[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6668444,"mediaKeyId","2222811-7f675a2e6a77297b5681da58109ed64a","parentId",2222811,"title","Committee hears concerns that private equity and housing costs are squeezing paths to entrepreneurship","audioSeconds",1065,"startMs",3257000,"endMs",4322000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2222811-7f675a2e6a77297b5681da58109ed64a&start=3257&end=4322","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2222811-7f675a2e6a77297b5681da58109ed64a/thumbnail_3257000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6668444/Georgia/Committee-hears-concerns-that-private-equity-and-housing-costs-are-squeezing-paths-to-entrepreneurship","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6668444-f11d6cb4d15ce241ecfeb2a06c6e1125/orig.mp4?Expires=1770331589&Signature=CFyvMQ2j8n7o35QVxLxi68wWlQWAXtDg32Vzv2SFD~7gcMzPvTFRuISuppshBq-HF~TTxf9hK9yHpmSNM9MoSZbIq0F~rxJ3bSy77BuhOweoAepGIW5VozBPdx85b6IVktTX2lRUj9a43wR0VHNCH80n6wlxkPu0PcX9-koyk7UyyeTVpVy02vKp~p6Bk81kd8IesQjqAwWJ1QN1oXSz9lv00Js4ObHhu2BV9cmJIE1gKpw-qQwSkpbEiBCZYjW63Zr0fPADRQvh8M~5lP-gqJmuLbOoUhI-F24RAWOF0Jw2Il3S6korwWcpbfS2wiBgOeZ0pfRudm4gRnBOrZ3zrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Georgia ","date","2025-02-05T14:04:27.93Z","article","Entrepreneurs, veterans and committee members told the Small Business Development Committee that reduced access to homeownership and large investor purchases of single‑family homes are constraining traditional pathways to business creation and multigenerational wealth.

Why it matters: Several speakers said family home equity has historically funded small business startups, and they recommended policy responses — from zoning and housing supply changes to bills addressing investor purchases — to preserve opportunities for first‑time buyers and entrepreneurs.

Derek, a Marine veteran and small‑business owner who spoke to the committee, described homeownership as a foundation for entrepreneurship and said large outside investors are removing that pathway. “They own 40,000 houses just in Georgia,” he said, criticizing private equity purchases of single‑family homes and the effect on first‑time buyers.

Other presenters echoed that view. One said a sizable share of homes in some districts are being purchased by investors — one estimate offered during the hearing was that “60% of the homes in my district were purchased by investors.” Speakers said the result is fewer opportunities for young families to build equity that could be tapped to start businesses.

Policy responses mentioned in the hearing included legislation to limit or regulate investor purchases (a committee member said she plans to introduce a bill this session), incentives to build fee‑simple ownership options such as condominiums, and programs to assist renters to become homeowners. One presenter suggested focusing on smaller, more affordable housing units (the term “800–1,000 square feet” was used as an example of smaller starter homes) and more condo development so individuals can buy fee simple units rather than rent.

Committee members noted existing draft bills and said they would revisit and refine proposals. No formal vote or ordinance was considered during the session.

Ending: Members thanked witnesses and said housing and homeownership would be included among priorities the committee explores in the current legislative session.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Small Business Development 02.05.25","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple presenters told the Small Business Development Committee that declining homeownership and private equity purchases of single‑family homes reduce the equity vehicles historically used to launch small businesses.","taxTitle","Small Business Development, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Georgia","taxId",17381,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6668448,"Georgia committee hears testimony on cultural, financing and workforce barriers for small businesses",728,989000,1717000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2222811-7f675a2e6a77297b5681da58109ed64a&start=989&end=1717","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2222811-7f675a2e6a77297b5681da58109ed64a/thumbnail_989000.jpg","/articles/6668448/Georgia/Georgia-committee-hears-testimony-on-cultural-financing-and-workforce-barriers-for-small-businesses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6668448-a46dc13a4428745bfd60464c884c3de0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770331589&Signature=CLovTXXqLm6~laWS73nEypDaJKtifO2HL41qS0frEEWF5RxVwu-SHhLHORcCmtyiC~vy-Aqu4nM3h9SIpLYDO-hR7BMB0kLUtPcZhAfCcEkN-l4o0YQR0OrwndxHPcKeOLb5XQECMiFBz1L5FH7tA0h7WnVrNxOuNkiujxhCSlouUoR8njJxbchfbI5sENyQITDh~4mcPWjXNyeyumvOltu3J64XRSA8M58u165pF6YL0lSU8g2p-gpJGqt3Z~a2EuRnYPnRQmxkD6nhlAlGsnplG~QDM8gCRQuT~GDyRl8KPNACxwkC5XUOUc3l9tXqahSiS9fk3J80Xr0NtdZhow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairman Todd Jones, addressing the Small Business Development Committee, urged policymakers to change cultural attitudes toward failure, expand growth-stage capital and improve education and workforce pathways to support small businesses across Georgia.

Jones told the committee the state needs “a culture of acceptance of failure,” saying entrepreneurs learn from failed ventures and may not try again if failure is stigmatized. He said his own experience — “7 companies… I’ve had 4 successes… I’ve had 2 failures” — shaped his views on culture, finance and workforce.

Why it matters: Jones and other presenters argued that cultural attitudes shape whether would‑be entrepreneurs persist; access to appropriate financing determines whether firms that reach a growth inflection can scale; and gaps in education and training limit the available workforce.

Jones and other speakers pressed the committee on three topics:

- Culture: Jones said regions that sustain startup ecosystems accept early failure as part of innovation and urged lawmakers to encourage risk‑taking and reduce stigma for failed founders. “Failure brings wisdom,” he said.

- Finance: Jones warned that while Atlanta and other Georgia markets are attracting capital, growth‑stage funding remains constrained. “We got about 3,000,000,000 sitting on the sidelines,” he said, and added that only “10 to 15%” of startups typically reach the revenue threshold (about $10,000,000) where larger growth rounds are needed. He described a funding gap at the Class C/D stage and suggested options such as credit support or incentives to shift investors into larger rounds.

- Workforce and education: Jones and subsequent presenters said schools and training programs must emphasize critical thinking and tolerance for risk. Jones said new graduates can be “paralyzed” by fear of failure and urged programs that teach students to “think outside the box.” Several presenters recommended stronger career pathways through technical colleges and earlier exposure to entrepreneurship in K–12.

Other committee members and witnesses repeated practical recommendations. A community banker who did not give a full name described community banks’ willingness to take startup risk when appropriate underwriting and local knowledge reduce uncertainty. Multiple presenters urged targeted outreach to institutional investors — road shows to New York and Silicon Valley — so venture capital and investment banks will “anchor” operations in Georgia and see stronger deal flow.

The committee did not take formal votes. Members said they would consider legislative and programmatic responses in future meetings, including whether to support credit‑support mechanisms or investor outreach campaigns.

Ending: Committee members closed by thanking speakers and noting the ideas — on culture, capital and workforce — would inform future committee work and potential legislation.

","Presenters at the Small Business Development Committee described cultural attitudes toward failure, gaps in growth capital and workforce-readiness problems as primary barriers to small business growth in Georgia.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears concerns that private equity and housing costs are squeezing paths to entrepreneurship

Georgia committee hears testimony on cultural, financing and workforce barriers for small businesses