroom-receives-resurgens-grant-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":68452,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:05:45.730-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:05:45.875-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:06:06.223-05:00","filename_hash":"sweet-auburn-ballroom-receives-resurgens-grant-featured_NnPx8Yv.jpg","width":427,"height":320},"filename":"sweet-auburn-ballroom-receives-resurgens-grant","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"anndzw","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:06:05.638-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:06:05.638-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Sweet Auburn Ballroom will receive the first grant from Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s recently-established Resurgens Fund in the Eastside TAD.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Sweet Auburn Ballroom will receive the first grant from Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s recently-established Resurgens Fund in the Eastside TAD. Named after the historic downtown neighborhood, the vacant former Butler Street YMCA building at 17 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive will soon be transformed into a 1,200-person capacity live music venue for established and rising artists alike.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe board was unanimous in its support for the resolution approving the $1 million grant.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This is a transformative project for the historic Sweet Auburn neighborhood, and will attract visitors to the area for years to come\u0026rdquo; said Dawn Luke, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Senior Vice President of Community Development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eButler Street Community Development Corporation (\u0026ldquo;BSCDC\u0026rdquo;) and world-class venue operator Live Nation are partnering on the project. BSCDC has executed a 20-year lease with Live Nation, who will develop and manage the venue. Live Nation also runs The Tabernacle, a 2,600-person capacity music venue located near Centennial Olympic Park.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Sweet Auburn Ballroom project is part of a larger multi-phase effort by the BSCDC to revitalize the neighborhood\u0026rsquo;s Jesse Hill block along the Atlanta Streetcar line.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Eastside TAD includes Sweet Auburn, the Old Fourth Ward, as well as parts of Grant Park, Cabbagetown, and Downtown Atlanta. As the redevelopment agent for the Eastside TAD, Invest Atlanta supports real estate development, streetscape improvements, and new economic activity in these neighborhoods. The Resurgens Fund Grant program provides gap financing for real estate projects in these neighborhoods, while the Downtown Fa\u0026ccedil;ade Improvement Grant program offers matching grants toward improving building exteriors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith the help of this Resurgens Grant, the Sweet Auburn Ballroom will support the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s long-held role as the region\u0026rsquo;s dominant entertainment and tourism center, create new construction and permanent jobs, and bring $5.4 million in much needed direct capital investment to this area of downtown.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":121,"title":"Coda Tower Breaks Ground in Tech Square","promo_title":"Coda Tower Breaks Ground in Tech Square","published_date":"2016-12-13","featured_image":{"id":354,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"coda-tower-breaks-ground-in-tech-square-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":226893,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:08:56.114-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:08:56.253-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:09:06.729-05:00","filename_hash":"coda-tower-breaks-ground-in-tech-square-featured_982qweZ.jpg","width":700,"height":525},"filename":"coda-tower-breaks-ground-in-tech-square","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"ogkNiQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:09:06.215-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:09:06.215-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Construction has officially begun on the 25-story Coda tower between Spring and West Peachtree Streets in Midtown.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eConstruction has officially begun on the 25-story Coda tower between Spring and West Peachtree Streets in Midtown. Once operational, the high performance computing center within Coda will strengthen Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s position as a global technology hub, foster new collaboration between those in private industry and academic research, and attract new talent to the area.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe center will serve those looking to use advanced computer modeling and simulation capabilities to enhance their work, from Georgia Tech researchers to financial modelers to biotech startups.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This year, we have seen four Fortune 500 companies locate or expand significant IT centers in Atlanta, bringing nearly 5,000 new jobs to the city,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed. \u0026ldquo;Coda\u0026rsquo;s advanced technology resources will be an invaluable asset for attracting the world\u0026rsquo;s top tech professionals and keeping more of our talented students in Atlanta after graduation. I am eager to see the world-changing innovations that will come out of this first-class facility.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond strengthening Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as a tech hub, the computing center offers other benefits. With access to a sophisticated modeling and simulation resource, Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s students, faculty, and tech entrepreneurs will be better equipped to conduct research and commercialize new applications. The computing center will also further elevate Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s reputation as one of the world\u0026rsquo;s top engineering and research institutes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn August, the Invest Atlanta board approved the issuance of up to $440 million in bonds to support the creation of the 90,000 square-foot data center. The overall mixed-use Coda project, currently scheduled to open in late 2018, will create an estimated 2,400 new jobs and will produce an estimated total economic impact of $813.8 million over the next two decades.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePortman Holdings\u0026rsquo; design for Coda incorporates the historic Crum \u0026amp; Foster building, an early 20th-century office building. Georgia Tech will be the anchor tenant, with corporations and research partners occupying the rest of the office and retail space.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":122,"title":"Invest Atlanta Gives Back Through United Way During Holidays","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Gives Back Through United Way During Holidays","published_date":"2016-12-12","featured_image":{"id":355,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-gives-back-through-united-way-during-holidays-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":59851,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:11:56.927-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:11:57.072-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:12:19.924-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-gives-back-through-united-way-during-holidays-featured_8myVW6K.jpg","width":1000,"height":750},"filename":"invest-atlanta-gives-back-through-united-way-during-holidays","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"EYR69Q","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:12:19.508-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:12:19.508-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Staff from Invest Atlanta and the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs came together to support families through the United Way.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStaff from Invest Atlanta and the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs came together to support needy families through the United Way.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn Friday, December 2, the group gathered together to pack hundreds of snack bags destined for children at City of Refuge. Serving Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside neighborhoods since 1997, City of Refuge provides housing, health care, educational programs, vocational training, and more to families in need.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe goal was to beat the number set during last year\u0026rsquo;s Bag-a-Thon, and the staff came through by donating snacks and assembling 435 bags. Nick Mulkey and Justin Giboney helped load up the snack bags for Michele Lewis, who delivered them to City of Refuge that afternoon.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eStaff also pledged $9,191 to support various charities through the 2017 United Way Campaign. Dorothy Williams, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Director of Human Resources, deserves special thanks for taking the lead on both the Bag-a-Thon and the fundraising effort.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMany others were part of these efforts, including: Daphne Crosby, Shelease Tucker, Vanessa Angulo, Keisha Trujillo, Leanda Robles-Collins, Sheoyki Jones, Vickey Roberts, Anita Allgood, Rita Coppock, Stephen McRae, LaTonya Hopper, Dale Royal, Payson Schwin, Cynthia Freeman, and Sam Adams. Taylor Woodruff and Vanessa Ibarra from the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs also joined in.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":123,"title":"Board Makes Initial Move to Complete High-Tech Healthcare Project","promo_title":"Board Makes Initial Move to Complete High-Tech Healthcare Project","published_date":"2016-12-09","featured_image":{"id":356,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"board-makes-initial-move-to-complete-high-tech-healthcare-project-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":116975,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:14:48.439-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:14:48.586-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:15:11.353-05:00","filename_hash":"board-makes-initial-move-to-complete-high-tech-healthcare-project-featured_5E5pBje.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"board-makes-initial-move-to-complete-high-tech-healthcare-project","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"i4YUtQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:15:10.748-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:15:10.748-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta board took a first step toward restarting construction on the $200 million Emory Proton Therapy Center.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta board took a first step toward restarting construction on the $200 million Emory Proton Therapy Center at the corner of Peachtree St. and North Ave. in Midtown.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith a unanimous vote, the board approved an inducement resolution to issue tax-exempt 501(c)(3) bonds, with the proceeds going toward final construction costs and a refinancing of the project\u0026rsquo;s existing debt. Final approval of the bond resolution could come as soon as February of next year, and if the current timeline holds, the Center could be finished by the end of 2017.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce complete, the 170,000 square-foot Emory Proton Therapy Center will offer patients advanced cancer therapy treatment. This new state-of-the-art facility along North Avenue\u0026rsquo;s expanding medical technology district will further solidify the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reputation as a global healthcare destination.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This is a project that is long overdue,\u0026rdquo; said Dawn Luke, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Senior Vice President of Community Development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Not only will it provide a resource in the health care industry, it will provide and help to advance Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s position as a center for advanced medical treatments as well as really be a part of the growing cluster of jobs focused a lot on this type of therapy.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll told, the project is set to bring 128 new, well-paid, and permanent medical jobs to the area, as well as 3,900 direct and indirect jobs during construction. The plans also call for around 4,000 sq. ft. of retail space at ground level. Current estimates put the total economic impact of the project at $503 million.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCurrently, the nearest facility offering similar treatment options is 300 miles away in Jacksonville, Florida. The new Center in Midtown will be an attractive option for local patients, as well as for \u0026ldquo;medical tourists\u0026rdquo; traveling to Atlanta to receive targeted treatments for brain, spine, breast, and other types of cancers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":124,"title":"Invest Atlanta Supports New Early Education Center in Peoplestown","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Supports New Early Education Center in Peoplestown","published_date":"2016-12-08","featured_image":{"id":357,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-supports-new-early-education-center-in-peoplestown-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":151125,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:16:57.354-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:16:57.492-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:17:24.743-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-supports-new-early-education-center-in-peoplestown-featured_8myVWqm.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"invest-atlanta-supports-new-early-education-center-in-peoplestown","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"QQQDVw","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:17:24.184-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:17:24.184-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta Emerging Markets, inc., has closed a transaction to support the construction of a new Sheltering Arms early education center.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s New Markets Tax Credits entity, Atlanta Emerging Markets, inc. (AEMI), has closed a major transaction that will support the construction of a new Sheltering Arms early education center in the Peoplestown neighborhood.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAEMI is providing $6.3MM in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation to assist with the new development at D.H. Stanton Elementary School. Sheltering Arms provides early education services to families throughout the Atlanta area. They annually serve over 3,300 children, 93% of which are minorities.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe approximately 26,000-square-foot facility will include 14 classrooms and serve almost 300 children, from infants to 5 year-olds. The facility will house 86 pre-K and 213 child care students and provide child care, education, and comprehensive support services for families. The project will also create 54 jobs. Sheltering Arms will occupy the site as a tenant of Atlanta Public Schools, who will amend the lease to be compatible with NMTC financing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMore deals like this one are on the horizon, thanks to the recently announced U.S. Department of the Treasury allocation of $50 million in NMTC to AEMI. Invest Atlanta, through AEMI, will use the NMTC allocation to provide gap financing for projects like the Sheltering Arms facility that jumpstart economic development, create jobs, and revitalize neighborhoods in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Invest Atlanta is proud to see the U.S. Department of the Treasury allocate another substantial New Markets Tax Credit award to AEMI, validating the strategic investments we are making,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO, Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Since 2006, we have received nearly $200 million in New Markets Tax Credit awards to fund projects that are strengthening the economic vibrancy of our community. This latest award enables us to continue to play a key role in financing more catalytic development.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMost recently, AEMI assisted Grady Memorial Hospital and Families First through the NMTC program. AEMI used a $12,000,000 NMTC transaction to help finance Grady\u0026rsquo;s $76,000,000 expansion and renovation of its new Emergency Department building. The recently dedicated Marcus Trauma and Emergency Center will serve 20,000 additional patients annually.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSocial services provider Families First received an $8,500,000 NMTC investment to convert a former Atlanta Public Schools\u0026rsquo; building on the Westside into their new 38,000 square-foot headquarters. Families First is now able to serve 52,000 children, women, and families a year, many of whom report income well below the poverty line.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, Downtown Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s recently redeveloped Flatiron Building received an $11,200,000 New Markets Tax Credit investment to renovate the previously vacant 119-year-old historic landmark into an entrepreneurship hub and innovation center.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n South Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":125,"title":"Board Member Anna Foote Honored at Final Meeting","promo_title":"Board Member Anna Foote Honored at Final Meeting","published_date":"2016-12-06","featured_image":{"id":358,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"board-member-anna-foote-honored-at-final-meeting-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":236326,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:19:00.170-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:19:00.328-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:19:20.060-05:00","filename_hash":"board-member-anna-foote-honored-at-final-meeting-featured_Pg7zRlZ.jpg","width":1200,"height":900},"filename":"board-member-anna-foote-honored-at-final-meeting","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"rDWC1A","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:19:19.648-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:19:19.648-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Kasim Reed, Andrew Dickens, and Eloisa Klementich came together to bid a fond farewell to Anna Foote.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Kasim Reed, Council Member Andrew Dickens, Invest Atlanta President and CEO Eloisa Klementich came together at the December 5 board meeting to bid a fond farewell to Anna Foote.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA board member since 2008, Anna was recognized for exemplifying what being a true community leader is all about. During her tenure Invest Atlanta went through an unprecedented period of organizational and economic growth, creating 26,478 jobs since 2010.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnna received the city\u0026rsquo;s highest accolade, the Phoenix Award, from Mayor Reed for her \u0026ldquo;professional and relentless\u0026rdquo; service to Atlanta. Councilman Dickens presented her with a City Council Proclamation, which he read aloud, and Dr. Klementich presented Anna with a token of appreciation on behalf of Invest Atlanta staff.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter receiving several standing ovations, Anna said that while her retirement from the board is bittersweet, she is confident Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s work will continue.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The city is in the hands of amazing people,\u0026rdquo; said Anna.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout her time on the board, Anna has been a passionate advocate for job creation and community revitalization. Anna always went beyond the call of duty, dedicating herself to improve Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s financial stability, clarity of purpose, and accountability. She brought a deep well of knowledge and experience to the board gained during her distinguished career in nonprofit management, philanthropy, and community activism.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, Anna provided a voice for those in Atlanta who have the least, making her fellow board members and Invest Atlanta staff all the more aware of how the organization can have a positive impact on each and every Atlanta resident. Her legacy will be felt for many years to come.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnna\u0026rsquo;s work on behalf of the City of Atlanta will continue following her retirement from the board. As Executive Deputy Director of Administration at HOPE Atlanta, she\u0026rsquo;ll still be working hard to provide a comprehensive safety net for thousands of metro Atlanta residents in need. Earlier this year, she took on an important leadership role as the Board Chair of the Little Five Points Community Improvement District.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":126,"title":"New Westside Financial Capability Center Receives TAD Support","promo_title":"New Westside Financial Capability Center Receives TAD Support","published_date":"2016-12-02","featured_image":{"id":359,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"new-westside-financial-capability-center-receives-tad-support-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":110541,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:22:39.007-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:22:39.154-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:23:15.297-05:00","filename_hash":"new-westside-financial-capability-center-receives-tad-support-featured_zmlZRkb.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"new-westside-financial-capability-center-receives-tad-support","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"xg2O_A","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:23:14.746-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:23:14.746-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n $100,000 Westside TAD Community Improvement Fund grant approved to help fund a new Westside Financial Capability Center in Vine City.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors recently approved a $100,000 Westside TAD Community Improvement Fund grant to help fund a new Westside Financial Capability Center in Vine City. Once open, the Center will provide residents with high-quality financial counseling, entrepreneurship training, and homeownership education.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFormer 1st Choice Credit Union CEO Sheilah Montgomery, who spoke passionately on behalf of the project at the IA board meeting, said the Center will help put more Westside residents on the \u0026ldquo;road to financial self-sufficiency.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The goal is to be open to the community and cater to their needs,\u0026rdquo; she added.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eForty-four percent of adults on the Westside live below the poverty line, and the average credit score is around 500. Those without a bank account are often left with no other option than to turn to payday lending or check cashing businesses that charge exorbitant interest rates and fees. Unable to gain their financial footing, many Westside residents find it difficult, if not impossible, to obtain a loan to buy a home or start a business.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Center\u0026rsquo;s one-on-one financial education and services will help residents develop greater financial literacy and gain improved access to services they currently lack. Armed with these resources, more of the unbanked will open bank accounts, strengthen their credit, and eventually acquire safe and affordable home or small business loans.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions sponsored the project, with funding support from credit reporting agency Equifax and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation (AMBFF). Over a three-year period, Equifax has made a $500,000 commitment to support the Center\u0026rsquo;s core operations, while AMBFF has committed to provide the facility and related costs in excess of $100,000 per year.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Westside Financial Capability Center will initially open a temporary site on Joseph E. Boone Boulevard in the former home of Westside Works. AMBFF is providing the space pro bono, and the TAD grant funding from Invest Atlanta will be used to purchase computers, IT equipment, office and classroom furniture and signage at the site.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt\u0026rsquo;s anticipated that by the end of 2018, the Center will move into a permanent home and begin to offer a full range of transactional financial services.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":127,"title":"Westside Students Receive Early Holiday Surprise","promo_title":"Westside Students Receive Early Holiday Surprise","published_date":"2016-12-01","featured_image":{"id":360,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"westside-students-receive-early-holiday-surprise-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":77971,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:24:57.145-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:24:57.281-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:25:21.865-05:00","filename_hash":"westside-students-receive-early-holiday-surprise-featured_QgDn1ny.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"westside-students-receive-early-holiday-surprise","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"uTOm2A","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:25:21.396-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:25:21.396-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta is living up to its long-term commitment to help stabilize Westside communities.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is living up to its long-term commitment to help stabilize Westside communities. The goal is to ensure current residents of neighborhoods like English Avenue, Vine City, and Castleberry Hill benefit from the new investments being made around the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo date, Invest Atlanta has injected approximately $56 million into the transformation of streets, parks, vacant properties and community development in the Westside Tax Allocation District. But the organization\u0026rsquo;s commitment doesn\u0026rsquo;t stop there.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta recently partnered with Michael R. Hollis Innovation Academy, a new PreK-8 STEM neighborhood school led by Dr. Diamond Jack for children in the 30314 zip code. When the community development team first met with Dr. Jack, she spoke about her ongoing effort to provide all of Hollis\u0026rsquo; 560 students two school uniforms. Upon hearing this, Invest Atlanta CEO Dr. Klementich put out a call for donations to her extensive network of local business contacts.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePortman Holdings, an Atlanta-based commercial real estate firm concentrating on urban development, quickly responded. They agreed to cover the entire $10,000 amount Hollis needed to give each student two uniforms, just in time for the holidays. To celebrate, Invest Atlanta staff attended the school\u0026rsquo;s Parent Involvement Day, where parents, teachers, and staff received information about IA\u0026rsquo;s homeownership and small business loan programs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs these Westside partnerships grow, Invest Atlanta will continue to find opportunities to engage Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s robust business community in the revitalization of the city\u0026rsquo;s core neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, Invest Atlanta staff continues to volunteer their time to improving the area. Over the past six months, they\u0026rsquo;ve participated in two neighborhood cleanups and helped secure in-kind donations of supplies, all in partnership with the Vine City Civic Association. Staff also took part in the Trunk or Treat festivities at Vine City Park, which provided them a fun opportunity to dress up and hand out candy to Westside youth.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":128,"title":"Startups Prepare for Takeoff at Airport Demo Day","promo_title":"Startups Prepare for Takeoff at Airport Demo Day","published_date":"2016-11-21","featured_image":{"id":361,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"startups-prepare-for-takeoff-at-airport-demo-day-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":75760,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:27:13.129-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:27:13.288-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:27:38.045-05:00","filename_hash":"startups-prepare-for-takeoff-at-airport-demo-day-featured_OPqgZZP.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"startups-prepare-for-takeoff-at-airport-demo-day","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"vLrpyQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:27:37.546-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:27:37.546-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Startups from around the world pitch their innovations to airport and airline representatives at the first Aviation Innovation Demo Days.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSix startups from around the world had the opportunity to pitch their innovations to airport and airline representatives at what might be the first of many Aviation Innovation Demo Days. Held in November during the final week of the Atlanta-Toulouse Startup Exchange at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the event featured startups delivering their pitches to representatives from the airport, TSA, and Global Fortune 500 companies including Delta, Lufthansa, and Southwest.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta, the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs, and the airport\u0026rsquo;s ATL Business Ventures division organized the event.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The idea is to put some interesting concepts in front of you,\u0026rdquo; said Sam Adams, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Manager of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. \u0026ldquo;Ultimately, we want to provide a platform for emerging enterprises to showcase their technologies and possibly generate new business with the world\u0026rsquo;s busiest passenger airport and its leading airlines.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Innovation is about adding new value for customers,\u0026rdquo; said Doug Strachan, Innovation \u0026amp; Strategic Business Development Manager for the Innovation Unit at ATL Business Ventures, to kick off the event. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re concerned about innovation because we want to continually add value for our 101 million passengers a year.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll six of the presenting teams went through an extensive vetting process before arriving at Demo Day. Several Atlanta-based startup incubators\u0026mdash;including Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), TechStars, The Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), and Switchyards\u0026mdash;helped the Demo Day assemble 23 nominees. That list was then narrowed down to 11, and with input from airport and airline representatives, these 6 finalists were chosen:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://donecle.fr/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDonecle\u003c/a\u003e: Uses autonomous drones to inspect airplanes and detect defects in real-time.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.uwinloc.com/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eUwinloc\u003c/a\u003e: Provides low-energy radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags to track inventory at a lower cost.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.predikto.com/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePredikto\u003c/a\u003e: Provides predictive analytics service that leverages data to optimize operations and flag equipment failures.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://pointivo.com/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePointivo\u003c/a\u003e: Creates accurate as-built drawings with a smartphone camera.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.volantio.com/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eVolantio\u003c/a\u003e: Delivers marketing optimization in dynamic pricing environments.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://verisolutions.co/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eVeriSolutions\u003c/a\u003e: Installs sensors in eateries to improve food safety.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTwo of the startups, Donecle and Uwinloc, are based in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s sister city of Toulouse, France. Both companies were selected to represent Toulouse in the two-week\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.atlantaga.gov/index.aspx?page=1317\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAtlanta-Toulouse Startup Exchange\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;program. The other four startups are based in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Airport\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":129,"title":"New Home for Westside Works Opens in Vine City","promo_title":"New Home for Westside Works Opens in Vine City","published_date":"2016-11-17","featured_image":{"id":362,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"new-home-for-westside-works-opens-in-vine-city-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":52434,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:35:12.174-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:35:12.315-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:35:32.850-05:00","filename_hash":"new-home-for-westside-works-opens-in-vine-city-featured_4X3JZXx.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"new-home-for-westside-works-opens-in-vine-city","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"cmRvkQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:35:32.320-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:35:32.320-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Quest Community Complex held its grand opening celebration on October 10, 2016.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eQuest Community Complex, a catalytic project that will have substantial impact toward creating successful outcomes for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside, held its grand opening celebration on October 10, 2016. Invest Atlanta provided a $3.5 million grant for the project. As the new home to Westside Works, the contemporary 12,000 square-foot facility in Vine City will be a community resource, providing nearby residents with access to job training, economic development opportunities, and other resources.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWestside Works is a long-term neighborhood program with a mission focused on creating employment opportunities and job training for residents of Vine City, English Avenue, Castleberry Hill and other contiguous Westside neighborhoods. To date, Westside Works has placed about 350 people into full-time jobs earning an average of $12 an hour. They\u0026rsquo;re training hundreds more to work in the construction, technology, healthcare and food and beverage services industries.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSponsors for the Quest Community Complex include Invest Atlanta, PNC Bank, Atlanta Housing Authority, The Home Depot Foundation, and The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":130,"title":"Atlanta Land Trust Collaborative Nominates IA’s Dawn Luke to Board","promo_title":"Atlanta Land Trust Collaborative Nominates IA’s Dawn Luke to Board","published_date":"2016-11-16","featured_image":{"id":363,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"atlanta-land-trust-collaborative-nominates-ias-dawn-luke-to-board-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":84892,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:37:36.162-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:37:36.317-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:37:54.260-05:00","filename_hash":"atlanta-land-trust-collaborative-nominates-ias-dawn-luke-to-board-featured_4X3JZ7P.jpg","width":405,"height":304},"filename":"atlanta-land-trust-collaborative-nominates-ias-dawn-luke-to-board","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"PfvDNg","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:37:53.644-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:37:53.644-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Dawn Luke has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Atlanta Land Trust Collaborative (ALTC).\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDawn Luke, Senior Vice President of Community Development for Invest Atlanta, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Atlanta Land Trust Collaborative (ALTC).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA coalition of public, private, and community partners, the ALTC supports the creation of permanently affordable housing around the Atlanta BeltLine and throughout the City of Atlanta. The ALTC began in 2009 and functions as a \u0026ldquo;central server\u0026rdquo; organization supporting independent non-profit CLCs as they develop and operate permanently affordable housing initiatives. The organization is led by the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, Georgia Advancing Communities Together (Georgia ACT), and the Annie E. Casey Foundation Atlanta Civic Site.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLuke\u0026rsquo;s knowledge and experience as a leader in housing development, finance, and policy will be critical as she advises the ALTC on how to implement new neighborhood-based, resident-controlled community land trusts in Atlanta. She will also ensure the ALTC continues to implement national best practices of community land trusts and remains an effective steward of public, private, and philanthropic funds.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTogether, Luke and her fellow board members will help the ALTC make Atlanta a city of mixed-income neighborhoods for generations to come.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":131,"title":"Inaugural FinTech Festival Brings Invest Atlanta to Singapore","promo_title":"Inaugural FinTech Festival Brings Invest Atlanta to Singapore","published_date":"2016-11-15","featured_image":{"id":364,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"inaugural-fintech-festival-brings-invest-atlanta-to-singapore-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":71780,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:39:52.045-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:39:52.196-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:40:15.859-05:00","filename_hash":"inaugural-fintech-festival-brings-invest-atlanta-to-singapore-featured_2amLgwr.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"inaugural-fintech-festival-brings-invest-atlanta-to-singapore","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"5MExAg","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:40:15.134-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:40:15.134-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s Kevin Johnson traveled to the inaugural Singapore FinTech Festival to seek foreign investment opportunities for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s FinTech businesses.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta Senior Vice President of Economic Development Kevin Johnson traveled to the inaugural Singapore FinTech Festival to seek foreign investment opportunities for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s financial technology (FinTech) businesses. He was also there to explore possibilities for those businesses to expand abroad and to encourage foreign companies to look at Atlanta as a potential site for relocation or the creation of a new branch.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe festival, held from November 14-18, is being hosted jointly by the Association of Banks in Singapore and the U.S. Commercial Service, a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMetro Atlanta is home to 90 FinTech companies employing 30,000 people, and thanks to the industry\u0026rsquo;s large presence, the region has become known as \u0026ldquo;transaction alley.\u0026rdquo; The American Transaction Processors Coalition reports more than 60 percent of U.S. FinTech companies are located in Atlanta, and 70 percent of credit card swipes in this country\u0026mdash;85 billion transactions in total\u0026mdash;flow through Georgia every year.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The financial technology industry is one of those targeted industry clusters where we have a proven, significant competitive advantage,\u0026rdquo; said Johnson.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJohnson will be speaking on four separate panels about the industry\u0026rsquo;s growing presence in Atlanta and the resources and incentives available in the City of Atlanta to FinTech companies.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;ll talk about the close relationship FinTech companies have with educational institutions in metropolitan Atlanta, the curriculums those institutions are developing to support the industry, and the supportive ecosystem that exists here in Atlanta thanks to associates like the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) and the American Transaction Processors Coalition (ATPC),\u0026rdquo; said Johnson.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJohnson noted the FinTech Festival provides Invest Atlanta with a wonderful opportunity to further that cooperation, possibly through a visit by Singapore\u0026rsquo;s corporate and government leaders to Atlanta to discuss future partnership opportunities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We want to work closely, both domestically and globally, with partners like Singapore that also have a strong FinTech industry presence,\u0026rdquo; added Johnson.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":132,"title":"Invest Atlanta Heavily Promotes Homeownership Incentives in October","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Heavily Promotes Homeownership Incentives in October","published_date":"2016-11-15","featured_image":{"id":365,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-heavily-promotes-homeownership-incentives-in-october-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":34675,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:42:14.641-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:42:14.781-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:42:40.985-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-heavily-promotes-homeownership-incentives-in-october-featured_BxkNyOL.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"invest-atlanta-heavily-promotes-homeownership-incentives-in-october","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"P4GuZw","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:42:40.408-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:42:40.408-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Homeownership group briefs attendees of Atlanta community events about available Down Payment Assistance incentives for home ownership.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Homeownership group was busy throughout the month of October briefing attendees of four Atlanta community events about available Down Payment Assistance incentives for home ownership and renovation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn October 8 at the Lifecycle Building Center (LBC), more than 60 prospective homebuyers attended the HOUSE RULES Home Renovation Education Workshop to learn about the 203K renovation loan that is offered through Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s lending partner, NFM Lending. The loan instrument allows a borrower to finance both the purchase and renovation of a property. It\u0026rsquo;s an extension of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s ATL Home Renovation Advantage Incentive Program, which provides an affordable way for people to purchase a property and transform it into their dream home. LBC taught attendees about the most effective ways to repurpose home building materials, and opened up its large warehouse for people to shop for items to use in their renovations projects. In addition, Van Hardimon of Hardimon Construction spoke about the renovation process and how it aligns with Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s incentives.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe following Saturday, the Invest Atlanta team presented to a multicultural audience of more than 250 people at the second annual Atlanta Soccer Festival. The event was hosted by the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Office of Immigrant Affairs and local non-profit Soccer in the Streets. Besides learning soccer skills and participating in friendly pick-up games, festival attendees had the opportunity to visit Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s information booth to learn about IA\u0026rsquo;s homeownership incentives. The Atlanta BeltLine and Atlanta United FC, the city\u0026rsquo;s new professional soccer team, also participated in the event.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Homeownership Group then took their message to more than 150 people on Saturday, October 22 at HOPE Inside Atlanta, Operation HOPE\u0026rsquo;s monthly workshop on homeownership, money management, budget, and credit-score improvement. Homebuyers learned about the home buying process as well as IA incentives. Attendees at the event, held at Ebenezer Baptist Church, were particularly interested in opportunities to obtain affordable housing along the BeltLine.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnd to close out a very busy month, the Homeownership group set up shop at Atlanta Streets Alive along a temporarily closed a 2.7-mile stretch of Peachtree Street. There they showcased Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s homeownership programs and incentives to thousands of passing pedestrians and cyclists who filled the street that day.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":134,"title":"Invest Atlanta Co-Hosts Women’s Fitness and Empowerment Event","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Co-Hosts Women’s Fitness and Empowerment Event","published_date":"2016-11-14","featured_image":{"id":366,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-co-hosts-womens-fitness-and-empowerment-event-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":191401,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:44:21.999-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:44:22.153-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:44:47.519-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-co-hosts-womens-fitness-and-empowerment-event-featured_ZO6mDzK.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"invest-atlanta-co-hosts-womens-fitness-and-empowerment-event","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"CtBPBg","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:44:47.022-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:44:47.022-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta and the Atlanta Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) invited #PowerWomenSweat founder Amber Grimes to lead networking and fitness event\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and the Atlanta Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) invited #PowerWomenSweat founder Amber Grimes to lead a networking, empowerment, and fitness event for women who contribute daily to the growth of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHeld on the final weekend of October in the Atlanta City Hall Atrium, the event recognized Breast Cancer Awareness Month and raised more than $1,100 for the Susan G. Komen Greater Atlanta Foundation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich co-hosted the gathering with Candace Byrd, chief of staff for the City of Atlanta, and WEI Director Theia Washington-Smith.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e#PowerWomenSweat promotes the maintenance of an active lifestyle and healthy relationships for women through an intense two-hour seminar that includes a networking workshop and dance workout routine.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGrimes described the benefits of her unique program this way: \u0026ldquo;Women tend to be stripped of their egos in a fitness environment and become more vulnerable, approachable and pleasant. It\u0026rsquo;s the next generation of networking events, because it actually works!\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":135,"title":"New UPS Facility Coming to South Atlanta","promo_title":"New UPS Facility Coming to South Atlanta","published_date":"2016-11-11","featured_image":{"id":367,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"ups_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":33611,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:46:34.898-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:46:35.057-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:48:52.593-05:00","filename_hash":"ups_feature_jpv6PlO.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"new-ups-facility-coming-to-south-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"A9SKOw","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:46:52.578-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:46:52.578-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Kasim Reed and Governor Nathan Deal announced that UPS will create 1,250 jobs and invest more than $400 million\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Kasim Reed and Governor Nathan Deal announced that United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS), a package delivery company, will create 1,250 jobs and invest more than $400 million to establish a regional sorting and distribution hub in Atlanta by the end of 2018.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am very pleased to see that UPS, a Fortune 500 company and mainstay in Atlanta for many years, will plant deeper roots in our city with this new hub of operations,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed. \u0026ldquo;This investment in southwest Atlanta will not only create 1,250 new jobs, but strengthen our position as an international hub for logistics supported by the world\u0026rsquo;s busiest passenger airport and the many global companies who call Atlanta home.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eUPS will create supervision, administrative and warehouse positions for the new sorting and distribution hub.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Georgia demonstrates an enduring commitment to industry leaders and job creators. With this investment, UPS will use Georgia\u0026rsquo;s location, transportation infrastructure and logistics sector to reach customers more quickly and more efficiently. UPS is already making a substantial economic impact in the Atlanta area and we look forward to the company\u0026rsquo;s continued success,\u0026rdquo; said Governor Deal.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eUPS employs more than 14,000 Georgia residents in package delivery operations, ground freight, aircraft operations, data center management and contract logistics. Product and technology development, global transportation network planning and other corporate staffs are based in metro Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;UPS has proudly made its global headquarters in Atlanta for more than two decades,\u0026rdquo; said David Abney, UPS chairman and CEO. \u0026ldquo;This strategic capital investment will feature state-of-the-art technology. When combined with the strong transportation connections and talented labor pool that Atlanta provides, UPS is building flexibility to meet the growing needs of our customers and our business in Georgia, and around the world.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are excited that UPS has decided to expand its operations in the City of Atlanta with this major distribution center,\u0026rdquo; said Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich. \u0026ldquo;This new facility represents a significant economic investment in the southside of Atlanta that will provide residents access to new jobs across a spectrum of skill levels. Invest Atlanta looks forward to working with the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency and UPS to build a pipeline of qualified professionals for these positions.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am pleased that our county leaders had the foresight to realize the value of this land and work closely with UPS to make this exciting project happen,\u0026rdquo; said John Eaves, chairman of the Fulton County Commission. \u0026ldquo;The benefits it will bring in terms of jobs and investment are immeasurable. This is a huge shot in the arm and yet another example of the economic engine that Fulton County has become.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Director of Existing Industry and Regional Recruitment Lindsay Martin represented the Global Commerce division throughout this project in partnership with Invest Atlanta and Fulton County.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s an exciting day when UPS, a company with such deep roots in our state, announces they are creating an even bigger footprint in Georgia,\u0026rdquo; said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. \u0026ldquo;This announcement is a testament to our world-class logistics infrastructure and reliable workforce \u0026ndash; both which are critically important to meeting the needs of UPS\u0026rsquo; customers. We look forward to working with UPS as they establish a regional hub in Fulton County.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":137,"title":"Georgia Named #1 State for Business for Fourth Consecutive Year","promo_title":"Georgia Named #1 State for Business for Fourth Consecutive Year","published_date":"2016-11-04","featured_image":{"id":369,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"georgia-named-number-1-state-for-business-for-fourth-consecutive-year-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":66787,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:50:35.970-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:50:36.182-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:51:05.279-05:00","filename_hash":"georgia-named-number-1-state-for-business-for-fourth-consecutive-year-featured_982qEzo.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"georgia-named-1-state-for-business-for-fourth-consecutive-year","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"PuZfdw","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:51:04.785-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:51:04.785-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Site Selection Magazine named Georgia the top state in which to do business for the fourth year in a row.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSite Selection, a leading economic development trade publication, has named Georgia the top state in which to do business for the fourth year in a row.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Georgia\u0026rsquo;s top state business climate ranking is based on where corporate expansion projects are occurring and where investors say they want to commit their capital for the long term,\u0026rdquo; said Mark Arend, editor-in-chief of\u0026nbsp;Site Selection.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This recognition underscores how Georgia continues to be a world-class location for business,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO, Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;In 2016, we have seen three Fortune 500 companies relocate their headquarters or establish significant hubs in Atlanta because of our competitive business environment, skilled workforce and attractive quality of life.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn the first nine months of 2016, Invest Atlanta has helped attract $447 million of capital investment to Georgia within the City of Atlanta, creating 4,533 jobs. Economic development wins in Atlanta in the last six months with significant job creation and economic investment include GE Digital, Honeywell, NCR and Anthem.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":140,"title":"Successful Entrepreneurs Recognized at IA’s Excellence in Small Business Awards","promo_title":"Successful Entrepreneurs Recognized at IA’s Excellence in Small Business Awards","published_date":"2016-11-02","featured_image":{"id":372,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"small_business_awards_2016.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":82527,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:56:35.023-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:56:35.167-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:57:49.583-05:00","filename_hash":"small_business_awards_2016_jpv6PjW.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"successful-entrepreneurs-recognized-at-ias-excellence-in-small-business-awards","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"FJACaA","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:57:49.034-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:57:49.034-05:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/245385018","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta recognized thirteen local businesses for strengthening Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business sector at the agency\u0026rsquo;s first small business awards luncheon.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta recognized thirteen local businesses for their role in strengthening Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s small business sector at the agency\u0026rsquo;s first small business awards luncheon. The award ceremony was held October 26 at The Commerce Club in Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll but one of the honorees have used Invest Atlanta loans to grow and sustain their businesses successfully over time.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Spotted Trotter took home Entrepreneur of the Year honors. Co-owner Megan Ouzts credited Invest Atlanta for being \u0026ldquo;part of our financial team and, quite frankly, part of our family.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFoster and Associates, a/k/a Atlanta Headshots, received the Excellence in Longevity Award. The company\u0026rsquo;s been in business 45 years, thanks in part to a loan from Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s predecessor agency that allowed them to expand to their present size.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Expansion Excellence Award went to Naan Stop Experience, an Indian food restaurant that with Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s help recently added a successful second location. \u0026ldquo;We now have two locations, thanks to Invest Atlanta believing in us,\u0026rdquo; co-owner Samir Idnani said. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s been fantastic to have the confidence and support from Invest Atlanta so that we could build our dream and grow Naan Stop.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe recipients of the Community Favorite Awards, which go to local retail- or service-based businesses, were Alfajr Trading Company, Inc. (District 4), Preston CPA (District 6), and SW Experience LLC (District 11).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOther small businesses honorees included:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSecurity Investment Group, Franchise Excellence award\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRainey Manufacturing Company, Manufacturing Excellence award\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAtlanta Westview Holdings, LLC, Excellence in Commercial Development award\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eThe Epsten Group, Excellence in Innovation award\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMcArthur\u0026rsquo;s Apothecary, LLC, Startup Excellence award\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRolling Out Magazine, Media Excellence award\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThought not a small business, the GSU Small Business Development Center received the Partnership Excellence Award in recognition of the technical services they have provided to several of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s existing and prospective clients.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFrom 2001 to 2016, Invest Atlanta has invested more than $10 million into more than 150 businesses, and leveraged $41 million in total project costs to help those businesses grow.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":139,"title":"Anthem locates IT hub in Midtown Atlanta","promo_title":"Anthem locates IT hub in Midtown Atlanta","published_date":"2016-11-01","featured_image":{"id":371,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"anthem-locates-it-hub-in-midtown-atlanta-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":116291,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:53:23.731-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:53:23.872-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:55:15.798-05:00","filename_hash":"anthem-locates-it-hub-in-midtown-atlanta-featured_ymr8pP8.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"anthem-locates-it-hub-in-midtown-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"s3itbg","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:53:38.374-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:53:38.374-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Anthem, Inc. is locating an information technology services hub at Bank of America Plaza in Midtown, creating 1,800 jobs.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAnthem, Inc., one of the largest health benefits companies in the U.S., is locating an information technology services hub at Bank of America Plaza in Midtown Atlanta that will create more than 1,800 jobs. The company will invest more than $20 million in Atlanta over the next six years.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am excited that Anthem has chosen Atlanta for its consolidated IT business, where the company will have access to a base of highly skilled workers and a thriving business community focused on building for the future,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed. \u0026ldquo;This move demonstrates that Atlanta is the region\u0026rsquo;s leader in technology and IT talent. This year alone three major Fortune 500 companies have established IT and innovation centers in our city.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA contributing factor to Anthem\u0026rsquo;s decision to bring the immense IT services consolidation project to Midtown was the key information that Invest Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and Georgia Power provided to Anthem about the benefits of doing business in the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s continued attraction of significant information technology centers is a testament to our city\u0026rsquo;s strong knowledge-based economy, which is fueled by an educated and skilled workforce that has driven steady job growth for many years,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;In addition to a strong base of talent, Atlanta offers companies and their employees a high quality of life and low cost of living that surpasses other major metropolitan areas.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEmployees at the new IT hub at Bank of America Plaza will be able to closely collaborate with their counterparts at the Anthem Innovation Studio, which recently opened in Tech Square.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":141,"title":"IA Closes on Loan to Finance Affordable Senior Multi-Family Housing","promo_title":"IA Closes on Loan to Finance Affordable Senior Multi-Family Housing","published_date":"2016-10-19","featured_image":{"id":373,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"ia-closes-on-loan-to-finance-affordable-multi-family-housing-for-seniors-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":72958,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:59:09.729-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:59:09.868-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:00:02.098-05:00","filename_hash":"ia-closes-on-loan-to-finance-affordable-multi-family-housing-for-seniors-featured_r6PaxVB.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"ia-closes-on-loan-to-finance-affordable-senior-multi-family-housing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"7lojQw","created_at":"2017-12-21T16:00:01.503-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:00:01.503-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta is helping to finance Gateway Capital View, a 160-unit affordable housing community for seniors within the BeltLine TAD.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has closed a $14.5-million tax-exempt loan to finance Gateway Capital View, a much-needed, 160-unit affordable housing community for senior citizens near the Oakland City MARTA station and within the BeltLine Tax Allocation District. It\u0026rsquo;s the first Freddie Mac tax-exempt loan transaction that Invest Atlanta has concluded.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;This project will add more affordable housing to the BeltLine and provides another transit-oriented development in the city near a MARTA station,\u0026rdquo; said Alan Ferguson, vice president and deputy director of community development for Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince all of the units at Gateway Capital View will include Project Based Rental Assistance from the Atlanta Housing Authority, none of the residents will pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing costs. Construction of the project should begin this fall with the first units becoming available in 12-14 months.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe transaction, which Invest Atlanta closed in fewer than 150 days, is IA\u0026rsquo;s first with Prestwick Development, a well-established developer that operates in the Southeast. IA expects to engage in more closings with Prestwick in the coming months in areas that include Memorial Drive in East Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":138,"title":"Atlanta Emerging Markets Provides Funding For Grady Hospital Expansion","promo_title":"Atlanta Emerging Markets Provides Funding For Grady Hospital Expansion","published_date":"2016-10-19","featured_image":{"id":370,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"nmtc-entity-provides-funding-for-grady-hospital-expansion-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":89405,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:51:39.412-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:51:39.553-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:52:28.210-05:00","filename_hash":"nmtc-entity-provides-funding-for-grady-hospital-expansion-featured_kbVye65.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"atlanta-emerging-markets-provides-funding-for-grady-hospital-expansion","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"HKrMJg","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:52:27.741-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:52:27.741-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Grady Hospital dedicated the new Marcus Trauma and Emergency Center building on its Downtown campus.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn October, Grady Hospital dedicated the new Marcus Trauma and Emergency Center building on its Downtown campus. Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc., Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) entity, partnered with SunTrust Community Capital to provide $3.3 million in funding for the development of the new 90,000-square-foot tower that will allow Grady to serve 20,000 additional patients each year.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe completed $76 million project will house all Grady Hospital Emergency Department functions, create a total patient capacity of 135,000, and provide enough trauma bays to accommodate 25,000 trauma patients each year \u0026ndash; up from 18,000 currently. New additions will include triage areas, 10 exam rooms for imaging and procedures, and 12 exam rooms for clinical and behavioral health.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSunTrust Community Capital and Community Hospitality Healthcare Services (CHHS) also contributed NMTC allocations to the project.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":157,"title":"City of Refuge Receives Funding to Expand Westside Job Training","promo_title":"City of Refuge Receives Funding to Expand Westside Job Training","published_date":"2016-10-19","featured_image":{"id":387,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"city-of-refuge-receives-funding-to-expand-job-training-on-the-westside-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":49949,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-22T08:54:16.465-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-22T08:54:16.607-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-22T08:55:11.645-05:00","filename_hash":"city-of-refuge-receives-funding-to-expand-job-training-on-the-westside-featured_4X3rMwn.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"city-of-refuge-receives-funding-to-expand-westside-job-training","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Pq6xcw","created_at":"2017-12-22T08:55:11.195-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-22T08:55:11.195-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The City of Refuge will expand job training programs and foster economic development in the Westside.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe City of Refuge, a non-profit organization that provides access to opportunities in housing, vocational training, healthcare and youth development to impoverished and homeless people on Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside, will receive an infusion of more than $7 million from the Coca-Cola Foundation, Chick-Fil-A and the City of Atlanta to expand job training programs and foster economic development in the area. Invest Atlanta joined the City of Atlanta in its financial commitment to make this initiative possible.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe funds will finance construction and operation of an innovative jobs hub that will give people skills training in automotive technology, retail, culinary arts, landscaping, security services and HVAC installation and repair. Critical elements of the hub will be a computer-coding academy for young adults and a small business incubator and accelerator to support aspiring entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe investments made by The Coca-Cola Company and Chick-Fil-A have laid the foundation for the City of Refuge\u0026rsquo;s new \u0026ldquo;Shining the Light\u0026rdquo; capital campaign, which aims to raise $25 million by 2018 to support the organization\u0026rsquo;s core programs, including permanent supportive housing and workforce housing.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe planning phase for the job hub has begun. Construction and renovation of the more than 20,000-sq.ft. training center and culinary academy \u0026ndash; as well as programming for the facility \u0026ndash; will begin soon and continue through September 2019.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe mission of the City of Refuge is about complementing job training with the comprehensive social services that can help people attain self-sufficiency and middle-class economic status as adults. This assistance includes transitional housing \u0026ndash; accompanied by a daily hot breakfast, lunch and dinner \u0026ndash; onsite health care, and activities for children and youth.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":154,"title":"Invest Atlanta Played Key Role New Software Design Center Opening","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Played Key Role New Software Design Center Opening","published_date":"2016-10-19","featured_image":{"id":384,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-plays-a-key-role-in-opening-new-software-design-center-in-atlanta-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":74683,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:15:37.761-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T16:15:37.896-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:15:58.981-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-plays-a-key-role-in-opening-new-software-design-center-in-atlanta-featured_W1a5gX1.jpg","width":600,"height":450},"filename":"invest-atlanta-played-key-role-new-software-design-center-opening","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"I9CwTw","created_at":"2017-12-21T16:15:58.420-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:15:58.420-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Keysight Technologies, a global electronic measurement technology company and market leader, celebrated the opening of its new software design center.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThis week, Keysight Technologies, a global electronic measurement technology company and market leader, celebrated the opening of its new software design center in Atlanta. The Keysight Software Design Center is a pivotal move in the company\u0026rsquo;s strategy to transform parts of its business from hardware manufacturing to software development. Invest Atlanta joined Atlanta City Councilmember Kwanza Hall, Georgia Tech and the Georgia Department of Economic Development to welcome Keysight to its new Atlanta home at Tech Square in Midtown.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta helped Keysight with this project on several fronts. Earlier this year, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Board of Directors approved an economic opportunity fund incentive for Keysight to help the company establish the facility, which is expected to create more than 240 high-paying software development jobs. Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Kent Spencer also assisted Keysight in securing its certificate of occupancy for the new space, enabling Keysight to open its doors to its newly hired employees on schedule. Further, Invest Atlanta has presented its homebuyer incentive programs to Keysight for new employees interested in buying a home in the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":143,"title":"Invest Atlanta and City of Atlanta Launch Atlanta-Toulouse Startup Exchange","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta and City of Atlanta Launch Atlanta-Toulouse Startup Exchange","published_date":"2016-10-19","featured_image":{"id":375,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-and-city-of-atlanta-launch-first-atlanta-toulouse-startup-exchange-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":77732,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:01:10.084-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T16:01:10.231-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:02:13.386-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-and-city-of-atlanta-launch-first-atlanta-toulouse-startup-exchange-featured_JjMpVVk.jpg","width":600,"height":450},"filename":"invest-atlanta-and-city-of-atlanta-launch-atlanta-toulouse-startup-exchange","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"kHPLAQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T16:02:12.869-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:02:12.869-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Four companies will join the two-week residency program Invest Atlanta launched with the City of Atlanta and Toulouse, France.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFour companies \u0026ndash; two based in Atlanta and two in France \u0026ndash; will take part in the first Atlanta-Toulouse Startup Exchange, a two-week residency program that Invest Atlanta has launched along with the City of Atlanta and the City of Toulouse, France.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta-based Carbice Nanotechnologies and Partpic, Inc., as well as French startups Donecle and Uwinloc, are the participants in the program, which will provide support resources that help these businesses obtain investment capital, seek out export opportunities and develop a business plan for international expansion.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta was instrumental in the development of the Startup Exchange, having led a trade mission to Toulouse last year that followed a City of Atlanta delegation visit to that city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eExecutives from Carbice and Partpic will take their residency at the Airbus BizLab and the CapGemini Lab\u0026rsquo;innovation, where they\u0026rsquo;ll meet with French entrepreneurs as well as top European business sector officials, investors and executives. They\u0026rsquo;ll also attend emTech France 2016, an international conference that spotlights emerging technologies and brings startups together with global venture capitalists.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Since the overwhelming majority of global consumers are outside the United States, businesses need to export to be successful,\u0026rdquo; explained Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;The Startup Exchange will give Carbice and Partpic exposure to a critical mass of aerospace business innovators and a way to grow within Europe.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn November, executives from Donecle and Uwinloc will fulfill their residencies at the Garage at Tech Square and engage in programs at the Atlanta Technology Development Corporation, Sandbox, and the Consulate General of France in Atlanta. They\u0026rsquo;ll also attend the annual Venture Atlanta Conference, an event that draws more than 1,000 visitors and has inspired more than $1.3 billion in startup investment since 2002.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":136,"title":"IA’s Dawn Luke Makes Atlanta Business League’s “100 Women of Influence” List","promo_title":"IA’s Dawn Luke Makes ABL's “100 Women of Influence” List","published_date":"2016-10-19","featured_image":{"id":368,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"ia-dawn-luke-makes-atlanta-business-league-100-women-of-influence-list-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":86782,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:48:22.664-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:48:22.800-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:48:55.111-05:00","filename_hash":"ia-dawn-luke-makes-atlanta-business-league-100-women-of-influence-list-featured_6aNEKrm.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"ias-dawn-luke-makes-atlanta-business-leagues-100-women-of-influence-list","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"QtId2A","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:48:54.307-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:48:54.307-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Dawn Luke, Senior VP of Community Development, was among the Atlanta Business League\u0026#39;s \u0026quot;Top 100 Black Women of Influence.\u0026rdquo;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDawn Luke, Senior Vice President of Community Development for Invest Atlanta, has been named one of \u0026ldquo;Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Top 100 Black Women of Influence\u0026rdquo; by the Atlanta Business League (ABL).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLuke, who has worked at Invest Atlanta for over 22 years, was named to the prestigious list at ABL\u0026rsquo;s recent 32ndAnnual Super Tuesday Conference held at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, October 11, 2016. The conference honored outstanding African-American female business owners and professionals in their respective fields.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhile the guests were treated to a host of speakers and presenters during their meals, they were also able to attend informative business workshops throughout the day. Luke was recognized for effective advancement of community development and her proven passion when it comes to the topic of affordable housing initiatives.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFounded in 1933, the Atlanta Business League supports the creation and development of successful businesses that are owned, operated and managed by African-Americans in metro Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":133,"title":"New Foreign Investment Program to Fund Economic Development Projects","promo_title":"New Foreign Investment Program to Fund Economic Development Projects","published_date":"2016-10-06","featured_image":{"id":352,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"new-foreign-investment-program-to-fund-economic-development-projects-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":61788,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:04:21.132-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:04:21.260-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:44:14.633-05:00","filename_hash":"new-foreign-investment-program-to-fund-economic-development-projects-featured_8myVW89.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"new-foreign-investment-program-to-fund-economic-development-projects","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"lbo36g","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:44:13.586-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:44:13.586-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta announced the Invest Atlanta Regional Center, a foreign investment program to fund economic development projects and new jobs.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOn October 6, Invest Atlanta announced the Invest Atlanta Regional Center, a foreign investment program that will fund economic development projects and new jobs as well as promote the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development initiatives internationally.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;To increase investment and jobs in Atlanta, we need to leverage all available tools that create meaningful economic and community development projects,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO, Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Regional Center will provide loans to projects from EB-5 funds contributed by foreign investors. Typically available as low-interest, five-year loans, the EB-5 funds will support projects that create at least 100 jobs. These investments can finance senior or subordinated loans and be combined with IA\u0026rsquo;s New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) and Tax Allocation District (TAD) programs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is establishing the EB-5 Regional Center in partnership with GILS Management Group, a private firm that specializes in EB-5 programs. In reviewing and approving projects for funding, the center will give top priority to proposed developments located in federally designated Target Employment Areas (TEAs) throughout the City of Atlanta. It will begin accepting applications from developers for project funding in November.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We need to think globally about new ideas and options, hence I look forward to working closely with our partners to maximize the positive impact this initiative can bring to Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; added Klementich.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEB-5 regional centers are designated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to sponsor capital investment programs funded by foreign investors. The IA center is one of just two government-led EB-5 regional centers in Georgia.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":118,"title":"Invest Atlanta Accepting Applications for New Eastside TAD Projects","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Accepting Applications for New Eastside TAD Projects","published_date":"2016-09-20","featured_image":{"id":350,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-now-accepting-applications-for-new-eastside-tad-projects-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":100433,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:00:45.763-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:00:45.905-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:02:28.400-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-now-accepting-applications-for-new-eastside-tad-projects-featured_NnPx8k5.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"invest-atlanta-accepting-applications-for-new-eastside-tad-projects","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"zKE-ww","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:02:27.866-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:02:27.866-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n After its previous success in the Eastside TAD, Invest Atlanta is\u0026nbsp;accepting new applications for qualified development and improvement projects.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAfter achieving success with previous Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) development and fa\u0026ccedil;ade improvement grant projects, Invest Atlanta is now accepting new applications for qualified development and improvement projects in the Eastside TAD. Through the Eastside TAD, the City of Atlanta is providing tax increment financing to fund infill projects in Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods and to promote the implementation of public infrastructure and amenities that are critical to building a sustainable community.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Eastside TAD includes the areas of Sweet Auburn, Old 4th Ward and parts of Grant Park, Cabbagetown and Downtown Atlanta. As the redevelopment agent for the Eastside TAD, Invest Atlanta periodically invites developers, property owners and businesses seeking to develop real estate projects or improve eligible property within the Eastside TAD to apply for funding from one of two programs:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eResurgens Fund Grant, providing gap financing for catalytic real estate projects; or\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eDowntown Fa\u0026ccedil;ade Improvement Grant, offering matching grants toward the exterior improvement of buildings.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eProjects applying for TAD funding must show how they positively impact and revitalize the community by creating a diverse base of permanent jobs, reusing vacant or obsolete buildings, developing near public transit stations or stops, and increasing the property tax base. One example of a recently completed Eastside TAD-funded project is the exterior renovation of property along Auburn and Edgewood Avenues that was funded through $900,000 in Eastside TAD grants.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":117,"title":"New Invest Atlanta Financing Solution to Increase Access to Homeownership","promo_title":"New Invest Atlanta Financing Solution to Increase Access to Homeownership","published_date":"2016-09-15","featured_image":{"id":349,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-introduces-new-financing-solution-to-increase-access-to-homeownership-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":136503,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:58:20.313-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:58:20.445-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:59:03.486-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-introduces-new-financing-solution-to-increase-access-to-homeownership-featured_5E5pBgy.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"new-invest-atlanta-financing-solution-to-increase-access-to-homeownership","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"awIzTg","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:59:03.016-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:59:03.016-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta has introduced Trio, a program that provides prospective homebuyers with a lease with the option to buy.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has made another innovative homebuyer financing tool available by introducing Trio, a program that provides prospective homebuyers with a 1-to-5-year lease on their selected home with the option to buy it at a predetermined price with an assumable mortgage and fixed interest rate. Trio is now open to residents of the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOffered through the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Urban Residential Financing Authority (URFA), Trio extends homeownership opportunities to buyers who may have credit problems and otherwise may not qualify for a mortgage. Through Trio, people facing obstacles with traditional bank financing can obtain more flexible financing terms that give them access to home ownership at current pricing and interest rates.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTrio can be used in conjunction with Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s homebuyer mortgage assistance programs for qualifying applicants. Prospective homebuyers whose mortgage applications were previously declined can work with Trio. Homebuyer Education from eHome America is required.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHomebuyers participating in Trio may select a home that has been built in the last 10 years or substantially remodeled. They may transition to homeownership at any time during the lease term, and may choose to assume the existing FHA mortgage or purchase with a new loan. Down payment assistance is available in either case.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBesides making it possible for more people to buy homes at an affordable cost, Trio is increasing access to homes where purchase prices have been steadily increasing, such as the neighborhoods around the Beltline.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":111,"title":"Executive Corner Video Series Premieres With Keysight Technologies","promo_title":"Executive Corner Video Series Premieres With Keysight Technologies","published_date":"2016-09-14","featured_image":{"id":342,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"pasted_image_at_2017_12_20_04_24_pm.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":217989,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:02.712-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":3,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:02.922-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:06:55.877-05:00","filename_hash":"pasted_image_at_2017_12_20_04_24_pm_wjyzvEe.png","width":1080,"height":1080},"filename":"executive-corner-video-series-premieres-with-keysight-technologies","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"HkNDkQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:49:17.951-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:49:17.951-05:00","video_link":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/245257078","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta launched the Executive Corner, a video series telling unique and thought-provoking stories of companies who have chosen Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThis month, Invest Atlanta launched the Executive Corner, a new video series telling unique and thought-provoking stories of companies who have chosen to build their business in Atlanta. The first video in the series spotlights Keysight Technologies, the world\u0026rsquo;s leading electronic measurement company who recently announced a plan to launch a Keysight software development center in Atlanta. Videos will be available to view on Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s website, YouTube and in social media.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":108,"title":"Honeywell Software Development Center to Create More Than 800 Jobs","promo_title":"Honeywell Software Development Center to Create More Than 800 Jobs","published_date":"2016-09-14","featured_image":{"id":340,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"new-honeywell-software-development-center-to-create-more-than-800-new-jobs-in-atlanta-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":76037,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:44:23.068-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:44:23.215-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:45:09.361-05:00","filename_hash":"new-honeywell-software-development-center-to-create-more-than-800-new-jobs-in-atlanta-featured_RJq8XPl.jpg","width":460,"height":345},"filename":"honeywell-software-development-center-to-create-more-than-800-jobs","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"1TTzAQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:45:08.314-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:45:08.314-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Honeywell will establish a new first-of-its-kind software development center and establish the company\u0026rsquo;s home and building technologies headquarters in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMayor Kasim Reed and Governor Nathan Deal joined representatives from Honeywell, Invest Atlanta, Georgia Department of Economic Development and Georgia Tech for a press conference to announce that Honeywell will establish a new first-of-its-kind software development center and establish the company\u0026rsquo;s home and building technologies headquarters operation in Atlanta. This project will generate more than 800 new full-time positions and a $19 million investment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am pleased to welcome Honeywell to the City of Atlanta, where the company will join a strong network of Fortune 500 companies and tap into a thriving technology sector in Midtown,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. \u0026ldquo;Atlanta continues to build on its strong momentum in attracting global companies looking for important assets such as skilled technology professionals, a connected business community and unparalleled access to the global economy through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHoneywell\u0026rsquo;s new Georgia operation will serve as a development center for software and technologies ranging across the company\u0026rsquo;s three divisions: Honeywell Aerospace, Performance Materials and Technologies; Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions. With this venture, Honeywell plans to create 733 full time software engineering and related positions. The home and building technologies segment headquarters will make up the remaining 100 jobs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHoneywell is the third major company this year to announce plans to build a digital facility in the City of Atlanta. GE Digital and Keysight Technologies revealed their plans to locate digital technology facilities in the city that will create new jobs. The availability of top talent, access to Georgia\u0026rsquo;s research universities and the city\u0026rsquo;s pro-business environment are some of the reasons why technology companies are selecting Atlanta to grow their digital business.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":113,"title":"Façade Improvement Grants Underwrite Openings of Trendsetter Restaurants","promo_title":"Façade Improvement Grants Underwrite Openings of Trendsetter Restaurants","published_date":"2016-09-14","featured_image":{"id":345,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"facade-improvement-grants-underwrite-openings-of-trendsetter-restaurants-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":95006,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:52:37.411-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:52:37.580-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:53:49.843-05:00","filename_hash":"facade-improvement-grants-underwrite-openings-of-trendsetter-restaurants-featured_xD2n9nJ.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"facade-improvement-grants-underwrite-openings-of-trendsetter-restaurants","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"6yBoqw","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:53:49.223-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:53:49.223-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Both Caf\u0026eacute; + Velo and Georgia Beer Garden received Downtown Fa\u0026ccedil;ade Improvement Grants (DFIGs) from Invest Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe imminent opening of two of the most anticipated new restaurants to come to Atlanta this year \u0026ndash; Caf\u0026eacute; + Velo and Georgia Beer Garden \u0026ndash; is being made possible by Downtown Fa\u0026ccedil;ade Improvement Grants (DFIGs) issued to both projects by Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGeorgia Beer Garden received a $233,000 DFIG for the renovation of its building at 420 Edgewood, while Caf\u0026eacute; + Velo is leasing space in 381 Edgewood, which obtained a $111,000 DFIG. The grants were issued through IA\u0026rsquo;s Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCaf\u0026eacute; + Velo is a one-of-its-kind space \u0026ndash; a caf\u0026eacute; and bike rental shop with a large patio and rooftop dining deck that will host morning yoga and a mini croquet course.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGeorgia Beer Garden will serve only beers from Georgia breweries (24 of them on tap) to go with a Southern-style menu that features a German influence \u0026ndash; think the likes of country chicken and biscuits with schnitzel. The third floor of the space will become a sports bar.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to these two buildings, 145 Auburn, which houses Condessa Coffee and Arden\u0026rsquo;s Garden, and 339-347 Edgewood, where Uptop Lounge and the recently announced Hungry Ghost, an Asian street food concept from the owners of Poor Calvin\u0026rsquo;s, are recipients of DFIGs from Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":115,"title":"NCR Expands New Global Headquarters in Atlanta","promo_title":"NCR Expands New Global Headquarters in Atlanta","published_date":"2016-09-14","featured_image":{"id":347,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"ncr-expands-new-global-headquarters-in-atlanta-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":165717,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:56:10.931-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:56:11.083-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:57:10.338-05:00","filename_hash":"ncr-expands-new-global-headquarters-in-atlanta-featured_p5VDEQD.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"ncr-expands-new-global-headquarters-in-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"QOV-ZA","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:57:09.715-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:57:09.715-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Mayor Reed and Gov. Deal announced NCR will create more than 1,800 jobs and invest $145 million in Midtown.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Gov. Nathan Deal have announced that the NCR Corporation will create more than 1,800 jobs and invest $145 million through an expansion of NCR\u0026rsquo;s new Midtown Atlanta campus. The expansion will include construction of a second tower at its global headquarters to bring together employees from the Alpharetta, Atlanta and Duluth offices.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am pleased that NCR has chosen to further expand its global headquarters campus in the City of Atlanta through another capital investment in Midtown and by bringing more than 1,800 skilled professionals to our city,\u0026rdquo; said Reed.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNCR\u0026rsquo;s state-of-the-art world headquarters campus will be located at the corner of 8th Street and Spring Street in Midtown Atlanta, in close proximity to Technology Square, Georgia Tech and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The second tower is scheduled for occupancy in the first quarter of 2019.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta continues to grow as a global technology center that offers companies access to top talent, renowned research institutions and advanced technology infrastructure. In our world-class business community, entrepreneurs and executives can find everything they need to build their dreams,\u0026rdquo; Reed added.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe announcement follows NCR\u0026rsquo;s January 2015 news that the company will move its world headquarters to the City of Atlanta and bring 3,600 jobs to its new campus. Phase I of the project, which features a 20-story tower, is under construction and is scheduled for completion in Q1 2018. Phase II, which is in the design phase, will feature a connected, 14-story office tower and is scheduled to be ready for occupancy in Q1 2019.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":106,"title":"Invest Atlanta Shines at BronzeLens Film Festival","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Shines at BronzeLens Film Festival","published_date":"2016-09-13","featured_image":{"id":338,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-shines-at-bronzelens-film-festival-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":55996,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:40:39.050-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:40:39.180-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:41:42.189-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-shines-at-bronzelens-film-festival-featured_XJ5Y7yg.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"invest-atlanta-shines-at-bronzelens-film-festival","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"9Lit6g","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:41:41.418-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:41:41.418-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Several staffers from Invest Atlanta participated in a a panel discussion a the Seventh Annual BronzeLens Film Festival in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSeveral staffers from Invest Atlanta had their time in the spotlight when they sat on a panel during the Seventh Annual BronzeLens Film Festival in Atlanta held Aug. 25 \u0026ndash; 28, 2016.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe BronzeLens Film Festival, founded in 2009, works very hard to bring national and worldwide attention to Atlanta as a center for film and film production for people of color. Every fall, film lovers, actors and filmmakers gather in Atlanta to share a creative platform of education, entertainment and empowerment discussions related to film, as well as television, and the production of both.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe topic the Invest Atlanta group presented discussed finding funding for entertainment businesses and projects, and housing opportunities available to entertainment professionals in Atlanta. The panelists included Kevin Johnson, senior vice president of Economic Development, Anita Allgood, homeownership manager, and Cynthia Freeman, small business loan specialist. Filling the seat as moderator was Kent Spencer, business expansion and retention manager.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe event was an important moment for Invest Atlanta, allowing IA to engage one-on-one with individuals in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s growing entertainment industry and discuss the many different opportunities to partner with film and entertainment professionals.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":104,"title":"Pop-Culture Behemoth Dragon Con Marks 30th Anniversary in Atlanta","promo_title":"Pop-Culture Behemoth Dragon Con Marks 30th Anniversary in Atlanta","published_date":"2016-09-06","featured_image":{"id":333,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"pop-culture-behemoth-dragon-con-marks-30th-anniversary-in-atlanta-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":86900,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:37:26.670-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:37:26.817-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:38:14.233-05:00","filename_hash":"pop-culture-behemoth-dragon-con-marks-30th-anniversary-in-atlanta-featured_6aNEkbl.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"pop-culture-behemoth-dragon-con-marks-30th-anniversary-in-atlanta","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"GBarAQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:38:13.821-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:38:13.821-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n A record crowd of 77,000 people descended on Downtown and surrounding areas over Labor Day weekend for Dragon Con.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA record crowd of 77,000 people descended on Downtown and surrounding areas over Labor Day weekend for the 30th annual incarnation of Dragon Con, one of the world\u0026rsquo;s premier pop-culture conferences and an event that directly contributed $67 million to the Atlanta economy in 2015.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDragon Con has become an international mecca for science fiction, comics and gaming enthusiasts, and has produced a spectacular display of costuming by its fans that becomes more inventive and stunning with each passing year. The most visible event of Dragon Con, the annual parade, draws more marchers and observers than any other parade in Atlanta. Many of the world\u0026rsquo;s most celebrated authors, actors and rock n\u0026rsquo; roll bands have appeared or performed at Dragon Con.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Dragon Con is a celebration of everything people love, a place where you can be who you want to be, see old friends and meet new ones,\u0026rdquo; said Dan Carroll, Dragon Con\u0026rsquo;s spokesman.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis year\u0026rsquo;s record-setting attendance represents a nearly 25 percent increase in the last three years and is a far cry from the 1,200 participants who came to the inaugural event in Atlanta. Fans came from around the world and all 50 states, with this year\u0026rsquo;s convention attracting people from as far away as Japan, New Zealand, and Fiji. And for the first time, the Dragon Con parade was broadcast live on local television, taking Dragon Con to homes throughout Atlanta who couldn\u0026rsquo;t make it in person.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We are welcoming the second generation of fans with more and more families making Dragon Con part of their annual traditions,\u0026rdquo; added Carroll.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDragon Con is spread across five host hotels and two Americas Mart buildings, with fans staying at some two dozen more overflow hotels throughout the city. The scope of Dragon Con, and the success it has enjoyed, has been a testament to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s ability to smoothly and efficiently host mega-events.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":36,"title":"Auburn Avenue Building Gets a Facelift","promo_title":"Auburn Avenue Building Gets a Facelift","published_date":"2016-08-17","featured_image":{"id":243,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"340-auburn-avenue-gets-a-facelift-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":68746,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:12:47.220-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T16:12:47.375-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:13:29.181-05:00","filename_hash":"340-auburn-avenue-gets-a-facelift-featured_YBNelVz.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"auburn-avenue-building-gets-a-facelift","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Z0ezjQ","created_at":"2017-12-20T16:13:28.629-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:13:28.629-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The exterior renovation of 340 Auburn Avenue, partly financed through a grant awarded by Invest Atlanta, has been completed.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe exterior renovation of 340 Auburn Avenue, which was partly financed through a grant awarded by Invest Atlanta, has been completed and fully funded. Work on the project began last October and included the installation of new storefront systems, front and back windows and awnings, as well as graffiti removal and brick repair.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe downtown fa\u0026ccedil;ade improvement grant provided $63,371 of the total project cost of $156,237. Invest Atlanta allotted these funds from the Eastside Tax Allocation District to Sweet Auburn Apartments, LLC, the owner of the property.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Downtown Fa\u0026ccedil;ade Improvement Grant (DFIG) program provides a 2/3 matching grant to property and business owners to make exterior improvements to commercial property in the Eastside and Westside Tax Allocation Districts (\u0026ldquo;TAD\u0026rdquo;). This grant was created to enhance the appearance of commercial areas, supporting the Atlanta Streetcar, leveraging private investment, and complementing community revitalization efforts.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGene Kansas Real Estate is listing the property for sale; interested parties can call Gene Kansas at 404-635-0027.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":39,"title":"Living in Town Now Easier with New Mortgage Assistance Program","promo_title":"Living in Town Now Easier with New Mortgage Assistance Program","published_date":"2016-08-17","featured_image":{"id":246,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"living-in-town-just-got-easier-with-new-mortgage-assistance-program-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":63073,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:24:18.349-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T16:24:18.481-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-20T16:10:10.875-05:00","filename_hash":"living-in-town-just-got-easier-with-new-mortgage-assistance-program-featured_gvVw9oP.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"living-in-town-now-easier-with-new-mortgage-assistance-program","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"NCrQAQ","created_at":"2017-12-20T16:27:22.814-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-20T16:10:10.862-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The new Intown Mortgage Assistance Program (IMAP) makes it easier for prospective buyers to purchase homes within most of Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn June, Invest Atlanta launched its new Intown Mortgage Assistance Program (IMAP) to make it easier for prospective buyers to purchase homes within most of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough IMAP, homeowners have the opportunity to obtain a 30-year, fixed-rate FHA, VA or conventional mortgage with $10,000 to apply toward their down payment and or closing cost. And the loan is fully forgiven after the buyers live in the home for 10 years. There is no first-time homebuyer requirement.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe loans and related financial assistance can be used to purchase single-family detached homes, two-to-four-unit townhomes and condominiums located anywhere within the Atlanta city limits, except for the Vine City and English Avenue neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta will provide more information about IMAP at Q \u0026amp; A sessions in the future. See the latest homeownership flyer:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"text-align:center\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" height=\"1024\" src=\"/assets/living-in-town-just-got-easier-with-new-mortgage-assistance-program-image-in-text_p5VDK9g.jpg\" width=\"663\" /\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":38,"title":"Homeownership Team Turns Up the Heat in July","promo_title":"Homeownership Team Turns Up the Heat in July","published_date":"2016-08-17","featured_image":{"id":245,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"homeownership-team-turns-up-the-heat-in-july-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":72714,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:20:20.435-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T16:20:20.573-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:21:24.337-05:00","filename_hash":"homeownership-team-turns-up-the-heat-in-july-featured_1OmJ44E.jpg","width":600,"height":450},"filename":"homeownership-team-turns-up-the-heat-in-july","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"jDh0iQ","created_at":"2017-12-20T16:21:23.886-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:21:23.886-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n July was a busy month for Invest Atlanta in homeownership.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eJuly was a busy month for Invest Atlanta in homeownership. The team completed four homebuyer education events, including educating new homebuyers about incentive opportunities at the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Employee Perks Fair, two Q\u0026amp;A sessions conducted at the Invest Atlanta office and a homebuyer education seminar.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOver 200 City of Atlanta employees, including the Atlanta Police and Atlanta Fire Rescue departments, were on hand at the Atlanta City Hall Atrium to hear IA\u0026rsquo;s homeownership experts talk about homebuyer incentives. In August, the homeownership team returns to City Hall for an after-work Q\u0026amp;A session for city employees who expressed interest in incentives during the fair.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSpeaking of Q\u0026amp;A sessions, 81 prospective homebuyers came to the two held by Invest Atlanta in July. In addition to learning about IA homebuyer incentives, attendees also received tips on the home-buying process from participating mortgage lenders and were provided with information on available new construction homes in Midtown Atlanta at West Highlands, from Dahlia Aitova, a Brock Built representative.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTeam member Anita Allgood also discussed homebuyer incentives at Jimmy the Realtor\u0026rsquo;s Sip \u0026amp; Sell Homebuyer Education Seminar. Several industry experts were on hand to provide information on the home-buying process, and a recent homebuyer shared their firsthand experience on working with Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":147,"title":"TechStars Atlanta Welcomes 10 Startups To Its Inaugural Program","promo_title":"TechStars Atlanta Welcomes 10 Startups To Its Inaugural Program","published_date":"2016-08-17","featured_image":{"id":342,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"pasted_image_at_2017_12_20_04_24_pm.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":217989,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:02.712-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":3,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:48:02.922-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:06:55.877-05:00","filename_hash":"pasted_image_at_2017_12_20_04_24_pm_wjyzvEe.png","width":1080,"height":1080},"filename":"techstars-atlanta-welcomes-10-startups-to-its-inaugural-program","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"4pICVA","created_at":"2017-12-21T16:06:55.264-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:06:55.264-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n TechStars is a global startup accelerator that helps emerging technology entrepreneurs build their new businesses.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTechStars, a global business start-up accelerator that helps emerging technology entrepreneurs build their new businesses, welcomed its inaugural Atlanta class in July at a ribbon-cutting event at Ponce City Market, the location of TechStars Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s new workspace.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEmerging from a field of 69 applicants drawn from six continents, the tech companies selected for TechStars\u0026rsquo; mentorship-driven, three-month program heard Kevin Johnson, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s senior vice president of economic development, talk about the start-up community in Atlanta and the efforts that the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta have made to support entrepreneurs in launching and sustaining their businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTechStars gives its class members access to investment and collaborative guidance and resources from leading entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe program, intended to foster innovation and growth for the participating companies, will culminate in Demo Day, November 1, when the graduates will present their products or services to a group of media, investors and local entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe diverse class includes two companies apiece from Israel and Los Angeles, one each from Canada, Belgium and Savannah and three from Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta works through incubators to offer its services of access to capital, relocation assistance, and site selection to startups, and to broker contacts with interested companies, investors or tech talent. In the coming year, Invest Atlanta expects to arrange an ultra-low-interest $50,000 loan with a yet-to-be-chosen startup that has either relocated to Atlanta or is just beginning its business here.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":34,"title":"Invest Atlanta Conducts Outreach to Castleberry Hill Business Owners","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Conducts Outreach to Castleberry Hill Business Owners","published_date":"2016-08-17","featured_image":{"id":241,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-hits-the-streets-with-outreach-to-castleberry-hill-business-owners-featured__1_.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":82915,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:00:07.750-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T16:00:07.905-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:01:13.768-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-hits-the-streets-with-outreach-to-castleberry-hill-business-owners-featured__1__jpvjPbn.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"invest-atlanta-conducts-outreach-to-castleberry-hill-business-owners","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"-V506g","created_at":"2017-12-20T16:01:13.297-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T16:01:13.297-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Kent Spencer of our Business Retention and Expansion team briefed members of the Castleberry Hill Business Association on IA programs.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eKent Spencer of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Business Retention \u0026amp; Expansion team recently briefed members of the Castleberry Hill Business Association on IA programs and resources that can help meet the needs of the neighborhood\u0026rsquo;s business owners. Among other things, Spencer told the audience about IA loan opportunities and a retail impact study of the area that Invest Atlanta could provide, as well as a rundown on the planned expansion of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive corridor.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing Spencer\u0026rsquo;s presentation, he and the attendees conducted a spirited discussion about the community\u0026rsquo;s needs and how Invest Atlanta can support them. The BRE team also is holding one-on-one follow-up meetings with businesses who attended the event.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":30,"title":"Ernestine Garey Honored By NALHFA and Freddie Mac","promo_title":"Ernestine Garey Honored By NALHFA and Freddie Mac","published_date":"2016-08-03","featured_image":{"id":237,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"nalhfa-freddie-mac-honor-ernestine-garey-with-awards-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":63431,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:48:01.806-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T15:48:01.950-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:50:26.975-05:00","filename_hash":"nalhfa-freddie-mac-honor-ernestine-garey-with-awards-featured_W1aeJJy.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"ernestine-garey-honored-by-nalhfa-and-freddie-mac","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"wkPwlg","created_at":"2017-12-20T15:49:05.977-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T15:50:26.419-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta COO Ernestine Garey was honored for her long record of service in support of affordable housing development.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta Chief Operating Officer Ernestine Garey has received awards from the National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or Freddie Mac, to honor her long record of service in support of the development and expansion of affordable housing opportunities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGarey recently ended an 18-year tenure as a member of the Board of Directors \u0026ndash; and two years apiece as President and President Emeritus \u0026ndash; of NALHFA, the nation\u0026rsquo;s leading affordable housing advocate whose members work to finance affordable housing on the local level. She was succeeded on the Board by Dawn Luke, Senior Vice President of Community Development at Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNALHFA gives its members \u0026ndash; primarily housing finance agencies in large cities \u0026ndash; the opportunity to learn about and share best practices and innovative approaches at NALHFA conferences and then bring them back to their home communities. \u0026ldquo;I can\u0026rsquo;t tell you how many new programs we have implemented here at Invest Atlanta because we learned about them through our association with NALHFA,\u0026rdquo; says Garey.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFreddie Mac, which helps ensure a reliable and affordable supply of mortgage funds for homebuyers and multi-family rental housing investors, recognized the work Garey has done in partnership with that agency in areas such as bond underwriting and down payment assistance. Freddie Mac\u0026rsquo;s citation for Garey noted its \u0026ldquo;appreciation of your many years of distinguished service to the affordable lending community and Freddie Mac.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs COO at Invest Atlanta since 2011, Garey manages the operations of the Finance and Legal departments, as well as general office operations. Finance tasks include raising and ensuring the receipt of revenues from funding sources and balancing the budget, while Legal encompasses all legal matters as well as the Compliance functions to ensure that all projects are built, and affordability is maintained.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":44,"title":"Tax-Exempt Bond Financing Will Fund Seniors Housing Project","promo_title":"Tax-Exempt Bond Financing Will Fund Seniors Housing Project","published_date":"2016-07-21","featured_image":{"id":252,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"tax-exempt-bond-financing-will-fund-seniors-housing-project-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":73864,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:17:00.340-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:17:00.509-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:18:08.902-05:00","filename_hash":"tax-exempt-bond-financing-will-fund-seniors-housing-project-featured_1OmY7bQ.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"tax-exempt-bond-financing-will-fund-seniors-housing-project","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Irf8MQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:18:08.408-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:18:08.408-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta has issued $10.25 million in tax exempt bond financing to fund construction of The Remington.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has issued $10.25 million in tax exempt bond financing to fund construction of 160 units of new seniors housing at The Remington, on James Jackson Parkway, NW. Seniors who are 62 years of age and older and earn 60 percent or less of the area median income will be eligible to live in the new apartments.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe property, to be developed by The Benoit Group, will have a community room with a fully equipped kitchen, fitness center, business center with computer stations, furnished library, gazebo, picnic area, central laundry facility and access to public transportation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThanks to project-based rental assistance provided by the Atlanta Housing Authority, all residents will pay no more than 30 percent of their income for housing expenses. Moreover, tax incentives coming from the Hollowell/MLK Tax Allocation District will add another $1.4 million in support over a 15-year period.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe $23 million total project investment will create about 80 construction jobs and at least five permanent jobs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Northwest\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":45,"title":"NAVMAR Uses Eastside TAD Grant To Improve Edgewood Avenue Property","promo_title":"NAVMAR Uses Eastside TAD Grant To Improve Edgewood Avenue Property","published_date":"2016-07-21","featured_image":{"id":254,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"navmar-uses-eastside-tad-grant-to-improve-edgewood-avenue-property-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":66707,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:23:57.347-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:23:57.483-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:24:51.985-05:00","filename_hash":"navmar-uses-eastside-tad-grant-to-improve-edgewood-avenue-property-featured_W1aK8pj.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"navmar-uses-eastside-tad-grant-to-improve-edgewood-avenue-property","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"bR-XkA","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:24:51.467-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:24:51.467-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n A Downtown Fa\u0026ccedil;ade Improvement grant from the Eastside TAD will support the exterior refurbishment of 381 Edgewood Avenue.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA $111,625 downtown fa\u0026ccedil;ade improvement grant awarded by Invest Atlanta from the Eastside Tax Allocation District to NAVMAR, LLC has been used to help refurbish the exterior of 381 Edgewood Avenue. Work on the project, formerly known as 393 Edgewood Avenue, began last January and was completed in June of this year. The site will soon host a new bicycle-oriented business.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBefore undergoing a full renovation, including new electrical and plumbing infrastructure, the one-story building had been just a shell. But now, the property has new windows, doors, and paint, and a second-story rooftop patio. And, the adjacent vacant lot has been transformed into a fully paved and landscaped side patio.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTotal project cost was $421,000, of which $305,000 \u0026ndash; including the Invest Atlanta grant \u0026ndash; paid for the all of the exterior fa\u0026ccedil;ade renovations.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Eastside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":47,"title":"More than 700 Homebuyers Attend Westside Trail Open House Walking Tour","promo_title":"More than 700 Attend Westside Trail Open House Walking Tour","published_date":"2016-07-21","featured_image":{"id":257,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"more-than-700-homebuyers-attend-westside-trail-open-house-walking-tour-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":81793,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:34:01.398-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:34:01.528-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:35:11.718-05:00","filename_hash":"more-than-700-homebuyers-attend-westside-trail-open-house-walking-tour-featured_MYq4jeo.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"more-than-700-homebuyers-attend-westside-trail-open-house-walking-tour","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"VKZaFA","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:35:11.201-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:35:11.201-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Homeownership Team and Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. co-hosted the Westside Trail Open House Walking Tour 2016.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Homeownership Team and Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. co-hosted the Westside Trail Open House Walking Tour 2016, an event that attracted more than 700 homebuyers in June to tour more than 18 houses for sale near the Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail in the historic West End, Westview, Bush Mountain and Oakland City neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTour attendees received valuable homeownership and community information from mortgage lenders, real estate agents, homebuyer education providers and community leaders who participated in the event.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Walking Tour, in its second year, complements the Invest Atlanta Homebuyer Q \u0026amp;A Sessions offered to familiarize attendees with homebuyer incentives. Eligible homebuyers receive funds to help reduce down payment and closing costs associated with purchasing a home.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo qualify for the incentives, prospective homebuyers first attend a Homebuyer Q \u0026amp; A Session and an approved 8-hour homebuyer education course before qualifying for a mortgage with an Invest Atlanta Participating Lender. Homebuyer education ensures homebuyers gain the necessary insight to make informed decisions about homeownership.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Westside Trail Open House Walking Tour combined the excitement of touring homes with learning, and ultimately led to purchase offers for two homes featured on the tour.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":49,"title":"NerdWallet Names Atlanta the Most Mobile-Friendly City in the U.S.","promo_title":"NerdWallet Names Atlanta the Most Mobile-Friendly City in the U.S.","published_date":"2016-06-21","featured_image":{"id":258,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"nerdwallet-names-atlanta-the-most-mobile-friendly-city-in-the-us-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":88627,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:39:32.933-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:39:33.085-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:40:31.087-05:00","filename_hash":"nerdwallet-names-atlanta-the-most-mobile-friendly-city-in-the-us-featured_bznObag.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"nerdwallet-names-atlanta-the-most-mobile-friendly-city-in-the-us","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"61Iukw","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:40:30.667-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:40:30.667-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n NerdWallet, a leading American personal finance website, has named Atlanta the most mobile-friendly city in the U.S.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNerdWallet, perhaps the leading American personal finance website, has named Atlanta the most mobile-friendly city in the U.S.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter examining mobile phone usage in the 50 largest U.S. cities on the basis of factors such as best connection and in-person customer service, carrier network performance and coverage, taxes and fees, and even crime risk, NerdWallet proclaimed Atlanta to be the best of the best.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Georgia\u0026rsquo;s largest city and capital tops the list when it comes to mobile friendliness,\u0026rdquo; stated NerdWallet. \u0026ldquo;The city ranked near the top in all of our metrics \u0026mdash; it was No. 2 in carrier network coverage among all 50 cities we measured, and third for customer service, with 8.40 mobile phone stores for every 10,000 residents. It also has the second-lowest wireless tax rate \u0026mdash; federal, state and local taxes combined \u0026mdash; of the top 10 cities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAtlanta had upload and download speeds of 8.35 and 13.12 MBPS, 89 percent coverage above the national average and eight mobile phone stores for every 10,000 residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRounding out the top list of the top 10 mobile-friendly cities, in order, were San Diego, Sacramento, Seattle, Chicago, Houston, Long Beach, California, San Francisco, Virginia Beach and Austin.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has been intimately involved in supporting start up and established companies and technology innovators that have thrived in Atlanta because of the strong mobile industry presence here. Co-working centers such as Atlanta Tech Village, Flatiron City and Switchyards that are leading-edge users of mobile technology have made Atlanta an epicenter of global brands.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePacesetters such as Parkmobile, the leading provider of on-demand and prepaid mobile payments for on- and offsite parking, typify the kind of mobile-savvy businesses that have made Atlanta ground zero for their operations.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":52,"title":"New Joint Venture to Increase Skills, Wages for H\u0026F Bread Company Employees","promo_title":"Joint Venture to Increase Skills, Wages for H\u0026F Bread Employees","published_date":"2016-06-16","featured_image":{"id":261,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"new-joint-venture-to-increase-skills-wages-for-h-and-f-bread-company-employees-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":136052,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:45:40.722-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:45:40.859-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:46:33.449-05:00","filename_hash":"new-joint-venture-to-increase-skills-wages-for-h-and-f-bread-company-employees-featured_Pg7zk1K.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"new-joint-venture-to-increase-skills-wages-for-hf-bread-company-employees","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"A-JH-g","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:46:32.914-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:46:32.914-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta established a joint venture between the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency and H\u0026amp;F Bread for a job training program.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAs a catalyst for growth, Invest Atlanta has established a joint venture between the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency and H\u0026amp;F Bread Company for a job creation and training program. Under this agreement, AWDA and H\u0026amp;F will fund training for H\u0026amp;F employees in the company\u0026rsquo;s new processes for making high-quality, artisanal bread. In addition, AWDA will assist in recruiting new employees for H\u0026amp;F\u0026rsquo;s growing operations.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe six-month training program, intended for new and existing H\u0026amp;F employees, begins this month and will see participating employees obtain progressively higher wages as they increase their skills and mastery of advanced baking equipment. The current approximate wage scale of $10 to $12 per hour will grow to roughly $18 per hour.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAWDA\u0026rsquo;s training partnership coincides with H\u0026amp;F\u0026rsquo;s move from its present Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard location in northwest Atlanta to a new state-of-the-art manufacturing site on Marietta Street. H\u0026amp;F, which serves customers from Maine to the West Coast, will open its new 80,000 square foot facility to the public and provide a glass viewing area where visitors can see how its bread items are made.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAWDA, a key partner of Invest Atlanta, is the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s workforce training and recruitment agency, furnishing job seekers with resources to obtain sustainable employment and helping businesses meet their labor training, development and staffing needs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Northwest\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":55,"title":"Housing Team Plays Key Role in Events Promoting Home Ownership and Renovation","promo_title":"Housing Team Hosts Events Promoting Homeownership and Renovation","published_date":"2016-06-16","featured_image":{"id":264,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"housing-team-plays-key-role-in-events-promoting-home-ownership-and-renovation-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":70356,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:52:25.941-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:52:26.077-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:53:17.927-05:00","filename_hash":"housing-team-plays-key-role-in-events-promoting-home-ownership-and-renovation-featured_6aNERLe.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"housing-team-plays-key-role-in-events-promoting-home-ownership-and-renovation","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"XJCsGw","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:53:17.472-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:53:17.472-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Housing team participated in three events promoting tools to finance homeownership and renovation opportunities to Atlanta residents.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Housing team conducted or otherwise participated in three May events that spotlighted and promoted tools to finance homeownership and renovation opportunities to Atlanta residents.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn May 7, one of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s participating lenders, Prime Lending, taught House Rules, a home renovation education workshop, that told 17 prospective homebuyers how they could buy and renovate a home with a renovation mortgage loan, Invest Atlanta Homebuyer Incentives and home energy efficiency tips. IA\u0026rsquo;s Anita Allgood joined speakers from Prime Lending, Georgia Power and the Lifecycle Building Center in addressing attendees.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFour days later, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Homeownership Team gave a detailed briefing to a healthy turnout of 56 would-be homebuyers at its monthly Q \u0026amp; A session about how the IA Homebuyer Incentives are used in the home-buying process. Allgood and IA\u0026rsquo;s Michele Lewis conducted the session.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnd, on May 21 Lewis told 90 prospective homebuyers about IA Homebuyer Incentives at Pittsburgh Rise, a unique neighborhood festival that celebrated the new revitalization of a series of neighborhood\u0026rsquo;s along the Atlanta BeltLine Southside Trail corridor. Organized by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Pittsburgh Rise also drew officials or representatives from Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, SUMMECH, Charis Community and Committed to Communities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":54,"title":"Sale of Trolley Barn Keeps Historic Property Open to the Public","promo_title":"Sale of Trolley Barn Keeps Historic Property Open to Public","published_date":"2016-06-16","featured_image":{"id":263,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"sale-of-trolley-barn-keeps-historic-property-open-to-the-public-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":72080,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:50:06.206-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:50:06.344-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:50:32.008-05:00","filename_hash":"sale-of-trolley-barn-keeps-historic-property-open-to-the-public-featured_lpV2exX.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"sale-of-trolley-barn-keeps-historic-property-open-to-the-public","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"8kJDxw","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:50:31.630-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:50:31.630-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta has closed on the $650,000 sale of the historic Inman Park Trolley Barn.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has closed on the $650,000 sale of the historic Inman Park Trolley Barn to the Atlanta and Edgewood Street Railway Company (AESRC). As a result of the sale, AESRC no longer will pay monthly rent but will continue operating, maintaining and preserving the property as a public events venue that can be rented by members of the general public. The sale proceeds will go to the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s general reserves.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Trolley Barn opened in 1889 as the service and housing facility for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s first electric streetcar, which ran from downtown Atlanta to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s first suburb, Inman Park. In 1979, AESRC partnered with the City of Atlanta to restore the building and has leased and maintained it since 1980.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLocal residents and community groups, including the Inman Park Neighborhood Association, worked closely with the City and the district\u0026rsquo;s councilman, Kwanza Hall, in advocating for a buyer that would preserve the historic character of the property and keep it available as an affordable resource to the community. Hall introduced the legislation that authorized the option agreement that allowed Invest Atlanta to expedite the sale to AESRC.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":51,"title":"Loan to Finance Rehabilitation of Apartments For Senior and Disabled Citizens","promo_title":"Loan Finances Rehabilitation of Apartments For Senior and Disabled Citizens","published_date":"2016-06-16","featured_image":{"id":260,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"loan-to-finance-rehabilitation-of-apartments-for-senior-and-disabled-citizens-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":56030,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:41:50.357-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:41:50.492-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:42:59.763-05:00","filename_hash":"loan-to-finance-rehabilitation-of-apartments-for-senior-and-disabled-citizens-featured_azn3EwX.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"loan-to-finance-rehabilitation-of-apartments-for-senior-and-disabled-citizens","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"LcZq8w","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:42:59.196-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:42:59.196-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta closed on a $9.5-million tax-exempt loan to renovate the Ralph David Abernathy Towers Apartments in the West End.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has closed on a $9.5-million tax-exempt loan to acquire and renovate the 100-unit Ralph David Abernathy Towers Apartments in the Historic West End.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe property, which houses people who are 62 years of age and older as well as physically disabled persons, will receive new energy-efficient appliances, kitchen cabinets, fixtures, countertops and flooring. Other building refurbishments will include new high-performance energy-efficient sliding windows and doors, upgraded elevators, roof and boiler replacements, and energy cost-saving solar panels.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRenovated community rooms also will be part of the renewal project, along with a new courtyard picnic area, indoor/outdoor exercise and activity spaces, and new community gardens. An onsite resident activities coordinator also will be coming on board to help residents make maximum use of the facilities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDecember 2017 is the project completion date for the renovations.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMore good news for the residents of Abernathy Towers comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); everyone living at Abernathy Towers will continue to pay no more than 30 percent of their income for rent and utilities because HUD has extended the property\u0026rsquo;s housing-assisted payments contract.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eApplying this type of lending instrument to improve affordable housing is nothing new to Invest Atlanta, since it was the first finance authority in Georgia to use tax-exempt loans.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":57,"title":"Refunding of Eastside TAD Bonds Saves Atlanta $10 Million","promo_title":"Refunding of Eastside TAD Bonds Saves Atlanta $10 Million","published_date":"2016-06-16","featured_image":{"id":266,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"refunding-of-eastside-tad-bonds-saves-atlanta-10-million-dollars-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":72923,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:54:38.448-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:54:38.589-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:55:30.455-05:00","filename_hash":"refunding-of-eastside-tad-bonds-saves-atlanta-10-million-dollars-featured_BxkNq77.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"refunding-of-eastside-tad-bonds-saves-atlanta-10-million","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"IiF7qQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:55:29.912-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:55:29.912-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta and the City of Atlanta have refunded $36.4 million of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s outstanding Eastside Tax Allocation District bonds.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and the City of Atlanta have refunded $36.4 million of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s outstanding Eastside Tax Allocation District bonds. The transaction will save Atlanta $10 million on interest payments over the next 14 years.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Eastside Tax Allocation District, encompassing parts of east and south Downtown, Sweet Auburn, the Old Fourth Ward and Grant Park, has provided $39 million in funding assistance to several projects that have created jobs, boosted the tax base and improved the District\u0026rsquo;s economic vitality. In turn, that TAD financial assistance has leveraged $367 million in private investment in projects including: TWELVE, 30 Allen Plaza, Renaissance Walk, Capitol Gateway, land acquisition for Memorial Greenway and building fa\u0026ccedil;ade improvements along the Atlanta Streetcar route.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":76,"title":"Millennials Want to Own Homes, Work for Themselves","promo_title":"Millennials Want to Own Homes, Work for Themselves","published_date":"2016-05-19","featured_image":{"id":286,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"millennials-want-to-own-homes-work-for-themselves-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":232810,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:25:22.890-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:25:23.053-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:26:07.904-05:00","filename_hash":"millennials-want-to-own-homes-work-for-themselves-featured_YBNLLq3.jpg","width":1200,"height":900},"filename":"millennials-want-to-own-homes-work-for-themselves","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"GQtKwg","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:26:07.416-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:26:07.416-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Feedback from the FLASH FOCUS even indicated millennials in Atlanta would rather own than rent their home.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIf the feedback from FLASH FOCUS, a focus group event, hosted by Invest Atlanta last month is any indication, millennials in Atlanta would rather own than rent their home, live in single-family homes instead of condominiums, and run their own businesses instead of work for employers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThat was the consensus among 18-to-33-year-old Atlantans who are living, working or attending school in Atlanta and who participated in the event. Invest Atlanta held the gathering to gain insight from millennials that may help guide economic and community development policy as well as lead Invest Atlanta to work with particular developers and create targeted homeownership and small business incentive programs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt was a surprise that the millennials at FLASH FOCUS expressed a preference for homeownership over renting and a desire to be business owners. \u0026ldquo;Those findings, if representative of most Atlanta millennials, may change Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic, community and social climate drastically,\u0026rdquo; asserted Michele Lewis, Mortgage Loan Specialist with Invest Atlanta, who convened the millennials focus group.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":63,"title":"Invest Atlanta Efforts Pivotal in Growth of Local FinTech Community","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Efforts Pivotal in Growth of Local FinTech Community","published_date":"2016-05-19","featured_image":{"id":272,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-efforts-pivotal-in-growth-of-local-fintech-community-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":81379,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:10:06.618-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T11:10:06.755-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:14:34.609-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-efforts-pivotal-in-growth-of-local-fintech-community-featured_lpV2eNg.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"invest-atlanta-efforts-pivotal-in-growth-of-local-fintech-community","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"gs_ZAA","created_at":"2017-12-21T11:11:08.423-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:14:33.960-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta is a supporter of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s burgeoning FinTech community, one of the largest in the U.S.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is a supporter of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s burgeoning FinTech community \u0026ndash; one of the largest in the U.S. \u0026ndash; through incentives, permitting assistance, and helping to bring key industry collaborators to the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFinTech, or financial technology that leverages financial services transactions, has made Georgia into what has become known as Transaction Alley, because 70 percent of the nation\u0026rsquo;s financial transactions pass through Georgia-based software systems. Invest Atlanta has had a large role in creating that critical mass of FinTech activity, as its efforts to secure funding for business relocation and expansion. In the past year NCR, Worldpay, Equifax and InComm have announced relocations or expansions in Midtown and Downtown.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFully 100 FinTech companies have corporate headquarters or a major presence in Georgia, and six of the 10 largest payments processing firms are based in the state. Only New York and California, which exact a much higher cost for doing business, have higher annual revenues than the $72 billion generated by FinTech businesses in Georgia. Those businesses process more than $118 billion in transactions each year, and in doing so they support almost 4 million merchants. More than 30,000 people work in Georgia\u0026rsquo;s FinTech sector.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs big as Georgia\u0026rsquo;s FinTech footprint is, Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s FinTech ambitions are even bigger. Last year, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Technology Association of Georgia and the American Transaction Processors Coalition founded the FinTech Atlanta coalition with the express purpose of making Atlanta the recognized global FinTech capital by 2020. Towards that end, the task force in April named the 20-plus companies that will be its charter members in pursuing three main goals: recruiting FinTech companies, capital and talent; retaining existing FinTech businesses and workers; and expanding Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s industry presence through organic growth and the strengthening of the local FinTech infrastructure.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":78,"title":"IA Employees Join in Earth Day Cleanup on Westside","promo_title":"IA Employees Join in Earth Day Cleanup on Westside","published_date":"2016-05-19","featured_image":{"id":288,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"ia-employees-join-in-earth-day-cleanup-on-westside-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":381750,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T13:28:45.911-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T13:28:46.071-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:12:25.223-05:00","filename_hash":"ia-employees-join-in-earth-day-cleanup-on-westside-featured_JjMQQ86.jpg","width":1000,"height":750},"filename":"ia-employees-join-in-earth-day-cleanup-on-westside","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"XHnF7g","created_at":"2017-12-21T13:29:48.170-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:12:24.584-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Employees of Invest Atlanta joined NPU-L community leaders and residents in an Earth Day cleanup of those neighborhoods last month.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEmployees of Invest Atlanta, which has contributed $3 million to assemble land and remove blight in the Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) neighborhoods, joined NPU-L community leaders and residents in an Earth Day cleanup of those neighborhoods last month. Among other things, IA workers donned protective double gloves in order to safely pick up items that included discarded needles left behind by drug users.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta made a major contribution to the Westside area\u0026rsquo;s growth and improvement back in 2012, when it pledged $15 million to promote community-based catalytic development projects that furthered the expressed goals and objectives of the Westside TAD Neighborhoods Strategic Implementation Plan. The Plan\u0026rsquo;s first phase, to stabilize the community, is all about making the Westside clean and safe.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Westside TAD, one of the oldest TADs in Atlanta, was formed in 1992. Six years later, the English Avenue and Vine City neighborhoods were brought into the Westside TAD fold to foster more equitable development throughout Downtown and Westside Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":59,"title":"Keysight Technologies Bringing Facility to Tech Square","promo_title":"Keysight Technologies Bringing Facility to Tech Square","published_date":"2016-05-19","featured_image":{"id":268,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"keysight-technologies-bringing-facility-to-tech-square-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":52979,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:57:53.057-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T10:57:53.199-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:58:43.910-05:00","filename_hash":"keysight-technologies-bringing-facility-to-tech-square-featured_bznOb2g.jpg","width":600,"height":450},"filename":"keysight-technologies-bringing-facility-to-tech-square","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"yzyKIA","created_at":"2017-12-21T10:58:43.232-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T10:58:43.232-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta was a key member of the public-private sector team that worked to help Keysight expand into Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta was a key member of the public-private sector team that worked to make the Keysight expansion into Atlanta a reality. Other partners in the effort included the Georgia Department of Economic Development\u0026rsquo;s Global Commerce Division, the City of Atlanta, Georgia Tech, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and Georgia Power.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe $14-million project will bring more than 200 software engineering jobs to the city in an open-environment configuration that encourages collaboration and agile software development. Towards that end, Santa Rosa, California-based Keysight intends to hire software engineers and managers locally.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe innovations that emerge from Keysight\u0026rsquo;s new facility will be used to design and test electronic products created by Keysight\u0026rsquo;s global customers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am excited that Keysight Technologies will be one of the first companies to call the high-performance computing center at Georgia Tech home,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eKeysight\u0026rsquo;s expansion onto the Tech campus is a logical extension of the company\u0026rsquo;s existing relationship with the university, which includes Keystone CEO Ron Nersesian\u0026rsquo;s membership on Georgia Tech President Bud Peterson\u0026rsquo;s advisory board.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich echoed Reed\u0026rsquo;s enthusiasm in welcoming Keysight to Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;They are a wonderful new addition to our Midtown tech community,\u0026rdquo; she said.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":90,"title":"Councilman Dickens Cites Invest Atlanta For Help on Affordable Housing Ordinance","promo_title":"Councilmember Dickens Cites Invest Atlanta For Help on Housing Ordinance","published_date":"2016-05-19","featured_image":{"id":304,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"councilman-dickens-cites-invest-atlanta-for-help-on-affordable-housing-ordinance-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":72882,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:14:22.022-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:14:22.162-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:15:04.535-05:00","filename_hash":"councilman-dickens-cites-invest-atlanta-for-help-on-affordable-housing-ordinance-featured_ZO6myZe.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"councilman-dickens-cites-invest-atlanta-for-help-on-affordable-housing-ordinance","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"w4j2fg","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:15:04.005-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:15:04.005-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Dickens recognized Invest Atlanta and a host of other groups and individuals for helping to shape the Affordable Housing Ordinance.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta City Councilman Andre Dickens has recognized Invest Atlanta and a host of other public- and private-sector groups and individuals for the part they played in helping to shape the Affordable Housing Ordinance that the City Council overwhelmingly approved on May 16.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe ordinance, which Dickens authored, requires all leased multi-family residential properties that obtain a grant, incentive or subsidy within Atlanta to adhere to housing set-asides. Consequently, either 10 percent of the units at 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) and below or 15 percent of the units at 80 percent of the AMI and below are covered under the new law.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Mixed income communities have a proven track record of improving our community outcomes,\u0026rdquo; noted Dickens. \u0026ldquo;We ensured in the ordinance that the affordable housing units would be similar in construction and appearance (e.g., square footage, type and brand of appliances, materials used for countertops, flooring, etc.) to the market rate units and would not be in isolated areas in the development, but interspersed among the market rate units.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDickens noted that the \u0026ldquo;collaborative effort\u0026rdquo; on behalf of the ordinance included \u0026ndash; among others \u0026ndash; Invest Atlanta, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and his office, other City Council members, the Departments of Community Development \u0026amp; Planning and Law, members of the nonprofit sector and for-profit housing professionals and advocates.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":92,"title":"High Performance Computing Center to Transform Tech Square","promo_title":"High Performance Computing Center to Transform Tech Square","published_date":"2016-05-19","featured_image":{"id":306,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"high-performance-computing-center-to-transform-tech-square-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":77019,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:16:22.597-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:16:22.728-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:17:53.860-05:00","filename_hash":"high-performance-computing-center-to-transform-tech-square-featured_wjyz3Bm.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"high-performance-computing-center-to-transform-tech-square","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"cg7Kow","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:17:22.041-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:17:22.041-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n CODA, anchored by a high-performance computing center, was partially underwritten by $15 million in tax incentives approved by Invest Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCODA, a collaborative development anchored by a high-performance computing center and partially underwritten by $15 million in tax incentives approved by Invest Atlanta, will begin construction this year on a 2-acre site at Tech Square in Midtown Atlanta. It\u0026rsquo;s expected to open by the end of 2018.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 755,000-sq. ft., $360-million mixed-use complex will bring together a critical mass of companies, technical experts, students, faculty and researchers to engage and interact in activities that include business incubation, high-level computing modeling and simulation, and technology innovation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWith the computing center at the core of the development, CODA is intended to be a laboratory that accelerates the growth of startup businesses and fosters research and development efforts to create leading-edge commercial and technical solutions.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCODA\u0026rsquo;s projected economic benefits are considerable: The Center is expected to create 2,400 jobs, and over a 20-year period it should deliver $449 million in aggregate direct, indirect and induced tax and fee revenue and have an overall economic impact of $813.8 million.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCODA \u0026ldquo;will solidify Georgia Tech and Atlanta as a place for startups, innovation and commercialization,\u0026rdquo; said Invest Atlanta CEO and President Dr. Eloisa Klementich at the recent project announcement ceremony, which was attended by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Georgia Tech President Dr. G.P. \u0026ldquo;Bud\u0026rdquo; Peterson, project architect John Portman, and Armbrish Baisiwala, CEO of Portman Holdings, the project developer.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eReferring to the cluster of off-campus Tech students, hotel and conference centers, business headquarters, accelerators, startups and retailers that populate the Tech Square neighborhood, Klementich said that CODA would make the surrounding community \u0026ldquo;one in which companies collaborate, no longer working in silos, but reaching out to leverage all of these sources to ensure that they remain relevant and competitive.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe went on to note that roughly 3,000 people now live and work in Tech Square \u0026ldquo;but by 2019, I would venture to say there will be over 12,000 people all linked together by a common goal of either inventing the next product, innovating the next technology or building the next business.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":93,"title":"NALHFA Elects Dawn Luke to Its Board of Directors","promo_title":"NALHFA Elects Dawn Luke to Its Board of Directors","published_date":"2016-05-19","featured_image":{"id":311,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"nalhfa-elects-dawn-luke-to-its-board-of-directors-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":50802,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:19:12.943-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:19:13.075-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:19:51.458-05:00","filename_hash":"nalhfa-elects-dawn-luke-to-its-board-of-directors-featured_QgDnBbl.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"nalhfa-elects-dawn-luke-to-its-board-of-directors","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Lqxk8g","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:19:51.008-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:19:51.008-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA) is a national association of professionals financing affordable housing.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDawn Luke, Senior Vice President of Community Development at Invest Atlanta, has been elected by the National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA) to its Board of Directors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNALHFA, a 34-year-old national association of professionals who help finance affordable housing at the local level in support of broader community development goals, tabbed Luke for its board at NALHFA\u0026rsquo;s 2016 annual conference in Dallas. The organization advocates before Congress and federal agencies on behalf of legislation and regulations that support affordable housing and provides technical assistance and education to NALHFA members and the public.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn her role at Invest Atlanta, Luke is the point person for implementing critical housing finance programs that create and preserve workforce housing units and permanent supportive housing for working homeless persons in Atlanta. Previously, Luke had been Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Managing Director for Community Development. During her almost-20-year tenure at Invest Atlanta, Luke has overseen a multi-family and single-family housing portfolio of about $1.3 billion. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Sustainable Committee Alliance and is an active member of the Urban Land Institute.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":99,"title":"Irish Officials Come to Atlanta to Discuss Investment Opportunities","promo_title":"Irish Officials Come to Atlanta to Discuss Investment Opportunities","published_date":"2016-04-21","featured_image":{"id":325,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"irish-officials-come-to-atlanta-to-discuss-investment-opportunities-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":73048,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:29:51.137-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:29:51.266-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:30:31.397-05:00","filename_hash":"irish-officials-come-to-atlanta-to-discuss-investment-opportunities-featured_ymr8Wrp.jpg","width":427,"height":320},"filename":"irish-officials-come-to-atlanta-to-discuss-investment-opportunities","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"PPOHGQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:30:30.890-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:30:30.890-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Members of the Wexford County Council met recently with Invest Atlanta to explore opportunities for Irish business investments in Atlanta.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFollowing up on Irish Prime Minister Endy Kenny\u0026rsquo;s visit to Atlanta in 2015, members of the Wexford County Council met recently with Invest Atlanta officials to explore opportunities for Irish business investments in Atlanta and Atlanta business investments in Wexford and the rest of Ireland.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWexford, a cornerstone of Ireland\u0026rsquo;s ancient Eastern culture, boasts a high quality of life, a thriving arts and culture scene that includes the world-famous Wexford Festival Opera, vibrant agricultural and fishing industries and the presence of 20 multinational companies that employ 3,000 people. A few of the companies that you may recognize includes PWC, Equifax and a Coca-Cola research facility.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn Wexford, the County Council employs an impressive 1,000 workers in the county town, which is roughly 5 percent of the residents. This outstanding group delivers 190 different types of services, including economic development. In that regard, the County focuses primarily on developing infrastructure, helping startup and existing businesses, securing investments and promoting tourism. And based on current projections, Wexford will invest nearly a half billion dollars in road infrastructure by 2018.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":98,"title":"CE Class Covers Intown Housing Market Incentives","promo_title":"CE Class Covers Intown Housing Market Incentives","published_date":"2016-04-21","featured_image":{"id":321,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"ce-class-covers-intown-housing-market-incentives-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":59569,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:27:26.600-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:27:26.736-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:28:11.262-05:00","filename_hash":"ce-class-covers-intown-housing-market-incentives-featured_6aNEko4.jpg","width":427,"height":320},"filename":"ce-class-covers-intown-housing-market-incentives","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"b5m1Ow","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:28:10.752-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:28:10.752-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta Homeownership Team participated in a special real estate continuing education course hosted by Council Member Mary Norwood.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRecently, the Invest Atlanta Homeownership Team participated in a special real estate continuing education course hosted by Council Member Mary Norwood.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe course, held in February at the Yaarab Shrine in Midtown, offered valuable information pertinent to assisting homebuyers achieve affordable, intown homeownership.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMore than 300 real estate agents were enlightened by presenters from Invest Atlanta, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. Department of Natural Resources and real estate law firm, Weissman, Nowark, Curry \u0026amp; Wilco. In additional to gaining expert insight regarding down payment assistance programs, historic preservation laws and title search tips, attending agents also earned continuing education credits front the Georgia Real Estate Commission.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the course, Council Member Norwood led attendees on a bus tour of twelve historic neighborhoods located near the Westside Trail of the Atlanta BeltLine, highlighting unique architecture, community history and compatible homebuyer incentives along the route.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Homebuying/ Homeownership\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":97,"title":"Invest Atlanta Facilitates Renovation of Georgia Pacific HQ building","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Facilitates Renovation of Georgia Pacific HQ building","published_date":"2016-04-21","featured_image":{"id":318,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-lease-purchase-bonds-facilitating-renovation-of-georgia-pacific-hq-building-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":57743,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:24:59.007-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:24:59.133-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:25:31.389-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-lease-purchase-bonds-facilitating-renovation-of-georgia-pacific-hq-building-featured_kbVyYRJ.jpg","width":427,"height":320},"filename":"invest-atlanta-facilitates-renovation-of-georgia-pacific-hq-building","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"yY0TGg","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:25:31.014-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:25:31.014-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Board of Directors authorized a $150 million lease purchase inducement resolution to finance a major renovation of the building.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta Board of Directors authorized a $150 million lease purchase inducement resolution to finance a major renovation of the Georgia-Pacific headquarters building. The privately-placed bond transaction, which carries no liability for the City of Atlanta or Invest Atlanta, will enable Georgia-Pacific to reconfigure 23 floors of its 34-year-old building in downtown Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBy modernizing its headquarters offices with this funding, Georgia-Pacific will maintain its 2,600 headquarters employees at the downtown site and be in position to relocate up to 600 additional Georgia-Pacific employees to that site. The project also makes it possible to lease office space to other businesses within the building, which could bring up to 700 more workers onto the premises.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe project includes technological upgrades to make the company more attractive to younger, tech-savvy workers, and energy efficiency improvements that will reduce costs for lighting, heating and air conditioning, and water consumption.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":102,"title":"Invest Atlanta Attends Major Healthcare IT Meeting","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Attends Major Healthcare IT Meeting","published_date":"2016-04-21","featured_image":{"id":327,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-attends-major-healthcare-it-meeting-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":44196,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:32:37.736-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:32:37.869-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:33:38.922-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-attends-major-healthcare-it-meeting-featured_xD2n9rM.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"invest-atlanta-attends-major-healthcare-it-meeting","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"1--fQQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:33:38.378-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:33:38.378-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The business attraction team talked up Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s thriving Health IT industry to attendees at the HIMSS Conference in Las Vegas.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLast month, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s business attraction team talked up Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s thriving healthcare information technology businesses and innovation to attendees at the 2016 Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Conference \u0026amp; Exhibition in Las Vegas.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEach year, HIMSS hosts more than 40,000 health IT professionals, clinicians, executives and vendors from around the world at this event, and Invest Atlanta was there to ensure that companies considering relocation knew about the benefits of moving to Atlanta. Indeed, many industry leaders who come to the annual HIMSS gathering, including Athena health, Salesforce and IBM, already have a presence in the City of Atlanta. According to\u0026nbsp;Healthcare Informatics\u0026rsquo; 2014 survey of the biggest healthcare IT companies in America, Atlanta companies in this space had cumulative revenues of almost $4 billion.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta was a key member of the delegation from the Innovation Crescent Regional Partnership (ICRP) that came to the conference and exhibition and had a booth on the convention floor in the State of Georgia Pavilion. Georgia companies, including PatientCo, SynsorMed and Azalea Health, also exhibited with the Georgia Pavilion. In fact, Georgia was the only state that had space in the exhibition area.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":95,"title":"Equifax Expansion to Bring 650 Jobs to Midtown","promo_title":"Equifax Expansion to Bring 650 Jobs to Midtown","published_date":"2016-04-20","featured_image":{"id":313,"parent_id":34,"resource_file_name":"equifax-expansion-will-bring-650-jobs-to-midtown-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":178368,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:21:15.424-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:21:15.566-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:22:39.496-05:00","filename_hash":"equifax-expansion-will-bring-650-jobs-to-midtown-featured_qN9QJJE.jpg","width":800,"height":600},"filename":"equifax-expansion-to-bring-650-jobs-to-midtown","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"2iESiQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:22:38.862-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:22:38.862-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta-based Equifax will make a $17-million investment expansion into offices at One Atlantic Center in Midtown.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta-based Equifax, the credit reporting and financial technology giant that is a global leader in consumer, commercial and workforce information solutions, will make a $17-million investment expansion into offices at One Atlantic Center, in Midtown, bringing 650 jobs into the city.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe move into a 100,000-square foot space in the iconic, 50-story skyscraper at the intersection of 14th and West Peachtree Streets will bring 150 net new jobs into Atlanta \u0026ndash; the remaining 500 will relocate from offices in Alpharetta and Sandy Springs \u0026ndash; and should create an economic impact of more than $75.8 million. Construction on the new expansion is set to begin in September, with Equifax planning to occupy the new space in two phases, in February and July 2017.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Over the past decade, Equifax has transformed itself from a credit bureau to a global data and analytics company, contributing to Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s strong and growing FinTech sector,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. \u0026ldquo;Forward-looking, technology-driven companies are choosing Atlanta as the place to expand their businesses and add well-paying, family-supporting jobs.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEquifax officials cited the company\u0026rsquo;s history in Atlanta and Midtown\u0026rsquo;s status as a center of leading-edge technology development as reasons for its decision.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;After considering several locations, we decided it was in the best interest of the company, our Atlanta-based employees, and the community to expand in Atlanta and further strengthen our roots that date back 117 years, and position ourselves for a great future that includes a growth trajectory of 600 to 700 jobs over the next several years,\u0026rdquo; said Andy Bodea, Chief Global Operations Officer for Equifax. \u0026ldquo;We naturally gravitated to Midtown, with its terrific access to a prominent engineering school and a growing reputation for innovation and technology hubs that are a magnet for great talent.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta played a key role in support of the expansion project, which increases the local footprint of a company that is the market leader in 17 of the 21 countries where it operates, including the U.S., and employs about 9,200 people around the globe.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Midtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":142,"title":"Grant Is Catalyst for Post Centennial Park Housing","promo_title":"Grant Is Catalyst for Post Centennial Park Housing","published_date":"2016-03-16","featured_image":{"id":374,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"grant-is-catalyst-for-post-centennial-park-housing-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":74255,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:00:28.582-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T16:00:28.736-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:00:48.336-05:00","filename_hash":"grant-is-catalyst-for-post-centennial-park-housing-featured_E6x2QQW.jpg","width":427,"height":320},"filename":"grant-is-catalyst-for-post-centennial-park-housing","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"500nOw","created_at":"2017-12-21T16:00:47.757-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:00:47.757-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n A $4.35-million Westside Tax Allocation District grant approved by Invest Atlanta will help finance construction of Post Centennial Park.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA $4.35-million Westside Tax Allocation District grant approved by Invest Atlanta will help finance construction of Post Centennial Park, a 438-unit apartment community located across the street from the Center for Civil and Human rights and the World of Coca-Cola in downtown Atlanta. Post Properties is the developer for the project, which broke ground in February and should be completed sometime in the spring of 2018.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe grant leverages a $95-million lease purchase bond towards total project costs, resulting in a $4.5-million tax incentive.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTen percent of the units, or 44 homes, will be allocated to workforce housing at Post Centennial Park, which is the first new non-student rental development in the Westside/Downtown district in the past 15 years. Workforce households are those that earn 80 percent of the area median income of the Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eReplacing a blighted parking surface, this new community is expected to add about 800 residents to the downtown population.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":158,"title":"Invest Atlanta Demonstrates Financial Reporting Excellence","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Demonstrates Financial Reporting Excellence","published_date":"2016-03-15","featured_image":{"id":389,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-demonstrates-financial-reporting-excellence-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":118371,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-28T13:40:43.701-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-28T13:40:43.859-05:00","updated_at":"2018-01-02T09:53:27.855-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-demonstrates-financial-reporting-excellence-featured_7Jm5wR7.jpg","width":1000,"height":750},"filename":"invest-atlanta-demonstrates-financial-reporting-excellence","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"094swQ","created_at":"2017-12-28T14:11:42.284-05:00","updated_at":"2018-01-02T09:53:26.840-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003eInvest Atlanta has received another clean audit bill of health for each of the authority\u0026#39;s 18 units.\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta has received another clean audit bill of health for each of the 18 units for which Invest Atlanta has a reporting responsibility.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt\u0026rsquo;s extremely rare, if not unique, for an organization to receive that many clean audit reports, with no findings or significant issues. Findings traditionally indicate breakdowns in internal controls or reporting irregularities and inaccuracies.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta is responsible for reporting the finances of Invest Atlanta, the Downtown Development Authority, the Urban Residential Financial Authority, Atlanta Housing Opportunity, Inc., Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc., the Atlanta BeltLine, Princeton Lakes, Eastside, and Perry Bolton TADs (Tax Allocation Districts), the Atlanta Development Authority/Clark Atlanta University partnership, and GP URFA Sexton LP.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe financial responsiblities of Invest Atlanta are immense, and include the accurate accounting for and presentation of more than 18,000 transactions across 45 entities. This covers well known transactions such as the issuance and proper accounting for more than $200 million in bonds for the Atlanta Falcons new Mercedes- Benz Stadium. Moreover, the Finance division works collaboratively with five independent entities and three different audit firms to ensure the timely and accurate reporting of its results.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Finance Division has done all of this flawlessly, met continuing bondholder update requirements for FY 2015, and delivered a clean audit opinion for two consecutive years, even though it has sustained a two-thirds reduction in staff (currently at four members), since the FY 2013 audit.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs if that weren\u0026rsquo;t enough, Invest Atlanta operated in a fiscally responsible state for the whole of FY 2015, since it never draw on its line of credit during that time.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":145,"title":"An Award for City Lights Senior Rental Community","promo_title":"An Award for City Lights Senior Rental Community","published_date":"2016-03-12","featured_image":{"id":376,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"an-award-for-city-lights-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":85786,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:04:27.807-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T16:04:27.962-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:04:44.093-05:00","filename_hash":"an-award-for-city-lights-featured_YBN6b7l.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"an-award-for-city-lights-senior-rental-community","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"2CCUvA","created_at":"2017-12-21T16:04:42.952-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:04:42.952-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) awarded City Lights its GOLD as the country\u0026#39;s Best 55+ Affordable Rental Community.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has given City Lights Apartment Homes, in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Old Fourth Ward, its GOLD award as the Best 55+ Affordable Rental Community in the U.S. NAHB announced the honor in January at its International Builders Show in Las Vegas as part of its annual Best of 55+ Housing Awards presentation that recognizes excellence and innovation in the design, development, lifestyle and marketing of housing that appeals to the mature market.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Urban Residential Finance Authority, a component unit of Invest Atlanta, issued $7.5 million in tax-exempt bonds and provided $600,000 in HOME funds to finance the first phase of the City Lights development, which will consist of an 80-unit apartment community for low-income, independent seniors, ages 62 and older.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDeveloped by Wingate Companies and its partner, Columbia Residential, City Lights is the first step in the multi-phase redevelopment of the Village of Bedford Pine. The apartment homes are expected to be completed this summer, and will provide residents with a state-of-the-art fitness center, TV and movie room, community kitchen, sun deck, covered garage, business center, and WiFi access.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Old Fourth Ward\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":148,"title":"Key Transaction Underwrites Movie Studio Complex","promo_title":"Key Transaction Underwrites Movie Studio Complex","published_date":"2016-03-11","featured_image":{"id":378,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"key-transaction-underwrites-movie-studio-complex-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":94744,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:08:37.304-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T16:08:37.438-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:08:58.809-05:00","filename_hash":"key-transaction-underwrites-movie-studio-complex-featured_8myQwEr.jpg","width":561,"height":421},"filename":"key-transaction-underwrites-movie-studio-complex","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"qnQojA","created_at":"2017-12-21T16:08:58.249-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:08:58.249-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI), an Invest Atlanta affiliate, closed a $7 million NMTC transaction last December.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI), an Invest Atlanta affiliate, closed a $7 million NMTC (New Markets Tax Credits) transaction last December that will help finance the redevelopment of part of the former Fort McPherson army base into filmmaker Tyler Perry\u0026rsquo;s new movie studio facility. The Tyler Perry Studios complex, on 331 acres, will have 11 sound stages, production and post-production facilities, a theatre, screening rooms, and office and retail components.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe private investment attracted to this site backs a first-phase redevelopment of the base that will create more than 2,500 jobs in Atlanta \u0026ndash; replacing a big chunk of the 6,000-plus jobs that were lost when the base closed in 2011. It also leveraged an overall $27-million low-interest loan that will support the studio project and includes contributions from three other Community Development Entities (CDEs) \u0026mdash; Stonehenge Community Development LLC ($10 million), Enhanced Community Development LLC ($5 million), and Sun Trust Community Development Enterprises LLC ($5 million).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAEMI\u0026rsquo;s investment also spurred a round of workforce development partnerships with several key organizations, including the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency, the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, and community colleges and undergraduate programs. What emerged from this was an Impact Monitoring Agreement (IMA) that enables the workforce training partners to recruit and train Atlanta residents for studio jobs. The IMA also provides for the hiring of a community engagement coordinator who will insure that community members have access to pre-development, construction, production and operations jobs and that vendor relationships are established with minority-owned, disadvantaged and local firms.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Southside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":146,"title":"A New HQ for Families First","promo_title":"A New HQ for Families First","published_date":"2016-03-11","featured_image":{"id":377,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"a-new-hq-for-families-first-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":174562,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:06:33.291-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T16:06:33.470-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:06:49.529-05:00","filename_hash":"a-new-hq-for-families-first-featured_r6PpMPm.jpg","width":1000,"height":750},"filename":"a-new-hq-for-families-first","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"qnm4Dw","created_at":"2017-12-21T16:06:49.063-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:06:49.063-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. provided Families First with an $8.5 million New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) allocation.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta Emerging Markets, Inc., an affiliate of Invest Atlanta, provided Families First with an $8.5 million New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) investment from SunTrust to acquire and convert a former Atlanta Public Schools building on Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Westside into its headquarters and main services complex.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFamilies First\u0026rsquo;s mission is providing safe homes for at-risk children, housing and self-sufficiency-support services for families, and parental growth and skill-building counseling services. The 38,000-sq. ft. renovation project, near the Ashby Street MARTA station in Washington Park, will help to relocate Families First programs to a more client-accessible location in upgraded facilities and substantially expand the non-profit agency\u0026rsquo;s programming. The new headquarters, in what used to be E.R. Carter Elementary School, will enable Families First to annually serve 52,000 clients \u0026ndash; 91 percent of whom are expected to be low-income.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Westside\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":150,"title":"Trade Mission Explores Possible FinTech Partnerships","promo_title":"Trade Mission Explores Possible FinTech Partnerships","published_date":"2016-03-11","featured_image":{"id":380,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"trade-mission-explores-possible-fintech-partnerships-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":176443,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:11:08.591-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T16:11:08.758-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:11:31.978-05:00","filename_hash":"trade-mission-explores-possible-fintech-partnerships-featured_LgqbVWM.jpg","width":1000,"height":750},"filename":"trade-mission-explores-possible-fintech-partnerships","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"JV0UdQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T16:11:31.481-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:11:31.481-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta collaborated with the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs and UK Trade \u0026amp; Investment (UKTI) to organize Finovate 2016.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta collaborated with the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs and United Kingdom Trade \u0026amp; Investment (UKTI) to organize Finovate 2016, a major trade mission that brought Georgia banking and financial technology industries to London, England in February of this year to explore business and partnership opportunities in that country with industry counterparts, international expansion advisory firms, and multi-national financial institutions, among other participants.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe mission recognized the substantial financial technology \u0026ndash; or FinTech \u0026ndash; profile raised by the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as Atlanta and Georgia. Together, the two nations have dominated the industry with a combined market value exceeding $60 billion, while Atlanta serves as the FinTech capital of the Southeastern U.S., with more than 70 percent of all U.S. payments being processed through FinTech companies here. Georgia, meanwhile, ranks third in FinTech revenues, behind New York and California, and hosted more than $4.4 billion in credit card transactions last year.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s role in helping to create Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s FinTech presence has been considerable. It is the first economic development agency and one of only three such agencies in the Southeast designated as an Accredited Economic Development Organization by the International Economic Development Council.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":152,"title":"Mobile World Congress Draws Mobile Industry Heavyweights","promo_title":"Mobile World Congress Draws Mobile Industry Heavyweights","published_date":"2016-03-11","featured_image":{"id":382,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"mobile-world-congress-draws-mobile-industry-heavyweights-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":235400,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:13:24.443-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T16:13:24.595-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:18:45.845-05:00","filename_hash":"mobile-world-congress-draws-mobile-industry-heavyweights-featured_2amyOXZ.jpg","width":1200,"height":900},"filename":"mobile-world-congress-draws-mobile-industry-heavyweights","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"zDQiNA","created_at":"2017-12-21T16:13:55.499-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T16:13:55.499-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Seeking to expand Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s reach into mobility, Invest Atlanta joined attendees from 204 countries at the 2016 Mobile World Congress.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSeeking to expand Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s already-extensive reach into the mobile industry, Invest Atlanta joined attendees from 204 countries at the 2016 Mobile World Congress, the industry\u0026rsquo;s premier event.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHeld in Barcelona, Spain, the 2016 Mobile World Congress featured more than 2,200 exhibiting companies showcasing cutting-edge mobile products and services. The presence of more than 3,600 international media and industry analysts at the event attested to its global significance \u0026ndash; and the growing global footprint of the mobile business sector.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe four-day conference and exhibition attracted executives from the world\u0026rsquo;s largest and most influential mobile operators, software companies, equipment providers, internet companies and companies from industry sectors such as automotive, finance and healthcare, as well as government delegations from across the globe. More than 55 per cent of this year\u0026rsquo;s Mobile World Congress attendees held C-level positions, including more than 5,000 CEOs, and 21 per cent of attendees for the 2016 show were women.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":161,"title":"Invest Atlanta Launches Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Launches Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund","published_date":"2015-04-20","featured_image":{"id":439,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"pasted_image_at_2017_12_20_04_24_pm.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":217989,"resource_updated_at":"2018-01-06T12:25:01.061-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2018-01-06T12:25:01.254-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T12:46:13.768-05:00","filename_hash":"pasted_image_at_2017_12_20_04_24_pm_NnrYWgv.png","width":1080,"height":1080},"filename":"invest-atlanta-launches-atlanta-advantage-loan-fund","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"qJZyxQ","created_at":"2018-01-06T12:29:44.160-05:00","updated_at":"2018-02-06T12:46:13.755-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2015","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eATLANTA\u0026nbsp;\u0026ndash; Invest Atlanta today announced the launch of the Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund, a revolving loan program for businesses located in low income neighborhoods in the City of Atlanta. The loan fund, enabled through the federal New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program, allows eligible businesses to receive loans between $1 million and $3 million for purchasing equipment, training staff, recruitment, acquiring and renovating property, and making leasehold improvements.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund aligns with our City\u0026rsquo;s goals to renew underserved neighborhoods so they can attract new investment and create jobs,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Kasim Reed. \u0026ldquo;The Loan Fund is exactly the type of resource we need to drive renewal and job creation for these communities.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBusinesses such as manufacturers, distributors and service providers in low income neighborhoods throughout Atlanta may apply for financing, including senior and subordinate loans. Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s partner in the fund, Advantage Capital Partners, will process applications and make recommendations on them.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund will be an important vehicle for stepping up investment in neighborhoods that can benefit greatly from new economic opportunities,\u0026rdquo; said Paul Woodworth, president of SunTrust Community Capital, which is also an investment partner for the fund. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re proud to partner with Invest Atlanta and join in their revitalization efforts.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe loan fund is a unique use of NMTC financing and will address the need for loans below $5 million for small and medium-sized businesses in Atlanta. For more information, visit:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.investatlanta.com/wp-content/uploads/Atlanta-Advantage-Loan-Fund-Brochure.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehttp://www.investatlanta.com/wp-content/uploads/Atlanta-Advantage-Loan-Fund-Brochure.pdf\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Site Selection\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"}]}
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