Resources for small businesses in Rural Georgia.

Whether you define rural by the size of a community or the lifestyle, many of Georgia’s communities fit into some version of rural.

According to Georgia’s Rural Center, rural is a designation for counties with populations less than 50,000. Out of the 159 counties in Georgia, this designates 120 as rural which is approximately 75%.

Many of these rural zones are located in the southern half of the state.

For those who choose to live, learn or build businesses in rural areas, there is an appreciation for the quality of life and advantages that may not be available in their metro counterparts. However, smaller populations can have a multiplying effect on the greatest challenges any small business owner faces – access to customers, capital, and talent.

In this three-part series, our team will share solutions for rural Georgia businesses to reduce those barriers and support their growth – no matter their zip code.

Mural in Tifton County on brick wall in bright colors that spells Tifton next to railroad crossing tracks

Part 1: Finding New Customers

Even if they all come after you build it, rural populations may not provide a large enough customer base for entrepreneurs to grow their profits. Identifying opportunities to sell your products or services outside of the community is an important consideration when planning for the long-term success of your rural business.

If your product or service can be used by educational institutions, local government, state or federal agencies, pursuing those contracts as a small business owner can help you expand to customers outside of your hometown. Everything from technology support, lawn-care services, to catering events are opportunities to partner with these agencies.

For businesses that are veteran, minority, or women-owned, a third-party certification can help open the door to work with these agencies. The Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC) is the state of Georgia’s leading advocacy organization for small business development and supplier diversity, but entrepreneurs have options when seeking certification and technical assistance for procurement opportunities.

Also consider, the federal HUBZone program. Started in 1997, The Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) Program was enacted as the only federal contracting program that helps businesses based on their location, rather than characters or owners. Operated by the Small Business Administration, to qualify for the HUBZone program, your business must:

  • Be a small business according to SBA size standards
  • Be at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens, a Community Development Corporation, an agricultural cooperative, an Alaska Native corporation, a Native Hawaiian organization, or an Indian tribe.
  • Have its principal office located in a HUBZone*
  • Have at least 35% of its employees living in a HUBZone*

Thinking globally about your business is another way to expand to customers outside of your zip code. Most exporters in Georgia are small businesses, and the state is proud to have “Made in Georgia” products travel the world. The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) provides specialized export support across the state. Annually, they help hundreds of small businesses start and grow their exports.

In partnership with the US SBA, Go Global Georgia, will even provide reimbursement funding to eligible exporters for pre-approved export activities like translation services, or an ExportGA Training Course.

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