Stone Mountain City Gets Congressional Recognition

The city of Stone Mountain has garnered congressional recognition for its micro-enterprise project that supports artists' small businesses, the first of its kind in the state. 

Rep. Hank Johnson (D-district 4) presented a Certificate of Special Recognition to Mayor Patricia Wheeler Thursday.

The project, called SMart, Inc., helps local artists get on their business feet by helping them start and operate a studio in downtown Stone Mountain.  The program supplies the artists with the studio for $50 a month, and it requires the artists to take business courses. 

Two galleries with five artists were set up last year, and more are planned. Two culinary artists will set up there soon.

The award is the second that Stone Mountain has won for the project.  The Atlanta Regional Commission in March named the city as winner of its CREATE Award for Regional Prosperity and Economic Development. 

The DeKalb Council for the Arts won the Georgia Assembly of Community Arts Agencies' annual stART award earlier this month. The council was recognized for its work in helping establish SMart.

The program is funded by a Housing and Urban Development grant and the city, and is a joint venture between the city and the DeKalb county community Development Department.