[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6236785,"mediaKeyId","3354710-a97dd466b0d82be7ae1d5558d4cc2c99","parentId",3354710,"title","Department of Labor reports summer jobs, apprenticeship plans and $676,000 in philanthropic support","audioSeconds",794,"startMs",10922000,"endMs",11716000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3354710-a97dd466b0d82be7ae1d5558d4cc2c99&start=10922&end=11716","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3354710-a97dd466b0d82be7ae1d5558d4cc2c99/thumbnail_10922000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6236785/Atlanta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Department-of-Labor-reports-summer-jobs-apprenticeship-plans-and-676000-in-philanthropic-support","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236785-95c839ddefc0e05ce7769a2c113de707/orig.mp4?Expires=1770906511&Signature=fkLwxSPRALqU4FFzzu70mMUHOYVOd~jAtzc8TSiwKlFplI0673YAwTiboXeNSWs9Yxi9wGBi5QyTEgJAmnGCy35dTOz-agrf9uebYfNkc8AekiYV~UPFfvdr~ibHw4h~wQjFA6ny2QkJJmeIaE~FMwtj1y-c3ZTTwGyU6zh3meQA9ISGHHQ2ELbiqSQ47s8yv70j2y89KFtMyIXMRSp6I7z05IbDesH4D~ZSXC6KhEVOddKjTywIHnjAFmbjtZ7-mTIfq-8QnnfDKO0FAt7Bj-~Q3VjIZGE9gRY-jw9PX8i8kRZqH1amjuhHQM8lWP9Yo~6VGMKQdCmDZx35cPOOsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-15T20:25:30Z","article","Theresa Austin Gibbons, interim commissioner of the Atlanta Department of Labor, told the City Council that the department secured $676,000 in philanthropic grants and is preparing a signature apprenticeship program for youth, adults and dislocated workers.

The funding — $676,000 from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Arthur M. Blank Foundation — will be used to expand career‑readiness and permanent employment programs in targeted ZIP codes, the department said. \"The Annie E. Casey was for 18 to 24 year olds, and the Arthur M. Blank was 18 to 30 year olds in the Vine City and English Avenue areas,\" Gibbons said.

Department staff reported program outcomes to the committee: more than 5,700 participants ages 14–24 were placed in summer jobs in the most recent season and the department said that figure grows to about 14,000 since 2022. The department also reported 325 WIOA placements (participants who completed Individual Training Accounts and moved into employment) and said those placements averaged about $22 per hour.

Deputy Commissioner Sonia Wilson Westmoreland told the council the department received a clean federal WIOA audit after earlier years with multiple findings. The department said it will integrate the philanthropic funding into summer youth employment and permanent employment pathways and will formally launch the city apprenticeship program in the upcoming year.

Councilmember Juan and others asked about overall funding levels. The department said the base funding picture includes roughly $3.5 million in federal funds and about $1.0 million in city general fund support; additional trust‑fund balances and philanthropic grants supplement those monies. Staff noted federal WIOA funding is allocated in multi‑wave disbursements (youth allocations now, adult/dislocated worker allocations in July/October) and that the department monitors those schedules to confirm multi‑year availability.

No formal council action was taken; council members asked the department to return with consolidated budget totals that combine federal, trust and local sources.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","#Atlanta City Council FY 2026 Budget Briefing Afternoon Session May 15, 2025 #atlpol","oneSentenceSummary","Interim Commissioner Theresa Austin Gibbons told the council the Department of Labor placed more than 5,700 youth in summer jobs in 2025 (about 14,000 since 2022), secured $676,000 in philanthropic grants for career programming and plans a city apprenticeship program.","taxTitle","Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia","taxId",2959,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6236789,"Mayor presents FY26 executive proposal emphasizing public safety, youth programs and housing while cutting office spending 8% from FY25 projections",6958,3769000,10727000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3354710-a97dd466b0d82be7ae1d5558d4cc2c99&start=3769&end=10727","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3354710-a97dd466b0d82be7ae1d5558d4cc2c99/thumbnail_3769000.jpg","/articles/6236789/Atlanta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Mayor-presents-FY26-executive-proposal-emphasizing-public-safety-youth-programs-and-housing-while-cutting-office-spending-8-from-FY25-projections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236789-8344e7082dffde8b0aebec4f34823d19/orig.mp4?Expires=1770906511&Signature=CxOFnMVB0IL4j7y~bTqJ~5J~CkoqdUKxwnlT~yrwhI7R-P0NAkJv9hcD~JWUKxkCLQDt4GhACC4tcl6BeCuYE576ree2HwR5BzbVbbwbFuiCCaGYTWEMFsHBooRnAkzVkp2VAtlFo4aSlCy3a1DT0XA1tdqEcOpMz0u09-VxCPnY8UqB2Jm6BWOOQgLv9-1At35KDkIwDwawjHhK96DGmPi-~T4OKEAk8bVsnHAmTY-QywctH5o-DX1tJNl2Os68zhlQiHZ9gfYfVaT4R0y4NQCqgDJtaQcy0aR0NAuyRkJF4ywal8ECmgJMblgCeUs-VdUuCRj5fjcd4ye81aP2BA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Dickens and senior members of the mayor’s executive team presented the proposed FY26 executive offices budget to the Atlanta City Council, saying the administration will continue a “group project” approach to public safety, youth services, housing and infrastructure while presenting an FY26 executive offices plan that is 8% below FY25 projections.

The mayor opened the presentation by describing a multi‑year agenda of recovering from COVID disruptions, addressing violent crime and investing in city infrastructure. \"This is a group project,\" the mayor said, framing a whole‑of‑government effort that the administration said drives its priorities.

Chiefs and senior staff presented outcomes the administration cited as justification for continued investment. Andre Burks, chief operating officer and other senior staff reported falling violent‑crime metrics compared with 2022 and described a range of new or expanded public‑safety tools: a centralized emergency operations approach, a new public‑safety training center, expansion of diversion programs (a center for diversion services operated with Fulton County and Grady Hospital), and a CARES (nonpolicing response) unit. The administration said homicides and certain violent crimes have declined since 2022; staff provided different headline percentages during the hearing and characterized the trend as significant.

The mayor’s team also highlighted a continued focus on youth workforce programs and affordable housing. The administration reported placing about 14,000 youth in workforce programs since 2022 and said it has achieved roughly 11,000 of a 20,000‑unit affordable‑housing goal set by the administration. Officials described investments in parks, public works and infrastructure, and summarized transportation initiatives including the Move Atlanta and Renew Atlanta bond programs. Staff warned that those capital programs have not yet fully spent the intended bond proceeds and said some project delivery has proven slower than planned.

On fiscal particulars, Chief of Staff Odie Donald said the FY26 executive‑offices proposal is roughly 8% lower than FY25 projections and below FY24 actuals. The administration reported an authorized general‑fund employee count in the executive offices near 234 (249 total positions when non‑general‑fund contract‑compliance roles are included), described a vacancy review process and said an internal effort to reduce overtime has produced recent declines in overtime expenses in several departments. Donald said the FY26 proposal includes reduced contract services and a modest net personnel reduction while preserving programmatic capacity.

Council members pressed for details. Councilmember Shipman and others asked for a breakdown of the 63 vacancies the mayor’s office cited and requested more detail on how the FY26 run rate would be achieved at the start of the fiscal year. Councilmembers asked whether planned reductions would be fully implemented by the beginning of FY26 and sought clarification on where future headcount reductions would occur if the administration must meet more severe cuts.

Other topics included planning for the 2026 World Cup (the administration said staff and partners including Showcase Atlanta and public‑safety mutual‑aid planning are under way), the city’s revenue mix and the potential impact of federal funding cuts. Administration officials urged continued coordination with state partners and said some federal agencies (EDA, HUD, DOT) are experiencing slower processing that can affect local projects. The mayor and staff encouraged council engagement on potential revenue options to sustain a growing city with a relatively small residential tax base compared with the broader metro area.

No formal votes were taken. Council members asked for supplemental materials: vacancy and position‑by‑fund breakdowns, a more detailed overtime plan and progress metrics for bond‑funded capital programs.","Mayor Dickens and executive staff told the council the FY26 executive offices proposal reduces spending 8% from FY25 projections, keeps a focus on public safety and youth programs, and pursues a whole‑of‑government “group project” approach to affordable housing, infrastructure and workforce initiatives.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6236794,"Invest Atlanta presents FY26 ask, highlights small-business support and food-access investments",868,197000,1065000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3354710-a97dd466b0d82be7ae1d5558d4cc2c99&start=197&end=1065","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3354710-a97dd466b0d82be7ae1d5558d4cc2c99/thumbnail_197000.jpg","/articles/6236794/Atlanta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Invest-Atlanta-presents-FY26-ask-highlights-small-business-support-and-food-access-investments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236794-9130def744b16f91428b6aa9a3dd2c1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770906511&Signature=jsw1hxW57ILN42rcPWsfmqRaGk5KC6qKTjeC86xvDOP6Mnw0s0F58iuOSTrh4athcqlxfZ-FA5h3Dy0vH74OA-3-~GQDSJBcgi3i5hrp0d3aQoMGWLr-k0mxrApkwz7CrC~J5UuS4NK1AK94vcwO21MgmWlRtX07Ewsfoh8UHHo~hbsw8Ldv1swEaXu3b7S-3GQdH1gWSWI0rSwG54LAsWEFMOn7REHdPN4HJRHL-BiC4uKgsiUZSlUFCiPP9wSFabaDYh0cqcWcnZ7iVjETyhcbMEr5Ri~rUvIJPkZ4ScPPDUPXsdSY8IDwZMlKyjWmW7V~3GAuLya~gsqC3iCBHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Eloisa Comentich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, told the Atlanta City Council budget hearing on May 20 that Invest Atlanta is seeking $3 million in the city general fund for fiscal 2026 while continuing programs aimed at small businesses and food access.

The request matters because Invest Atlanta says its 2024 investments — $717 million of direct investment that the agency reported leveraged another $900 million for a total capital impact of $1.57 billion — are concentrated in the city’s disinvested neighborhoods and are intended to produce jobs, tax revenue and neighborhood revitalization. \"For every $1 of general fund dollars that come to Invest Atlanta, we have been able to return to the city $7.2,\" Comentich said.

Invest Atlanta emphasized measurable results and tools. The agency described 18 targeted small‑business financing programs that provided about $14,800,000 in direct grants and loans in 2024 and supported 1,845 unique small businesses. Invest Atlanta reported providing roughly 3,800 hours of technical assistance and said equity metrics for program participants were 57% Black owned, 30% women owned and 16% operating inside the agency’s designated disinvested neighborhoods.

The presentation highlighted a mix of tools for food‑access work. Invest Atlanta described a partnership with the Independent Grocers Alliance and said it has supported 20 independent grocers (about 75% minority‑owned) that collectively operate about 7,000 square feet of retail space and serve more than 25,000 customers a week. The agency said it has awarded 15 operators about $750,000 in reimbursable commercial property improvement grants (50% located in food deserts) and cited local projects including the Atlanta Community Food Bank, City of Refuge, The Gooder at Edgewood and Wholesome Way of Georgia as examples of investments aimed at underserved areas.

Comentich also described legacy‑business support: the Atlanta Local Legacy Program launched April 1, offering the Legacy Empowerment Grant (up to $5,000 reimbursable) and, for qualifying businesses in a tax allocation district (TAD), a Small Business Improvement Grant up to $50,000. She invited council members to promote a new Local Legacy app that Invest Atlanta plans to use to connect businesses with programs.

Council members asked operational questions about program availability and outreach. Councilmember Collins asked whether Small Business Improvement Grants remain available; Invest Atlanta staff said the program is active, described outreach efforts (webinars and in‑person sessions at Pittsburgh Yards and the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs) and said staff will help businesses navigate the application process. Councilmember Lewis and others praised local grocery, market and neighborhood projects, and asked about specific locations such as Campbellton Road and Petrie/Peachtree projects the agency listed as pipeline priorities.

On the agency’s FY26 budget, Invest Atlanta told the council the agency’s general‑fund ask declines from a $3.5 million request to $3.0 million and the proposal contemplates a headcount of about 21 full‑time employees and a net headcount reduction of roughly three positions compared with the prior year’s ask. A slide shown to the council summarized operations by category (business attraction, women’s entrepreneurship initiative, technology and innovation, business retention and small‑business support) and flagged a projected FY26 reduction in SG&A and personnel costs.

No formal council action was taken at the hearing. Council members asked for follow‑up on program availability, practical application support for small businesses and a clearer breakdown of how Invest Atlanta will reach disinvested neighborhoods in FY26.","Dr. Eloisa Comentich told the Atlanta City Council Invest Atlanta seeks $3 million in general‑fund support for FY26 while reporting large private investment leverage, expanded small‑business lending and targeted food‑access grants focused on disinvested neighborhoods.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Department of Labor reports summer jobs, apprenticeship plans and $676,000 in philanthropic support

Mayor presents FY26 executive proposal emphasizing public safety, youth programs and housing while cutting office spending 8% from FY25 projections

Invest Atlanta presents FY26 ask, highlights small-business support and food-access investments