DeKalb County Residents

Interested in entrepreneurship?

Want to turn your hobby into a hustle?

Have a great idea but are not sure where to start? If you answered YES then…..

The DeKalb Small Business Micro-Enterprise Program is for YOU!

The DeKalb County Community Development Department has partnered with The Entrepreneurship Center of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta (ULGA TEC) to offer a FREE virtual program for aspiring entrepreneurs.

STARTING JANUARY 2024

NOTE: This program is exclusively for residents and businesses located in DeKalb County.

During the program, you will learn:

· How to market and brand your product and services?

· How to raise capital, prepare, and understand your business financial statements?

· What do I need to know about human resources and compliance, and do I hire employees or contractors?

· Who is my competition, and how do I sell my service and products?

· What tools and technology do I need?

The Eligibility Requirements

Participants MUST be a resident of DeKalb County OR own a business less than 2 years old located in DeKalb County

MUST be willing to submit income AND address verification

Five or fewer employees if already in business

NOTE: The DeKalb Small Business Micro-Enterprise Programs (DSBMEP) are funded using The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) proceeds. The expressed purpose of these programs is to support HUD’s third overarching goal – To expand economic opportunities which principally benefit low-to-moderate income persons.

Please be advised that HUD requires income and residence verification be collected and maintained on file as a condition of participating in the DeKalb Small Business Micro-Enterprise Programs. Income is not used to determine acceptance into the program, however, HUD requires that we capture income and residency information. This information will be collected prior to approval into the program.

FAQ

Question: Are residents of Fulton, Clayton or Gwinnett County allowed to participate in this program?

Answer: The only way someone who does not live in DeKalb County could participate in the DeKalb Small Business Start Up Accelerator is if they have already started a business in DeKalb County. This program is specifically for residents of DeKalb County OR owners of businesses located in DeKalb County with businesses operating for more than 2 years.

Question: I have not started my business yet? Am I able to participate in the workshop?

Answer: Yes, this start-up program is specifically designed for pre-venture business owners.

Question: I have been in business for 18 months, am I able to participate in the workshop?

Answer: Yes, existing start-ups that have been operating for less than 2 years are eligible to participate.

Question: Why do I have to submit income and residency information in order to participate in this free program?

Answer: DeKalb Small Business Micro-Enterprise Programs (DSBMEP) are funded using The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) proceeds. The expressed purpose of these programs is to support HUD’s third overarching goal- To expand economic opportunities which principally benefit low-to-moderate income persons. As a result, HUD requires all participants submit income and address verification PRIOR to attending any programs.

Please be advised that income is not used to determine acceptance into the program, however, HUD requires that we capture and maintain information on file for statistical purposes.

Below is a list of forms that can be used for Income Verification

• -Paystub less than 90 days old
• -2019 W2
• -First page of 2019 Tax Return
• -Unemployment verification letter
• -Separation notice

NOTE: W2 and/or 1st page of Tax Return will satisfy both Income AND Residency Verification

Below is a list of forms that can be used for Residence Verification

• -Valid Driver’s License or State issued ID
• -Valid Vehicle Registration
• -Utility Bill
• -Mortgage Statement or Lease Agreement

One form from EACH list must be scanned and emailed to dekalb@ulgatl.org 48 hours before the program. The ability to participate in the. The ability to participate in the free Start Up Accelerator will be based on completed application and submission of income and residency verification.

Question: Is there an income limit to participate in this program?

Answer: The DeKalb Small Business Micro-Enterprise Programs (DSBMEP) are funded using The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) proceeds. The expressed purpose of these programs is to support HUD’s third overarching goal – To expand economic opportunities which principally benefit low-to-moderate income persons. While there is not an income limit for the program, however, HUD requires that we capture income and residency information. HUD requires income and residence verification be collected and maintained on file as a condition of participating in the DeKalb Small Business Micro-Enterprise Programs.

Question: What is required to verify income and residency?

Answer: As stated previously, there is not an income limit for acceptance into the program, however, HUD requires that we capture and maintain income and residency information on file.

One piece of Income and Residency verification from each list must be submitted 48 hours PRIOR to the program

Below is a list of forms that can be used for Income Verification

• -Paystub less than 90 days old
• -2020 W2
• -First page of 2020 Tax Return
• -Unemployment verification letter
• -Separation notice

NOTE: W2 and/or 1st page of Tax Return will satisfy both Income AND Residency Verification

Below is a list of forms that can be used for Residence Verification

• -Valid Driver’s License or State issued ID
• -Valid Vehicle Registration
• -Utility Bill
• -Mortgage Statement or Lease Agreement

One form from EACH list must be scanned and emailed to dekalb@ulgatl.org at least 5 business days before the program begins. Approval and acceptance into the program will be based on completed application and submission of income and residency verification. Those with missing information will be unable to participate in the program.

Admission decisions will be made in priority order of receipt of a COMPLETED application- which includes income and residency verification documentation. Acceptance notifications will be sent via email.

Question: I have 2 business partners. Do they need to submit their information also?

Answer: Yes – everyone who participates needs to provide income and residency information.

Question: One of my business partners lives in Gwinnett county. Will they be eligible to participate with me?

Answer: If the business is located IN DeKalb County, all business partners will be able to participate regardless of their county of residence.

Question: I am currently unemployed, what type of documentation can I provide?

Answer: Documentation verifying unemployment or employment separation will be sufficient. Email dekalb@ulgatl.com if you are concerned or have questions about your documentation.

Question: What will happen with my documentation?

Answer: The documents you submit will be used to verify your residency and then stored in a locked file at Urban League Headquarters.

Question: How are my documents stored?

Answer: The documents you submit will be kept in a locked file cabinet at Urban League Headquarters. DeKalb County, nor ANYONE outside of the Urban League program manager will have access to your files.

Question: What happens to my paperwork if I submit the documentation and then decide later that I do not want to participate in the program?

Answer: We understand that things change. If you comply with our request and submit the necessary documentation but do NOT participate in the program, simply notify us via email at dekalb@ulgatl.org and we will shred your documents.

Question: I am very concerned because my documents display sensitive information.

Answer: The ONLY things HUD requires us to document are address and income information. You can AND we encourage you to redact and cross out driver’s license numbers AND/OR social security numbers prior to sending in your information. We simply need to see your name, address and income.

Question: How long are my documents kept on file?

Answer: HUD requires that this information will need to stay on file for five years

Question: What if I do not want to submit my documents?

Answer: Only people who submit the required documentation AND meet the address verification are eligible to participate.

Question: When will we receive the Zoom link?

Answer: Zoom information will be sent by 3pm on event day to everyone who has submitted a completed registration form AND submitted the required information to dekalb@ulgatl.org 48 hours before the workshop.

Question: What happens if I am unable to submit information 5 days before the workshop?

Answer: We cannot guarantee the ability to complete your registration if you submit your documentation less than 5 days before a workshop.

Question: I have a previously scheduled engagement and am going to miss a class or two?

Answer: Life happens and we understand that planned (and sometimes unplanned) events come up and may conflict with one of the DSBMEP classes. No problem at all. Please register for the classes you know you will be able to attend.

Question: How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Answer: Our goal is to make sure you have all the information that you need in order to make the commitment to this 8-week series. We have taken great lengths to provide a this information online as our ability to answer calls is significantly compromised at this time. Please review this section in its entirety for information.