Page 32 - White County NCG 2019

ACE Top Five Technical College Graduate Degrees
1. Welding Technology

Connects 2. Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology
3. Cosmetology
Entrepreneurs 4. Health Services/Allied Health

with Cash 5. Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology

For the last two decades, entrepreneurs in North
Georgia have turned to Access to Capital for Entre- lining, archery ranges, paddle boarding will use the remaining 60 percent ($16.8
preneurs (ACE) to get their small businesses off the and more, to 20 breathtaking waterfalls, million) for courthouse renovations, upgrades
ground. Headquartered in White County, ACE serves year-round trout fishing and, of course, to roads and bridges and Yonah Preserve Park,
68 counties by providing loans and other resources “shooting the ‘Hooch” on a tube down the along with other smaller projects.
to traditionally underserved business owners such Chattahoochee River.
as women, minorities and small start-ups. The area is also home to standout
destinations like Helen, the area’s beloved Education & Workforce
“We help start and grow small businesses in Bavarian village, and the world-famous White County’s workforce is 15,745
Georgia through capital coaching and connections, BabyLand General® Hospital, birthplace strong and is expected to grow as the local
with a focus on the underserved,” ACE vice presi- of the original Cabbage Patch Kids. Don’t population increases. The U.S. Census Bureau
dent Sandy Headley said of the non-profit, which forget the charming Cleveland town projects the county’s residential population to
operates as a Community Development Financial square lined with quaint cafes and out- jump 12.5 percent by 2025.
Institution (CDFI). of-the-ordinary shopping, and the natural
wonder of Sautee-Nacoochee. White County helps build a strong
Headley said ACE plays an important role in local workforce with excellent K-12 schools,
business development because most start-ups various post-secondary education options and
don’t qualify for traditional loans from banks Infrastructure & Improvements workforce-specific training. White County’s
for a variety of reasons. Loans through ACE are award-winning public school system boasts
more flexible, less restrictive and ultimately more As in many destination communities, a 91 percent graduation rate. Several higher
accessible for start-ups. This means ACE can work White County voters approved a Special education institutions in the area include
in a complementary manner with banks and other Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) North Georgia Technical College, Lanier
financial institutions to provide entrepreneurs to fund a variety of public projects. Technical College, Truett-McConnell University,
with the capital they need to get their business off The one-penny local tax is expected to Piedmont College and the University of North
the ground. generate $28 million over a six-year term Georgia. Qualified White County industries
beginning in 2020, thanks in large part to can take advantage of Georgia’s Quick Start,
Entering its 20th year of operations, ACE has the transactions of the county’s 2.5 million which offers free workforce training to new and
deployed more than $60 million in loans through annual visitors. expanding businesses.
900 small businesses which, in turn, have created
or retained 7,700 jobs. Helen and Cleveland will each receive
20 percent of the total collections ($5.6 Location & Transportation
But it’s more than the funding that makes ACE million), allocating most to water and
clients successful. Headley said the secret sauce is wastewater improvements as well as public Less than two hours from Atlanta,
the additional services ACE provides to clients, “We roads, sidewalks and parks. White County White County is the natural gateway to the
don’t just make the loan; we are there every step of
the way providing one-on-one financial coaching
and business advisory services.”

“Being successful in business is about collaboration
and creativity,” Headley said. “We believe that if we
provide clients the resources, coaching and connect
them with those that can empower them through-
out their journey, they can become sustainable.”

ACE also provides financial education and training
to clients and the community at large through
its Women’s Business Center in Norcross, which is
funded in part by the Small Business Administra-
tion. For more information about ACE,
please visit aceloans.org.

30 White County Community Guide | 706-865-5356 | WhiteCountyChamber.org