Growing a business beyond northeast Georgia

Can growers and businesses in northeast Georgia sell blueberries to Belize or salsa to Salzburg? The "Opportunities in Exporting: Broaden Your Business by Selling Abroad" workshop to be held at the North Georgia Technical College Clarkesville Campus on April 10 promises to answer those kinds of questions and more.

The purpose of the workshop is to offer growers and entrepreneurs in the area the chance to explore possibilities for growing their businesses beyond northeast Georgia and the United States.

Exportation has certainly had a positive effect on Baldwin-based Fieldale Farms. "We began exporting poultry and poultry products in 1972," said Julie Adamson, export sales for Fieldale. "Most people in the community may not realize that we have customers in China, Russia, the Caribbean and many other countries. Exporting to these markets has definitely been an important part of our growth." Ms. Adamson plans to attend the workshop and will participate in a panel discussion as part of

the class agenda.

Another company that is testing the exportation waters is Cornelia-based NAS Manufacturing, a sewing manufacturing business that makes allergy proof covers for multiple healthcare markets. "Although we manufacture for various customers throughout the U.S., we are also doing a limited amount of shipping to customers in Europe, Mexico, and even Asia," reports Lee Hardy, vice president and general manager. "Strategically it is very important for us to develop our export business, and we are working to do a better job of finding and maintaining customers in the world market." Mr. Hardy plans to be part of the workshop as well.

Primary instructor for the class will be Charles Boyanton who is the director of the UGA Small Business Development Center's International Trade Center. Attendees will also hear from Renee Rosenheck, an international trade specialist with the Georgia Department of Economic Development who was previously with the Department of Agriculture.

For more information on the Exportation workshop scheduled for April 10, from 5:30-9:30 p.m., contact the Small Business Resource Center at 706-754-7880. Registration is $39 and includes dinner and materials. To register, call 706-754-7716 or visit www.northgatech.edu/ coned/registration.cfm.