ACE Receives $500,000 Investment from Synovus

ACE PARTNERS WITH MOREHOUSE FOR
AIRPORT CONCESSIONS COHORT

A select group of business owners attended the launch of the Airport Concessioner Accelerator Program (ACAP) on May 8, 2024. The ACAP Cohort was developed in partnership with ACE | Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs, Morehouse Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (MIEC), and the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) to support diverse entrepreneurs with the opportunity to prepare to enter airport concessions at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

Paramount Cutting Contracting is a small construction company founded by husband-and-wife duo Latasha and Sherman Johnson in 2018. In 2023, the couple found themselves needing more funding to expand their business. After finding little success pursuing a loan through local banks and other lenders, the couple came across ACE. With the help of ACE, the Johnsons were able to afford new equipment, new employees, and other business costs.

LITTLE HARVEST LEARNING ACADEMY

Congratulations to Mercedes Talley, on the recent closing of an ACE loan. Talley, who is owner of Little Harvest Learning Academy (LHLA), in Kingston, Georgia, qualified for a loan to acquire an existing business previously owned by Blat Enterprises. Little Harvest Learning Academy LLC serves families with childcare services for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. The program offers a nurturing environment conducive for growing and learning.  With experienced teachers in the classrooms, LHLA is customer focused on goals such as academics, creativity, and play. Talley has experience as a substitute teacher for all grades and is a certified paraprofessional. She has also obtained a 40-hr Childcare Director Training Certification.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Juan Colon is a Financial Advisor within the Business Advisory team at ACE in Atlanta. He also serves as a volunteer regional board member at Prospera Regional, an economic development nonprofit that specializes in helping Hispanic entrepreneurs.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

We are always proud of the accomplishments of our amazing ACE staff- from the work they do with and for our clients, and outside of work. Chief of Strategic Partnerships Martina Edwards was featured recently in Atlanta Journal Constitution. Read her incredible and inspiring story below.

ACE and our CEO Grace Fricks were featured in the May Small Business edition of Georgia Trend magazine in two different stories - page 10 & page 25. Check out the full issue in the link below and please SHARE:

ACE Expands Its Reach Into South Georgia with Grand Opening of New Office in Tifton

ACE | Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs recently opened a South Georgia Office to serve small and medium sized businesses in rural and South Georgia with capital and support they need to grow. The ACE office in Tifton was established to serve all of South Georgia.

Unlocking Opportunities in Government Contracting & Crafting Effective Capabilities Statements

Tuesday, July 23, 2024 | WEBINAR

Small Business Access to Capital

Tuesday, July 30, 2024 | WEBINAR

Power in Teaming and Sub-Contracting – Getting a ‘Piece of the Pie’

Wednesday, July 31, 2024 | HYBRID

9th Annual Speed Coaching

Thursday, August 22, 2024 | IN-PERSON

ANNUAL AWARDS

Tickets available now for the 2024 ACE Annual Awards, featuring Crystal Edmonson as emcee and honoring founding president and CEO Grace Covington Fricks.

Women business owners throughout Georgia (at least 2-5 years in business) are invited to participate in our BOLD MOVES Cohort. This 8-week series will only meet twice in-person in Tifton, GA. For more information or to sign up, call (229) 270-1620 or email acesgaevents@gmail.com.

Labor Day- Monday, September 2

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We give people a chance when others can’t!

If you’re a small business in Georgia in need of a loan, look no further. In addition to capital for your business, ACE provides coaching & connections throughout the lifetime of your loan to help ensure you reach your business goals!

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As Georgia’s largest small business focused community development loan fund, ACE catalyzes entrepreneurial growth through financing and education, with a focus on women, people of color, and low to moderate-income business owners.

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