Dougherty County Commissioners, in a special called meeting Monday, revived the program meant to give small businesses more access to the bidding process for county projects.

Just when some thought the final nail had been hammered into the Small Business Office coffin, Dougherty County Commissioners, in a special called meeting Monday, revised, reconsidered and revived the program meant to give small businesses more access to the bidding process for county projects.

After a lengthy debate among commissioners — some argued that implementing any kind of preference would drive up costs to taxpayers, while others argued that not having a program would increase the gap between successful larger businesses and impoverished smaller businesses — the board voted 5-2 to reconsider the issue and then 4-3 to pass the proposal that had been all but abandoned by the board last month.

Monday’s special called meeting was set to reconsider the plan, which creates a sheltered market for businesses that meet certain requirements to become certified small businesses. Requirements include the geographic location of the business and its income or net worth.  (read more at albanyherald.com)