The Harris County Chamber of Commerce promotes the work of the University of Georgia Business Outreach Services of the Small Business Development Center. Below is the information you will need to start a new business, expand an existing one, or get help with a business problem.

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) also offers professional business consulting, continuing education classes, and advanced marketing and research programs.

Harris County is presently working toward its Entrepreneur Friendly designation. Receiving this designation will allow Harris County to participate in opportunities such as professional development, conferences, and sharing of best practices. For start-up businesses, the State is interested in the number of jobs created and the amount of the investment. The same holds true for existing businesses who want to expand. Lynda Dawson, President of the Harris County Chamber, said, "receiving this designation will show prospective business owners that we are ready to accept them here and want them in Harris County."

The SBDC can provide you with a step-by-step introduction to the issues every new business must face. Their goal is to present a "way of thinking" that will help you plan, start, and successfully operate your business. Most services are free.

The SBDC can provide you with consultants for individual conferences, but your advanced preparation is required. Call or write the SBDC and ask about the "Business Development Questionnaire" (BDQ) and the manual publication titled "Start-Up Basics, an Overview to Starting Your Own Business."

Contact the SBDC at one of the below listed offices.

The Columbus office of the SBDC serves Harris County:

Kristen Miller
Regional Project Manager - Region 4
Governor's Entrepreneur and Small Business Office
109 E. Solomon Street, Suite 200
Griffin, GA 30224
770-229-3304
770-229-3289 fax

Tammy Segura
3100 Gentian Boulevard, Suite 119
Columbus, GA 31907
706-569-2652
tsegura@georgiasbdc.org

Click on www.sbdc.uga.edu for more information.

The U.S. Small Business Administration also has Business Tools on their website:
www.sba.gov.

Harris County Office of Community Development
P. O. Box 689
Hamilton, Georgia 31811
(706)628-4700

Revised: March 02, 2008.