GrowSmart looking for Columbus-area businesses
Columbus-area business owners looking for an edge in expanding and improving their companies might consider the GrowSmart program being offered this fall by the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center.
The program, in its ninth year, is now accepting applications for the course that starts Oct. 16, culminating with a graduation Dec. 4. It's one of several courses and consultation opportunities -- much of the assistance free -- offered by the SBDC throughout the year, including social media marketing, learning QuickBooks and operating a business more effectively.
"As we work with business owners in this manner, we help strengthen them for the challenges and growth ahead and, thus, help strengthen the community at large," said Mark Lupo, area director of the UGA SBDC office in Columbus. The center is located at Columbus State University's Cunningham Center, 3100 Gentian Blvd.
The GrowSmart program accepts about 20 businesses each year, with the course costing $895. However, a recent $15,000 donation by sponsor Kinetic Credit Union will cut $400 from that bill as a tuition defrayment to those who qualify. This is the second year Kinetic has done that, Lupo said.
The registration deadline is Oct. 12, said Deborah Free, administrative assistant with the SBDC. Requirements include being in business at least two years with a minimum of one employee not an owner, and having annual revenue of at least $300,000.
"The other thing is we screen to make sure there's no competitive industries, because it's a facilitated classroom and not a lectured base," Free said. "That's so people are more open to discussion, because they don't want to share their trade secrets in there."
GrowSmart aims to help participants formulate goals and strat
egies for developing "flexibility and agility in today's rapidly changing world," according to a program outline.
The course, which includes 35 hours of class time, has five specific modules, or areas to explore. They are: planning for growth; marketing research and planning; leadership and management; financial analysis and tools; and operations and implementation.
Participants will meet each Friday from Oct. 16 through Dec. 4, with the exception of the week of Thanksgiving. Depending on the day, hours are 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sessions are held in the Cunningham Center at Columbus State University.
GrowSmart is a statewide program offered by the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center, with courses scheduled in major cities throughout the year. Georgia Power is a statewide sponsor.
For more information or to register for GrowSmart, contact the Columbus center at 706-569-2651 or visit online at www.georgiasbdc.org/growsmart/.
This story was originally published September 9, 2015 at 9:27 PM with the headline "GrowSmart looking for Columbus-area businesses ."