Beltline-Funded Commercial District Support Grants are Helping Shape Atlanta Beltline-Funded Commercial District Support Grants are Helping Shape Atlanta

Atlanta Beltline celebrates Economic Development Week, a time to recognize how local investments help communities grow and thrive. Our commitment to this work shows up in real ways from supporting small businesses to creating jobs and helping neighborhoods stay vibrant. 

We do this through programs like Atlanta Beltline Marketplace, Beltline Business Ventures, and Commercial District Support, which focus on giving local businesses and districts the tools they need to succeed. 

Our Commercial District Support Program is all about helping the organizations behind Atlanta’s commercial corridors better support the businesses that make their neighborhoods unique. 

In 2024, Atlanta Beltline awarded over $510,000 to 11 local organizations across the city. The goal was simple: help them strengthen their districts, support small businesses, and spark long-term growth. 

Now, two years later, we checked back in to see what that support made possible, and the impact is already showing. 

From new wayfinding signage to strengthened volunteer programs, here is how these grant recipients are putting their funding to work across Atlanta: 

Livable Buckhead 

"Through the 2024 Commercial District Support Grant, Livable Buckhead is strengthening its volunteer systems to support more connected, consistent community involvement. The focus is on implementing a volunteer management platform and refining onboarding, training, and tracking to make participation easier and more rewarding. These efforts are designed to increase retention, deepen engagement, and grow a network of volunteers serving as ambassadors for Buckhead’s continued growth and community impact." - Denise Starling, Executive Director 

Northwest Business Association 

"The Northwest Business Association utilized its $60,000 grant from the Beltline to produce a business resource guide, which includes a directory of NWBA members. By employing students from the City of Atlanta’s Summer Youth Employment Program to distribute these directories from I-285 to the Bankhead MARTA station, we successfully grew our membership from 12 to 82 businesses." - Gail Mapp, Director of Business Development 

South Atlanta Business Association 

“The Atlanta Beltline Commercial District Grant has been instrumental in launching and building the Southside Assembly, a new business association serving Historic South Atlanta, Thomasville Heights, and the surrounding areas. Through this investment, we’ve created consistent small business networking opportunities, developed a strong pipeline of entrepreneurs, and established the foundation needed to revitalize our local commercial districts. This grant has allowed us to shift from early community engagement to sustained, business-led momentum.”- Bekah Klein, Grants Manager 

Upper Westside CID 

"The 2024 Commercial District Support Grant enabled the Upper Westside Improvement District to install custom wayfinding signage that guides visitors to key destinations. Designed using the CID’s playful color palette, the signage clearly highlights landmarks, commercial areas, and recreational sites." - Elizabeth Hollister, Executive Director

Learn more about Atlanta Beltline’s economic development programs here.