The City of South Fulton has signed a strategic alliance memorandum with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to help entrepreneurs start, grow and expand their ventures. The partnership kicked off at the grand opening of CollabSouth – Red Oak, the city’s new Main Street office and business resource center.
Terri Denison, SBA’s Georgia District Director was in attendance to sign on behalf of the agency and offer remarks.
“We’re really excited about this partnership,” she said. “The signing is just the beginning, and then comes the actual work. And that’s the part that I’m really looking forward to.”
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Similar alliances have been formed in other cities, including Seattle and Miami. Mayor Bill Edwards said that the partnership with the SBA and the launch of CollabSouth promises an increased commitment to investment and growth never seen before in the area.
CollabSouth provides office space and resources for entrepreneurs, including training workshops. An application process and pricing have not yet been released. The Main Street program, also housed there, aims to preserve Red Oak’s history and character, while also redeveloping the area as a thriving business district.
Earlier this month, the city broke ground on another CollabSouth – Main Street office in Old National Marketplace on Old National Highway. That office will also house a welcome center and the city’s new tourism manager. Both locations will also serve as police mini-precincts to increase public safety visibility in the areas.
Economic Development Director Christopher Pike said that he aims to set an ambitious new standard with the launch of CollabSouth.
“We’re going to be the standard not only in the region but in the state and the country when it comes to economic development, and this is just one first step to move us forward in that direction.”
CollabSouth launched this week in the Red Oak District. It will house the Main Street program, small business resource center and co-working space and a police mini-precinct.