Each time the University of Georgia’s Vice President for Public Service and Outreach Jennifer Frum travels to Dalton, she can’t help but see the impact local business owners have on the community and across Northwest Georgia.
“Dalton is booming with all of the commerce and important work being done here,” Frum said.
But with each aspiring entrepreneur, there often comes a demand for guidance and services from the right resources, which is one of the reasons why Dalton State College’s Wright School of Business recently partnered with the University of Georgia (UGA) Small Business Development Center.
Through the partnership, center team members will bring support to local business owners and entrepreneurs through one-on-one consultations on Dalton State’s campus, in an office space inside the college’s Gignilliat Hall.
‘A critical role’
“We’re very glad to have UGA’s Small Business Development Center here,” said Dalton State College President John Fuchko III.
Fuchko said an important aspect of having a center office on campus will include supporting businesses in the community.
“Obviously, the number one thing that we do here is produce graduates who can live well, work well and thrive in our community and region, and are ready to go to work, whether that’s as a teacher, a small business owner or whatever the case may be,” Fuchko said. “Part of that is, once you get down that path, you need that infrastructure to help you figure out ‘How do I start a small business? What is involved with that?'”
That’s where the Small Business Development Center plays a critical role, Fuchko said.
“Not only for the community but also for us and our students, particularly our business students,” he said. “It gives them an outlet where they can engage with some of those skills, which I think makes their educational experience that much more valuable.”
Since 1977, the center has operated as a public service and outreach unit funded through an agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. It is nationally accredited.
The opening of the center on campus, which took place on Monday, marked the 19th Small Business Development Center location in the state, with other offices in cities including Athens, Rome, Atlanta, Carrollton, Columbus, Kennesaw, Macon and Valdosta.
‘Providing that support’
“We’re very excited to open an office of the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center here at Dalton State,” Frum said. “There’s certainly a demand for their services in this part of the state.”
The Rome location was previously used as the home office for Whitfield County and surrounding Northwest Georgia counties.
Frum said the office is open to not just students but any local small business owner in any stage of development.
“Really, any small business that would like advice on any aspect of business, whether it’s budgeting, marketing, employees or exporting,” Frum said. “They will be able to get free one-on-one consulting with our UGA Small Business consultants, and they’ll also be able to participate in our training courses. We’re really thankful to President Fuchko for opening up this beautiful facility to us.”
Fuchko said the process of bringing the center to campus began when he and Peter Matthews, the UGA Small Business Development Center area director, spoke with people at the college, including Wright School of Business Dean Marilyn Helms and Dalton State College Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Bruno Hicks, as well as Jason Mock, the president and CEO of the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce and Carl Campbell, the executive director of the Dalton-Whitfield Joint Development Authority.
“We started having this conversation about how to make sure we can provide that support not only here in Dalton and Whitfield, but also surrounding areas like Catoosa and Murray (counties),” Fuchko said. “We look at this as something that is going to be able to serve and be accessible to the broader Northwest Georgia area.”
Before signing the partnership agreement, Frum detailed the past success of the center locations across Georgia.
“The University of Georgia is the state’s number one provider of services to small businesses,” Frum said. “Just to give you an example of the success of the SBDC, over the past five years, small businesses that worked with the Small Business Development Center generated over $9.5 billion in sales. SBDC helped create 2,100 new small businesses in Georgia and helped add 14,000 small business-based jobs here in our great state.”
‘A benefit for all’
Mock said the center, which had an office in Dalton many years ago, is a major benefit to the community.
“It’s a great day for Greater Dalton and for the region,” he said. “I think this connection is going to bring more light to Dalton State and the great work that’s happening here, and also allow folks in our community to get on campus and get engaged.”
Mock said there are people in Dalton looking to start a new business who might have needed “a push or guidance.”
“The SBDC team really can help shape and guide that entrepreneur so that they can not only have that business for one year, but for 50 years, 60 years or a lifetime,” Mock said. “Something they can give to their family and pass on from generation to generation. Having this connection between the SBDC and Dalton State for our region is just a benefit for all.”
Mock said the center team also has a long-standing presence inside the Dalton chamber, a partnership that will continue with the new Dalton State office.
“If it’s right here at Dalton State, at the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce or in downtown Dalton, they’ll meet with (business owners),” Mock said. “But having a presence where they’re up here on a regular basis will really help grow that entrepreneurial spirit and continue to make those entrepreneurs be more successful.”
‘Easier access’
Matthews, who will also serve as one of the team members offering consultations at the new office, said the center covers a broad area of topics for current or future entrepreneurs in need of assistance.
“I think for the existing business owners, it will give them easier access to having these services that UGA can provide in a one-on-one setting, which is everything from loan packaging to strategic planning to marketing and accounting services,” Matthews said. “For an aspiring entrepreneur, we can help them with the business planning process, market research, stuff like that. About 75% of our time is spent one-on-one, consulting with individuals. We’ve got a 13-county area that we serve out of the (Rome) center, but this will give us more of a centralized location for the more northern portion of the state.”
Frum and Fuchko agree the partnership gives them the important opportunity to help local business owners and entrepreneurs for generations to come.
“Through this office, we hope that UGA and Dalton State will be better positioned to support small businesses and the economic vitality of this region,” Frum said. “I think this partnership really exemplifies the power of collaboration for economic development.”
“The doctor only helps you if you visit them, and it’s the same way here,” Fuchko said. “I think it will be a tremendous asset to the people that want to come and take advantage of it. If you’re thinking of starting a business or beginning that process, or you just need a tune-up, I think it will be quite helpful.”