Could Your Atlanta Storefront Qualify for Up to $50,000 in Property-Improvement Funding?

Many Atlanta business owners know their storefront needs work but continue delaying the project because of cost.

The exterior may need painting. Doors and windows may be damaged or outdated. Flooring, lighting, walls, plumbing or electrical systems may need repairs. The property may also require improvements before it can attract a new tenant.

For qualifying Atlanta businesses and commercial property owners, financial assistance may be available.

Invest Atlanta's Small Business Improvement Grant program provides eligible applicants with grants of up to $50,000 for approved interior and exterior property improvements.

The program is designed to support small businesses and commercial properties located within seven City of Atlanta Tax Allocation Districts. However, being located in one of these areas does not automatically guarantee funding. The property, applicant and proposed project must meet the program's requirements.

Which Atlanta Areas Are Included?

Businesses and commercial properties may qualify if they are located within one of these seven Tax Allocation Districts:

A property's mailing address or proximity to one of these corridors does not prove eligibility. Property owners should use Invest Atlanta's official property map to determine whether the address is located inside an eligible district.

Once the property appears in the map, open its full property profile and look for the TAD designation.

What Types of Property Improvements May Qualify?

The program may fund approved exterior and interior improvements.

Eligible exterior work may include:

• Exterior painting and surface repairs
• Windows and exterior doors
• Lighting improvements
• Framing and building-surface repairs
• Signage
• Canopies and awnings
• Gates and fencing
• Landscaping
• Ground-surface improvements

Eligible interior work may include:

• Flooring
• Walls and ceilings
• Interior doors
• HVAC improvements
• Water heaters
• Plumbing
• Electrical work
• Structural repairs to walls, floors and stairs
• Improvements that enhance the customer or employee experience

Certain architectural and planning expenses may also qualify, subject to program limitations.

What Are the Main Eligibility Requirements?

According to Invest Atlanta's published requirements:

• The project must generally involve less than 15,000 square feet.
• At least 25% of the funding must support exterior improvements.
• Funded exterior improvements must be visible from the public right-of-way.
• The awardee must generally provide a match equal to at least 10% of the grant.
• The applicant must demonstrate that the proposed project would not happen without grant assistance.
• The property must have an eligible commercial use.

New construction, residential properties and properties owned or occupied by government agencies are excluded. Certain business types are also ineligible.

Vacant commercial properties may be considered when the proposed improvements would return the property to leasable condition. Owners of vacant buildings should confirm eligibility directly with Invest Atlanta before spending money on project planning or construction.

Why Property Owners Should Define the Work Before Applying

A statement such as "the building needs repairs" is not enough to plan a successful commercial improvement project.

Before requesting contractor pricing, the owner should clearly identify:

A clearly written scope helps contractors provide more accurate pricing. It also reduces misunderstandings, missing work, uncontrolled additions and last-minute change orders.

The lowest initial estimate is not necessarily the lowest final project cost. An incomplete scope can make an inexpensive proposal appear attractive while leaving important work unpriced.

How Nuntius Solutions Can Help

Nuntius Solutions specializes in commercial property repairs, tenant improvements, renovation coordination and documented project closeout throughout Metro Atlanta.

Depending on the property and project, our work may include:

• Exterior painting and surface preparation
• Drywall and interior painting
• Flooring and baseboard installation
• Doors, windows, trim and finish carpentry
• Gates and fencing
• Restroom improvements
• Turnover and make-ready work
• Punch-list corrections
• Lighting, plumbing, HVAC and electrical coordination
• Before-and-after photographs
• Written scopes and project estimates
• Approved change-order documentation
• Completion reports and closeout records

When licensed work or permits are required, those responsibilities must be identified before construction begins.

Start With a Paid Property Assessment

If you own or operate a commercial property within one of the eligible Atlanta districts, the first step is confirming the address through Invest Atlanta.

The next step is understanding what the property actually needs.

Nuntius Solutions offers paid property assessments for owners who need help documenting conditions and organizing a potential improvement project.

A property assessment may include:

• Site photographs
• Preliminary repair observations
• Interior and exterior improvement priorities
• Scope-development recommendations
• Identification of required trade coordination
• Information needed before contractor pricing
• Recommended next steps

The assessment is not a promise that the property or project will receive funding. It gives the owner a more organized starting point for evaluating the project and discussing it with Invest Atlanta.

Official program link:
https://www.investatlanta.com/businesses/small-businesses/small-business-improvement-grants

Disclaimer: Nuntius Solutions LLC is an independent contractor and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or acting on behalf of Invest Atlanta. Program availability, eligibility requirements, funding amounts and application decisions are controlled exclusively by Invest Atlanta.