Georgia entrepreneurs tell committee procurement access, training and tort reform matter for small firms

Members of the Georgia Chamber Foundation and two Georgia business owners told the Small Business Development Committee that procurement visibility, workforce training and liability costs are pressing issues for small firms.

Sam Goode, chairman and founder of Goode Management Group, said his firm — which works largely on transportation and infrastructure projects and derives about 50% of its work from Georgia DOT — has seen legal fees tied to transportation contract litigation "eat away roughly 10% of our profit." Goode urged continued tort reform and said programs such as Georgia Opportunity Zones and job tax credits contribute meaningfully to his company’s bottom line.

Dean Paul Hart, president of Compaq Industries, described recent partnerships to expand market access, including work with Amazon, UGA capstone students and the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Hart said Georgia firms need more formalized training in digital commerce, copywriting, image/video production and data analytics so they can sell effectively on online marketplaces and capitalize on export opportunities.

Both witnesses asked lawmakers to preserve small-business participation requirements in state contracting and to improve procurement channels so new Georgia-made products can be discovered by state buyers. The committee thanked the presenters and left time for additional questions after adjournment.