Supporting the Sporting and Munitions Industry in the Golden Isles

Southern Ballistics Research, LLC recipient of the first Share the Future award of 2021

By: Vanessa Wagner, Director of Business Development & Strategic Programs

As a business owner, what keeps you up at night? This is one of the questions that Sherri Pruitt, Business Retention and Expansion Coordinator, may ask when she meets with area companies.

Sherri understands the value that a single meeting can have for the region:

This year I’ve personally met with dozens of local business owners in order to understand their needs and help supply them with the best resources and programs to enhance the overall business in the Golden Isles. My goal is to help each business prosper here for years to come.”

Every conversation that Sherri and the Golden Isles Development Authority (GIDA) team have with our local industry helps our team better understand and respond to the business community’s needs. Each meeting allows us to share new resources or programs with the decision-makers while improving our organization’s ability to create short and long-term strategies that enhance the overall business climate in the Golden Isles.

Proactively connecting with existing businesses is how our team came to meet the most recent recipient of funds from the Share the Future Initiative, Southern Ballistics Research, LLC.

Southern Ballistic Research, LLC (SBR) is a manufacturer of prevision small arms ammunition and weapons. They are a veteran-owned and operated small manufacturing firm.

After the owner, Buddy Singleton, met with Sherri at a recent Business Retention and Expansion visit. During this visit, SBR became aware of the Share the Future Initiative and program that supported helping small manufacturers purchase new equipment.

In December of 2020, Mr. Singleton applied for the program to help cover the new equipment’s cost. GIDA’s Board of Governors approved the application on January 5, 2021, to support the increased production and job creation that will result from the equipment purchase.

Sherri welcomes the opportunity to meet with local businesses in-person or virtually,

“I have lived in this community for over 20 years and have worked at the Development Authority for over 12 years and every business and business owner matters to me. Golden Isles is my home and I want to see our community thrive and grow to its fullest potential.”

Business owners are encouraged to drop her a line and start a conversation.