WOODSTOCK, GA – The Georgia FLEX (Foundational Leadership and Entrepreneurial Experience) program, a statewide initiative that empowers high school students to develop real-world entrepreneurial and leadership skills through hands-on learning and community engagement, is coming to Cherokee County for the first time this school year.
Community and education leaders gathered at the Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED) this month for the 2025 FLEX Implementation Workshop, where they engaged in collaborative training sessions, learned best practices from successful program sites, and worked alongside their teams to map out tailored plans for launching FLEX Cherokee.
FLEX Cherokee will allow high school students to launch real businesses, earn real revenue and gain invaluable life skills – all before graduation. COED is partnering with the Cherokee County School District (CCSD) to bring this innovative program to Cherokee, offering high school students a transformative opportunity.
“FLEX doesn’t just prepare students for careers – it prepares them to lead,” said Melissa Dark, Executive Director of Georgia FLEX. “Communities that participate in FLEX invest in their future workforce and cultivate the kind of entrepreneurial thinking that drives local progress.”
Started in Fitzgerald, GA, Georgia FLEX is a hands-on entrepreneurship program designed for high school students. Participants develop business plans, operate their businesses, attend workshops and receive mentorship from local business leaders. The program culminates in a series of competitions, with top teams receiving seed money and then advancing to the state-wide competition, where they can win up to $10,000.
Unlike traditional classroom experiences, FLEX Cherokee immerses students in real-world challenges, fostering creativity, resilience and practical skills.
But to create the most impact, FLEX Cherokee needs the support of local partners and business leaders. FLEX Cherokee offers more than just an extracurricular activity – it provides a pathway for children to learn about and practice essential life skills with the guidance of local industries and business owners.
Interested businesses and leaders have the opportunity to become business mentors, host educational workshops for students, serve as judges and more. Through the expertise and passion of local leaders, FLEX Cherokee aims to provide students with practical insights, guidance and real-world experiences to help them develop entrepreneurial skills.
“We welcome the support of local leaders and business owners which gives the participating students the full benefit of the FLEX program,” said Heath Tippens, President at COED. “This is a unique opportunity for our community to not only help shape the next generation, but to help shape the economic future of Cherokee as well as further foster our entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
“I’m excited about the opportunity to impact the trajectory of students,” said Chris Wallace, Career, Technical and Agricultural Education Coordinator at CCSD. “There’s a lot of potential for what FLEX could do.”
“To students interested in participating, I would say make time. This is something that can impact you for the rest of your life. You never know what this may lead to and what kind of doors this can open,” said Wallace.
Be part of this innovative program and start leading the next generation of thinkers, doers, and dreamers. The 2025–2026 program officially kicks off this fall, with student registration due on September 19.
For more information on how you can get involved with FLEX Cherokee, visit CherokeeGA.org/FLEX.
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About the Cherokee Office of Economic Development
COED is Cherokee’s leading organization for business and film recruitment, and industry retention and expansion. For more information, visit www.cherokeega.org.
