Rural Georgia Businesses Protect Neighbors, Commit to Georgia Safety Promise

July 24, 2020
Georgia Department of Economic Development - Author: Amy Carter, Deputy Commissioner, Rural Georgia Initiatives

In no time, COVID-19 turned lives and business operations upside-down across America and around the world. While critical for defeating the novel coronavirus, social distancing and other necessary measures have had devastating effects on businesses large and small. However, Georgians and Georgia’s business community are resilient. Instead of shuttering their doors, businesses are adapting operations to protect employees and patrons alike by carefully implementing safety protocols and heeding guidelines put forth by the Governor and the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Rural Georgia businesses specifically have helped lead this charge, setting an example of good health and public safety for their communities, as evidenced by the number of businesses in our beloved rural towns and cities that have taken the Georgia Safety Promise.

In rural Georgia, hardworking businesswomen and men employ their neighbors, feed their friends, support their local schools and sports teams, worship and share victories together. They staff their local schools and hospitals. They don’t just need their community’s support for success – they support their community for the greater success of all.

The Georgia Safety Promise is just like that, and committing to the Georgia Safety Promise tells their neighbors and the folks they love – that they are doing more than ever to look out for them.

Launched in early July, the Georgia Safety Promise is a public-private partnership and health campaign that reminds folks of the importance of following COVID-19 safety guidelines by agreeing to simple, but critical, measures that help protect Georgians from the novel coronavirus, minimize its spread and keep Georgia open for business. Businesses who make the Georgia Safety Promise commit to four things: promoting social distancing, wearing face coverings, cleaning surfaces, and washing and sanitizing hands often.

And Rural Georgia has joined the effort to mask up.

In Albany, educational venues like Chehaw Park and Zoo, Thronateeska Heritage Center and Flint RiverQuarium joined together to present a united front in committing to the Georgia Safety Promise. By safely reopening and following the guidance provided by public health officials, these venues are able to not only help improve their local economies, but also provide the human interaction and experiences that so many have been craving during this difficult time.

From Espresso 41 Coffee Roasters and the LOCAL Kitchen down in Tifton, Carter’s Fried Chicken in Cuthbert, to the Dinner Bell up in Flintstone, rural Georgia’s restaurants and cafes are reopening their doors and setting an example for the entire state. Stores and shops including The Hope Chest in Dublin, Maggie Lane in Eatonton, and Broad Street Brooks in Louisville, have also committed to taking extra precautions to keep their employees and customers safe as we face this public health crisis together.

2020 has been a challenging year for businesses who have traditionally depended upon in-person customers for success, like restaurants, retailers, hotels, entertainment venues, and more. Now, following new health guidelines has increased operating costs in the vast majority of cases too. Considering the operational and emotional expenses, rural Georgia business’ resilience and willingness to commit to the Georgia Safety Promise has been incredibly admirable. Defeating this virus and keeping our economy open will take the cooperation of all Georgia communities – no matter their location or size. We would like to thank all of the businesses across our rural cities and towns who continue to promote health and safety as we fight COVID-19 together.

For additional information about the Georgia Safety Promise, please click here, and to view all of the Georgia businesses who have committed to keeping Georgia safe, please click here. To commit to the Georgia Safety Promise, please click here.

Author: Amy Carter, Deputy Commissioner, Rural Georgia Initiatives 
Posted July 24, 2020

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