Atlanta, Georgia – City of Atlanta has launched a new program meant to assist its longstanding companies, those which have graced the community for more than three decades. The Atlanta Local Legacy Program, as it is called, is a joint project of the city and Invest Atlanta, the economic development agency of Atlanta. Officially starting on April 1, 2025, the initiative intends to support companies that have grown into community mainstays through acknowledgement of their efforts, enabling their expansion, and motivating local and tourist patronage.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens emphasized the critical role these establishments play within the community.
“These beloved establishments have shaped our community, providing not just goods and services but also a sense of identity and connection. Local legacy businesses are the backbone of our neighborhoods, the storytellers of our city and the innovators of our economy,” he said.
This project shows the city’s dedication to maintaining the unique culture and character of Atlanta through its oldest commercial ventures.
The program is based around three major components meant to provide tangible support to eligible companies. The first part is an online registry where heritage companies can build profiles, so easily accessible to possible clients via a website and mobile app. This digital platform allows residents and tourists to discover and engage with these cornerstone businesses conveniently.
The program also provides two categories of financial grants. Aimed at assisting companies update their operations, the Legacy Empowerment Grant is a reimbursable grant providing up to $5,000. The second, a Small Business Improvement Grant, gives up to $50,000 for qualified businesses located in designated Tax Allocation Districts. This funding is intended for construction and improvement projects, permitting physical enhancements that could attract more customers and generate additional revenue.
Businesses have to be physically located inside the city limits, hold a current City of Atlanta business license, and have been running for at least 30 years to be eligible for the Atlanta Local Legacy Program. These requirements ensure that the advantages of the program are reserved for enterprises that have contributed to the city’s fabric for generations.
“There are more than 400 legacy businesses throughout the city of Atlanta,” said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. “Supporting these businesses means investing in not only the heritage of our city but also the local economy and job creation. Legacy businesses employ more than 11,000 people and bring more than $3 billion in revenue to the city.”
This program not only recognizes the essential part long-standing companies have in forming Atlanta’s cultural and economic scene but also provides them with the skills they need to succeed in a fast-changing market.
The city’s assistance via this initiative guarantees these companies remain a vibrant component of Atlanta’s future as they continue to share the narrative of the city via their services and goods they provide. Interested parties should go to the Atlanta Local Legacy Program website for more details on the program or to sign up for the launch event.
