August 16, 2021
Decatur Launches Retail Incubator to Encourage Brick-and-Mortar Development
Decatur Downtown Development Authority Commits $25,000 to Innovative Program
The City of Decatur and Decatur Downtown Development Authority (DDA) announced the launch of a retail recruitment incubator, which will provide online-only businesses with the opportunity to test their concepts in a brick-and-mortar location for a six-month period.
The DDA allocated $25,000 for this program in July 2021, which will provide rental assistance toward a pop-up or co-op space for up to six businesses currently operating either solely online or in festival/expo settings. In addition to negotiating the short-term leases for the six-month term, the incubator will offer a training and mentorship component to help recipients gain institutional and invaluable knowledge from a wide array of successful members of the business community, including fellow small business owners, accountants, bank representatives and more.
“This incubator program presents a tremendous opportunity to entrepreneurs who have built a strong business online and are confident the market will support a physical presence,” said Conor McNally, DDA chair. “Our research showed similar programs have been very successful in places like Memphis, Tenn., and Dayton, Ohio, so we are excited for the economic growth and innovation this can spur for Decatur.”
To be eligible for the retail incubator, applicants must have been operating for at least two years, have no more than 10 employees, pay for half of the rent associated with the temporary space, share income statements and produce a business plan. The application window opens on Aug. 16 at 8 a.m. and closes on Sept. 5 at 5 p.m., with up to 10 finalists chosen by Sept. 12. The six winners will ultimately be selected by Sept. 15 and moved into the retail space by Oct. 15.
“From The Square to the Old Depot District, our economy is largely built on experiences, so the incubator is an investment both in our future and budding entrepreneurs,” said Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett. “We hope this program signals Decatur is committed to bringing people back together and supporting the brick-and-mortar retailers that make our culture second to none.”
The application process is being conducted entirely online at DecaturDDA.com/Incubator, and for more information, please email Shirley Baylis at [email protected].
About the City of Decatur
The City of Decatur, located just east of Atlanta and home to 22,000 people, is characterized by world class big-city business assets, progressive attitudes, highly educated people, an accessible government and superb quality of life for those who live and/or work here. The city was recently listed as the 2018 Best Neighborhood in Atlanta by Creative Loafing. Decatur already is home to Emory Health Care, Agnes Scott College, Columbia Seminary, the Task Force for Global Health and a vibrant mix of small, local professional firms.
About the Decatur Downtown Development Authority
The Decatur Downtown Development Authority (DDA) was founded in 1982 to implement the Decatur Town Center Plan and to provide day-to-day management of the downtown development program. Since that time, our role has expanded to include responsibility for all of Decatur’s commercial districts. The Downtown Development Authority works with the traditional, downtown business district and the Development Authority has jurisdiction over the neighborhood districts. Both Authorities share a board and staff and exist to provide assistance to prospective business owners and developers interested in investing in Decatur’s economic development plans. These programs are housed within the City’s Community & Economic Development Department.
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Media Contacts:
Adam Schick Renae Madison
The Wilbert Group City of Decatur
404-510-9597 678-553-6561