The City of Atlanta is positioning its small businesses to take full advantage of the flood of visitors expected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Invest Atlanta's Board of Directors approving $925,000 in Tax Allocation District (TAD) funds aimed at giving these local ventures a facelift.
The Small Business Improvement Grants, accounting for $250,000 of the total funding, will assist eligible businesses in sprucing up both their interiors and exteriors through signage, lighting, storefront upgrades, and compliance repairs, a move intended not just to attract and keep customers but also to rejuvenate the aesthetic and functionality of the city’s business corridors. Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, told the City of Atlanta's website, “This latest round of funding will continue to support projects in a diverse mix of neighborhoods,” adding to the hefty $30 million in support already provided since 2022.
A few of the businesses benefitting from the grant include Bottle Rocket Fine Food & Beverage and Big Daddy’s Kitchen, each receiving up to $50,000, alongside Crate’s, a music store, and Strikeout Wingz, a local food outlet, which continue to be cornerstone businesses in their respective areas. Marcus Sabir, owner of Big Daddy's Kitchen, expressed his gratitude in an interview obtained by the City of Atlanta, saying, “This funding allows us to make meaningful and necessary improvements that not only enhance our space but also help us better serve our community.”
Furthermore, small businesses gearing up for the World Cup could receive a share of up to $500,000 in microgrants aimed at revamping vacant or underused commercial spaces in Downtown Atlanta, these funds will be dispensed by Central Atlanta Progress, a development partner of Invest Atlanta and aimed to create a vibrant, visitor-friendly environment. “By investing in them, we are investing in the character of our neighborhood – something that will be on full display during major events like the World Cup,” A.J. Robinson, President of Central Atlanta Progress, delineated the significance of this undertaking in a statement, the grants focus on stimulating local, independent businesses in preparation for the international spotlight.
Lastly, the Hollowell/ML King TAD is providing up to $175,000 for Soccer in the Streets to build a StationSoccer facility at the HE Holmes MARTA Station, which will support soccer programming and social development for young Atlanta residents.
