ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Atlanta’s water relief fund is making strides.
Invest Atlanta, which is spearheading the $5 million grant program, has finalized details of the plan.
It’s aimed to assist businesses recently devastated by the city’s massive water main breaks.
Luis Guerrero, owner of The Greatest of the Plates on Forsyth Street in downtown, has been able to re-open.
Like many, he said he’s dealing with revenue loss and needed repairs.
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“On a good weekend we’ll make at least $25,000 in sales,” he said. “Our AC system is water-based, coming through the water line. It’s been in and out. That’s a huge inconvenience for customers as well.”
Eloisa Klementich, CEO of Invest Atlanta, presented the plan to city leaders Wednesday.
Klementich says businesses who were within the boil water advisory map are qualified to apply.
“We were able to find out that realtors and lawyers were impacted, yes, but were able to go home and continue with work,” she said.
Those eligible who will be prioritized include restaurants, daycare centers and small businesses like coffee shops or cleaners.
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Businesses that won’t be able to apply include work-from-home businesses, liquor stores, CBD shops and nightclubs.
Klementich says if you have insurance, you’re still able to apply.
“What I heard from businesses, they were very concerned that if they used their insurance, their deductibles would go up,” Klementich said. “So, we recognized a lot of our small businesses are more likely to not use their insurance.”
Guerrero says right now they’re leaning on the community.
“To everyone local, if they are in the downtown area or near the downtown area, and you could support the small businesses, that would help us out a lot,” he said.
The Atlanta City Council is expected to vote on the measure Monday.
If approved, the application process will begin June 24 and close July 8.
Invest Atlanta will be hosting a webinar on June 17 on what business owners need to know to apply.
For information, click here.
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