Augusta Technical College and the Downtown Development Authority of Augusta are teaming up build a facility for small business owners.
The DDA announced on Friday, Sept. 9 that it has received more than $2 million in congressionally directed spending via the advocacy of U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.). Through a partnership with Augusta Tech, the funds are to be used toward developing a “Microenterprise Center,” along the Broad Street corridor, serving as an incubator for startups and other small businesses.
“Downtown Augusta is the backbone of small businesses,” said Margaret Woodard, Executive Director of the DDA. “You walk through the Broad Street corridor, you’ll see 250 small businesses in existence, and we want to make sure they have every available resource to stay open and thrive.”
Augusta Technical College President Jermaine Whirl expressed gratitude to Warnock’s support in touting the prospect of a home for microenterprises in the heart of downtown.
“Years ago, the college operated an incubator on campus and the need for such a space is at an all-time high following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Whirl.
Woodard notes that details are still budding regarding where and when it will be and exactly how it will operate. While Augusta Tech and the DDA are currently hammering those out, she says that local input from downtown entrepreneurs will be integral its development.
“It’s going to be important as we move forward to talk to community leaders,” she said. “To talk to the small businesses themselves, to see what their needs are, to make sure we capture their vision.”
The origin of the concept is twofold, Woodard says, both stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. One was the question of what services could have helped strengthen and grown local downtown businesses amid pandemic’s height.
Another motivation was the influx of new businesses opening in downtown Augusta. Woodard cites about 50 new enterprises launching downtown last year, with another 30 so far this year.
“The pandemic probably played a good role in this because entrepreneurship boomed,” she said. “People got tired of the corporate world, they had time to strengthen their business plans, rents were fairly affordable; and so it gave them a great opportunity to start their own businesses.”
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
