Business is Booming – Cary Ichter, Partner, Ichter Davis LLC

Business is booming in the State of Georgia, and the good news is that minority companies in Atlanta are sharing in the success.

According to a recent study by Expert Market, Atlanta was named among the top three cities for minority entrepreneurs in the country. Data from forty key business hubs were analyzed by the U.S. Census Bureau, the Center for Opportunity Urbanism and the Kauffman Index. The factors considered included: availability of startup funding, affordable cost of living, and the number of minorities in leadership positions. Houston took the No. 1 spot, while Miami trailed closely behind as No. 2.

Georgia’s Top Minority Businesses

These minority-owned businesses are making their mark in Georgia and are getting well-deserved attention:

1) Wade Ford Inc.

Wade Ford is one of the top Ford dealerships in the country with locations throughout the State of Georgia. Wade Ford is the only Motor Trend Certified dealership in Atlanta, Georgia.

2) H.J. Russell & Co.

Founded over 60 years ago, H.J. Russell & Co. is a venerable service provider in the areas of real estate development, construction, program management, and property management.

3) The Baran Company, LLC

The Baran Company, LLC (Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead) is a successful Mercedes dealership founded by Gregory and Juanita Baranco, who started their first car dealership in 1978. (I might add that I bought my last three cars there.)

4) Citizens Trust Bank

Founded in 1921, Citizens Trust Bank now has ten locations in Georgia and Alabama, as well as numerous standalone ATMs. CTB has a steady history of growth and return of value to investors.

5) The Gourmet Cos.

Gourmet Services partners with major fast food franchises, such as Domino’s Pizza, McDonald’s, Chick-Fil-A, and Planet Smoothie, to source ingredients. They provide meals at a growing string of institutional customers such as hospitals, municipalities, correctional facilities and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Georgia in general, and Atlanta in particular, can be proud of their contributions to enhancing the economic well-being to minority communities and for helping to bring strength, prosperity and stability to those communities. It is no wonder that Atlanta is regarded as the “Capital of the South.”

For more information call Cary Ichter at (404) 869-7600.