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Business Counseling and Assistance
Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce The Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization that serves over 1000 small and large businesses in the greater Dalton area. The Chamber has many networking and marketing events to assist large and small businesses. Greater Dalton Small Business Network The Greater Dalton Small Business Network is a website that supports entrepreneurs and small businesses in the Dalton & Whitfield County area. Everything from business forms to business plan assistance to local resources can be found on this website. Downtown Dalton Development Authority The Downtown Dalton Development Authority is responsible for the development and promotion of trade, commerce, industry, and employment opportunities within Dalton's Downtown area. Dalton State College School of Business Dalton State offers academic programs that bridge theory and practice in a challenging, interactive, small school learning environment. The School is accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, an accomplishment that only 20% of business schools in the country and only 5% internationally have achieved. Georgia Tech Economic Development Institute The Economic Development Institute provide support for emerging technology companies, with assistance on research, commercialization and technology transfer. Georgia Small Business Administration The Small Business Administration provides counseling, financial assistance, business development and other small business services to small businesses in Georgia. SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) Counseling for entrepreneur education and formation, growth and success of small businesses. SCORE is a partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Georgia Micro Enterprise Network (GMEN) The Georgia Micro Enterprise Network is an industry association of organizations and individuals who provide support for the development of microenterprises (less than 5 employees) in Georgia.
Carpet Industry
American Floorcovering Alliance The American Floorcovering Alliance, Inc. was established in 1979 to assist the carpet industry in promoting their products and to provide members with cost-saving programs necessary for growth. Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) Carpet America Recovery Effort is a joint industry-government effort to increase the amount of recycling and reuse of post-consumer carpet and reduce the amount of waste carpet going to landfills Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Tthe Carpet and Rug Institute is a nonprofit trade association representing the manufacturers of more than 95 percent of all carpet made in the United States, as well as their suppliers and service providers.
State Resources
Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) The Georgia Department of Economic Development is the state's sales and marketing arm and lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses and developing new domestic and international markets. Georgia Rural Economic Development Center (GREDC) The GREDC works on rural economic development efforts by: testing new ideas, conducting research to seek solutions to local, regional and state development problems, educating local and regional leadership, and collecting and disseminating information on rural economic and social situations. Governor's Mentor Protégé Connection Georgia’s Mentor Protégé Connection provides unique opportunities to a select group of Georgia’s emerging businesses to improve business practices, develop relationships and promote business growth. For one year, a small business (protégé) is paired with a leading Georgia-based corporation (mentor) to focus on areas such as new markets, professional development and business training.
Workforce Development
Georgia Work Ready Georgia Work Ready was launched in August 2006 by Governor Sonny Perdue and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce to improve the job training and marketability of Georgia's workforce and drive future economic growth for the state. Intellectual Capital Partnership Program (ICAPP) ICAPP connects the intellectual resources of Georgia's 35 public college and universities to the state's business community in innovative ways. ICAPP staff and a team of economic development leaders from each campus help Georgia businesses tap into the University System of Georgia for: college-educated employees, access to the latest research and access to business and operations advice. Quick Start Quick Start is Georgia's internationally acclaimed program providing customized training free-of-charge to qualified new, expanding and existing businesses.
Funding Assistance
Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) ACE is an SBA Microloan Intermediary and certified Community Development Financial Institution that provides loans up to $35,000 to be used for the expansion of an existing business or for the creation of a start-up business. In addition, the funds may be used for working capital as well as for the purchase of equipment or inventory. One Georgia From land acquisition, infrastructure development, airport enhancements and broadband creation to machinery purchases, business relocation assistance and entrepreneur support, OneGeorgia provides grants and loans for these economic development activities to qualified applicants. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) The USDA works to promote a dynamic business environment in rural America and offers financial assistance in the form of business loans and grants. Recipients of these programs may include individuals, corporations, partnerships, cooperatives, public bodies, nonprofit corporations, Indian tribes, and private companies. Georgia State University Tax Credit Calculator Small businesses can use this online calculator to determine whether they qualify for tax credits under the new federal health care law. |
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