The city of Stone Mountain is seeing a boom in new businesses.
Since the beginning of March, the City of Stone Mountain Downtown Development Authority has hosted seven ribbon-cuttings for new business openings as well as businesses that have expanded or moved into the area. During this same time period in 2015, only one new business had opened.
Overall, 12 new or expanded businesses have opened in Stone Mountain this year. That's already twice the amount as last year — only six businesses opened in all of 2015 and five the previous year.
“I definitely think the economy has gotten better,” said Mechel McKinley, the executive director of the development authority. “People are feeling more confident about either expanding their business or opening their own business.”
She also attributes the increase in business ventures to the city’s improved process for helping new businesses succeed. McKinley often meets with aspiring entrepreneurs to discuss their business model and financial plans and offer suggestions along the way.
“Opening a business costs a lot of money, takes a lot of time,” she said. “So we’re as business-friendly as possible.”
The most recent ribbon-cutting was for GYM-On Fitness, a workout facility that held its grand opening Friday. McKinley also said there are more businesses with plans in the works, and there will be more grand openings soon.
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