Greater Vidalia Center For Rural Entrepreneurship

09/02/2026

Make Smarter Business Decisions with SizeUp!

Our community is committed to providing local businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools and resources they need to grow and succeed.

Local businesses have access to SizeUp, a powerful online business intelligence tool that provides valuable market research and data-driven insights - at NO cost.

With SizeUp, you can:
Compare your business performance to industry competitors
Identify potential customers and suppliers in your market
Analyze your industry and market to uncover opportunities for growth
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Access valuable data and insights to help you make more informed business decisions

Whether you're an established business looking to grow or an entrepreneur exploring a new opportunity, SizeUp can help you better understand your market and make data-driven decisions.

Explore SizeUp today: https://greatervidalia.sizeup.com/

08/31/2026

What a great day in the Center!

08/26/2026

We’re proud to have The Strong Truth Podcast as a tenant of the Greater Vidalia Center of Rural Entrepreneurship!

Be sure to catch the latest episode on all major podcast platforms!

This week, The Strong Truth Podcast sits down with Coach Sheldon Pearce, a veteran educator, legendary track & field coach, great mentor, and championship builder whose coaching journey spans more than 30 years.

From Appling County High School, Valdosta High School, Jeff Davis High School, and Morgan County High School, to coaching at East Carolina University and Howard Payne University, Coach Pearce has dedicated his life to developing athletes, students, and young people.

Today, he continues that mission at Robert Toombs Christian Academy, bringing decades of coaching, teaching, leadership, and mentorship experience to the next generation.

His résumé includes 4 NCAA Champions, 36 High School State Champions, record-breaking athletes, region championships, and countless young people who have been impacted by his coaching and mentorship.

But this conversation goes beyond the wins, records, and championships.

We’re talking about leadership, discipline, purpose, mentorship, failure, success, faith, and the impact a coach can have on a young person’s life.

The Man. The Myth. The Legend. Coach Sheldon Pearce. 🐐

🎙️Episode drops this Sunday, 08/30/2026!

💪🏾Catch it on ALL major podcast platforms or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

08/24/2026

Our very first IDEA Bootcamp was a huge success, and we’re doing it again this FRIDAY! 🎉

Do you have a business idea but aren’t sure where to start? Maybe you’ve been thinking about becoming an entrepreneur but need a little guidance to turn that idea into something real.

All you need to is bring us your business IDEA, and we’ll help you take the next steps toward turning it into a business plan! You’ll spend the day learning, building valuable skills, and connecting with mentors who can help bring your vision to life.

Register at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fall-2026-idea-bootcamp-vidalia-ga-tickets-1985464939080?fbclid=IwY2xjawT5LfJwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMUtDRlBmaGcyOFZOTGJsMzlzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe-NcqDSNm6iTxcshgAZZnWI8WhCghxzqoy0ysly7tMjoE1SjMfmre7pr5Uvo_aem_Jlb-wp4vQNnI8eeTjfqxMw

Sponsored by: Parlor Marketing and Toombs County Development Authority

08/21/2026

💡 Vidalia, Georgia grows the only onion with its own state law protecting the name. Our Idea Bootcamp is headed there next, and we're glad to bring it to a place that already knows how to build something the rest of the state can't copy.

Our Idea Bootcamp program is a one-day intensive that takes you from an idea to a real startup plan. This program is ideal for you if:

- You have a business idea
- You don't know where to start
- You want to test your idea
- You want to get connected to your entrepreneurial community

Plus it includes free registration and lunch!

This program is sponsored by The Parlor Company and Toombs County Development Authority.

Friday, August 28 | 9AM to 4PM

Dot Foods Business Hub, Greater Vidalia® Center for Rural Entrepreneurship | 208 East First Street, Vidalia, GA 30474

Your next move starts here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fall-2026-idea-bootcamp-vidalia-ga-tickets-1985464939080

08/21/2026

Only a few more days to sign up for the Truist TAP Cohort!

This FREE program helps entrepreneurs strengthen both personal and business financial health through hands-on coaching, 1:1 guidance with experts, and peer learning. Participants will gain valuable financial guidance using the Financial Health Network'sFinHealth Score® framework, and even have a chance to win cash prizes from a$10,000 award pool!

Participating businesses must be located in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Southern New Jersey or Greater Philadelphia.
Apply by August 31st at 5:00 PM ET — spots are limited!
https://theaccelerationproject.tfaforms.net/wfMwy46

08/19/2026

Are you an entrepreneur with a great idea but need a space to bring it to life? That’s where we come in! 💡💡

The Greater Vidalia Center for Rural Entrepreneurship was created to help local entrepreneurs and community members turn their ideas into reality, grow their businesses, and build something right here in our community.

Stop by and see Mrs. Lisa; she'd love to give you a tour and show you what the Center has to offer!

08/18/2026

Small Business Owners — this one’s for YOU!

Want to know how your business compares to your competitors, find more customers, better understand your market, and make smarter advertising decisions? 📊

Our FREE Small Business Assistance is available 24/7, on-demand, and provides valuable insights to help you better understand your business and your industry.

Visit https://greatervidalia.sizeup.com/ to learn more!

08/17/2026

Our tenant, The Strong Truth Podcast, recently sat down with our Chamber board member, Gerriell Craig, for an interview! Be sure to check them out and tune in to hear their conversation! 🎧

08/11/2026

The Greater Vidalia Center for Rural Entrepreneurship is excited to share that applications are now open for EDGE — Economic Development & Growth for Entrepreneurs — a new small business coaching program led by The Acceleration Project (TAP).

This FREE program helps entrepreneurs strengthen both personal and business financial health through hands-on coaching, 1:1 guidance with experts, and peer learning. Participants will gain valuable financial guidance using the Financial Health Network'sFinHealth Score® framework, and even have a chance to win cash prizes from a$10,000 award pool!

Participating businesses must be located in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina,Tennessee, Southern New Jersey or Greater Philadelphia.
Apply by August 31st at 5:00 PM ET — spots are limited!
https://theaccelerationproject.tfaforms.net/wfMwy46
Questions? Contact [email protected]