Committee backs $110,000 Best Buy grant for youth tech careers

A proposed $110,000 boost for Atlanta’s summer youth employment program won unanimous committee backing Oct. 27, according to draft minutes. The Community Development/Human Services Committee recommended a substitute ordinance that would authorize the city to apply for and accept the Best Buy Foundation grant.⁠[1]

The money would support expansion of the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program, with a focus on preparing young people for technology careers and technology-enabled jobs across Atlanta’s major industries. Ordinance 26-O-1587 would add up to $110,000 to the fiscal 2027 budget.⁠[1]

Since our earlier report on the Best Buy grant proposal, the City Council referred the measure to committee on Oct. 19. Following the committee’s favorable vote, the legislative tracking record lists council consideration as pending for Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. The committee recommendation is not final city authorization, and the packet does not establish that Atlanta has accepted or received the money.⁠[1]

The proposal also seeks a waiver of the city rule requiring council approval before applying for the grant. The Department of Labor and Employment Services says it could not obtain that approval because the application deadline was approaching soon after it learned of the opportunity.⁠[1]