By Chelsea Sommers
Did you know that the funky East Atlanta Village (EAV) business district is now a Main Street community? East Atlanta Business Association (EABA) has been participating in the Atlanta Main Street (AMS) initiative of the Department of City Planning since 2019. EABA was awarded the 2022 cohort which includes a $20,000 grant that supports the new Main Street Coordinator, National Main Street, and Georgia Main Street memberships, and ongoing training for the organization.
The purpose of the AMS initiative is to align the organization with the four pillars of Main Street in design, organization, promotion, and economic vitality. These principles can be seen at work in over 30 Georgia cities including Gainesville, Cartersville, Valdosta, Woodstock, Hapeville, East Point, College Park, and more.
EABA’s goal for 2022 is to complete the accreditation with Georgia Main Street. This accreditation will give access to funding, resources, and support for small businesses, and for preservation of what makes EAV an amazing place to eat, drink, live, work, and play. Working towards the goal of being an accredited Atlanta Main Street, EABA has developed a community questionnaire to get input from folks who work here, reside here, and visit here.
If you’ve ever been to East Atlanta, your input is welcome. Please take a couple minutes to fill out the visioning questionnaire at www.eastatlantabiz.com. After completion you’ll be entered into a raffle for a chance to win one of many gift cards to EAV small businesses. You’ll be contributing not only towards a goal of accreditation, but also towards the overall vision that will be developed for East Atlanta through the Main Street program. EABA will use this information to identify strengths as well opportunities for improvement in the community. Your participation is greatly appreciated.
(Chelsea Sommers is the Main Street Coordinator for the East Atlanta Business Association.)
