At an Oct. 16 meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved a host of grant funds to help revitalize downtown Atlanta as the city’s economic development agency continues to gear up for the World Cup in 2026.

As Atlanta prepares to host eight FIFA World Cup matches next summer, local leaders are pushing to revitalize the largely empty downtown area. On Oct. 16, the organization approved five small business improvement grants and a new microgrant fund for entrepreneurs in the city center.

The small business improvement grants, each $50,000, represent four different Tax Allocation Districts: Eastside TAD, Westside TAD, Campbellton Road TAD, and the Perry Bolton TAD. The funds go towards exterior and interior business improvements — 13 total grants have been approved since January.

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