continued from page 28 nies to locate here. The old axiom of economic development is that activity creates more activity. This is a real plum for us.”
French business oppo rtunies Although no French tech firms have made commitments to work with the associated partners yet, French-American Chamber Atlanta Executive Director Julie Lambotte feels that day is coming. “We are in discussion with a few companies, but there’s nothing definitive yet,” she said, adding that agriculture tech companies and various technology service providers are on the ‘possibles’ list. The start-ups they’re looking to incubate at the lab complex will join an already respectable list of French firms doing business in the Peach State, Lambotte said. Some 254 firms from the European nation have already set up shop in Georgia, 135 of them in Metro Atlanta, she said. Lambotte noted that those firms are responsible for more than 18,000 jobs. She indicated that building awareness of Atlanta and its suite of economic offerings among her countrymen has been challenging. “You probably noticed that when you talk to a French person, it’s not the first destination you have in mind when you talk about moving to the U.S. What we are trying to do with the chamber and La French Tech is to put Atlanta on the map,” Lambotte said. And it’s not just the French who are sniffing around. Mason said that officials from other consulates such as Belgium and Canada attended the ribbon-cutting and officials from Germany and India want to tour the place. Johnson said “portals” like these create possibilities that wouldn’t have existed otherwise and that the river can run both ways, with American companies establishing partnerships with French firms or perhaps opening facilities in that country. “The sky is the limit right now,” Johnson said. ■
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Peachtree Corners Launches ARPA Grant Program to Aid Businesses, Nonprofits Impacted by COVID-19 The City of Peachtree Corners launched four separate grant programs to assist businesses and nonprofits severely impacted by COVID-19. Through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 signed into law on March 11, 2021 by President Biden (H.R. 1319), the city will receive $16.4 million which will be given to qualified small businesses and nonprofits that suffered economic hardships due to the impact of COVID-19. The intention is to help businesses remain open and operating and keep Peachtree Corners’ residents employed and to aid nonprofits serving the community with operational funding. “We have worked diligently to ensure the application process is as simple and seamless as possible,” said Cory Salley, the city’s Finance Director. “Because the funding comes from the federal government, there are restrictions on how the funds may be allocated. The details are included in the applications which are accessible on the city’s website. Additionally, an instructional video on how to apply is included. For any questions, please use the email provided on the website page.” The city has created four distinct funds and grant application pathways that will provide operating funds for small businesses and nonprofits; capital funding for
businesses and nonprofits to use to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 or to improve the exterior of their facility; and emergency funding for nonprofits to distribute to Peachtree Corners’ residents most severely impacted. ■ The first application process is the city’s business operating grant, which offers small business funding to use for general operating expenses. ■ The city’s nonprofit operating grant, the second application process, provides nonprofits serving Peachtree Corners’ residents with operational funding. ■ The third application is intended for nonprofits providing emergency assistance to Peachtree Corners’ residents who have been hit the hardest during the pandemic. ■ The fourth fund is the capital expense fund, which provides money to beautify a small business or nonprofit’s facility’s exterior and/ or renovate the facility to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “We are very pleased that the city is able to present this carefully thought-out grant program to our businesses and nonprofit organi-
BUSINESSES DOING GOOD
from going into foster care by supporting biological families in need, recruit and equip foster and adoptive families, and create care communities for those caring for at-risk kids. Learn more at promise686.org.
Relutech’s Volunteer Day for Promise 686
On August 13, Relutech held a volunteer day for their staff to pay it forward to Promise 686 by lending a helping hand to families in our community. Promise 686 is a charity focused on equipping churches with the means to raise awareness about the needs of vulnerable children, help prevent children
Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ October/November 2021 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com
zations,” said Mayor Mike Mason. “It will be the mechanism we use to distribute these monies into the hands of those who need it the most. “The council and I believe it is imperative that we notify our businesses and nonprofits of these grant programs as soon as possible which is why we are one of the first local governments to offer these ARPA grant funds,” added Mayor Mason. Learn more about the funds and their grant applications on the City of Peachtree Corners webpage, peachtreecornersga.gov/businesses/american-rescue-plan-act. The grant application process launched Sept. 20 and ends at 11 p.m. on Oct. 29. For questions, please send an email to grants@ peachtreecornersga.gov. ■
Relutech team at Volunteer Day for Promise 686.
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