In January we noted the opening of Brilliant Coworking, an East Cobb coworking business located near Sprayberry High School.
Earlier this week Brilliant Coworking was awarded a $10,000 grant via the Cobb County Entrepreneurship and Innovation Incentive Program.
While the Cobb Board of Commissioners signed off on the grant, the funding comes from the Development Authority of Cobb County.
Last year commissioners created the program “in support of eligible businesses to aid them in growing their business, creating jobs, and maintaining their presence in the County.”
Under the terms of the Cobb Innovation Grant Fund, eligible businesses must meet the following criteria:
- agree to remain in Cobb County for three years after the expiration date of the incentive agreement;
- be an existing business in Cobb County;
- be a graduate of an entrepreneurial training program.
Grants and applications are evaluated by a subcommittee represented by individuals from the Kennesaw State University Office of Community Engagement, SelectCobb, Cobb Travel and Tourism, Cobb Young Professionals, and The Coalition of Cobb County Business Associations.
More about the incentive program is here.
The funding is generally used for startup operations, purchasing equipment, furnishings and machinery, renovations and expanding business services.
Grant recipients cannot use the grant funding for an owner’s salary, paying off debts or loans, lending or investments or speculative ventures.
Brilliant Coworking (2440 Sandy Plains Road) was started by the husband-and-wife team of Michelle and Joseph Gibson. In their application for the grant, they indicated that their business objective is to “help entrepreneurs and small businesses start, develop and grow” and wants to help “increase the number of businesses within the area and provide a place where they can thrive.”
They’re planning to use their grant funding for marketing, advertising and updating amenities.
“This award is an exciting opportunity for us because Cobb County decided to support us, and stand beside us, so we can turn around and do the same for the business community,” the Gibsons said in a statement.
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I believe these “grants” are illegal.
The Georgia Constitution prohibits ‘gratuities’ (gifts) of value from public funds to private entities.
The county commission approved three such grants recently but subsequently withdrew them without comment.