Author: Admin

As a record number of businesses opened last year, Lendio reveals the top states to start a small business. 

2023 was a record-breaking year for small businesses as a record-breaking 5.5 million new business applications were filed in 2023, according to the Small Business Administration.

The 2020s have been one of the most challenging historical decades for small business owners. The economic impact of the global pandemic continues to ripple through the American and global economies. Inflation, high interest rates, and the unprecedented migration of educated workers to new locations have been just a few of the challenges that small businesses face. Amid such paradigm shifts in how—and where—Americans work and live, Lendio commissioned this study to see the state of the small business landscape across the country.

Key Findings

We explored trends in ten metrics that are critical to the success of small business owners in 2024’s rapidly changing and uncertain landscape. These metrics included small business lending, cost of living, real estate data, educated worker migration, corporate tax rates, state-level incentives for business owners, and more. Our key findings include:

• Top states – Florida, Texas, and North Carolina rank top in our list due to lower taxes, an influx of movers to these states, sufficient business funding, and higher amounts of personal consumption expenditures.

• Bottom states – Hawaii, New Hampshire, and Nebraska are the bottom three states, due to low business funding and venture capital availability, limited local incentive programs, high tax rates, and high cost of living.  

• Ranking shifts – While the states that made the top 10 stayed the same from Lendio’s 2023 analysis, there were some shifts in the line-up including Florida edging out Texas for the top spot.

• Ranking factors – The states that rank highest are those that experienced large influxes of migration, with reasonable costs of living. The availability of business funding, venture capital, and local incentive programs were also important factors that impacted the rankings. 

Top 10 best states to start a small business.

10. Oklahoma (Previously 7)

This state boasts some of the most favorable local incentives in the country for business owners, with 84 inventive programs in total. Housing prices and cost of living are lower, compared to other states. Combined with a low, 4% corporate income tax rate, this creates an environment many entrepreneurs will find attractive. On the flip side, businesses in Oklahoma have lower-than-average access to capital and have seen a decline in educated workers moving to that state.

9. Utah (Previously 10)

Businesses in the state of Utah have exceptional access to capital. Utah is approved for the highest number of SBA loans per 100,000 population in the U.S. It also had $10,000 in VC funding per $1 million GDP, ranking No.10 in the U.S. in 2023. The state also has a lower corporate tax rate of 5% and offers 34 tax incentives to small businesses. The reason Utah did not rank higher on our list is that it has become an increasingly popular destination, and as a result, housing costs have increased significantly.

8. Massachusetts (Previously 4)

It’s no wonder tech-savvy Massachusetts gets the most amount of venture capital disbursed per $1 million of GDP, ranking No. 1 in the U.S. The state offers 73 different incentives for business owners. Massachusetts businesses also have one of the highest five-year survival rates of 57%. On the flip side, it has one of the highest median housing values in the U.S., and it is seeing more people leaving (57,000)—rather than moving to—the Bay State.

7. Georgia (Previously 9)

Georgia is also a great place for businesses, as it is within the top states with the most small business loans approved—over 30 small business loans per 100,000 residents through Lendio’s marketplace. Georgia has seen an influx of 81,406 people move in, making it the sixth-best state in this crucial category. Although the housing prices remain reasonable, Georgia has the second-highest growth in cost of living. 

6. Ohio (Previously 3)

Ohio has no corporate income tax rate. Even with the state’s gross receipt tax rate, which is not strictly comparable to the corporate income tax rate, it’s still considered a low-tax state. Ohio is also among the top states that have small business loans approved per 100k residents. With very low housing costs and good local incentive programs for businesses, Ohio is a good place for small businesses to settle. 

5. South Carolina (Previously 8)

Half of all startups in the Palmetto State have survived at least five years, and the state government offers 77 different incentives for small business owners—only three states offer more incentives than South Carolina. The state has a low 5% corporate income tax rate. In addition, housing prices and cost of living are among the lowest of all states, and 84,030 people moved in in 2022, making it the 4th-hottest place to relocate. 

4. Colorado (Previously 6)

If you are in Colorado, you may have a good chance to land a small business loan. Colorado ranks No. 7 in the U.S. for issuance of small business loans, with 27 small business loans per 100,000 residents. It also has the 7th highest amount of venture capital per $1 million GDP. With 55,768 educated workers moving here and a 4% corporate income tax rate, business owners can find a good place to start a small business. 

3. North Carolina (Previously 5)

North Carolina has been a hot place for in-migration, with 99,796 people relocating there in 2022 (the 3rd highest in the U.S.). Businesses here have an above-average, five-year survival rate. The state also has a low corporate tax rate of 2.5% and above-average access to business loans. With low housing costs, business owners find it an attractive location to start and run a small business. 

2. Texas (Previously 1)

Texas ranks as the second-best state for small businesses. While Texans receive a lower amount of SBA loan approvals/100K residents than other states, they were the 7th highest state for loans offered through Lendio’s marketplace. Of all businesses started in 2017 in the state, more than half survived five years of operations, outlasting those in many other states. According to Census Bureau data, over 400,000 people with at least some college education moved into Texas in 2022, making it a prime location for educated entrepreneurs to spread their wings. Beyond just workers, Texas has become one of the most popular places for Americans to relocate—thanks, in part, to its lack of a state income tax.

1. Florida (Previously 2)

Florida is the best state to start a business due to a low corporate tax rate (5.5%) and the mass migration of consumers and companies to the state. The Sunshine State sees more than half of its startup businesses survive for at least five years. It’s also a top recipient of SBA loan dollars (12th compared to other states) and ranked 2nd for the number of loan offers facilitated through Lendio’s marketplace.

For the full report visit www.lendio.com

Five attorneys with Atlanta-based Finch McCranie law firm have been recognized in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Each was highlighted by the national directory of legal professionals as a Best Lawyer in Atlanta in his respective practice area. In addition, Michael A. Sullivan was named “2025 Qui Tam Lawyer of the Year” for Atlanta, an honor reserved for only one lawyer per practice area in each region covered. The honorees are:

Richard W. Hendrix, Best Lawyer in Atlanta for Bet-the-Company Litigation,
Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White Collar, Personal Injury Litigation:
Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation: Plaintiffs

Walter E. Jospin, Best Lawyer in Atlanta for Litigation-Securities, Securities Regulation

Michael A. Sullivan, Best Lawyer in Atlanta and 2025 Atlanta Lawyer of the Year for Qui Tam Law

Carl Lietz, Best Lawyer in Atlanta for Criminal Defense: White Collar

David Bouchard, Best Lawyer in Atlanta for Commercial Litigation, Criminal

Defense: White Collar and Qui Tam Law

“We are delighted that the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America has recognized our attorneys as being among the very best in their respective practice areas,” said Richard Hendrix, Finch McCranie senior partner. “While we deeply appreciate the many accolades our firm has received over our 60-year
history, it is always especially gratifying to be honored by a well-respected industry publication devoted to the legal profession.”

Since 1981, The Best Lawyers in America® has researched and showcased the most distinguished attorneys in the U.S. across various practice areas. Honorees are selected through a rigorous peer review process which includes analyzing over 25.8 million evaluations on the legal abilities of lawyers around the world based on their specific practice areas. This ensures honorees meet the highest
standards of professional excellence, and exhibit integrity, skill and dedication in their legal practice. www.bestlawyers.com/united-states

With the state closing in on 1.5 million licensed, registered businesses, Georgia continues to solidify its reputation as the number one state for business. This ranking has been maintained for over a decade, and the Secretary of State’s office is committed to preserving it. Secretary Brad Raffensperger underscored his goal of delivering excellent services, among other key priorities, during his address to business professionals at the Gwinnett Chamber On Topic Luncheon presented by Porter Steel.

Raffensperger emphasized Georgia’s robust economic landscape, from entrepreneurial ventures to large industry operations, and discussed ongoing efforts to modernize the state’s licensing software systems, with plans to implement these updates over the next two years. He highlighted the importance of professional licensing, noting that his office currently manages around 140 different types of licenses across 40 boards, and reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing online applications and customer service calls to provide top-tier licensing service to Georgia’s business professionals.

“As a small business owner, I uniquely understand what our businesses face daily,” Raffensperger said. “That is why I fight every day to cut the red tape and hold unelected bureaucrats accountable to you… keeping Georgia the number one place to do business.”

Raffensperger also addressed the most pressing responsibility of his office: ensuring safe, secure elections. He described the challenges of this role, particularly given the complexities of swing-state national elections and global pandemics and emphasized his continued leadership with integrity and a genuine passion for Georgia and the nation. Since 2018, Raffensperger has implemented strategic measures to secure the vote, including an auditable paper ballot system and expanded voter accessibility. He explained that all voting methods—early, absentee, or day-of—require photo identification, with eight different acceptable forms of ID. Post-COVID voting habits show that absentee voting accounts for only 6-7% of the vote, with more than 90% of voters choosing to vote in person, either early or on election day. Despite media attention on absentee ballots, Raffensperger noted that this method is not widely chosen by citizens in Georgia. He praised the diligent work of election directors across Georgia’s 159 counties, ensuring fair, honest, and secure elections, and highlighted the strong relationships his office maintains with each county.

In his closing remarks, Raffensperger reinforced his deep commitment to Georgia and its people, stating that there is no better place for opportunity than the United States, and no better state in which to build a future than Georgia. He assured business leaders, employees, and citizens that their voices matter and their votes count, but only once.

Farmers and lawmakers gathered this week at the 2024 Agriculture Issues Summit to discuss issues facing Georgia’s agriculture industry.

The owner of Dawson Brothers Farm, Rodney Dawson, is a peanut, grains and cotton farmer.

Read More At: 41WMGT

Identifying the Right Travel Marketing Skills

Mapping Out a Path to Superior Travel Marketing Skills Who cares about progressive travel marketing skills today? And can one skilled marketer make a difference?  You have to believe it and be clear about the path ahead. Our big challenge might be problem definition. Just what are we trying to solve?  Is it skills, company…

 

(l-r) Dr. W. Todd Groce, former Representative Calvin Smyre, and Robert Bunch unveiling the historical marker.

On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, the Georgia Historical Society (GHS) unveiled a new historical marker in Columbus as part of the Georgia Business History Initiative. Dedicated in partnership with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the marker shares the history of Anthem’s Georgia Plan and its significance to Georgia’s economic history.

“The Georgia Historical Society is pleased to recognize Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia as an iconic representative of the industry in this state,” said Dr. W. Todd Groce, GHS President and CEO. “For nearly 90 years this company has played a key role in the growth and delivery of medical insurance, leaving an indelible imprint on the history of Georgia and the nation.”

Each year GHS selects iconic companies in our state to be honored through the Georgia Business History Initiative. By showcasing companies like Anthem, GHS seeks to teach Georgia students, citizens, and tourists alike about the pivotal role of Georgia’s leading businesses in the economic, cultural, and social development of Georgia and the United States. Each honoree receives a historical marker, and GHS also develops educational materials to enrich student understanding of the businesses that built Georgia. The resources are available on the GHS website, free to educators, parents, and students across the state.

“Eighty-seven years ago, a health plan was created in Georgia with a specific focus on service for our members,” said Robert Bunch, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia President. “Today, we celebrate the dedication to customer service made by our founders and look forward to many more years of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield supporting Georgians as the largest health insurance provider in the state.”

Conducting business today as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the corporation has a long history of providing services to the citizens of Georgia. In 1937, the Blue Cross Plan got its start in the state as an outgrowth of New Deal programs being implemented throughout the nation. It began as three distinct Blue Cross plans supporting patient access to hospital services. The first policy, called the Atlanta Plan, cost twelve dollars per year, and all subscribers had to reside within a 50-mile radius of Georgia’s capital city. The success of the Atlanta Plan led to the establishment of the Savannah Plan in 1939 and the Columbus Plan in 1947. In 1966, the Savannah and Columbus Plans merged. By 1985, the Columbus and Atlanta Plans combined, becoming Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia. Today, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Georgia is the largest health insurance company in the state.

The marker dedication took place at the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield offices in Columbus. Speakers included Dr. W. Todd Groce, President and CEO, Georgia Historical Society; The Honorable Calvin Smyre, former State Representative of Georgia; Robert Bunch, President and CEO, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia; and 29+ Year Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Associate Kellie Murphy, Staff Vice President, Operations and Account Support.

The marker text reads:

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

In 1929, Texas educator Justin Kimball developed hospital prepayment plans for teachers. Inspired by Kimball’s program, the American Hospital Association soon encouraged the sale of “Blue Cross” hospital prepayment plans nationwide. After the passage of Georgia’s Group Hospitalization Act in 1937, five Atlanta hospitals established the United Hospitals Service Association of Atlanta and sold Blue Cross plans to city residents. In 1947, the West Georgia Medical Association began offering Blue Cross plans to Columbus residents. “Blue Shield” plans, physician prepayment services, were added in the 1950s. By 1975, both the Atlanta and Columbus plans included hospital and physician coverage. The Atlanta and Columbus plans merged, becoming Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia in 1985. Today, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia is the largest health insurance company in the state.

Erected by the Georgia Historical Society
and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

For more information about the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield historical marker dedication, the Georgia Business History Initiative, or the Georgia Historical Society marker program, please contact Elyse Butler, Manager of Programs and Special Projects, at 912.651.2125, ext. 119, or by email at ebutler@georgiahistory.com.

 

 

Millennials and Gen Z adults priced out of homeownership are renting for longer, prompting many to seek out ways to personalize their not-so-temporary space. New data from Zillow¹ and Thumbtack² finds there are affordable, nonpermanent upgrades that allow renters to make their space their own and add value for their landlord. 

Certain home features can contribute to more views, saves and shares per day when a home is listed on Zillow Rentals®, the number one most visited rental network³. That makes many of these projects a win-win for landlords and renters alike. They also typically cost less than $1,000, based on national average cost estimates from Thumbtack, the technology company helping millions of people confidently care for and improve their homes. 

“There are so many improvements that are both beneficial to a landlord and allow renters to make their space feel more like home,” said Emily McDonald, Zillow’s rental trends expert. “However, before making any major changes, renters should always review their lease and check with their landlord. If a renter can show how the upgrades add function or style, they may be more likely to get buy-in. In some cases, a landlord may be willing to split the costs if a renter is hiring a professional to do the work and willing to manage the project themselves.” 

These are the seven renter-friendly home improvements to consider: 

Swap out cabinet hardware: Changing out cabinet hardware is one of the easiest ways to make a kitchen or bathroom feel more contemporary. Choose half circles, fluted, or curved hardware for a fresh feel. 

As for color, matte black finishes can modernize a space and help a rental listing get 25% more saves and 49% more shares per day on Zillow Rentals. The cost of updating hardware or fixtures can range anywhere from $50 to a few hundred dollars, depending on the fixtures and how many are swapped out.

Add open shelving: Zillow® research finds rental listings with open shelving get 36% more saves per day on Zillow Rentals than similar units. With a national average cost of $275 for professional installation, open shelving allows renters to display personal mementos, art or books without adding bulky furniture that takes up valuable square footage. 

Become a plant parent: Plants can improve a home’s air quality and boost a renter’s mental and physical health. A small herb garden is great for a home chef, a hanging eucalyptus plant can turn a shower into a spa, and succulents or cacti can add low-maintenance greenery.  

For outdoor spaces, a patio garden can boost a rental’s daily views by 24.2% on Zillow Rentals. No patio? Try window or railing boxes to add color. Thumbtack finds the average national cost for a window box is $100–$150 for professional installation and $15–$900 for materials, depending on the type purchased. 

Paint a room or add an accent wall: Landlords commonly allow renters to paint their walls if they agree to paint it back before they move out. The right color can make a dramatic impact and boost value. Darker hues are now preferred over white walls, according to Zillow’s latest research on paint colors. 

“Gen Z shows an inclination towards bold, dark colors, which is a departure from more traditional color schemes,” said Rafael Rodriguez, a Thumbtack Pro and owner of Dambrak Painting. “Unlike previous generations that commonly use semi-gloss white for trim and flat white for ceilings, many Gen Z renters opt to paint both walls and trim in the same, often dark color, and ceilings in varied shades of off-white or other colors, creating a more cohesive look.”

Interior painting requests are up 18% year-over-year on Thumbtack. The national average cost to paint a room is $324–$1,620. Homes with higher ceilings and bigger walls will typically cost more to paint, leading many renters to opt for accent walls instead. Painting of any kind can pay off. Fresh paint helps a rental listing get 14% more saves and 17% more shares per day on Zillow Rentals. 

Upgrade lighting: New lighting fixtures can instantly change the mood of a space and save money. LED bulbs and fixtures are up to 90% more efficient. 

App-controlled smart lights can change color and brightness based on the time of day. Smart lights can boost daily saves by 22% and daily shares by 35% on Zillow Rentals. Thumbtack finds the average cost for lighting installation is about $150 but depends on the number and type of fixtures installed.

Hang Mirrors: Wavy, circular, and arched mirrors are on-trend, and they make a room feel bigger and brighter. Hanging a mirror is a relatively easy DIY project, and savvy shoppers may be able to snag a great vintage find for less than $100. For a more dramatic effect that visually expands a space, consider a mirrored wall. Rental homes with a mirrored wall get an additional 10% more saves and shares per day on Zillow Rentals.  

Embrace peel-and-stick: Renters have embraced temporary wallpaper for a custom look without the commitment. On Thumbtack, wallpaper installations are up 10.1% year-over-year. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is generally more expensive than paint and can be tricky to apply. Hire a pro and expect to shell out $300 to $450 on average for installation. 

Keep in mind, peel-and-stick isn’t just for walls anymore. Temporary backsplash applications are trending along with adhesive floor tiles or stickers. 

“We’re seeing Gen Z take advantage of renter-friendly improvements to make their space uniquely their own – whether it’s through bold lighting upgrades, finishes or eclectic decor,” said Morgan Olsen, Design Expert at Thumbtack. “Being a renter doesn’t mean you have to compromise on adding character to your space, and budget conscious options can still have a big impact on how your space feels and looks.”

Lindsey Albright with Lockton Companies talks about some of the recent changes to the Georgia FireFighters Cancer Benefit Program and how to enroll.

Georgia Power has identified locations for 500 MW of new battery energy storage systems (BESS) authorized by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) earlier this year as part of the company’s 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Update. According to the company’s recent filing with the Georgia PSC, the portfolio of BESS resources proposed by Georgia Power helps address the resource needs identified in the 2023 IRP Update in a cost-effective and strategic manner. 

Each of the proposed resources will consist of 4-hour duration BESS. Once developed, these projects will serve as dispatchable capacity resources that will provide customers with a reliable and economical source of electricity for the winter of 2026/2027. These resources will add to Georgia Power’s diverse generation portfolio, helping to ensure the company has the mix of technologies necessary to provide clean, safe, reliable and affordable electric service for all customers during all hours.   

BESS support the reliability and resilience of the electric system, while also enhancing the value of intermittent renewable generation like solar. BESS can improve the efficiency of renewable energy by storing excess energy produced during periods when the demand for electricity is lower, for use when the demand is higher, such as on cold winter mornings. Because battery storage can provide stored energy to the grid over several hours, BESS resources can also rapidly respond to other system events to increase the reliability of the electric system. 

The new BESS facilities planned and under development are:

• Robins BESS (Bibb County, 128 MW). This strategic site is co-located with the existing solar facility adjacent to the Robins Air Force Base and allows Georgia Power to leverage existing infrastructure, thereby eliminating the need to construct new transmission generator step-up (GSU) project-level substations and eliminating potential expenses and long lead time projects associated with transmission interconnection and network upgrades.   

   

• Moody BESS (Lowndes County, 49.5 MW). Similar to the Robins BESS project, this strategic choice is co-located with the existing solar facility adjacent to the Moody Air Force Base and allows Georgia Power to leverage existing infrastructure, thereby eliminating the need for constructing new transmission GSU project-level substations and eliminating potential expenses and long lead time projects associated with interconnection and network upgrades. It also offers expedited deployment capabilities and ensures known transmission deliverability.

   

• Hammond BESS (Floyd County, 57.5 MW). The Hammond BESS project is a standalone BESS that leverages existing infrastructure from the retired coal-fired Plant Hammond facility. With the repurposing of an existing generation site and the utilization of already identified transmission capacity, the Hammond BESS project provides significant benefit to customers while aiding the company in meeting its capacity needs.

   

• McGrau Ford Site Phase II BESS (Cherokee County, 265 MW). Given the existing site work, land acquisition, and contracting for McGrau Ford Phase I BESS, Georgia Power will realize efficiencies in contracting and construction by using the same construction company and company-owned land. In addition, the preliminary design for McGrau Ford Phase I BESS provides an opportunity for Georgia Power to cost effectively expand the project level substation and generation tie line rather than construct a new project level substation.  

Each BESS project is expected to produce significant benefits for customers. For example, leveraging existing sites and transmission infrastructure will reduce deployment time and avoid additional capital investment otherwise required.  In addition, each BESS project qualifies for customer cost reducing tax incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act. The proposed BESS resources will also provide “energy arbitrage” benefits, which optimize energy savings by shifting the energy output from hours with a relatively low system marginal cost to hours with a relatively high system marginal cost – ultimately saving customers money.    

In addition to the 500 MW BESS projects from the 2023 IRP Update, Georgia Power is nearing completion on the 65 MW Mossy Branch Battery Facility located in Talbot County, Georgia. Mossy Branch was approved in the 2019 IRP and will be Georgia Power’s first BESS resource. The company is also developing the 265 MW McGrau Ford Phase I BESS project, approved in the 2022 IRP, and expects it to enter service by the end of 2026. 

To learn more about how Georgia Power is meeting the needs of customers through a diverse, balanced energy portfolio, visitwww.GeorgiaPower.com/IRP.