Albany’s business sector faces long-term issues – local women leaders are looking to solve them

ALBANY — As the number of women business owners continues to grow in the United States, Georgia comes out as one of the leaders in this realm.

The number of women-owned businesses in the state between 2019 and 2023 nearly doubled the rate of those owned by men, according to the 2024 Wells Fargo Impact of Women-Owned Business Report. Georgia is one of the top five states with the highest economic clout for women-owned businesses.

This epidemic of women-led growth has reached Albany, which Albany Area Chamber President and CEO Bárbara Rivera Holmes said is seeing an increase in activity with women who are interested in owning a business. This trend began with the upwards of 2 million women who left the work force during the pandemic, she said. Now, they’re back and ready to open a business.

Albany has strong female leadership in a variety of areas, she said: In the public, private and education sector. Not all communities have this level of women in leadership, she said.

“What that does for Albany is elevate our position as a leader throughout the state in diversity,” Holmes said. “If we look at communities that outperform their peers, we can also look at communities that are performing well because of their diversity.”

When looking at diversity in the community, women are a big part of that dynamic, she said.

“That’s not to say there aren’t plenty of rooms that I walk into where I’m the only woman in the room,” Holmes said. “That happens more often than not, but we’re also seeing more women in leadership.”

The population of Dougherty County is majority female, according to U.S. Census data, and the majority of the work force and students are female. So it is crucial for this demographic to be supported, local officials say.

“When you’re thinking about supporting and developing the talent pipeline that’s going to be in the work force, we put a heavy emphasis on women,” Holmes said.

The chamber hosts programs like Propel and Propel Plus, which bring women and young girls together to learn about business and to network. The programs have been a huge success, Holmes said.

The programs are designed around the needs of the community, determined through feedback and surveys.

“The programs are specifically aimed at women because they’re looking for connection, for empowerment,” Holmes said. “They’re looking for professional development, for guidance, for mentorship and a place to connect with like-minded peers.”

However, the chamber has moved away from isolating programs solely to “women in business” to broadening it to “women in work.”

“It’s not just women in white-collar business, but also blue-collar women and just a variety of women,” the chamber CEO said.

Women in the Albany community are working together at all levels to move the community forward, she said. These women leaders also serve as strong role models for youths.

The Albany Herald will highlight some of these women across the community and how they are using their unique skills and innovation to build the community up.

Two weeks ago, the newspaper highlighted Albany Area Chamber Chair Jeretha Peters, who is the chamber’s first black, woman chair.

This week, The Herald will highlight Shaunae Motley, president and CEO of United Way of Southwest Georgia, a nonprofit focused on elevating and supporting the community in the areas of education, income, health and basic needs.

Special Photo: Albany Area Chamber of Commerce