City of Decatur approves $116,000 in grants for small businesses
The City of Decatur and the Decatur Downtown Development Authority announced another round of recipients for their small business improvement grants, this time approving $116,000 for 13 businesses.
According to a city and authority representative, the businesses were awarded as part of grants from the Commercial Facade Improvement Grant (CFIG), Commercial Building Improvement Grant (CBIG) and Marketing and Digital Connectivity Grant (MDCG).
In July 2024, $200,000 was allocated for the program, and $84,000 is still available for applications. The application window ends on Feb. 7.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
'As we open 2025, it's the perfect time to reveal the substantial investments we are making through our extensive grant programs,' Conor McNally, DDA chair, said in a statement. 'We saw a record number of approved applications in this latest round, and the most obvious sign of buy-in is how many entrepreneurs utilized multiple programs to truly transform their businesses in the new year. With our second application window now open, we look forward to more opportunities to showcase the DDA's commitment to our small business community.'
According to a representative, grants cover up to 75% of any approved project, with the businesses themselves responsible for the rest. The different program options have different contribution limits as well.
TRENDING STORIES:
Officer placed on leave after being accused of sexual assault, GBI investigating
Man with knife tries hiding in north Georgia motel, bites deputy arresting him
People with hacked SNAP accounts are out of luck after federal program expires
'The CFIG and CBIG allow for minimum contributions from the DDA of $2,500 and a maximum of $10,000, while the MDCG has a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $2,500 for approved projects,' a release on the grant awards said.
Officials said that once projects are approved, they're required to start within six months and be finished within 18 months, as long as they're consistent with the City of Decatur's permitting process.
Here are the grant awards that have been approved through the various programs so far:
Belen de la Cruz Parilla Argentina, $3,207 for exterior painting and new signage
The Chapel on Sycamore, $6,690 for exterior lighting and safety lighting
Fawn Wine and Amaro Bar, $10,000 for a complete façade renovation
Little Shop of Stories, $10,000 for façade reconstruction
O'Sullivan's On The Square, $9,439 for replacing wood framing and a new front door
$8,453 for an exterior mural and bike rack
Takumi Cuisine, $592 for the installation of new electrical signage
Sharian Rugs, $8,662 for new lighting for their showroom
Smiley's Burger Club, $10,000 for new masonry for bathroom and patio seating area
547 East College Avenue Automotive, $7,500 for a new awning and lighting
Belen de la Cruz Parilla Argentina, $6,525 for interior painting tied to a new restaurant concept
Fawn Wine and Amaro, $10,000 to complete the interior buildout for a new restaurant and bar concept
Rebel Teahouse, $5,550 for refinishing, resealing and staining
Smiley's Burger Club, $10,000 for a bathroom addition to meet city requirements
Float Atlanta, $1,875 for the creation of a demo video touting the benefits of float therapy
Kelly's Market, $2,500 for a brand refresh and website maintenance
O'Sullivan's On The Square, $1,875 for a social media campaign touting them as a lunch destination
Smiley's Burger Club, $2,500 toward a new website to process online orders
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
$5 million in funding available for Tennessee senior centers: What to know
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Senior centers can send applications to the Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) for grant funding, a state spokesperson said. The Tennessee General Assembly has set aside $5 million in one-time funding for senior centers throughout the state. This money is meant to help give older adults access to resources, activities and social connections. It can be spent on goals including: Capital Projects, such as building improvements and equipment Marketing Programming and activities Routine operating expenses other than staff salaries Applications are due by 4 p.m. central time on August 8, and centers have to spend the funding by March 31, 2027. Centers can apply for funding between $10,000 and $50,000. Morristown hosts the Tennessee State Disc Golf Championships Individuals and long-term care/assisted living facilities are not included. The state gave the following qualifications for centers: A single-purpose agency with programs and activities designed and operated only for the benefit of adults aged 60 and over; or A multi-purpose agency with a broad spectrum of services, which shall include provisions of health, social, nutritional, and educational services, and the provision of facilities for recreational activities for adults aged 60 and over; and, An organization with established programming that provides a minimum of 16 hours a month of activities or services specifically targeted for adults 60 and over. READ: More top stories on 'DDA is committed to ensuring senior centers in both rural and urban communities across the state are vibrant and thriving,' said DDA Commissioner Brad Turner. 'We hope this funding can help enhance the offerings, improve equipment, modernize buildings, and ensure that our senior centers continue to be spaces where older adults can access resources, connect with their peers, and enjoy a wide range of activities.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
15-05-2025
- Associated Press
Stashlete Partners with Diamond Dreams Academy to Supercharge Global Youth Baseball Fundraising
Diamond Dreams Academy (DDA) has chosen Stashlete's frictionless roundup technology as its exclusive fundraising platform. ATLANTA, GA, UNITED STATES, May 15, 2025 / / -- Stashlete, the next-generation youth sports fundraising platform that's redefining charitable engagement with seamless, tech-driven solutions, today announced an exclusive partnership with Diamond Dreams Academy (DDA), the U.S.-based nonprofit championing underserved youth through baseball. This collaboration marks the launch of DDA's ambitious international expansion in India—powered by Stashlete's innovative multi-entity giving experience. Scaling a Grassroots Movement Diamond Dreams Academy has laid the foundation for India's first world-class baseball ecosystem, delivering training, equipment, and educational resources to communities where the sport is just beginning to take root. Now, with Stashlete as their chosen fundraising partner, DDA will rapidly extend that impact—bringing character-building, teamwork, and opportunity to young athletes on both sides of the globe. 'Partnering with Stashlete opens new horizons for us,' said Kanwal 'Ken' Sra, Founder, Chairman & CEO of DDA. 'Their platform makes it effortless for our supporters to rally behind our programs, whether they're in Atlanta or Ahmedabad.' Why Stashlete Is a Game Changer Stashlete goes far beyond traditional donation portals by offering: Multi-entity giving: Donors can choose and support multiple specific initiatives—like grassroots athlete sponsorships and elite coaching programs—all in one streamlined transaction. Dynamic campaign hubs: Real-time impact dashboards let supporters see exactly how their contributions fuel equipment drives, travel stipends, and coach certification. Global reach with local accountability: Funds flow directly into on-the-ground projects, ensuring every dollar translates into tangible opportunities for youth. 'Our mission at Stashlete is to simplify and amplify community-driven giving,' said Mel S., Founder & CEO of Stashlete. 'By integrating our platform, DDA gains a powerful engine for sustainable growth—and donors gain clarity and choice every step of the way.' Inspiring Impact Stories Diksha, 21: 'Baseball gave me confidence—and a future my family could only dream of.' Pooja, 25: 'Thanks to DDA, I discovered my voice on the field and beyond.' Coach Joginder: 'From India's earliest players to today's rising stars, DDA has turned my passion for baseball into a legacy of mentorship.' As Diamond Dreams Academy embarks on its most significant expansion yet, Stashlete's tech-enabled fundraising model ensures consistent, scalable support—so every young athlete can step up to the plate and chase their dreams. About Diamond Dreams Academy Diamond Dreams Academy (DDA) is a U.S.-registered nonprofit and India's premier baseball development organization. Through grassroots training, international partnerships, and elite coaching, DDA creates equitable opportunities—empowering youth to build character, teamwork, and athletic excellence. About Stashlete Stashlete is a mission-driven platform that reimagines sports fundraising with user-first technology. By enabling donors to support multiple causes in a single, transparent experience, Stashlete connects communities to the youth sports initiatives they care about most—making every contribution count. Media / Press Inquiries Stashlete Inc [email protected] Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Miami Herald
12-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Downtown Fort Lauderdale is having a baby boom as families with young kids take over
Two of downtown Fort Lauderdale's newest residents enjoyed a sunny stroll on the Riverwalk. The weather was warm, neighbors walked their dogs and downtown's many construction sites boomed with noise. None of the hubbub seemed to bother Jade and Journey. They're five-week-old twin sisters who napped peacefully as their mother Jayme Callahan pushed the double decker stroller down the sidewalk. 'It's a good idea,' Callahan, 40, said of raising a family in downtown Fort Lauderdale. 'We were actually going to move out towards the suburb area, but we really like it down here. It's just convenient for everything. We can go out on walks midday. And we're pretty safe down here, too.' Data collected from Fort Lauderdale's Downtown Development Authority confirms what many residents have noticed in recent years. Downtown Fort Lauderdale, which was once the spot for retirees and beach bums in the '90s, is now becoming populated with young families. Callahan, who moved to downtown three years ago for her work as a paralegal, noticed the trend in her own apartment building where many of her neighbors are raising toddlers. 'Especially in our building, you wouldn't really think that since we have a younger crowd, everything's centered around health, wellness, run clubs and things like that,' she said. 'But we have a lot of families.' The DDA released its annual report in April detailing the area's growth, including an 83 percent increase in families with children since 2018 – and an even more astounding 47 percent increase in families with children under 5 in the past five years. This data sets Fort Lauderdale apart from other cities where young families have been moving out in favor of suburban and rural areas, especially since the pandemic. 'If you compare that to almost every other major urban center in the country, that's the polar opposite story,' said Matthew Schnur, the DDA research and innovation manager. 'The word is getting out over how much Fort Lauderdale is investing in overall quality life. We're finally becoming a true year round destination.' The report – which considers downtown Fort Lauderdale to be the 2.2 square-mile area within Sunrise Boulevard, NW Seventh Ave/ SW Fourth Avenue, SE 17th Street, US-1 and Las Olas – also boasts the city's overall growth in demographics, economics and real estate development. The downtown area's population has grown 96% since 2010, now approaching 27,000 residents. Jobs have increased as well, as businesses downtown employ 68,000 people, which is 3,000 more jobs than 2023, the report says. The data suggests that downtown Fort Lauderdale, with its $10 billion worth of investment in residential, office and infrastructure developments, the multi-million dollar renovation of Huizenga Park and an emerging dining scene (Fort Lauderdale just got Broward its first Michelin star), has become a happy medium for young professionals who find Miami too busy and West Palm Beach too relaxed. The average rent in downtown Fort Lauderdale is about $2,900 a month while the average rent in Brickell, the neighborhood just next to downtown Miami, is over $3,500 a month, according to For those looking to raise a family, Schnur said, the area is just right. 'This strong population growth has been decades in the making,' Schnur said. 'The intent for downtown Fort Lauderdale was to always become this growing, evolving urban center with an incredible sense of place, livability and quality of life that rivals any other major city. That vision is starting to be realized, especially in the last five years.' The 'walkability' factor When Bryson Ridgeway, 42, first moved to Fort Lauderdale after graduating college in 2006, he didn't plan to stay very long. Almost 20 years later, Ridgeway lives in the Rio Vista neighborhood with his wife Katherine and their three kids, ages 9, 11 and 13. As a longtime resident, Ridgeway has seen the evolution of downtown Fort Lauderdale as housing options increased, especially in the last 10 years. The area's walkability is a major draw, he said. He can walk a quarter mile to drop his kids off at school, a mile to get to work and three blocks to the restaurants on Las Olas. While doing all that walking, he has noticed plenty of new families in the neighborhood lately. 'It just made me realize that there is an influx of people behind us with even more kids,' he said. 'That part is surprising, but when you think about it intuitively, it's not surprising at all. A lot of people started moving here from 2010 through now, and they don't leave.' After having her twins, Callahan said downtown's walkability was a factor in her family's decision to stay in the city. Not only does her building have great amenities, but Callahan and her boyfriend can also walk to work and nearby public spaces with the twins, like Riverwalk. Now, she's looking forward to the completion of the Huizenga Park renovations for Journey and Jade to enjoy, too. 'We don't have to walk far to do anything,' Callahan said. 'We very rarely get in the car.' Downtown's institutions, community centers and museums have also adapted to the area's growing population. Joe Cox, the president and CEO of the Museum of Discovery and Science, has noticed two major changes in the area: the city skyline and the kids. 'Even in neighborhoods downtown like Flagler Village, five years ago, you'd hardly see a baby stroller,' said Cox, who has lived downtown since 2018. 'Now they seem to be everywhere.' The museum, which caters to families with its exhibits and IMAX movie theater, works closely with the DDA to monitor demographic shifts, Cox said. That means that the museum was ready for the influx of younger children. In August 2023, the museum opened its Discovery Spot, a 5,000-square-foot exhibit specifically designed for children 6 and under to learn about Florida ecosystems, like the Everglades and ocean. It was an immediate hit. Attendance 'soared,' jumping by 20 percent that year, Cox said. 'It's all done in a very playful, very child-friendly, developmentally appropriate way, so lots of hands on experiences,' Cox said. Attendance numbers, which took a hit during the pandemic, have surpassed the museum's pre-pandemic levels of about 400,000. It welcomed over 487,000 people last year. Downtown's walkability plays a role in museum attendance as well, he said. 'If you're living in Palm Beach, we hope you come to the museum often, but you're probably not coming as often as that family with young children who can walk from downtown Fort Lauderdale and just pop over after school, take a lovely walk along the Riverwalk and come to the museum. And we see a lot of people doing that very often.' The museum has also seen significant growth in membership, which Cox says is an indicator of people who visit often. In 2018, the museum had about 2,000 family members. Now, there are over 6,000 family members, many of whom live nearby. Zion Otto, an Oakland Park resident who used to live in Fort Lauderdale as a teenager, used her membership to take her two children, 4-year-old Christopher and 2-year-old Selena, to the museum on a recent afternoon. As her kids stared into the museum's fish tank, Otto reflected on how much the area has changed. Now 30, Otto said downtown has become a great place for families. Her son attends a downtown pre-school. 'I also see new developments, like they're constructing that new, huge, family-friendly park here,' she said, referring to Huizenga Park. In the short time since she moved back to Fort Lauderdale from Texas, she has made a lot of friends who have little ones. For Rabbi Chaim Slavaticki, the shift in demographics has been a major surprise over the last few years. When Slavaticki and his wife founded the Las Olas Jewish Community Center about 12 years ago, the vast majority of attendees were either young professionals or empty nesters. In recent years, he said, there has been such a dramatic increase in families, the community center's Hebrew school attendance has doubled. In order to cater to young families, the center launched new family-friendly holiday programs in the last two years and a new children's Saturday program this past year. As a father of six children, ages 3 to 14, Slavaticki is happy to see the change. A few years ago, he said, his was the only family on their street. Now, kids are everywhere, riding bikes and playing together. 'It's a beautiful thing,' Slavaticki said. 'It's a place that people feel is very welcoming and everybody feels really at home in Fort Lauderdale.' The baby pipeline If you really want proof of downtown Fort Lauderdale's baby boom, visit one of the daycare centers. Waitlists have lengthened to well over a year at some locations. 'Our demand, especially for infant and toddler care has really been so high to the point where we're just unable to serve it. I think many other providers are in the same boat,' said Angella Schroller, the chief program officer at Jack and Jill, a daycare center with a location near the Museum of Discovery and Science. Her center, which offers daycare through elementary school, has an ever-growing waitlist. Parents are keen on finding high quality service, Schroller said, but there are simply not enough day cares in the area. 'Downtown is becoming really family-friendly, and we're here to support that,' she said. Tara Barlow, the owner of nanny and family-care service provider Jovie, has noticed another interesting trend specific to downtown Fort Lauderdale and Broward County. More companies have been offering employees Jovie's childcare services for a specific amount of time in order to attract and retain workers. That gives parents the flexibility to, for example, have their child in day care for some weekdays and at home with a Jovie nanny for a couple days a week, Barlow said. 'There has always been a demand, but the demand has changed in the way it looks and feels,' Barlow said. In downtown Fort Lauderdale, where parents tend to work long hours in demanding fields, Barlow said Jovie's clients are using its services to maintain what she calls a 'work-life-health' balance. '[Parents] do want us to stay one or two extra hours so that they can go to their fitness class right after work or right before work, because that is also very important,' Barlow said. 'They understand that for their mental health and to be fully engaged with their family, they also need to be able to balance that portion of their life, too.' The statistics from the DDA show that the childcare services emerging in downtown Fort Lauderdale have a good pipeline for future clients— since 2020 there's been a 40 percent increase in young professionals. Margo Utter, 28, is among that demographic. After finishing graduate school in 2020, she moved to downtown Fort Lauderdale to work at Stiles, a real estate company. Originally from Naples, Florida, Utter said Fort Lauderdale was at the 'top of my list' when she was job searching. Young professionals like herself have flocked to the city to work in several industries, including health, law, real estate and technology, she said. Though she doesn't know for sure where life may take her, Utter said she's built such a strong sense of community in Fort Lauderdale that she could see a future for herself and maybe even a family there. 'I have tons of friends in South Florida. It's close to home, to family. It was an ideal city for me,' she said.
