According to Mary Ellen McClanahan, Entrepreneur and Small Business director for the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), the future is bright. That’s why the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) and GDEcD work together each year to “spotlight Georgia’s best, brightest and most unique.” 

She’s not talking about all the celebrities that have been popping up in Georgia lately—McClanahan is talking about Georgia’s small businesses.

Nominations are now open until Oct. 31 to nominate a Georgia-based business for the 2018 Georgia Small Business ROCK STAR awards.  To apply or nominate a business, click here. 

McClanahan says the collaborative effort seeks to recognize the most outstanding, unique and impactful small businesses in the state. 

The competition is open to all small businesses that employ less than 100 and are Georgia-based and for-profit.  Any type of small business is invited to apply, and you can nominate your own company or a company you admire. 

“If you have been assisted by your local or state economic development resources, you will get bonus points,” McClanahan explains.

Winners will be honored at the awards luncheon on March 19, 2018 in Atlanta.

And McClanahan adds there is no shortage of quality applicants in the state.

“Last year we had 135 entries, and four rose to the top.”

Last year’s winners spanned the state and included Ecolink Inc (Tucker), Atlanta Movie Tours (Atlanta), Atlas Turf International (LaGrange) and Sweet Grass Dairy (Thomasville). 

And those winners have a lot of great things to say about the program.

According to Carrie Burns of Atlanta Movie Tours, “Georgia is a great place to do business, because it’s the new entertainment capital with great incentives, talent, and of course locations.” 

And when nearly 98 percent of the companies in Georgia employ less than 100 people, it’s clear to see that small businesses are a big part of the state’s economy. 

“Georgia ranks fifth in the nation for small business optimism,” McClanahan adds.  “… And these awards give us a chance to share those stories and interact with these businesses.”

For more information on the Small Business ROCK STARS program, click here.