ATLANTA — Atlanta businesses are receiving help to cope with revenue loss from the recent water main breaks, which caused damage and forced some to close weeks ago.
The Atlanta City Council voted on Monday to approve relief grants to small business owners. Council members decided to increase the proposed funds from $5 million to $7.5 million.
"Being a small business, even losing one day's worth of sales has a significant impact on the business," said Stir House co-owner Phil Thompson, who added his business hadn't even been open a month when the water mains broke. "So losing three or four days has had a negative impact on our business and also the employees."
Devin Barrington-Ward, the manager of the Black Futurist Group, proposed the $5 million relief fund to the city council days after the water crisis happened. Mayor Andre Dickens and Councilmember Matt Westmoreland sponsored the initial legislation on behalf of the administration.
"It takes a lot of the worry away in terms of how do I make up for those days that I lost due to this unexpected and unforeseen event," said Thompson, who added he knows the funds won't cover everything. "But I do think this is a step in the right direction to try to do something to address the concern and the losses."
Mayor Andre Dickens' office made a statement following the city council's vote on Monday.
"Our Administration knows there is a need for this assistance, and together, we have made sure that getting money in the hands of the impacted small businesses and their employees remains a priority," Mayor Dickens said. “Thank you to Councilmember Westmoreland and the entire City Council, Invest Atlanta, Chief Policy Officer and Senior Advisor Courtney English, members of my Cabinet and everyone who helped set up the Atlanta Recovery Fund.”
The funds come from the Department of Watershed Management's budget. The mayor's office said that funds not used by June 30, 2025, will go back to the Water & Wastewater Revenue Fund.
"The City is working to provide direct support to impacted residents and will provide further information once available," Mayor Andre Dickens' office said in a news release.
Businesses impacted can start applying for funds that would help recoup the losses through Invest Atlanta on June 24.
Here's how to apply
The City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta have launched a landing page for business owners to apply for relief.
Although applications won't go live until June 24, business owners should plan to attend the informational webinar on Monday, June 17, at 5 p.m. Click here to register for the webinar.
Invest Atlanta has released criteria for small business owners to be eligible for relief.
Here's the eligibility requirements, according to their website:
- Businesses have to have a verifiable address within the boil water impact advisory area.
- The website also states that priority will be given to restaurants, beauty salon spas, daycares and other "industries most directly impacted."
- Officials will also give priority to those who were impacted and or closed for a number of days.
- The business also needs to be registered with the Georgia Secretary of State and have an active City of Atlanta business license.
Check below for a map of impacted areas.
Materials needed for the application
Small business owners should check the website to see what materials they should gather for their application. The list includes the following:
- Active 2024 City of Atlanta Business License
- Articles of Incorporation or Ownership
- Operating Agreement or the Corporate Bylaws
- Georgia Secretary of State registration
- Proof of revenue/Point-of-sale report from two weeks prior, the impacted week and the week after impact period
- Impact statement (included in the application)
- Save Affidavit (notarized)
- Valid lease or security deed
- Duplication of Benefits Certification Form
As mentioned above, more details can be found in this document and on the Invest Atlanta website.
Applications will close on July 8, and businesses will begin being notified of an award on July 29. More details can be found in this document and on the Invest Atlanta website.
On Monday, city managers told 11Alive it's possible more funds could be approved.