The leadership developing the microenterprise center under construction on Broad Street gave the first look at the symbol that will mark the facility.
Two logos for Accelerate Augusta were unveiled, including one incorporating partner, SRP Federal Credit Union.
“We were honored when the opportunity arose to partner with Augusta Tech on Accelerate Augusta,” Ed Jenkins, CEO of the financial institution told ABD. “We quickly saw the impact we believe it can make, not just on Augusta, but the CSRA as its incubator launches small and new entrepreneurial businesses. We just hope that other businesses will be inspired to do likewise. Let’s lean in. Let’s be collaborative. Let’s support where we can anything that benefits small business.”
SRP Federal Credit Union will provide furnishing and technology for the next 10 years and the center will be called “Accelerate Augusta Powered by SRP.”
Launched in December 2023 by Augusta Technical College and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), the project repurposes the former Augusta Chamber of Commerce Building at 600 Broad Street. It will be used as a hub to nurture small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Margaret Woodard, Executive Director of the DDA, ticked off the progress being made by construction crews, including fresh paint, completion of electrical and HVCA along with completion of tile and plumbing fixtures.
“The only thing really left to do is flooring and our fixtures and furniture,” she continued. “This past week, we went to the Augusta Commission to get a new roof put on the building. Through a generous sponsor, we have an elevator in the building that we’re very excited about. The shaft has been poured, and I believe that is due to be installed in March, so we’re on schedule and on budget.”
Dr. Tony Robinson with Sparq led the team that coordinated the creation of the logo, a symbol he hopes will promote collaboration.
“That is the at the core of what Accelerate Augusta is trying to do,” he explained. “We also wanted to make sure that the logo symbolized being inclusive. There are going to be all kinds of organizations that we support. A sense of community was also important there.”
He added that the logo also needed to be credible to a wide audience.
“This is a mark that is going to be attached to a huge impact in this community. So, we wanted to make sure that this logo not only fared well in the Augusta area, but it fared well at the state level and regionally and nationally and even internationally.”
The logo unveiling also included the formal introduction of Sheffie Robinson who will serve as Accelerate Augusta’s first Executive Director.
She said the center is a reflection of Augusta Tech and the DDA working together to increase economic development in the downtown area.
She said there will be focused boot camps that target an assortment of industries. The goal is to find resources and provide the best practices to build a community for businesses.
“We’ll be doing a lot of focus groups where we’re talking to businesses. What do you need? How can we help? And for new businesses starting out, we’ll have lots of opportunities for folks who just have the bug, or maybe they’re in career transition, or maybe they’re a 17-year-old saying, ‘I don’t really want to go to college, but I want to be an entrepreneur.’ Okay, let’s get you where you need to be. We want to be the central hub for that, for as much economic development as possible,” she said.
Renovations are expected to be complete and the center will open by late spring or early summer. A website is also in development to show what Accelerate Augusta will offer.
