Don Ryan Center CEO outlines expansion of business support in Hardeeville, announces Founders Forum and local outreach

Paul Aventitis, CEO of the Don Ryan Center, told the Hardeeville City Council that the center has worked with businesses across the region for 14 years and is deepening its partnership with Hardeeville to help local companies start and scale.

Aventitis said the Don Ryan Center’s programs have supported roughly 110 companies through its core programs and that 84% of those clients remain in business. He also cited the center’s role in generating “close to $30,000,000 in revenue” among client companies and described a broader regional impact from the center’s work.

“Whether it’s a phone call or an individual meeting or just some advice … we’re always there as a resource,” Aventitis said, outlining mentorship networks and program tracks that typically engage businesses for 12 to 18 months.

Aventitis announced a new business engagement manager position that will focus on outreach to local firms and said the center plans more regular in-person presence in Hardeeville city hall and at community events. He described a new event series called the Founders Forum — two events have been held so far — and said the next is scheduled for Sept. 17 in Hardeeville.

Representatives of Hardy Greens, a local vertical farm, described how the Don Ryan Center’s mentoring and consultant connections helped them move from a fledgling startup to a growing business that sells to restaurants and chef clients. “They continue to be supportive of us,” a Hardy Greens representative said, crediting the center with helping the company clarify roles and scale production.

Council members pressed staff on ways to reach new and existing businesses, suggesting presentations to residential developments with high numbers of business-experienced residents and more visible materials at City Hall. Aventitis and councilors said they would expand joint marketing, share social media, and explore video outreach with the mayor.

Aventitis also described a new Hardeeville-located tenant in the Don Ryan Center’s 1st-floor ‘Cove’ facility — a childcare center he said is already open and licensed — and noted plans for additional shared office space that will host partners such as the Hispanic Business Association and the Chamber on the second floor.

Council members and staff said they will coordinate on outreach and promotion; Aventitis asked for more mentors from Hardeeville to expand the center’s network. The presentation closed with an offer to host business engagement events in local residential communities and a pledge to maintain regular communication with city staff.