Facilitating the Growth of Jobs for College and University Graduates

The Chamber’s Smart Community Initiative OPPORTUNITY CENTRAL

www.OpportunityCentral.net

SEEDS BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER www.SEEDSBusinessResourceCenter.com ...a resource center for businesses and entrepreneurs that provides free services and support. The SEEDS Business Resource Center is an entrepreneur library and work station open to anyone in business or interested in starting a business regardless of Chamber membership. The SEEDS Center sees approximately 500 clients each year and offers a range of services including market research, business plan writing assistance and professional advice.

GUARDIAN BANK BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION …an initiative of the Chamber in partnership with VSU and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College to foster new business development that will raise average weekly wages and better the quality of life in Valdosta-Lowndes County. The competition is an eight-month process of writing a perfect business plan. Business plans are judged and a winner is selected based on the plan and the ability to hire college and university graduates. The winner receives $15,000 in start-up capital provided by Guardian Bank and a prize package of in-kind services donated by Chamber members worth nearly $20,000.

PRO-BUSINESS ENHANCEMENT ...an initiative of the Chamber to help foster the growth of businesses in Valdosta-Lowndes County. Through its Pro-Business enhancement efforts, the Chamber in partnership with the local public agencies that provide assistance to businesses and entrepreneurs, the Chamber helps promote the “No Wrong Door” philosophy. No matter where someone goes to get information about business and entrepreneurship, they will get an answer. The Chamber’s Special Ombudsman Response Team (SORT) is a partnership among the Chamber and local governments to enhance the pro-business environment in Valdosta-Lowndes County.

OPPORTUNITY CENTRAL IT PROFESSIONALS NETWORK ...IT Professionals in the Metro Valdosta area are invited to join this network of like-minded professionals. The group meets at various businesses in Metro Valdosta for lunch and to talk tech. Host businesses also share cutting-edge technology that they have implemented. Your business must be a member of the Chamber to participate.

OPPORTUNITY CENTRAL SPEAKER SERIES ...a unique cultural and economic development forum that highlights diverse opinions, provides insight and spurs fascinating discussions on a broad scope of issues and topics that could have impact on Valdosta-Lowndes County. Speakers include industry experts in economic development, urban planning, authors and other celebrated professionals who enlighten and inspire leaders and citizens in the Valdosta-Lowndes County area.

OPPORTUNITY CENTRAL BOOK CLUB ...join a group of esteemed community leaders in discussions of books focusing on ideas and philosophies that can help keep Valdosta moving forward. After each session, meeting notes are available at www.OpportunityCentral.net, allowing you to make comments and contribute to the dialogue.

METROONE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ...a group of young professionals ages 21-40 that fosters young professional leadership development, personal enrichment, networking and community involvement in order to strengthen the community’s ability to attract and retain young professionals. Join MetroOne by visiting www.MetroOneValdosta.com

Building a Bridge Among Local Colleges and the University and the Business Community by Facilitating Internship Opportunities

OPPORTUNITY CENTRAL TALENT CONNECTION ...students from local colleges and the university are a great way to add fresh and new ideas to your company at little to no cost. Opportunity Central Talent Connection is a partnership among the Chamber, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College and Valdosta State University. By visiting www.OpportunityCentral.net/Talent, you can sign up to offer internships at your business to students at both VSU and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.

Educating Our Leaders About How Other Communities Are Building Knowledge-Based Economies and Cultivating a Creative Community

www.OpportunityCentral.net

Opportunity Central is the Chamber’s Smart Community Initiative with the goal of increasing the average weekly wage in Valdosta-Lowndes County by facilitating the growth of jobs for college and university graduates. The Chamber monitors the growth of average weekly wages in its Annual Economic Analysis completed by Illuminomics! The Analysis can be viewed at www.OpportunityCentral.net.