Invest Atlanta Board Approves Two $20K Small Business Grants For Commercial Exterior Makeovers

Two commercial properties are each receiving up to $20,000 of improvement funds from the Hollowell/MLK Tax Allocation District (TAD) Small Business Improvement Grant, according to a press release this week from Invest Atlanta.

The first is a building owned by Cal Properties, located on James Jackson Parkway, occupying 13,125 square feet. The multiple tenant commercial center was 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.

“The grant will help complete necessary improvements such as repainting the exterior of the building and repairing the parking lot,” according to the release. “Additional owner funds, including the required 20 percent match, will pay for security cameras around the property and landscaping.”

The second — A. Lawson Auto Center on Donald Lee Hollowell — is a 2,500-square-foot auto service garage that’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’s Florist, HA Lawson Tax & Office Services, and Lawson Auto Sales.

Grant 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.

Invest 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.

“Helping our small businesses grow and thrive enhances economic development,” Alan Ferguson, senior vice president of Community Development at Invest Atlanta, said in the release. “This is one of the initiatives we’re promoting in terms of economic mobility and equity and inclusion within the city.”