The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center is bringing one of its signature programs to Albany this fall to meet the needs of growing businesses. 

According to Debbie Finney, Area Director for the Albany office of University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC), SBDC GrowSmart ™ has become popular with local business owners and key managers who desire to grow their business because it “helps them focus on what direction their business should take, implement systems to help them grow, and become engaged one-on-one with other business owners with whom they can share best practices.” 

In fact, GrowSmart ™ is so popular in Albany she says they receive requests to host the program each year. 

“Sometimes business owners get so busy working ‘in’ the business, they don’t have time to work ‘on’ the business,” Finney says. “ GrowSmart ™ allows them the opportunity to carve out time to strategically work on what needs to be done and gives business owners and key managers the opportunity to improve their business and position it for future success.” 

According to Finney, SBDC GrowSmart ™ was developed by the UGA SBDC to “meet the needs of growing businesses whether in business two years or 20 years. The program, combined with long term one-on-one consulting with SBDC professionals, gives participants the tools and strategies to apply course principles, build business strategies and manage like a seasoned CEO.” 

SBDC GrowSmart ™ takes place over five full day sessions—that’s 35 hours of facilitated class time, expert speakers and roundtable discussion to cover all areas of business operations and strategies. 

The Albany program dates are Thursdays, Sept. 14, 21 and 28, and Oct, 3 and 12.  

SBDC GrowSmart ™ is designed for companies with at least two years of successful operation, annual revenues of $300,000 to $10 million  and the desire to grow.  

Application is required and class size is limited.  

Applications are reviewed to ensure competitive conflicts are minimized. To apply, click here. To learn about Early Bird Registration opportunities going on now, contact the Albany office at 229-420-1144. 

According to Finney, the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center provides tools, training and resources to help Georgia businesses grow and succeed. It is designated as one of Georgia’s top providers of business assistance and  the SBDC has 17 offices--including one in Albany-- to serve the needs of Georgia’s business community.  

The Albany office serves for-profit businesses in 27 South West Georgia Counties with no cost confidential consulting.