State of Small Business Launch
State and Local Organizations Partner to Support Small Business Success
With over 1.6 million Georgians employed in small businesses across the state, this critical economic sector remains a top priority for the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). To increase awareness of the vital resources provided for small businesses through GDEcD and encourage a continued dialogue on small business and entrepreneur empowerment, Governor Brian Kemp announced a new role at the Department during National Small Business Week 2021: Director of Small Business Outreach. This position was created by recommendation of the Georgians First Commission and designed to empower and educate small businesses while and encouraging entrepreneurship as part of Governor Kemp’s mission to make Georgia a top state for small business.
This new venture at the Department kicked off on November 15, in Macon, Georgia, with the first in a series of regional roundtables between GDEcD and area small business stakeholders. Some of the most effective advocates for small business are at the local level. Therefore, the inaugural “State of Small Business” community event was organized in partnership between GDEcD, the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce, and Middle Georgia State University. In addition to the overall goals of the program, the roundtable was a chance to again hear directly from Georgia’s small businesses about the unparalleled challenges they have faced during the pandemic and to offer support related to specific needs where possible.
To kick off the event, Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller and Middle Georgia State University Provost Dr. David Jenks provided a warm welcome to small business owners and entrepreneurs.
Next, addressing concerns shared by chamber members that maintaining a skilled workforce remains a critical issue, President and CEO of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce Yvonne Williams shared details on the state of small business in Macon and the chamber’s efforts to address local workforce issues through the Macon Works online platform, which helps connect job seekers to area jobs, and allows local employers to attract the best talent. “Macon delivered an overall team effort to engage Governor Kemp’s goal of building business in Central Georgia,” said Williams. “Let’s keep the momentum!”
The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Director of Small Business Outreach, Allen Fox, outlined GDEcD’s approach to empowering small business by championing pro-growth policies, connecting businesses with vital resources, and providing marketing support to help Georgia’s small businesses remain competitive. Fox reminded attendees that 80% of GDEcD’s work is with small business in industries ranging from food and beverage production to manufacturing product parts and machinery to retail, arts, and hospitality, to film production and more. As the “Top State in the Nation for Doing Business” for the eighth consecutive year, Georgia’s resilient small business community contributes mightily to this distinction. “The clear results of our collaborative efforts are illustrated right here in Middle Georgia,” Fox told attendees.
During the event’s open discussion, local small business owners shared insights into the variety of challenges they confront in keeping their doors open during the pandemic. This dialogue gave attendees the opportunity to provide firsthand accounts of their unique experiences in building their businesses and to offer feedback to supporting agencies and organizations.
Many of the small business attendees were minority-owned, reflecting the diversity of entrepreneurship in Middle Georgia. Twin brothers, Solomon and Shannon Sands, opened a sneaker boutique in downtown Macon. They spoke about starting a small business revolving around their passion, which in the brother’s case was fashion. Global Sole relocated to downtown Macon in an effort to rejuvenate the downtown retail district. The brothers shared their small business story with the audience: success comes when you “work hard and you have faith.” A small business community that reflects the diversity of Middle Georgia continues to remain a top priority for Charise Stephens, Director of Small Business Affairs for Macon-Bibb County. Her team was instrumental in bringing local small businesses to the event.
Finally, Middle Georgia State University hosted a resource networking reception with advocacy groups including the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Middle Georgia Chapter of SCORE, and Central Georgia Tech. These organizations were on-site to provide support, mentorship, and guidance for attendees.
GDEcD is grateful for the efforts of its Macon partners, the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce, and Middle Georgia State University, as the program will serve as a model for future small business events in communities across Georgia.
For additional information on the variety of resources GDEcD offers to support small businesses, please visit our State of Small Business page here, and our small business resource page here.
- Posted December 10, 2021