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Gayle Barton Cumming GA Homes For Sale | Real Estate South Forsyth | North Fulton

Want to Start a Small Business in Forsyth County GA? Visit the Small Business Services Center

Want to Start a Small Business in Forsyth County GA? You Should Visit the Small Business Services Center

success arrowThe Small Business Services Center, which is co-located with the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce, says that 2011 was a busy year for them as they provided assistance to over 400 current and prospective local merchants. One new business owner received relocation assistance which involved the Center providing information about suitable business locations and referrals to local professionals who could help make the transition from her current out of area location to Forsyth County easier.

In addition to business relocation services, the center provides a free on-line “small business tool kit” which supplies prospective business owners with step-by-step instructions for what they need to do to start up a new business. In 2011, the Center provided start-up assistance to five new businesses which initiated in the planning stages and ran through implementation and business opening.

The center’s director, Jason Mock, stated in a recent Forsyth News article that 2011 seemed to be a big year for start-ups, as many workers found themselves laid off or with less work hours than in previous years, but that, in addition, many existing businesses were considering moving into the Cumming-Forsyth County because of the low taxes and high per capita income the area offers.

One goal the Center hopes to reach in 2012 is to provide more educational opportunities for existing merchants beginning with a seminar series starting on February 9th followed by added sessions scheduled throughout the year. In addition they hope to see an expansion of the existing “lunch and learn” seminar program which is held in partnership with area universities and technical colleges. good job

Small businesses account for the largest percentage of Cumming-ForsythCounty businesses: 4,645 of ForsythCounty businesses employee 1 to 10 employees and 95% of local businesses have between 1 and 25 employees.

With those figures in mind, Mock still feels that there is plenty of opportunity for small business owners and those thinking about starting a new business in the area. In fact, the Center is hoping for an increase of 33% in the local small business population in 2012.

I hope we see it!

Starting a Small Business in Forsyth County GA? Visit the Small Business Services Center

Fire & Ice in Blue Ridge GA - Chili Cook-off and Ice Sculpture Demonstration

Fire and Ice Blue Ridge GA chilli cook off ice carving

Looking for a fun way to spend a Winter Weekend???

Whether you are a visitor or a participant, you won't want to miss the upcoming FIRE and ICE event in downtown Blue Ridge, GA.

This event was great fun last year and is expected to be even better in 2012. After an amazing turn out for the 2011 competition, (1st year) it was decided that it had to be made into an annual event.

In addition to the Chili Cook-off you’ll find Ice Sculpting Displaysand Carving Demonstrations as well as live music. This year’s event will also offer an ice skating rink for kids of all ages.

Location: Historic Downtown Blue Ridge, GA
Start Date: 2012-02-18
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (visitors)
Start Time:
08:30 (participants)

Click Here for Participation Rules>>

Click Here to Register as a Participant>>

Recycle Your Christmas Tree in Cumming, GA in Forsyth County

Christmas Tree

Okay, you had a Merry Christmas, but what do you do with the tree??
Recycle it of course!

The following Forsyth County, GA locations will be accepting live Christmas trees for recycling.





Accepting trees ONLY January 7, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

(Please, no trees at this site after 4 p.m. on January 7)

Home Depot – 1000 Market Place Boulevard

Home Depot – 2635 Peachtree Parkway

Vickery Creek Elementary – 6280 Post Road

Accepting trees December 26 through January 28

Tolbert Street Recycling Convenience Center351 Tolbert Street

770.781.2176, open Monday – Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Old Atlanta Recycling Convenience Center3678 Old Atlanta Road

770.205.3010, open Monday – Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Coal Mountain Recycling Convenience Center3560 Settingdown Road

770.781.2071, open Monday – Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Please note that all three recycling convenience centers will be closed Monday, January 2 in observance of New Year’s Day and Monday, January 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Free tree seedlings and vegetable seeds will be available while supplies last on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at all sites beginning at 9 a.m. on a first come, first served basis.

If you are interested in receiving mulch created by the tree recycling, visit www.keepgeorgiabeautiful.org and click on the chipper icon in the center of the page for more information. Wood chips are also available for county residents near the Forsyth County Roads and Bridges facility on County Way. Interested residents are responsible for loading and hauling their own wood chips.

For more information visit www.forsythco.com or call Keep Forsyth County Beautiful at 770.205.4573

Recycle your Christmas Tree in Forsyth County GA

A Guide for Families Seeking Quality Day Care in Forsyth County, GA

I would like to introduce guest writer Dan Gilbert, of Primrose Schools. Dan has written an excellent article designed to assist families currently living in South Forsyth County, as well as those searching for a new home in this area, in their search for premium child care services. Primrose schools, whose innovative day care centers are committed to making a difference in children’s lives, is an education partner our family has used, personally, and one that I know to be extremely popular with discriminating parents in this area. Dan has written a number of articles on topics varying from bilingual learning to teaching the importance of volunteering.

Primrose School logo Forysth Couunty day careThe most important part of a child’s life often occurs during the infant years, and on through the age of five. During this time, a child’s brain is undergoing development, and research tells us these formative years are very crucial to future success. To properly nurture a child during this period, there must be constructive experiences that engage the child on a consistent basis. Most would agree that researching, and deciding upon the most apt form of child care to encourage child development, is the most important decision that can be made.

The best place to start, is to find out what’s available to you in your area. Check with people around you to find out what they know. Chances are they will have done a lot of the work for you. See what your peers think of institutions in your area. Inquire directly at local educational facilities, and visit them online for further information. Be sure to get a first-hand look and schedule a tour with facilities that might meet your standards.

Upon visiting, don’t simply pay attention to what you are being told; there are many other factors that you should be able to sense indirectly. How is your child greeted? How does it feel? Your senses will tell you many things, but what it all amounts to, is does the facility have the right feel for you and your family. Remember that these initial impressions may continue to plague you if you choose to ignore them.

While at the facility, get to know the staff that will be looking after your child. Try and get a sense if they truly want to aid your child in their development, as these people will be your partners in providing solid cognitive experiences in your child’s life.

After you’ve established what your instincts tell you about the institution, it’s time burrow in further and inquire about crucial topics like teacher accreditation, institutional policy and their approach to education in general. To help you ascertain if it’s a good match, here are some guidelines for you to follow.

1. Principles and educational instruction: What principles does the school employ to guide its educational instruction, choice of materials, and methodology? Do the school’s principles mirror those you have for your child? Will your child be prepared for elevation to elementary school, and has the school researched this thoroughly?

2. Teacher and institutional qualifications: What kinds of qualifications has the facility achieved, and are there measurable standards in place to ensure these qualifications are met? If the school has proper accreditation, not only will the governing body have a system in place to make sure their standards are met, these standards will also ensure the school evolves along with the growing research of the governing body.

Likewise, do the instructors also have adequate certifications? How about CPR and First Aid? Are they undergoing continual education to keep up with the times?

3. Educational atmosphere: Upon your visit, make sure to observe what’s going on around you. What is the learning environment like? Is it positive, with teachers interacting with, and engaging children? Are the children being spoken to, or spoken at? Get a copy of the schedule before you leave, and check and see where this schedule is posted around the classroom.

4. Policies of the facility: Be sure to inquire about some basic policies, such as those related to the safety of your child, how they communicate with you, the parent, if they comply with state regulations, and lastly what payment options are available.

The bottom line is that these years are integral to your child’s developmental success. Take the time to do the proper research, examine all your options, and make an educated choice that’s best for you and your family.

Guide to Quality Daycare in Forysth County GA

Forsyth County School System Set to Add New Elementary School in 2012

The award winning Forsyth County School System is expanding again!

South Forsyth County school kids getting on school bus

With an expected completion date of March. 2012 the new Kelly Mill Elementary School campus should be ready to welcome students when school starts in August.

The layout for the new building located on Kelly Mill Road was loosely based on the designs used to construct Whitlow and Brookwood elementary schools, both of which opened in 2009.

However, the plan for the new building, which includes 80 classrooms as well as a cafeteria and media center, was altered to include additional windows which will introduce more natural light into the building and carpeted floors in all of the classrooms to help reduce maintenance costs.

In addition to these changes, the media center has been designed to create a more collaborative atmosphere unlike the “quiet rooms” found in most schools.

Like Vickery, the new school will offer an interactive science lab which supports ForsythCounty’s “Bring Your Own Technology” initiative.

Approximately 100 students from Vickery Creek Elementary School will be redistricted to the new facility along with Ron McAllister, the current principal at Vickery, who is currently working closely with the families affected in an effort to help ease the transition.

For those interested in more information, updates and photos will be added to the school’s website which is expected to launch soon. You can find links to all Forsyth County Schools here.