(Woodstock, Ga. – Nov. 11, 2016)
Chattahoochee Technical College, Cherokee Office of Economic Development and the Woodstock Office of Economic Development share a passion for encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit and recently teamed up to create Fresh Start Cherokee’s The Circuit, a first-of-its-kind venue in Georgia.
Located on Chattahoochee Technical College’s Woodstock Campus at One Innovation Way, The Circuit was created to foster entrepreneurship and business development within Cherokee County and is now available for use by business owners, startups and students. Similar to a business development center, tenants are offered training resources for preparing business plans, marketing strategies and increasing cash flow. The Circuit also has centralized office resources available.
By providing businesses and startups with a place to network, host meetings or tap into training resources, The Circuit will create value in the area through new jobs and investment. Falling under the umbrella of an educational institution, The Circuit also opens doors for Chattahoochee Technical College students who are able to use the location as a student center.
“At Chattahoochee Technical College, we believe The Circuit will serve as a catalyst for economic growth, as innovative students with an entrepreneurial mindset will now have a place to network and collaborate with local business owners and startup companies,” Chattahoochee Technical College President Dr. Ron Newcomb said. “The college is pleased to be partnering with Cherokee County and the City of Woodstock to offer this first-of-its-kind work space that jointly promotes workforce development and student success.”
Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Gretchen Corbin said Chattahoochee Tech’s participation in this innovative partnership is representative of technical colleges’ ability to dynamically anticipate and respond to community needs.
“Finding creative ways to stay engaged with Georgia entrepreneurs and companies is part of our mission to ensure our students are receiving the real-world training they need to be successful in their careers,” Corbin added.
Cherokee Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens said the county spent years looking for the right location for this type of venue, as it required a financial partner who had the ability, time and resources to bring the plan from an idea to implementation.
Chattahoochee Tech fit the bill.
“For years, we have patiently waited to find the ideal location for such a resource. We kept looking and looking. In the end, we found the perfect location, and it’s better than any of us could have imagined. It was well worth the wait,” Ahrens said.
The Woodstock Campus, located in the heart of downtown Woodstock, is the former site of Woodstock Elementary School and was built in the 1930s. The Cherokee County Board of Education deeded the property to the state for use by the college in 2013, at which time it underwent an extensive, $5.3 million renovation. The Circuit is located inside the historic gymnasium.
“We are thrilled to partner with COED and Chatt Tech to bring this unique resource to Downtown Woodstock. The space will ignite business development and growth in our community,” said Director of Economic and Downtown Development Brian Stockton.
For more information about The Circuit, please contact Jonathan Chambers, Community Manager of Entrepreneurship, at 770-345-0600.