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Theatrical Outfit entertains, educates and enlivens with stories that stir the soul. Classic and contemporary theater located in the heart of downtown Atlanta featuring the best artists of the region, Tom Key has developed the company into one of Atlanta’s major performing arts institutions

Tom discusses his drive to tell “Stories That Stir The Soul”  his dedication to the Theatrical Art Form as a catalyst to creating community, and his theater career as a solo performer and ensemble actor for three decades, including appearances at The Lambs Theater off-Broadway, The John F. Kennedy Center of Washington D.C., The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, The Dallas Theater Center, The Alliance Theater and Theatrical Outfit.  To learn more, view the schedule, and buy your tickets visit www.theatricaloutfit.org

The Ellis Hotel and Terrace, the signature restaurant of The Ellis Hotel offer downtown Atlanta’s premier eco-friendly boutique hotel experience.  Terrace, supports local and regional farmers, fisherman and producers, recapturing the pure simple flavors and tastes of natural and organic ingredients while bursting with delicious flavors and sustainably-sourced ingredients.

Tracey discusses the plans to continue to enhance the space for meetings and the ever popular Women’s Floor.  The Ellis Hotel exudes a perfect blend of southeast sophistication and charm.  To find out more, see the hotel and make your reservation, visit  www.ellishotel.com

Dan Williams of Central Atlanta Progress and Atlanta Downtown Improvement District gives up an update on the improvements taking place downtown including the lovely flower planters lining the sidewalks and the new ATL children’s playground at Woodruff Park, and ongoing transportation improvements http://www.atlantadowntown.com/initiatives/transportation-improvements.

Don’t miss Downtown Restaurant Week taking place  July 21-29, enjoy 3 course meals at all your favorite downtown Atlanta restaurants find participating restaurants and details www.atlantadowntown.com/fun/restaurant-week

And or course we talk about the Transportation Referendum – a YES vote on this referendum will deliver an $8.5 billion investment for 157 infrastructure improvement and congestion relief projects for a 10-county region major interchange improvements, including a fix for the dreaded I-285/Ga. 400 interchange. It’s the biggest transportation infrastructure improvement project the region has ever attempted.  Election day is next Tues July 31.

For more on Downtown Atlanta and CAP, visit www.atlantadowntown.com

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This morning on Good Morning Atlanta, Dana and Elizabeth host a panel discussion on Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs.

Kevin McGee, Ron Hutcheson, and Barry Etra are in the studio to discuss where to get money to grow a business when the bank says no (or before you even bother to apply at the bank).  These days without mezzanine financiers many successful, profitable, growing companies need access to growth capital, and their best source maybe somewhere they never thought to look.

First up, your business report and stay-tuned for the insiders guide to intown ATL happenings, here on Good Morning Atlanta.

Meet the guests:

Kevin McGee currently works as a Business Consultant for Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs or (ACE).  ACE provides loans to small businesses who lack access to traditional forms of credit. Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs works in partnership with banks to meet “credit gaps”. The personalized underwriting, flexible terms and ongoing assistance gives businesses the support and capital they need to grow and thrive. Beyond the financial bottom line, ACE also offers “green” programs to help businesses become sustainable, operate efficiently and tap into new market opportunities.

Since 2000, ACE has loaned more than $9 million to hundreds of North Georgia businesses, helping create or retain more than 2500 jobs! Ace serves 68 counties, including metro Atlanta. Prior to that Kevin McGee served as Director of Business Development for ACCION USA, a nationally recognized leader in U.S. microfinance working with small businesses and entrepreneurs to provide financing that assists small businesses and entrepreneurs in growing and strengthening the communities they serve.   ACCION USA is an affiliate of ACCION International, a global microfinance organization founded in 1961.

Kevin’s passion for helping entrepreneurs developed over the past decade as he lead the hospitality and food service contracting firm he founded in 1999, Horn of Plenty Hospitality.  As President and CEO, Kevin grew this company to become a multi-faceted hospitality company with operations in food service management, single and multi-unit franchise consulting, and corporate event management with an array of corporate and institutional clients across the country.

Kevin is President of the Morehouse College National Alumni Association, the Atlanta chapter’s Alumnus of the Year, and a trustee of Morehouse College.  He joined the board in 2010 and serves on the Executive, Athletics, Development and Student Affairs committees.   He serves on the Board of Trustees for the Morehouse School of Medicine as well.

www.aceloans.org

www.georgiagreenloans.org

Ron Hutcheson

President, Smart Funding Solutions

www.smartfundingsolutions.com

Ron and his company provide non traditional funding programs to under-served and under-capitalized small businesses.  He has 7 years of experience in the non traditional lending industry and has helped small businesses obtain over $70 million in working capital.  Recently, Ron partnered with private investors to develop Consultant Financing™, an exclusive alternative financing program that provides entrepreneurs capital to contract private business development services that will help grow their revenues. In addition to this program, his “Thinking Outside the Banks” seminars and “Where’s the Funding for Small Businesses” workshops are poised to educate over 10,000 entrepreneurs a year about local and national non traditional lenders. Ron and his team are currently working on a cloud based platform where business owners can upload their loan package to be viewed only by the non traditional lenders.

www.smartfundingsolutions.com

Barry Etra has over 30 years business experience, having worked in Sales and Marketing, Operations, and General Management. He has been a factory worker, salesperson, sales manager, customer service manager, VP of sales and marketing, and Chief Operating Officer. He has been in charge of sales teams, customer service groups, design departments, graphics departments, IT groups, production control, manufacturing, die rooms, purchasing and warehousing. He has a BA and an MBA from Columbia University; his MBA is in marketing and finance. Currently he runs the Etra Advisory Group; he specializes in helping companies find funding if they can’t get funded traditionally, or have been turned down by traditional sources. He serves as an active intermediary in transactions to move deals through and gets them done!

www.etraaadvisory.com

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This week on Good Morning Atlanta, Real Estate Consultant, Karla Arriola, joins Dana and Elizabeth in the studio to talk about the Atlanta residential real estate market.

Karla shares what savvy buyers and sellers need to do in today’s home buying and selling world, along with the power of having a realtor to negotiate for you.  We discuss how to best make a decision about where you want to live in Atlanta.  Reach out to Karla at www.ARHeritageGroup.com

Dana and Elizabeth catch up on the latest headlines, and chat about Downtown Restaurant Week, Like on Facebook and splurge on dinner for 2 at downtowns finest restaurants July 21-29 with special 3-course menu s for $25 and $35.  Find out which of your favorite restaurants are participating this year and go out dinning downtown.