NEWS - Economic Development

By Lou Phelps

Jan 30, 2012 – The City of Savannah has ceased operating programs at the Savannah Entrepreneurial Center at 801 E. Gwinnett Street, and removed the director Charlie Brown.  Brown had managed the center for a number of years.

The center offered a number of services including small business start-up and expansion, technical assistance tailored to individual needs, access to capital through small & micro business loans, money management courses for the public, and computer literacy training.

City Manager Rochelle Toney told the Savannah City Council that potential irregularities in expenditures arose during a routine audit, and are under investigation. 

The center is open but not conducting any classes or programs at this time, and a new manager has not been named.  Repeated attempts to reach Brown at his home were unsuccessful.

There are currently four small companies that have been incupated by the Center, which have offices there, and the Center’s receptionist is still working, answering the phone and answering questions.

No date for the release of additional information or decisions has been announced. 

The Savannah Entrepreneurial Center comes under the responsibility of Marronde Lumpkin Lotson, the City’s Economic Development Director, who is out of town until Tuesday, January 31, according to her office at City Hall.  A message left on her voice mail was not returned.