Author: On Common Ground News

WASHINGTON – Small Business Administration Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced key details on application requirements, eligibility, and a program guide for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RFF). The restaurant industry has been among the hardest-hit sectors during the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. To help bring jobs back and revive the industry, the American Rescue Plan, signed into law by President Joe Biden, established the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA will administer the funds to the hardest-hit small restaurants. “Today, we are starting the process to help restaurants…

ROCKDALE COUNTY – The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners (BOC) has appointed Terrence Simpkins as Rockdale’s new Director of Stormwater Management. Simpkins joins Rockdale County with more than 25 years of experience in stormwater infrastructure, project management, floodplain management, and compliance monitoring. Originally from South Carolina, Simpkins received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering Technology from South Carolina State University in 1993.  He relocated to the metro Atlanta area in 1994, where he was hired with the Georgia Department of Transportation as a civil engineering technologist. Simpkins says he believes that through creative thinking, good customer service, and process…

CONYERS—The historic Bald Rock Baptist Church and Pastor Christopher Shipp celebrated two of its congregation members as Rockdale County centenarians today (April 18). The Rev. Willie Clarence Banks, 100, and Deacon John Henry Penn, 101, were honored during Bald Rock’s drive-in Men’s Day worship service, marking a page in the history of Bald Rock, Rockdale’s first African American congregation, which was established in 1861. The church held the service on the front lawn with members and visitors worshipping in their cars with masks on and following COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. Brian Jenkins, president of the…

Slutty Vegan Founder Pinky Cole, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President Rick Wade headline online business forum   STONECREST—New Birth Senior Pastor Jamal Bryant is hosting a virtual conference for current business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs on April 24, at 10 a.m. Featuring Slutty Vegan Chief Executive Officer and Founder Pinky Cole and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President Dr. Rick Wade, “The Launching Pad” is a half-day online business forum created to empower business moguls in the making and enable them to better position their ideas in the marketplace.    “This forum will not only inspire leaders…

The City of Stonecrest’s Acting City Manager, Janice Allen Jackson, and Deputy City Manager, Jim Nichols would like to invite you to our next; Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Virtual Meeting on April 20, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. Click here to import this event into your Calendar Access: Stonecrest YouTube Live Channel If there is a ZOOM Link, then the Link will be updated on The City Calendar, and attached you will find the meeting agenda.

ATLANTA—On Thursday, April 8, Gov. Brian Kemp’s Executive Order 03.31.21.03 became effective, rolling back the remaining COVID-19 restrictions on Georgia’s economy. The Governor’s Executive Orders are available to read here.  More details on the Executive Order is below: Executive Order 03.31.21.03 ▪ Will become effective April 8 through April 30, 2021 ▪ Eliminates the Gatherings ban ▪ Eliminates Shelter-in-Place requirements ▪ Removes the critical infrastructure distinction and collapses all organization suggested measures into one main list, with a small number of additional industry-specific requirements remaining ▪ Reduces any remaining distance requirements (i.e. distance between parties at restaurants, bars, and movie theaters, and between patrons…

The 2021 DeKalb County Junior Varsity Track Championships provided some exciting moments as the Stephenson Lady Jaguars and Decatur Bulldogs captured the respective titles on April 13 at Buck Godfrey Stadium in Decatur. Stephenson held off a late charge by defending champion (2019) Arabia Mountain to capture the title by a slim 96-93 margin. The Lady Jaguars built a lead early taking the titles in the shot and discus with wins by Jamaya Allen in the shot (30-05.75) and the discus (81-09) along with a victory by Petaune Noteman in the long jump (16-05.00). The 4×800 meter relay team claimed…

PENSACOLA, FL— Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA), the governing body for Pensacola Beach, recently launched a new, content-rich website showcasing the many unique creatures and features of the barrier island. Pensacola Beach has long been a favorite spot for vacationers who are drawn to its sugar-white beaches and clear emerald waters. Look a little deeper and you’ll discover that it is also home to a fragile and diverse eco-system with abundant wildlife and plant life. PensacolaBeachEcoTrail.com is an extension of the physical Pensacola Beach Footprints in The Sand Eco…

DeKalb County Development Authority Dorian DeBarr DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Development Authority unanimously approved Dorian DeBarr as the new president of the Decide DeKalb Development Authority. DeBarr joined the organization in 2016 and has served since 2019 as the interim president following the departure of Ray Gilley. “Mr. DeBarr has done an outstanding job ensuring DeKalb’s economic progress remains steady despite the negative impacts of the pandemic,” said DeKalb County CEO Thurmond. “Under his leadership, Decide DeKalb has been a great partner with the county in supporting existing businesses and pursuing  new opportunities and was…