b'Before heading to South Georgia, Ballard and her husband, Business Champion Entrepreneurial people are energetic about starting their Dr. Chet Ballard, who recently retired as a sociology professorAs for what she is most proud of, Ballard cites the chambersbusiness. The business incubator provides a place for them to from Valdosta State University, worked a few years atefforts to help small businesses. In 2004, the chamber createdshare workspace and experiences and help each other, Ballard Longwood University, in Farmville, Virginia.the SEEDS Center, which provides free assistance to startupsays. The connections are what incubators are all aboutits and existing businesses in Lowndes County.what makes them priceless. We didnt stay long, Ballard recalls. After the first winter, Chet and I remembered how much we dislike the coldEach year, the SEEDS Center works with approximately 500Located in a 23,400-square-foot historic building in Downtown weather. clients, offering various services and resources, includingValdosta, the VABI will include 10 to 15 furnished offices for market research analysis, business plan development, websitelease, as well as options to rent temporary desk space. The move to South Georgia came in 1985 when a facultycreation, marketing, and branding. position opened at then Valdosta State College. Chet hadIts a turnkey operation, she says, with the offices and meeting always heard about Valdosta State and had his heart set on theThrough the SEEDS Center, the Chamber sets aside moneyroom space, internet, and even a receptionist.job. We moved thinking we would stay for five or six years. and resources to invest in our small business community, she says. These services are not just for chamber members, butFunding for the VABI is made possible through a $2.5 million Six months later, Ballard says, We had fallen in love with thisanyone wanting to start a small business or help their currentU.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant and a I was always thinking about what we could do to make thingscommunity. $1.5 million U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development better, she says. I wanted to find the secret recipe for altering thebusiness expand. (HUD) loan administered through the City of Valdosta.trajectory of a town like Hyden. To be honest, I still dont have all theBringing her passion for community revitalization to theIn response to the chambers focus on small business answers.region, Ballard held positions with the South Georgia Regionalgrowth, and its collaborative efforts with the Small BusinessWe would not have the incubator without assistance from the Commission and Brooks County Chamber of Commerce andDevelopment Center (SBDC), Valdosta was named GeorgiasCity of Valdosta, says Ballard. They are investing through the With graduate school completed, Ballard remained in Texas, whereEconomic Development Authority. HUD loan, which in turn will help more small businesses grow she worked for the Brazos Valley Development Council, an agencyfirst Entrepreneurial Friendly Community by the Georgiaand create a larger tax base and more jobs. Its a great return on that helps local municipalities identify needs, develop responses,I wore many different hats in Brooks County, says Ballard,Department of Economic Development.their investment.implement solutions, and promote the best use of public resources. who previously served as president of the Valdosta RotaryBallard says the SEEDS Center and SBDC have a strong Club and the Valdosta Civic Roundtable. It was one of thepartnership. If someone is starting to think about opening aDescribed as a community game-changer, Ballard says the business but not sure where to start, the SEEDS Center is theincubator will serve as a magnet in attracting business growth to place. There are many steps before they are ready to seek athe downtown district. higher level of services provided by the SBDC. Rising StarsGaining 5-Star accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of A Giant Step Commerce is another shining moment in Ballards 23-year Weve always had great employees, but right now, we have a team that isOften described as a virtual incubator, the SEEDS Center istenure as president. ready to make the transition to a physical, functioning business a cohesive group ready to work. Even during this years COVID issues,incubator.The chamber first received standard accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 1987. A few years later, the U.S. they have shown tremendous work ethics. After more than a decade of planningincluding a series ofChamber increased its requirements and added levels identified - MYRNA BALLARD feasibility studies and an extensive due diligence processthewith three, four, and five stars. Valdosta Area Business Incubator (VABI) will soon be a reality. While reaching for the stars, the chamber first received a 4-Star The formal announcement will come in early 2021, withranking in 2004, followed by the highest 5-Star recognition in renovations completed by 2023, says Ballard, who has been2009, a level they have continued to maintain.the driving force in the business incubators development. It was the perfect first job, says Ballard, who wrote her mastersmost challenging and fulfilling jobs Ive ever had. They broughtThe arduous accreditation process requires the chamber to meet thesis on the role of banking in rural development. I was ableout the best in me, and I hope I had the same effect on them. Every business starts as a small business, and the incubatoror exceed the minimum standards in nine areas: governance, to work with 20 cities in the region that ranged in size from 100will offer a work environment that helps nurture and guidefinance, human resources and staff, government affairs, program In 1995, Ballard joined the Valdosta Lowndes County Chamberentrepreneurs from startup to independence. The incubatordevelopment, technology, communication, and facilities and to 100,000 people. It gave me a good picture of the differentof Commerce, first as vice president of economic development,will also provide some in-house servicessuch as legal,benchmarking.challenges communities face. and two years later named the president. accounting, or marketingthat might be too costly for a new business owner.The SEEDS Center and a strong governmental affairs program are two areas where our chamber stands out, says Ballard, 46 SG MAGAZINE | FALL 2020 BUSINESS + CULTURE 47'