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Wednesday, Sep. 02, 2009

Variety of businesses get exposure at expo in Perry

How much food did it take to feed the more than 300 people who attended last week’s business expo sponsored by the Perry Chamber of Commerce?

Forty pounds of pork and 25 gallons of sweet tea to be exact, said Robin Shaw, catering director for Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q.

“Sonny’s always participates in chamber events,” Shaw said.

Attendees could find anything from food to hairstylists to colleges at the expo, held Thursday at Rozar Park in Perry.

Elko resident Julie Cooper, who is an advanced certified professional for Quickbooks, said she participated in the expo to get the word out about her business.

“So far it’s just been word of mouth,” Cooper said of her advertising. “I can handle anything for QuickBooks. I can install and sell it.”

Suzanne Alexander, a tax professional from Jackson Hewitt Tax Service in Perry, held a drawing for free tax preparation for the next tax season as a way to promote her business.

“This is my first year here,” Alexander said. “I am new to the business expo this year.”

Jackson Hewitt is looking to open two additional offices in the Middle Georgia area by tax time, she said.

Also at the expo, the Georgia Work Ready program from Houston County solicited assessments to get Houston certified as Work Ready.

The county needs 75 more assessments from the private sector and 160 assessments from unemployed workers, said Dan Stone, team leader for the program in Houston County.

Having a Work Ready Certificate proves work readiness to potential employers, according to the group’s Web site, www.gaworkready.org. The state also offers gap training to help improve certificate scores.

Through a portion of the program meant to help the unemployed, participants can earn a $50 gift card to help with interviewing costs, such as gas, Stone said.

The free skills assessments test participants in reading and math. Middle Georgia Technical College is holding the assessments, which take around four hours to complete, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“We’re just trying to get the word out,” Stone said.

To contact writer Angela Woolen, call 923-5650.