Downtown space to boost entrepreneurship in Savannah

SAVANNAH, Tenn. — After being vacant for two years, a space in downtown Savannah will be open to entrepreneurs and coffee drinkers.

“We’re really giving it a shotgun approach,” Savannah Assistant City Manager Seth Sumner said. “We have a micro-business coming into the front entrance. We’re reactivating a downtown historic storefront that’s been vacant for two years.”

A former office space and hair salon will be called SeedCo, short for Savannah Entrepreneur Education and Development Center.

“There’s a niche that we’re missing — that’s with our entrepreneurs, and that’s something I think this space is definitely going to help out with,” said Marilee Harrison, director of the Hardin County Chamber. “Having it right downtown Main Street is just opening up the stage and allowing others to see what we’re doing here.”

This $50,000 state grant is fueling that need, along with a new coffee shop, called Selah. It’s opening at the front of the space.

The chamber said it’s excited about a new opportunity downtown.

“This is my hometown, so I’m excited to see something like this come to our Main Street area,” Harrison said.

“We can grow our current businesses or find the needs of great ideas that just need that extra boost. We’re going to be here to support those folks,” Sumner said.

Savannah officials also hope students can benefit from programs at SeedCo, such as computer coding.

City leaders said they’ve been working with theCO in Jackson to model some of their programs.

The space is expected to open in September.