Small business is big business in Georgia. Of the state’s 700,000-plus incorporated businesses, 95 percent employ fewer than 50 people and 87 percent employ less than five. The Georgia Department of Economic Development has been serving Georgia’s small businesses for many years, instituting and fine-tuning resources, accessibility, incentives and legislation. Georgia currently ranks number one in the U.S. for entrepreneurship due to two key factors: 1) having the highest number of start-ups per capita and 2) Georgia’s Entrepreneur Friendly initiative.
The Entrepreneur Friendly program is a model founded by and unique to Georgia in which communities make a concerted push to better equip themselves with the supportive resources local entrepreneurs and small businesses need. Gainesville-Hall County has been designated “Entrepreneur Friendly” and hundreds of new business support opportunities have been generated by this effort.
Small business is big business in Gainesville-Hall County and makes up some 85 percent of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce membership. Our small businesses are the lifeblood of the community and provide the products and services needed everyday by citizens and other businesses. Small businesses benefit with Chamber membership through networking, seminars, discounts on health insurance, and many other available resources.
The Chamber has sponsored Small Business Seminars over the last several years targeting issues and needs of small business owners. The monthly seminars are presented by industry leaders and provide the opportunity for questions and answers by participants. The seminars have focused on internet marketing, growing your business, financing, employee relations and where and how to get assistance. (Contact Brittany Holzclaw at the Chamber, 770-532-6206 for details on seminars an other small business initiatives.) The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center has long been a tremendous asset to entrepreneurs just getting their feet wet and to seasoned small business owners who are ready for the next step.
Gainesville-Hall County is fortunate to be home to many small businesses that have withstood the test of economic times. The Greater Hall Chamber is appreciative of our small businesses and recognizes a “Small Business of the Month” in each edition of the Business Link newsletter. We will be making a special recognition of our Small Business and Family Business of the Year at the upcoming Chamber Board of Directors meeting.