Small Business represents the heart of the economy and a dominant source of job creation. 93% of the Greater Hall Chamber’s members are small businesses. The Chamber provides a wide range of services to small business owners and potential entrepreneurs, working to grow business and strengthen the economy. Check the calendar for monthly small business events.
Rankings
- The 2022 Milken Institute Report named the Gainesville-Hall County Metro Area as the “Top Small Metro Area in Georgia” and #8 in the Nation for “Best-Performing Small Metros”
- Site Selection named Georgia the “#1 State for Business” for the ninth consecutive year and named Gainesville-Hall County one of the “Top Small Metro Areas in Nation for Job Creation and Investment”
- Gainesville-Hall County was ranked one of the 2020 Best Cities in the U.S. for Small Businesses by ChamberofCommerce.org
- Area Development also rated Gainesville-Hall County among its cities for “Year-After-Year Growth” with Georgia named the “#1 Place for Business” for eight years in a row
- CoStar Group named Gainesville-Hall County the #1 Metro Area in Georgia for Year-Over-Year Job Growth in 2020
Small Business in Hall County
- 99.63% of Hall County’s 5,499 businesses are categorized as small, using the Small Business Administration’s definition of fewer than 500 employees
- 97.46% employ <100
- 94.06% employ <50
- 74.91% employ <10
*Georgia Department of Labor / 4th Quarter 2022
Chamber CERTIFIED Small Business Partners

Thirty (30) businesses became CERTIFIED Small Business Partners in 2022. Businesses can become part of the initiative by attending six (6) Small Business Seminars in a year. Partners Receive:
• Certificate of Completion
• Business Door Decal
• Recognition by Chamber Board
• Announcement in the Chamber’s Business Link Newsletter
Link here to see current Certified Small Business Partners and the 2023 Program Schedule.
Small Business Seminars are sponsored by AccessWDUN, Caldwell Electrical Contractors, Sawyer Media Group, Small Business Access Partners, Delta Community, Gainesville Mechanical and The Times and are free for Chamber members. Visit the CHAMBER CALENDAR to stay informed on upcoming Small Business Seminars and to register online. Contact Abby Greenwood for details: (770) 532-6206 x 110 or email.
South Hall Business Coalition

The Chamber’s South Hall Business Coalition meets monthly on issues and topics of interest to business in South Hall County. Meetings are well attended and sponsored by AccessWDUN, Halski Systems, Milton Martin Honda, Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton, Signs by Tomorrow, South Hall Rotary and Store More Self Storage. Meetings are $5 for Chamber members or $15 for non-members and include a light breakfast. Visit the CHAMBER CALENDAR for upcoming South Hall Business Coalition meetings and to register or contact Ellie Parker, VP Membership Events, for details: (770) 532-6206 x 115 or email.
Chamber Programs & Networking Opportunities
The Chamber seeks to recognize and promote outstanding small businesses in the community and spotlights a Small Business of the Month, Small Business of the Year and Family Business of the Year.
Small Business of the Year
- 2021-2022: Skyline Contracting and Southern Baked Pie Company
2020-2021: Papa Jack’s Country Kitchen and Willis Investment Counsel
2019-2020: 2 Dog Restaurant and Occasions Florist
2018-2019: BGW Dental Group and M&R Equipment Rental & Sales
2017-2018: Green’s Grocery and Millie’s Drapery & Decorating - 2016-2017: Forum Communications and Liberty Candy Company
- 2015-2016: ABAviation and North Georgia Canopy Tours
2014-2015: The Little Ladybug and Caldwell Electrical Contractors - 2013-2014: Cotton Eyed Joe’s
- 2012-2013: Gainesville Design Center and Signs by Tomorrow
- 2011-2012: Highland Mountain Beverage
- 2010-2011: Rushton & Company
- 2009-2010: Scott’s on the Square
Family Business of the Year
- 2021-2022: Wayne Capital and Glo-Crest Dairy
2020-2021: Cochran Brothers Electric and Three D Cleaners
2019-2020: The Collegiate Grill and Tipton Construction
2018-2019: Riverside Pharmacy and WDUN
2017-2018: Duplicating Products and The Norton Agency - 2016-2017: Harrison Oil & Tire and Truelove Dairy
- 2015-2016: Clipper Petroleum and Chestnut Mountain Egg Farms
- 2014-2015: Duncan Exterminating and Georgia Chair Company
- 2013-2014: McGarity’s Business Products
- 2012-2013: Carroll Daniel Construction
- 2011-2012: J & J Foods
- 2010-2011: Milton Martin Toyota
- 2009-2010: Citisco
2023 Small Business of the Month
January: Certified Small Businesses
February: The Stag
March: Notary Pros
April: Break Water Grill
May: Alpha Gyro Grill
2022 Small Business of the Month
January: Gainesville Marina
February: Gainesville Flooring
March: Cardinal Ridge Group
April: Recess Southern Gastro Pub
May: Chicken Salad Chick
June: Enemies of the Average
July: Matthews Printing
August: Gainesville Eye Associates
October: Lakeside Car Wash
November: The Uniform Shop
December: Garment & Grace
Links for small business success:
Small Business Access Partners
Northeast Georgia SCORE
Small Business Administration
University of Georgia Small Business Development Center
State of Georgia
Business Incubator at Brenau University
Contact Abby Greenwood: (770) 532-6206 x 110 or email.