Comcast today announced it will award grant packages to 100 small businesses in and around Metro Atlanta as part of its Comcast RISE program. Comcast RISE’s goal is to support the growth of small businesses in locations across metro Atlanta and surrounding areas while advancing digital literacy and equity. The grants will include resources and programs designed to help bring digital equity closer to reality in Atlanta, including business coaching sessions, education resources, a $5,000 monetary grant, creative production, media schedules, and technology makeovers.

Digital equity is achieved when people have access to affordable internet, a computer and the digital skills and resources they need to succeed in school, work and business, regardless of which part of Atlanta they live in or how much money they make.

"Deep, long-term investments are needed in our communities to make digital equity a reality in Atlanta," said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. "Programs like Comcast RISE can help close the digital divide and help entrepreneurs grow their businesses, in turn, helping to further grow Atlanta’s economy."

Atlanta-based small businesses can apply to receive packages through Comcast RISE that include:

• COACHING SESSIONS – Business assessment and coaching that provide business owners with recommendations on how to help grow their businesses.

• EDUCATION RESOURCES – 12-month access to online entrepreneurship courses, learning modules and resources for small business owners.

• MONETARY GRANT – $5,000 monetary grant.

• CREATIVE PRODUCTION & MEDIA – Professionally produced 30-second TV commercial, a 180-day linear media schedule, and a media strategy consultation. (Taxes and other fees may apply for production and media services.)

• TECHNOLOGY MAKEOVER – Computer equipment and Internet, Voice and Cybersecurity services for 12 months. (Taxes and other fees may apply for tech makeover services.)

In addition, any small business owner can visit the Comcast RISE destination on X1 featuring aggregated small business news, tips, insights, and more. Just say "Comcast RISE" into the voice remote.

Comcast RISE is part of Project UP, the company’s $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity through programs and community partnerships that connect people to the Internet, advance economic mobility and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers and creators.