Governor Brian Kemp announced a new position with the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) on Thursday, the Director of Small Business Outreach. The announcement comes during National Small Business Week and is a pledge from the governor to offer specific outreach to those businesses with fewer than 500 employees – something that qualifies 99.8% of businesses in Georgia. The position will provide direct engagement with this very large, small business community.
“Georgia’s diverse range of small businesses are the backbone of our state’s economy and the driving force behind Georgia’s record-breaking economic momentum,” said Governor Kemp. “As we stay focused on protecting lives and livelihoods, it’s critical that small businesses are aware of the state resources available to help them start up, expand operations, and create good-paying jobs for hardworking Georgians. As Governor and a small business owner for over 35 years, I look forward to what this new position within the Department of Economic Development can do to strengthen Georgia’s reputation as the top state for business and the best place to live, work, and raise a family.”
The new position comes after a recommendation from the Georgians First Commission and will be filled by the former director of Creative Industry Partnerships at the GDEcD, Allen Fox. He will conduct regional roundtables across the state, incorporating stakeholders like small business advocacy groups and local leaders. Cultivating support for entrepreneurs will be a key piece of the position.
“I am deeply honored to work with the Office of Governor Brian P. Kemp and Georgia Department of Economic Development to strengthen Georgia’s small business community,” said Fox. “We are very blessed that Georgia remains one of the best places in the nation to start and grow a business. Let’s keep the momentum going.”
More than 80 percent of the GDEcD’s work is with small business. According to their metrics – which have a little tighter definition of what constitutes “small,” fewer than 300 employees – more than 1.6 million Georgians are employed by small business. As the total employed labor force in Georgia is nearly 5 million, this explains the gap in percentages. A little math shows the number of employed by businesses between 300 and 500 is the majority of Georgia jobs.
“Every division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development touches small businesses across the state, offering resources, guidance, and assistance to help them succeed and grow,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. “We appreciate the support from Governor Kemp that will allow us to make sure every Georgia small business knows about the opportunities and resources we have available to them.”
