WORLD CUP PLANNING FOR VENUES + SMALL BUSINESSES

Atlanta is one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Mercedes-Benz Stadium set to host eight matches. 

These matches include five group stage games, one Round of 32 match, one Round of 16 match, and a semi-final. 

The tournament is held worldwide June 11-July 19, 2026. 

The tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, will be the first to feature 48 teams and will be played in the traditional northern summer months. 

Match Schedule:

The group stage matches in Atlanta will be on June 15, 18, 21, 24, and 27.

Knockout Rounds:

Atlanta will also host a Round of 32 match on July 1, a Round of 16 match on July 7, and the semi-final match on July 15.

Economic Impact:

The tournament is expected to bring significant economic benefits to Atlanta, with estimates suggesting over $1 billion in economic impact. 300,000 international visitors are expected to not only support the official Fan Zone by the Stadium, but will be supporting watch parties and gatherings in our neighborhood businesses. 

Fan Engagement:

Atlanta is also preparing for significant fan engagement, with plans for public viewing events and fan festivals.

ACTION ITEMS FOR BUSINESSES

MEMBERS!

FILL OUT THE PIHI ALLIANCE WORLD CUP ACTIVATION FORM NOW!

Get listed on the activation calendar and on social media! 

Register Your Business + Venue

The City of Atlanta has launched Showcase Atlanta, the official registry for local businesses that want to be part of the action. It’s the go-to directory being promoted to everyone planning their World Cup experience — and if you’re not listed, you’re not likely to be found.

Registration is quick, free, and open now.

 [Registration Link]

1. Become a Supplier - Showcase Atlanta- Register your business with them using this link.
2. Register your space/venue with FIFA for sanctioned events - Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau - This is the FWC26 Venue Catalog of spaces on hold for FIFA and their partners.  Please reach out if you would like to participate. 
3. Volunteer with FIFA – if you are interested n volunteering for the FIFA World Cup, you can sign up through the FIFA Volunteer Community.  Those who register will be notified when the application portal opens in August of 2025.
4. Host a Watch Party - Overview of Public Viewing Parties for of FIFA’s full regulations —please be sure to review it in its entirety. FIFA Public Viewing Regulations
5. Brand Guidelines - It’s important that we work within the guidelines that FIFA has defined. This is a good guide for your future messaging/campaigns.
6. Atlanta BeltLine World Cup Resources
7. World Cup Ready
8. Atlanta's World Cup Website
9. Discover Atlanta by the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau

MORE INFORMATION COURTESY OF LIVEABLE BUCKHEAD

MARTA to Host Public Open

House Showcasing

Transformative 2026 Transit Projects

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Tuesday, January 27th, 2026

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) invites the public and employees to an open house on Thursday, Jan. 29, to learn about a series of major system enhancements set to redefine the transit experience in metro Atlanta.

As part of its “Big 6 in ‘26” vision, MARTA is launching important projects and initiatives this year, including the NextGen Bus Network, the MARTA Reach on-demand micro-transit service, the better Breeze fare payment system, and the MARTA Rapid A-Line.

WHAT: MARTA Public Open House, an interactive event featuring information on the future of transit in Atlanta.

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

WHERE: MARTA Headquarters Atrium

2424 Piedmont Road NE Atlanta, Ga. 30324

(Across the street from Lindbergh Center Station)

WHY: The open house provides a forum for employees and customers to ask questions and explore the key projects before they are implemented.

MARTA staff will be on hand to share information about:

• NextGen Bus Network: The first total overhaul of the bus system in 40 years is launching April 18. This redesign will triple the amount of 15-minute high-frequency service. MARTA recently installed temporary signage at over 6,000 stops to alert riders of upcoming route changes. Learn more at itsmarta.com/nextgen.
• MARTA Reach: A new on-demand micro-transit service launching March 7 will operate in 12 regional zones to ensure continued connectivity. To support areas where traditional bus routes are being modified, this “Uber-like” shuttle service will provide point-to-point and point-to-rail connectivity within the zones. Learn more at itsmarta.com/reach.
• Better Breeze: A modernized fare system featuring “tap-to-pay” with bank cards and mobile wallets, with a mandatory transition period March 28 – May 2. The upgrade introduces open-payment technology and more secure faregates. Details at itsmarta.com/betterbreeze.aspx.
• MARTA Rapid A-Line: The region’s first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line connecting Downtown to Summerhill.

AGENDA         Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 22, 2026 9:30-11am

SPONSOR AND/OR HOST THE NEXT MEETING AT YOUR LOCATION! 

MEETING SPONSOR:Warren Epstein Architects & Associates: Jan Epstein

MEETING HOST: Lewis Barbecue and Bar Lewis (opens @11am)  John Lewis, Pitmaster and Owner

Key Topics and Calls to Action

Organization Update	7 year anniversary in 2026 Bank Balance: $6000  2026 Quarterly Meetings: 1/28, 4/22, 8/26, 10/28 9:30-11am 2025 Year in Review Cheshire Bridge Neighborhood Coalition	Look how far we’ve come since 2019! This year we need your support MORE THAN EVER to reach our long-term sustainability goal of forming a CID which will fund initiatives and operations!
ATL311 Task Force Liaison Jasmine Maskell of Timeless Tattoo	Unhappy Hermans/Diner/Dry Cleaners Update >>Meetings are 1st Wed of the month from 10am-11am on Zoom	Action: Submit an issue to: pihiatl311@gmail.com Join the committee now!
Membership + Sponsorship	Members: 69- up 26 from 2024. Goal: 100 in 2026!  Sponsorships: $300-$20K	SUPPORT NOW:  Become a member at pihialliance.com  2026 Sponsorship Opportunities
Events + Social Media Julie Foster social@pihialliance.com	Member Promotion Events: PiHi Days: March, Shop Small Buy Local Holiday Campaign Nov-Dec.  Beautify PiHi:  March 14, May 16, Nov. 14 Fundraising: Taste of PiHi: Sept. 27 from 3-6pm	Action:  Connect us with your social media manager for promos.  Volunteer and/or Sponsor for Beautify PiHi Taste of PiHi Station Sign Up Taste of PiHi Sponsorships
CID Initiative Colleen Kiernan cid@pihialliance.com	Interactive map of 319 parcels and securing signatures representing 17.43% ($52.5M) of the required assessed value.	Action: Commercial Property Owners attend an info and signing event: Feb 24, June 4, Sept 9, Dec 4. REGISTER MORE CID INFO
World Cup Planning	Match Schedule: June 15 (Mon) June 18 (Thu) June 21 (Sun) June 24 (Wed) June 27 (Sat)July 1 (Wed) July 7 (Tue) July 15 (Wed)	Action:Atlanta BeltLine Liveable Buckhead Register Your Venue-ACVB World Cup Ready

Northeast Trail "Gravel Rail Trail" Permanent Lighting and Cameras:

This project runs from the Buford Highway Connector to 10^th St NE and Monroe Dr NE. We will be putting up permanent lights and cameras along this popular trail, along with new gravel, and trimming landscaping. The trail will be fenced off during construction. The mainline trail will be the 'detour' for this trail which will be closed with fencing. The parks department and the community wanted to keep this trail permanently operational even though we have the Beltline running in parallel. (Permanent until and if transit comes through).

Schedule: Start Date January 5th - April 2026

VOLUNTEER FOR THE 2026 PLANNING COMMITTEE:

If you want to be on the committee for 2026, please sign up by February 6, 2026.  February 2026 with a kick off meeting at Lewis Barbeque. 

ROLES NEEDED: WE'RE GROWING AND NEED MORE ENGAGEMENT ALL YEAR LONG.  

• Volunteer Management: Managing the sign up genius platform, coordination of volunteers pre-event, during the event and post event. 

• Check in Manager: Building out the check in process and procedures, collating the member lists with purchased tickets, managing check in volunteers during the event. Set up and breakdown of Check in. 

• Raffle Committee: Work with the Raffle Manager to pick up prizes from local area businesses, help set up the raffle tables and assist with running the raffle during the event. Raffle Manager: PiHi Alliance Board Member: Bethra Suzmaski of Virtue and Vice

• Event Logistics:  Assist with logistics pre-event and manage the set up and breakdown volunteers during the event.  

• Materials Distribution:  Put up posters, hand out flyers and install yard signs. This job is active one month before the event. 

TIME COMMITMENT: 20 hours over 7 months

Pre-event time: 7 months from February-August:

• 4 meetings: February, April, June, August: 10 hours total. In-person and virtual.

Event Month: September

• Hands on Deck: up to 5 hours

Day of Event: 3 hours. Set up/Breakdown or Manage Your Area

PERKS:

• Two free tickets + one for you! Includes 1 raffle tickets per ticket. Value of $70.

• Volunteer appreciation party with food and drinks. 

• Knowing you're making a difference for your community. 

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER HERE

Beautify Cheshire Bridge Wrap-Up:

Community Collaboration at Its Best!

November 15, 2025 | Piedmont Heights Alliance

What a way to wrap up the year! Our final Beautify PiHi cleanup of 2025 brought together 35 dedicated volunteers who collected an incredible 56 bags of trash — plus an assortment of car parts, building materials, household items, and just about everything else you can imagine.

Thanks to our amazing sponsors and partners who made this day possible:

• Selig Enterprises — for providing the perfect meeting location and ongoing support for keeping PiHi beautiful.

• Nakato Japanese Restaurant — for event setup, equipment, and helping keep volunteers fueled and organized.

• Cameron of Stacey’s Pharmacy — for hauling away trash bags along Cheshire Bridge and providing dumpster space for the 8 cubic yards of debris collected!

• Keep Atlanta Beautiful- for lending us the safety vests, grabbers, gloves and providing the trash bags! We are so appreciative. 

We also loved connecting with local business owners, including Hardcore Tennis Atlanta and CCW Interiors, and welcoming neighbors from LaVista Park Civic Association, Lindridge-Martin Manor Neighborhood Association, Piedmont Heights Civic Association (PHCA), and Morningside Lenox Park Association (MLPA). Seeing neighborhood leaders, residents and business owners work side-by-side reminds us what true community partnership looks like.

SEE ALL THE CLEAN UP PHOTOS HERE

2025 Beautify PiHi by the Numbers

This year, our three cleanups — in March, May, and November — brought together a total of 145 volunteers who collected 153 bags of trash from the Piedmont Heights and Cheshire Bridge corridors. That’s 153 bags of litter, debris, and discarded odds-and-ends no longer cluttering our beautiful community!

• From the BeltLine to I-85, these efforts have strengthened ties between residents, small businesses, and our civic partners — proving that when we work together, we keep PiHi strong, safe, and shining.

Join Us in 2026!

We’re already planning next year’s Beautify PiHi calendar — and we’d love your help.

• Sign up for updates, join PiHi Alliance, or become a sponsor at pihialliance.com to be part of our next cleanup and other community activations that support small businesses and neighborhood vitality.

Together, we’re building a cleaner, more connected Piedmont Heights — one bag at a time.

Small Business Saturday is the annual shopping holiday between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, when consumers are encouraged to shop at small businesses in their communities.

Sponsored by American Express in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, this day offers small businesses across the country the opportunity to promote themselves at the start of the holiday shopping season. Businesses aren’t the only ones who benefit, though: Consumers can take advantage of special promotions many stores offer during Small Business Saturday while also exploring the unique products and services offered by local shops. Communities, corporations, and even government representatives can also get involved by encouraging local businesses and community members to partake in the day.

According to American Express, Small Business Saturday has generated over $200 billion in reported sales since its inception in 2010. The increased spending not only bolsters individual small businesses; it also supports local, state, and national economies.

BRICK & MORTAR BUSINESSES TAKE ACTION

1. Sign up for Small Business Saturday if your business is eligible. READ MORE! 

2. If eligible, add your business to the Small Business Saturday MAP!

3. Apply for Small Business Grants on November 29, 2025

4. Find more small business resources from Main Street America. 

Together, We Made Taste of PiHi 2025 Unforgettable

On Sunday, we came together for the Third Annual Taste of PiHi Fundraiser — and it was our biggest and best one yet!

✨ 200 attendees joined us (a 25% increase from last year!) to celebrate local businesses, connect with neighbors, and raise $2,000 toward the creation of the Piedmont Heights Community Improvement District (CID).

A huge thank you to Indie Studios, our host sponsor, for providing the stunning, welcoming space that made every conversation, courtyard game, and tasting truly special.

And of course — a round of applause to all our stations and raffle donors who made the day delicious, refreshing, creative, and full of community spirit!

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS BY ATL IN 60 SECONDS HERE! 

SAVE THE DATE: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2026 @ 3PM

Food Stations

Johnny’s Pizza – Cheshire Bridge
Nakato Japanese Restaurant
Six Feet Under Pub & Fish House
Bantam & Biddy
Mistora Kitchen
Timeless Tattoo
The Daily Chew

Drink Stations

Midtown Family Wellness
Felix’s Atlanta
ASW Distillery – Cocktails & Tastings
SweetWater Brewing
Silo Studios + Nino’s Italian Restaurant
Indie Studios

Maker Stations

Glass Art By Toni
Allison Zacks Art
All Things by Rachel Herzog

Business Stations

Starship Enterprises of Atlanta
Ultimate Bodies by Carlos
Kindspine Chiropractic Center
Nabo
Gravity Fitness

Community Partners

South Fork Conservancy
Morningside Lenox Park Association (MLPA)
ATL311
Atlanta BeltLine
Policing Alternatives & Diversion (PAD) Initiative
Piedmont Heights Civic Association
Rohit for Atlanta – City Council President Candidate

️ Raffle Donors

With $7,800 in prizes donated by 31 small businesses, our raffle was the highlight of the afternoon — and the main driver of our fundraising success!

Special thanks to the following businesses for their incredible contributions:
Ansley Wine Merchants • Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty • Buckhead Vacuum • Cook’s Warehouse • Level 7 Salon • Lewis Barbecue • Midtown Bowl • Taqueria Del Sol • Warren Epstein & Associates Architects

(Plus many of our participating Food, Drink, and Business Stations also contributed raffle prizes — thank you!)

Taste of PiHi 2025 was everything we hoped for — community, creativity, collaboration, and connection. Together, we’re growing something amazing for Piedmont Heights.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS BY ATL IN 60 SECONDS HERE! 

Beautify PiHi 2025: A Year of Clean, Connected Community

Join us for our next cleanup on Saturday, November 15th (9:30 AM–Noon) — our third and final of the year, just before Shop Small Saturday!

• Enjoy breakfast, equipment, and refreshments while helping us Beautify Cheshire Bridge once more.

Volunteer at pihialliance.com or sign up directly at SignUpGenius.

This year, Beautify PiHi has brought together hundreds of neighbors, businesses, and community partners to make a visible difference in Piedmont Heights and along Cheshire Bridge Road. From the BeltLine to I-85, volunteers rolled up their sleeves to show what collaboration and civic pride can do!

March 15 — Beautify PiHi Kickoff

Our first cleanup of the year drew 73 volunteers from nearby neighborhoods, Selig Enterprises, Georgia Power, and small business supporters — all united to give Piedmont Heights a fresh spring start.

Breakfast, teamwork, and community spirit filled the morning as volunteers collected dozens of bags of litter and spruced up the heart of PiHi.

May 17 — BeltLine & Ansley Mall Corridor Cleanup

With Selig Enterprises as event sponsor and the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, Ansley Golf Club, and Councilmember Alex Wan lending key support, our May cleanup stretched over two miles of the Northeast Trail and surrounding streets — Montgomery Ferry, Monroe Drive, and Piedmont Avenue.
More than 50 bags of trash were cleared, ranging from bottles and wrappers to a car bumper and even a prom dress!

PiHi members Nabo and Midtown Family Wellness joined the fun with pop-ups, and volunteer board members led cleanup teams to success.

June 7 — Beautify Cheshire Bridge: Collaboration at Its Best

Our June cleanup brought together 37 volunteers, who collected 47 bags of trash and removed large debris from the I-85 corridor. A special thanks to Halpern Enterprises for sponsoring the event, coordinating logistics, and providing breakfast and publicity.

Nakato, Keep Atlanta Beautiful, Six Feet Under, and five neighborhood associations — Lindridge Martin Manor, LaVista Park, Morningside Lenox Park, Piedmont Heights, and South Fork Conservancy — all pitched in. The haul included everything from a TV back panel and twisted yield sign to a fentanyl test kit — proving once again that teamwork cleans up our community, one bag at a time!

Each cleanup strengthens the fabric of Piedmont Heights — supporting local businesses, connecting neighbors, and keeping our corridors safe and welcoming.

CHANGES TO EMPLOYER TAXES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

H.R.1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (the Act), was signed into law July 4, 2025. H.R.1 includes several significant changes that are relevant to employers for payroll, employment tax and employee benefits purposes, with some key provisions effective retroactively as of Jan. 1, 2025. The Department of the Treasury and the IRS are expected to issue guidance in the coming weeks to clarify how certain provisions will be implemented. ADP will closely monitor developments and provide updates as more details emerge.

READ THIS ARTICLE BY ADP POSTED 9.2.25