Thursday March 28th, 2024 4:27AM

Lula leaders urge local business owners to unite

LULA – Lula Mayor Jim Grier called for the formation of a merchants’ association Monday evening during the monthly city council meeting.

“It’s something that has been near and dear to my heart, small businesses in the City of Lula,” Grier said introducing his suggestion.  However, Grier wants the effort to be merchant-driven, not city sponsored.

“I’ve wanted to try and see if we can…not so much create by the city’s part…but maybe encourage the creation of a merchant’s association; primarily to promote our downtown merchants, but really to promote any merchants or businesses in the City of Lula,” Grier explained.

Grier unveiled his next step in advancing the plan.  “What I’d like to try to do is gain a little momentum…by inviting all our businesses to an evening gathering on June the 12th.  We hope that coincides well with their schedule.”

Grier said the meeting would be open to anyone in Lula who runs a business, even if their business is home-based.  “There are more businesses in Lula than you would think,” Grier said after the meeting.

“Any small business based in Lula is welcome; we want to encourage them to grow,” Grier added.  Grier said he hopes to see businesses collaborate on organizing special events, advertising, possibly offering classes to the community and sharing ways with each other on running a successful business.

Grier said he plans to invite representatives from SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives). “There’s a chapter in Gainesville that’s been very active and helpful to a number of small businesses.  As well as our Small Business Development Center from the University of Georgia.  We have some excellent resources there.”

Grier said with the anticipated growth along the SR 365 corridor beginning to manifest, and the construction of new subdivisions in the area, it is wise to organize now and to be ready for what lies ahead.

Grier said the exact time and place of the event is still being determined, although City Hall is the likely location of the June 12th event.   Details will be available soon according to Grier.

City Manager Dennis Bergin suggested a cookout.  “Kind of make it informal; formal but informal.  I think the Mayor has some great ideas that we want to capitalize on.”

Grier said, “Lula’s growing; things are happening in Lula.”

© Copyright 2024 AccessWDUN.com
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.