Atlanta business owners investigate opportunities in Cuba

HAVANA, Cuba — A group of metro Atlanta business owners traveled to Havana, Cuba to see what business opportunities America's new foreign relations stance might provide.

May Allen sees the historic buildings of Havana as a way to grow her business, Atlanta Rod and Manufacturing.

After President Barack Obama asked Congress to start the process of lifting the economic embargo, Allen started asking around to find a way to legally get her product to Cuba.

Allen found it when she contacted the World Affairs Council of Atlanta.

"Very exciting and my people were very excited. They said 'Oh, well, how exciting if we could be one of the first American companies to go in there with infrastructure product," Allen said.

Allen says she didn't know how "rundown" the buildings are in Cuba, and hopes to meet people in the construction industry.

Charles Shapiro, president of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta, says Allen and other business owners are perfectly positioned should Congress lift the embargo  soon.

"Atlanta is a great place to fly to Cuba from. Fly to Atlanta, make a connection with Delta and then fly directly here and I think that's going to be great," Shapiro said.

WSBTV