News Summary
Georgia Northwestern Technical College organized a Financial Empowerment Seminar, featuring Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. The seminar aimed at equipping small business owners with knowledge to navigate financial challenges and highlighted the importance of securing loans. Key insights were shared by a panel of experts, promoting the growth and sustainability of local enterprises. Communities demonstrated a commitment to fostering a supportive business environment, benefiting entrepreneurs statewide.
Rome, Georgia – Georgia Northwestern Technical College hosted a Financial Empowerment Seminar on Thursday, featuring Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. The seminar focused on providing assistance to small business owners in navigating financing challenges.
Moderated by Donna Lowry, the discussion included a panel of experts: Marguerite Davis, JJ Johnson, Peter Matthews, and Corey Townsend. The panelists shared vital insights to help local entrepreneurs grow and sustain their businesses. The event was a collaborative effort between Secretary Raffensperger, the Rome Floyd Chamber, and the local Small Business Development Center as part of the FIN FIT seminar series.
The seminar marked the third event in the FIN FIT series, which is designed to address financial issues that small business owners face statewide. Attendees participated in a hands-on learning lab where they received crucial information about the Invest Georgia Exemption, which aids in raising capital for both new and existing businesses.
Raffensperger underscored the importance of securing loans for small business owners and highlighted the significance of affordability in entrepreneurship. He also pointed out positive economic trends in Northwest Georgia, particularly the resurgence of manufacturing industries that had previously relocated overseas.
Chamber President Pam Powers-Smith reported the chamber’s commitment to supporting small businesses, which make up 80% of their membership. Powers-Smith mentioned a notable statistic: in 2024, there were 62 ribbon cuttings in Rome, indicating a flourishing environment for business growth in the area.
Panelist JJ Johnson, the owner of Smoothie King in Rome, shared his experiences with the franchise process, noting that he initially faced struggles and sought assistance from the Chamber and the Small Business Administration. Other panelists included Corey Townsend, a senior vice president at Ameris Bank; Peter Matthews, area director of the Rome SBDC; and Marguerite Davis, founder of Finance Savvy CEO.
The seminar successfully provided small business owners with the tools and resources necessary to make informed financial decisions, emphasizing the community’s commitment to fostering a supportive business environment.
This event is part of a broader series aimed at empowering small businesses in Georgia, demonstrating a proactive approach to addressing financial-related challenges and enhancing the entrepreneurial landscape across the state.
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