Georgia FLEX

What happens when you give students an opportunity?
They surprise you.
They discover talents they didn't know they had.
They meet people who believe in them.
They turn ideas into businesses.
They learn how to handle rejection and setbacks.
They become more confident speaking up and sharing their ideas.
And sometimes, they discover a future they never imagined for themselves.

That's the power of FLEX. We don't just teach students how to build businesses, we help them discover that they can build something of their own. And YOU can be a part of the process! Reach out to Tara today to learn how you can help! [email protected]

Thank you Matt Odom Photography!

Yesterday, the FLEX Turner County team had the opportunity to share their FLEX experience at the DOE Rural Education & Innovation (REI) Summit in Tifton, Georgia!

They shared what implementing FLEX has looked like in their community, what they’ve learned along the way, and—most importantly—the impact they’ve seen in their students. They did an incredible job sharing their experience with peers from rural school systems across the state and showing what is possible when a community invests in its students.

We are so grateful to work alongside passionate educators, business leaders, and community champions who believe in giving students real opportunities to explore entrepreneurship, discover their strengths, and see what they are capable of.

FLEX isn’t magic. The leaders and volunteers who make it happen are.

Thank you, Turner County, for representing FLEX so well and for all of the hard work you pour into this program!

23 communities. Hundreds of students. Countless ideas. One growing FLEX family!

We’re excited to officially introduce our 2026–27 Georgia FLEX Communities!

This year, 23 communities across Georgia are investing in their students by giving them the opportunity to build real businesses, gain real-world experience, connect with local leaders, and discover what they’re capable of.

A special WELCOME TO FLEX to our six newest communities:

Chatham County
Hart County
Monroe County
Newton County
Upson County
Walton County

And we’re thrilled to have our returning communities back for another year:

Ben Hill/Irwin County • Bibb County • Chattooga County • Cherokee County • Coffee County • Dougherty County • Early County • Henry County • Houston County • Laurens County • Lowndes County • Montgomery/Toombs/Treutlen County • Morgan County • Sumter County • Tift County • Turner County • Wheeler County

Every FLEX community looks a little different, but they all share the same goal: creating opportunities for students to lead, create, take risks, solve problems, and turn their ideas into something real.

We’re grateful for every school, business, community leader, mentor, and local champion who makes FLEX possible in their community.

The 2026–27 FLEX year is officially underway. Let’s see what these students build!

What if high school students didn’t just learn about entrepreneurship—but actually became entrepreneurs?

FLEX gives students the opportunity to:
✔️ Develop their own business ideas
✔️ Build and grow real businesses
✔️ Pitch their ideas to real audiences
✔️ Work with mentors and community leaders
✔️ Make real sales and generate real revenue
✔️ Develop skills that prepare them for life after high school

But FLEX is about more than business. It’s about helping young people discover what they’re capable of—and showing them that they can build something meaningful right here in their own communities.

Tag a community leader who you think should learn more about FLEX!

FLEX Community Leaders from across Georgia recently joined us for our annual FLEX Implementation Workshop — and what an exciting few days it was!

One of the things we love most about FLEX is that no two communities are exactly alike. Our local leaders bring their own ideas, strengths, and community connections to the program — and when we bring everyone together, we learn from one another and leave better equipped to serve our students.

Together, we learned best practices for creating a strong FLEX experience for students, explored the tools, resources, and hands-on support available to our communities, made plans and set goals for the year ahead, and shared ideas, experiences, and lessons learned. Most importantly, we took time to dream big about what’s possible for our students and communities!

We’re excited to see what these leaders and their communities accomplish this year!

What happens when a community invests in its young entrepreneurs?

Georgia FLEX had the opportunity to explore that question at the Georgia Power CREATE Conference, where we hosted a panel discussion on “Building a Community Entrepreneurship Pipeline.”

Thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems don’t happen by accident. They are intentionally cultivated—and they start with people.

During the session, we heard from student entrepreneurs and FLEX Community Leaders who are seeing firsthand what happens when young people are given the opportunity to launch real businesses, generate real revenue, and learn alongside the business leaders, mentors, educators, and community champions in their own communities.

Our panel featured:
Melissa Dark, Executive Director, Georgia FLEX
Lola Stanley, Henry County Student Entrepreneur
Landon Breeden, Lowndes County Student Entrepreneur
Mike Moore, Chairman, Turner County Chamber of Commerce Board & FLEX Community Leader
Sara Kolbie, Executive Director, Dublin-Laurens County Chamber Community Foundation & FLEX Community Leader

The conversation, moderated by David Nuckolls with the Georgia Center of Innovation at the Georgia Department of Economic Development, highlighted something we believe deeply at FLEX:

Investing in young entrepreneurs isn’t simply an education initiative. It’s a long-term investment in the future of a community.

When communities invest in their students, they’re not just helping young people start businesses. They’re building leadership pipelines, strengthening local connections, cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset, and giving the next generation a reason to see themselves as part of the future of their hometown.

We’re grateful to Georgia Power for creating space for this important conversation—and especially proud of the students and community leaders who continue to show what’s possible when a community chooses to grow its own!

While students may have been enjoying a slower pace this summer, our FLEX team has been busy behind the scenes preparing for another exciting year!

✔️ Investing in our interns - giving the next generation of leaders meaningful opportunities to learn, contribute, and grow alongside our team.
✔️ Meeting with FLEX Communities - connecting with local Leadership Teams, learning what’s working, identifying challenges, and helping communities prepare for a successful year.
✔️ Planning our program year - securing dates and opportunities for our students.
✔️ Creating new resources - developing tools and support to make it easier for our FLEX Communities to implement the program and provide a meaningful experience for their students.
✔️ Engaging with FLEX Alumni - staying connected with the students who have come through FLEX and finding new ways to keep them involved in the FLEX family.
✔️ Attending conferences and learning opportunities - connecting with other leaders, sharing what we’re learning, and bringing new ideas back to Georgia FLEX.

And we’re not slowing down anytime soon! We’re excited about what’s ahead for the 2026–2027 FLEX year and grateful for the communities, educators, leaders, partners, and alumni who continue to make this program possible. The summer may be winding down, but FLEX is just getting started!

Check out this FLEX Feature in South Georgia Magazine!

Four years after competing in Georgia FLEX, Chloe Paulk is still building. What started as Cake it with Chloe in a home kitchen is now a gluten-free cake mix brand on shelves across the region. That's proof that the benefits of this program don't stop when the confetti falls.

🍰 Read the full story at southgeorgiamag.com/let-them-eat-cake.

👉 View the entire inaugural issue at southgeorgiamag.com/summer-issue-2026.

FLEX wishes you a Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸
Today we celebrate the opportunities, growth, and pathways that help students build brighter futures! 📚

Last week, we officially welcomed our 2026 FLEX Alumni Cohort! 🎉

During our virtual kickoff, several of our alumni had the opportunity to meet one another, learn more about this year’s program, and hear what’s in store for the months ahead.

We’re excited to see this community continue to grow and can’t wait to follow their journey. Welcome to the FLEX Alumni Program! 🥳