The Small Business Incentive based economic development initiative is designed to encourage small business growth and spark future investment within retail-stagnant areas of designated city council districts.
Donor Name: City of Athens
State: Alabama
City: Athens
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/15/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Objectives
The Program is designed to:
- Promote the economic development of the City of Athens within retail-stagnant areas.
- Induce small business growth and retention within underutilized commercial corridors.
- Stimulate long-term economic development through permanent property upgrades.
- Improve the visual and functional appeal of static retail areas.
- Promote equitable economic opportunity across council districts
- Encourage district-level input through District Advisory Teams.
Funding Information
- Total Program Allocation: The City Council has allocated $200,000 in support of the Program. $100,000 for District 3 and $100,000 for District 5.
- Maximum Award Amount: Incentives are available for the improvement costs of up to $20,000
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be a locally owned small business that is physically located within the geographic boundaries of City Council District 3 or City Council District 5. Be a retailer or a non-professional personal service business (such as, but not limited to, a convenience store, neighborhood market, restaurant, grocery store, clothing store, drugstore, auto repair shop, furniture store, barbershop/hair salon, or nail salon). Professional services such as
- Attorneys, accountants, architects, doctors, chiropractors, surveyors, insurance agencies, bankers, financial service providers, and engineers are not eligible. Residential rental businesses and home occupation businesses are not eligible. Businesses whose primary purpose or operation is the sale of alcohol, tobacco, or controlled substances (such as vape shops or package stores) are not eligible.
- If the applicant is a tenant, then the property owner’s written consent will be required, as well as certification that the tenant has a long-term lease in place (with a term of three (3) or more years) for the use of the property.
- The business’ operations must be fully consistent with the zoning district where the business is located.
- Be compliant with all City of Athens zoning, building codes, and ordinances.
- Be in good standing with:
- City of Athens taxes and fees
- Business licensing requirements
- Have no outstanding code enforcement violations.
For more information, visit City of Athens.
