The GGREEN initiative launched in May after EI2 was asked to work with GDA’s Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program, which provides equipment grants to small businesses.

GDA knew that access to equipment alone was not a guarantee of success. According to Wendy White, food and beverage industry manager with the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP), “The organization wanted to make sure businesses were successful in purchasing, installing, and utilizing the equipment appropriate to their needs.”

That’s where EI2 comes in. “As an official GGRC resource partner, we can use our industry knowledge to help accomplish this goal and help them comply with applicable food safety regulations,” said White.

GGRC Director Heidi Jeffers called the group “an ideal collaborator,” saying, “their ability to translate complex challenges into clear, effective strategies aligned perfectly with our mission to expand resources and deliver meaningful value to Georgia’s agricultural community.”

GGREEN brings together specialists from across EI2. Each team member brings expertise in a different aspect of business growth, and collectively they form a support system that guides entrepreneurs through everything from startup decisions to facility expansion.

White provides guidance on food safety and regulatory compliance. Tom Sammon, GaMEP automation and robotics project manager, helps businesses navigate equipment installation and technical challenges. Georgia Tech Food and Beverage Accelerator (GT.FBA) Director Aubrey Lenyard focuses on logistics, marketing, branding, and scaling operations, while Brandy Nagel, a senior program manager at EI² Global who also serves as GT. FBA assistant director, offers guidance on business strategy, market expansion, and planning.

The GGREEN program combines workshops, offered both virtually and in person at Georgia Grown Resource Centers, with individualized consulting. Participation is free and open not only to grant recipients but to any Georgia farmer or food/beverage manufacturing company.

That broad access reflects a shared commitment between EI2 and Georgia Grown to help businesses succeed wherever they are located. “We’re hitting every corner of the state,” Lenyard said, adding that GGREEN is extending its resources and expertise throughout rural Georgia, which means increased targeted support for agriculture.

At one recent rural event, said White, “We had a room full of farmers who were all creating or wanting to create added-value products to sell on the shelves. It’s a chance for people who produce a commodity to think about ways of expanding their markets.”

The initiative highlights the synergy within EI². According to Lenyard, entrepreneurs often enter the system seeking help with a single challenge but quickly discover access to a broader network of expertise.

“If someone needs help with a food safety plan for their products, I immediately call Wendy,” Lenyard said. “Even if, originally, they are coming to us for help in solving one problem, we’re able to do even more by reaching out to our colleagues. People can’t believe how much we offer for food entrepreneurs at Georgia Tech.”

The spirit of cooperation is evident throughout the program, from the micro level to the macro.

“One of the reasons why this is such a successful partnership is because, first and foremost, EI² and Georgia Grown are both committed to helping Georgia companies,” said White. “We’re united in that vision.”

GGREEN also dovetails with GDA’s expansion of its GGRC network, which started with a location in Metter, Georgia, and has grown to include another location in Albany. Additional centers are planned for Douglas, Dawsonville, the Georgia coast, and other locations. Workshops are supporting existing and emerging centers.

The response so far from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive. “The farmers and small food and beverage business owners really understand the value and appreciate the effort,” White said. “One participant told me that they didn’t know what they didn’t know.”

Together, EI2 and GGRC are strengthening Georgia’s food and beverage ecosystem, helping entrepreneurs gain the knowledge, resources, and confidence needed to build more robust businesses and create new opportunities.

“Our collaboration with EI2 has been highly productive and consistently professional,” said Jeffers. “Their team brings a strong blend of technical capability, thoughtful communication, and a genuine commitment to partnership. They listen carefully, respond with well-informed recommendations, and ensure that every step of the process reflects the real needs of the producers we serve. Working with EI2 has helped Georgia Grown strengthen its initiatives and broaden its impact statewide.”