Free Business Fair & $1.5M in Grants: Fayette County Is Investing in YOU
Pull up a chair, neighbor. There is some genuinely exciting news coming out of Fayette County this week — the kind that makes you want to dust off your business cards and mark your calendar.
Whether you are a dreaming entrepreneur, a seasoned small business owner, or simply someone who roots for the people building something in your community, the next few days are full of opportunity. From a free small business fair happening right here in Fayette County to a $1.5 million community investment announcement that is reshaping the future of the county seat, the village is doing something special — and you are invited to be part of it.
What's Happening Around the Village
Free Small Business Resource Fair — Tuesday, September 29
On Tuesday, September 29, 2026, the City of Fayetteville is hosting the 2026 South Metro Small Business Resource Fair from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Southside Center (inside City Center Park), located at 300 City Center Parkway, Fayetteville, GA 30214. The event is completely free and open to small business owners across South Metro Atlanta.
Here is what makes this one worth showing up for: more than 36 resource partners will be under one roof. Whether you need help securing funding, understanding government contracting, or building a digital marketing strategy, the experts will be there ready to meet with you one-on-one.
Key organizations attending include:
UGA Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Clayton State — free business advising, market research, and growth planning
SCORE — free mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs and executives
Clayton County Procurement & Georgia Department of Administrative Services — government contracting pathways
MARTA — government and transportation contracting opportunities
Lender readiness sessions — helping you understand exactly what banks want to see before you apply for a business loan
Breakout sessions will cover government contracting pathways, digital marketing, lender readiness, and how to harness the South Metro growth engines that are fueling opportunity all across this region.
Registration is encouraged — and free. Click here to register now.
$1.5 Million in Grants Awarded Across Fayette County
Last month, the Fayette County Development Authority (FCDA) announced the recipients of its FY27 Partners in Success Grant Program — awarding $1.5 million across five transformative community projects. Now in its fourth year, the program has invested more than $3.7 million back into Fayette County since it launched.
Each project received a $300,000 matching grant:
Fayetteville Visitor Center — A new destination experience in the heart of Fayetteville, designed to welcome residents and guests and serve as a hub for tourism, local commerce, and community engagement.
Atlanta Regional Airport–Falcon Field Taxiway Connectors — Infrastructure upgrades that will enhance the safety and capacity of one of Fayette County's most important economic assets.
Historic Woolsey Church Restoration — Continued restoration of the 1889 structure to serve as a Community and Cultural Center, honoring the past while serving the present.
Launch Fayette — Workforce development and business incubation, equipping students and citizens with the tools and training to thrive in the modern economy.
Fayette Forward — A countywide nonprofit initiative bringing civic leaders, local businesses, nonprofits, and residents together to build a stronger, more connected Fayette.
"The Partners in Success Grant Program is about more than funding, it's about partnership," said FCDA Board Chairman Darryl A. Hicks. "This is what responsible economic development looks like."
Why It Matters
Let's take a walk around the village for a second. Small businesses are the backbone of South Metro Atlanta. They are the restaurants you celebrate at, the boutiques you shop at, the contractors who fix your roof, and the consultants helping your neighbor finally turn their side hustle into something real.
Events like the Small Business Resource Fair exist precisely because the barriers to starting and growing a business are real — access to capital, knowledge about government contracting, and understanding digital marketing can feel overwhelming. But they do not have to be. These resources are free. These mentors are real people who have been where you are.
And the $1.5 million in county grants signals something even bigger: Fayette County is investing in the infrastructure — the visitor center, the workforce pipeline, the community spaces — that makes this a place people want to open a business, raise a family, and stay for decades.
How This Impacts Our Community
Here is what this week's news means on the ground:
Aspiring entrepreneurs in Fayetteville, Union City, College Park, Peachtree City, and throughout South Metro Atlanta now have a direct on-ramp to funding, mentorship, and contracts.
Young people entering the workforce through Launch Fayette will have stronger pathways to meaningful careers right here at home.
History lovers and community members will have a restored 1889 Woolsey Church as a gathering place for cultural events and community celebrations.
Visitors, tourists, and potential new residents arriving in Fayetteville will soon have a dedicated space to discover everything this city has to offer — which means more dollars staying local.
How You Can Get Involved
Register for the Small Business Resource Fair (Free) — Head to Southside Center on September 29 from 9 AM–1 PM. Come with your business cards, your questions, and your goals. Use the City of Fayetteville's registration link to reserve your spot.
Attend the September 24 Town Hall Meeting — Join Fayetteville City Hall at 6:00 PM on Thursday, September 24 to learn about community plans including House Bill 1581 and upcoming city decisions that directly affect you.
Tell a Neighbor — Know someone who has been dreaming about starting a business? Share this article. Share the registration link. The Resource Fair is FREE and open to all South Metro Atlanta small businesses.
Follow Fayette County Development Authority — Stay informed about future grant programs, economic development news, and upcoming opportunities. These grants happen annually and applications open each year.
Shop Local First — Every time you choose a local business over a national chain, you strengthen the village. The dollars you spend locally get reinvested right back into your neighborhood.
Visit the Woolsey Church Restoration Project — Once complete, this 1889 landmark will serve as a community and cultural center. Watch for volunteer and programming opportunities as the project progresses.
Around the Village Calendar
Thursday, September 24, 2026 — Fayetteville Town Hall Meeting, 6:00–7:30 PM | Fayetteville City Hall | Topic: House Bill 1581 | Free & open to the public
Saturday, September 26, 2026 — Shred & Recycle Day | Fayetteville | Free document shredding event for residents
Saturday, September 26, 2026 — Locals Only Luau by 99X | Fayetteville | Live entertainment for the community
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 — 2026 South Metro Small Business Resource Fair | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM | Southside Center, 300 City Center Parkway, Fayetteville, GA 30214 | FREE — Registration required
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 — Mental Health Webinar (online) | Fayetteville | Free virtual event for the community
Friday, September 25, 2026 — PalmettoPride Let's Clean Up Allendale County | Allendale, SC | Community beautification volunteer day
Sophie's Suggestions
If you're heading to the Resource Fair or celebrating community wins this week, here are a few things from Sophie's Mart that pair perfectly with the moment:
Sophie's Mart KP Brew — Single Serve Brewing Capsules ($6.00): Named after the Kennedy Park community where Sophie's Mart was born, KP Brew is the perfect fuel for an early morning networking session or a late-night business plan grind. Because great businesses start with great coffee.
Moses & Burke Abstract Signature Tee ($20.68): Walking into a business fair or a community event looking purposeful matters. The Moses & Burke tee represents exactly the kind of intentional, purpose-driven entrepreneur energy you want to bring to a room full of opportunities.
"I Make Black History" Sweatshirt ($47.22): For every entrepreneur who is building something bigger than themselves — wear this one to your next pitch meeting, pop-up, or fair and remind the room exactly who is making history right now.
Around the Village Takeaway
The village grows stronger when neighbors know each other — and this week, Fayette County is making it easier than ever for you to show up, connect, and build something worth passing on.
This content was generated by AI.
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