Georgia Honors 5 Small Business ROCK STARS for 2026

Governor Brian Kemp celebrated five small businesses at the Georgia Economic Developers Association Spring Conference in Savannah, recognizing their outstanding contributions to their communities. The awards arrived just ahead of Georgia Small Business Week, running May 3 through 9.

The honored businesses span the state, from metro areas to rural towns. Big Bon Bodega and Greenfield LLC both call Savannah home, while Georgia Beer Company serves Valdosta, Innotek LLC operates in Ocilla, and Fabritex, Inc. anchors Hartwell.

"Georgia's small businesses are driving opportunity, strengthening our communities, and creating jobs for hardworking Georgians across our state," Governor Kemp said at the ceremony. He and First Lady Marty Kemp, both former business owners themselves, presented the awards alongside state economic development leaders.

The recognition isn't just symbolic. Each winning business employs fewer than 300 people, meaning they're creating accessible job opportunities in their local areas. They also actively support charitable organizations, proving that profit and purpose can thrive together.

The Ripple Effect

These five businesses represent something bigger than their individual success stories. They showcase how small businesses power entire communities, creating economic stability from Georgia's mountains to its coast.

Commissioner Pat Wilson highlighted this broader impact, noting how these businesses demonstrate "the remarkable strength and diversity of Georgia's economy." The ROCK STARS program intentionally celebrates companies founded in Georgia, keeping the focus on homegrown entrepreneurship.

The partnership between the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Economic Developers Association created these awards to shift the spotlight. "Economic development is not just about attracting new companies to Georgia," said GEDA President Grant Cagle. "It is about nurturing and supporting the local businesses that are the bedrock of thriving communities."

For entrepreneurs across Georgia watching this recognition, the message rings clear: innovation, community engagement, and steady growth matter just as much as size. The state's economic development leaders understand that a healthy business ecosystem needs both Fortune 500 companies and neighborhood entrepreneurs.

These five businesses now join a growing list of recognized ROCK STARS, creating a network of celebrated entrepreneurs across Georgia. Their success stories prove that with the right support and dedication, small businesses can transform entire communities while staying true to their local roots.