It's simply too expensive to move enough software-types to start and add employees as this type of business grows and replaces staff. We have some local success stories in these industries, but they will be few and far between until we have the ability to graduate enough of these people and keep them in Savannah. Our local education and location make us an ideal assembly, building, service and shipping economy. Let's not worry about high-tech. Let's keep doing whatever it is we are doing to attract the Home Depot warehouses, the JCB 's, etc.
Money is the fuel for all business.
Our company has experienced the gap in lending in Savannah as we have grown. While Savannah has some terrific banks, most are limited in their ability or desire to help entrepreneurs. This challenges their ability to get to know and fund small business development. Some smart large banks have figured how to let their local executives have more autonomy in their lending. The challenge for entrepreneurs is to figure out which banks are these smart ones and which smaller local banks will take the risk with new or growing businesses.