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Stay Informed Regarding COVID-19


Visit our  Business Resources  page for for the latest information and additional resources. This page is updated regularly.
NEW: Virtual Events & Courses
Sandy Springs State of the City Address by Mayor Paul
Thursday, June 9 - 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Free Online Courses Through 2020
The Georgia Small Business Development Center will be offering online courses and business success training programs at no cost to small business owners through 2020. Find upcoming training programs here .
NEW: Grant Opportunity for Black-Owned Businesses in Metro Atlanta
The Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) RESTORE ATL Fund is in partnership with the CareSource Foundation. The Fund will support black-owned small and medium-sized businesses in metro Atlanta that have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The Metro Atlanta Chamber will implement the grant program by providing financial assistance to affected businesses through the distribution of  $5,000- $10,000 grants .
 
Eligibility Criteria: 
  • Company must be black-owned 
  • Company must be a for-profit business located in the Atlanta MSA
  • Company must have fewer than 100 employees (FTE, PTE, and contractors)
  • Company must have been in business for a minimum of 3 years by 03/01/2020
  Applications for the Fund will close on July 6, 2020.


The Fund builds on the work of MAC’s RESTORE task force, a diverse group of business leaders that aims to provide a blueprint for how metro Atlanta and Georgia might accelerate economic recovery.
Update: Transform 285/400 Project
As of Thursday, June 25, 2020, the SR 400 northbound exit to Abernathy Road Westbound (Exit 5B) has been permanently closed . The exit has been r elocated and combined with SR 400 northbound exit to Abernathy Road Eastbound (Exit 5A) . Signage is in place to help motorists navigate the new exit configuration.

The permanent exit closure will accommodate construction of the Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at Abernathy Road and new collector-distributor (CD) bridges over Abernathy Road.

Visit the Transform 285/400 Project webpage . Updates are also posted on the City's Road Work Advisory page at spr.gs/roadwork .
Updates: Federal Loan Programs
SBA and Treasury Announce New EZ and Revised Full Forgiveness Applications for the Paycheck Protection Program


The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, has released a revised, borrower-friendly Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness application. In addition to revising the full forgiveness application, SBA also published a new EZ version of the forgiveness application that applies to borrowers that:

  • Are self-employed and have no employees; OR
  • Did not reduce the salaries or wages of their employees by more than 25%, and did not reduce the number or hours of their employees; OR
  • Experienced reductions in business activity as a result of health directives related to COVID-19, and did not reduce the salaries or wages of their employees by more than 25%.

The EZ application requires fewer calculations and less documentation for eligible borrowers. Details regarding the applicability of these provisions are available in the instructions to the new EZ application form. 

Both applications give borrowers the option of using the original 8-week covered period (if their loan was made before June 5, 2020) or an extended 24-week covered period. These changes will result in a more efficient process and make it easier for businesses to realize full forgiveness of their PPP loan.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance Applications Reopened


The U.S. Small Business Administration has begun accepting new Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance applications from qualified small businesses and U.S. agricultural businesses. Applications are reviewed and processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Your Input Needed:
Transportation Master Plan Update
Sandy Springs is updating its Transportation Master Plan, and we need your help! Please fill out an online survey to provide feedback on your transportation priorities and identify locations for improvements. The interactive survey takes less than 10 minutes.

You can stay updated on the project here .
Results: Perimeter Connects WFH Survey
In April, Perimeter Connects surveyed 2,900+ people in metro Atlanta to learn how their work from home (WFH) experience was going. You can read a summary of key findings learned from the survey, plus find special resources to help companies like yours create a balanced work environment for your employees. View the results here .

What you'll find:
  • April 2020 Snapshot: Remote Work Survey Summary
  • Balanced work resources for your company
  • WFH care package for your employees
  • Opportunities to learn what balanced work strategies other employers are doing
Find - Train - Retain
WorkSource Georgia: ATL Works
WorkSource can connect you to new talent or provide assistance to train or upskill your existing workforce. Learn more   here.

ChooseATL Interns After 5
Each summer, ChooseATL hosts   Interns After 5 , a program designed to give interns at metro Atlanta-based companies an opportunity to get to know the region through a series of interactive events. This year, Interns After 5 will be offered virtually and for FREE to all Atlanta-based companies to help interns establish valuable connections. If you are interested in getting your interns involved email  Jenny Jang   at Metro Atlanta Chamber.
Your Business, Moving Forward
NEW: Georgia Small Business/Nonprofit COVID-19 Remote Pro Bono Clinic
The Georgia Small Business/Nonprofit COVID-19 Pro Bono Clinic is an opportunity for Georgia entrepreneurs and small businesses with fewer than 25 employees as well as 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations who have suffered adversely from the impact of the COVID-19 crisis to receive free legal advice during a 45-minute remote consultation with a volunteer attorney. Potential clients must request an appointment in order to receive a phone-based or video-call consultation. Visit their website to request an appointment.






Your Economic Development Team
Our team is here and ready to assist you however we can. We know each business has its own unique circumstances and challenges during this time, and we stand ready to do all we can to help you navigate this uncertain time. Please let us know how we can help!
Economic Development Director
Economic Development Specialist
This newsletter is prepared by the City of Sandy Springs. You can learn more about the City on our website at  sandyspringsga.gov. You can also telephone our Call Center 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 770-730-5600.