Making Georgia the best place to do business

ATLANTA - Today, the Georgia Chamber Foundation announced the publication of its Q2 Quarterly Report, Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which provides timely insight into how Research & Development and cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence will impact Georgia’s future economy.     The publication of Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship is the most recent step in the implementation of the Georgia Chamber’s Georgia|2050 strategic plan, which will ensure Georgia remains a beacon of economic opportunity for the next 25 years. Georgia|2050 is built around five Prosperity Pillars, one of which is Innovation and Entrepreneurship. For the next five years, every aspect of the Georgia Chamber’s work and the Georgia Chamber Foundation’s will align around one of the Prosperity Pillars in Georgia|2050.   Some of the key insights from the Georgia Chamber Foundation Q2 Quarterly Report include:   Georgia is predicted to add more than 186,000 STEM jobs over the next five years, which is twice the national average.    Sixty-four percent of Georgia executives say their companies will increase investment in AI technologies over the next three years.   Georgia ranks fifth in the number of the business applications but 44th in the percentage of those applications expect to form into a business within four quarters.    Research institutions award the 13th most STEM doctorates nationally.  Georgia ranks ninth for the number of high-tech jobs.    A copy of the Georgia Chamber Foundation’s Q2 Report, Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship is available here. ### Founded in 1911 and incorporated in 1915, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce is the largest business advocacy organization in Georgia, working to protect free enterprise and secure our long-term economic prosperity. The Georgia Chamber represents tens of thousands of members in every corner of the state, with offices in Atlanta, Brunswick, and Tifton. In 2025 the Georgia Chamber launched Georgia|2050, a strategic plan to ensure Georgia remains a beacon of economic opportunity for the next 25 years. For more information visit gachamber.com. 

Georgia Chamber Hosts Second Annual Future of Small Business Summit  MACON – Today, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce hosted the second annual Future of Small Business Summit, designed to equip small businesses with the tools they need for their future success. More than 100 people attended the 2025 Future of Small Business Summit, which took place at Fall Line Station in Macon. Fiserv and Grow with Google served as presenting sponsors of the 2025 Future of Small Business Summit.   Holly Wade, Executive Director, National Federation of Independent Business Research Center and Dan Parzych, Senior Vice President of Analytics, Product & Innovation, Fiserv were the 2025 Future of Small Business Summit featured speakers. A full list of speakers, panelists, and moderators is below. A recording of the 2025 Future of Small Business Summit will be available on the Georgia Chamber’s YouTube channel shortly.   According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2024 Georgia Small Business Profile, Georgia is home to 1.3 million small businesses—representing 99.7% of all Georgia businesses. These businesses employ 1.7 million Georgians, accounting for 43.1% of the state's total workforce.    Because of the critical role small businesses play in Georgia’s sustained, record-breaking economic success, the Georgia Chamber has multiple initiatives to support small businesses. The Small Business Policy Council ensures small businesses’ voices are represented in the Chamber’s strategic decision-making and helps organize the annual Future of Small Business Summit.    Jennifer Abshire, Founder and CEO of Abshire Public Relations and Chair of the Georgia Chamber Small Business Policy Council said:    “Georgia’s small business owners--like me--are resilient problem solvers. And to truly thrive, we need access to a specific set of resources. As Chair of the Small Business Policy Council, I work to ensure the Georgia Chamber remains laser-focused on providing small business owners with the tools, support, and connections we need. It is my hope that the 2025 Future of Small Business Summit is another vital resource in the Georgia Chamber’s statewide toolbelt of resources for the small business community.”   Chris Clark, President & CEO of the Georgia Chamber said:   “When small businesses prosper, communities prosper. That’s why the Georgia Chamber is deeply committed to equipping Georgia’s small businesses with everything they need to succeed. Hosting the Future of Small Business Summit gives us a meaningful opportunity to connect small business owners to vital resources while celebrating the critical role they play in Georgia’s sustained, record-breaking economic success."  Dan Parzych, Senior Vice President of Analytics, Product & Innovation, Fiserv said:   “Small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy, generating 44% of gross domestic product, nearly half of overall employment, and serving as valued pillars of communities. We are proud to sponsor this year’s Future of Small Business summit, working alongside the Georgia Chamber to advance our shared mission of lifting up small businesses so local communities can thrive.”    The full list of speakers, panelists, and moderators is as follows:  Welcome Remarks   Jennifer Abshire, Chief Executive Officer, Abshire Public Relations and Small Business Policy Council Chair, Georgia Chamber   Georgia|2050   Morgan Law, Chief Experience Officer, Georgia Chamber   National Trends for Small Businesses   Holly Wade, Executive Director, National Federation of Independent Business Research Center   State Trends for Small Businesses   Dan Parzych, Senior Vice President of Analytics, Product & Innovation, Fiserv    Preparing to Build Partnerships with Corporations   Stacey Key, Chief Executive Officer, Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council    Ryan Waldrep, Regional Economic Development Manager, Georgia Power    Moderator: Tommie Beth Willis, South Georgia Regional Director, Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs   Small Business Resources   Kaitlyn Hill, Public Policy Manager, Amazon   Monica Delores Hooks, Chief Experience Officer, Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs    Anastasia Kudrez, Lead Educator, Grow with Google    Moderator: Allan Adams, State Director, Small Business Development Center    Utilizing Artificial Intelligence in Small Businesses     Jenny Savelle, Owner, Bishop Clean Care    Elizabeth Schorr, Owner, Elizabeth Schorr & Co.    Todd Womble, Chief Executive Officer, Savannah Logistics Group     Moderator: Susan Kraut, Chief Executive Officer, Effingham County Chamber of Commerce      Lessons from Georgia’s Small Business Leaders   Samuel L. Gude III, Chief Executive Officer, Gude Management Group    Christy Kovac, President & Chief Executive Officer, Sheridan Construction    Jimmy Puckett, Chief Executive Officer, SPINEN    Moderator: Jessica Walden, President & Chief Executive Officer, Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce   Closing Remarks   Tiffany Holmes, Deputy Director, Georgia Chamber Foundation   Founded in 1911 and incorporated in 1915, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce is the largest business advocacy organization in Georgia, working to protect free enterprise and secure our long-term economic prosperity. The Georgia Chamber represents tens of thousands of members in every corner of the state, with offices in Atlanta, Brunswick, and Tifton. In 2025 the Georgia Chamber launched GEORGIA|2050, a strategic plan to ensure Georgia remains a beacon of economic opportunity for the next 25 years. For more information visit gachamber.com.  ###