Comcast solidified this month its commitment to supporting the growth of small business in the metro Atlanta area with a $1 million donation to the Russell Innovation Center of Entrepreneurship and also announced the return of Comcast RISE, a comprehensive economic growth program designed to help small businesses move to the next level.
Initially created in 2020 to help small businesses hit hard by Covid-19, Comcast RISE has awarded more than $125 million in funds, marketing and technology grants to some 13,500 businesses. In 2024, the program seeks to help 100 small businesses in five metropolitan areas which are Atlanta, Houston, TX, Jacksonville, FL, Richmond, VA and Southern Colorado.
This is the second year, Comcast has picked the metro Atlanta area for the program. “This is one of the biggest communities we serve in the southeast. Our regional headquarters is based in The Battery (Cobb County). Atlanta is a booming thrilling thriving community,” said Mike McArdle, Regional SVP, Comcast South Region.
RICE CEO Jay Bailey said the Comcast grant will play a significant role in the organization’s expansion plans.
“The donation today will allow us to build out our digital rights platform,” Bailey told The Atlanta Voice. Although we support over 360 businesses in this building and touch about 10 thousand annually, Digital RICE will give us the capacity to support entrepreneurs all over the country and the world. It will help us bring a little bit of the magic we have here to everyone that needs it out there.”
The businesses that will participate in the program will need to apply and meet certain criteria. They must have been in business for at least three years, have less than 100 employees and be located in designated zip codes of the cities.
If selected the businesses will receive a $5000 grant, creative production media and technology makeovers, education resources and business consultation services and a 30 second commercial spot which will run for 130 days.
“This is really going to change the game for these small businesses,” McArdle said.
Atlanta-based entrepreneur Pinky Cole, the founder of the Slutty Vegan restaurant chain urged all eligible entrepreneurs to apply for this valuable program.
“ As an entrepreneur I am proud to stand by Comcast and this program,” Cole told the entrepreneurs attending the announcement. “I’m excited that 100 entrepreneurs in the metropolitan Atlanta area will have the ability to get the tools, the knowledge and the mentorship and the information that they need. All we need is a little to be able to give a lot.”
Cole has witnessed first hand how the program has helped an entrepreneur who just so happens to be her husband who is also a restaurateur. Derrick Hayes, owner of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, told The Atlanta Voice that Comcast’s help was crucial in his company’s growth.
“ I was at a critical point. Scaling up a business is never easy. For a company like Comcast to come in and help me with the technology part of my business is amazing because now I’m able to provide opportunities to others by spreading the message,” Hayes said.
“This is a marquee program. It speaks to the comprehensive set of solutions we can provide to small businesses in the community. We live in the community and I couldn’t think of a better way than to support the businesses that enrich our communities,” McArdle said.
Applications will be accepted between May 1 and May 31, 2024. Grants will be awarded in August 2024. For a full list of eligibility requirements go to: www.ComcastRISE.com.