Georgia’s Lewis takes DDAA president’s post

Danny Lewis assumed presidency of the Development District Association of Appalachia on July 1.

He becomes the first DDAA president from Georgia. The agency is the staff level of the Appalachia Region Commission.

Lewis has served as executive director of the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission since 2005. Previously, he was employed in Cobb County, city of Douglas and Newnan as city manager.

As president, Lewis will represent the DDAA at Appalachia Regional Commission functions as well as National Association of Development Organizations for the next year.

Thirteen counties that make up the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission: Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union and White.

SBDC to offers free startup business class

The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center’s Gainesville Area Office will offer a free Starting a Business: Q&A class from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the Featherbone Communiversity, 999 Chestnut St., Gainesville.

Topics for will include market research, choices of legal structure for a business, startup cost estimates, cash flow estimation, financing alternatives, failure factors and business planning. There will also be time allotted for specific questions.

Participants should register online at www.georgiasbdc.org or call 770-531-5681 for more information.