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Albany's Small Business Office is in danger of becoming extinct.

The city commission voted against the program during Tuesday night's meeting and everything from this point forward will be lowest and best bid. The program, which was designed to help small businesses grow, develop and get government bids, recently had to go through a transition once it was deemed "unconstitutional" by a diversity study for being race-conscious. Because there were not enough votes in the Dougherty County Commission to close down or approve the small business program, county administrator Richard Crowdis says in this email he's going to shut down the program by April 30th. However director pinky Modeste says, until that day, she's going to fight.

“Everybody needs a program. I mean, the school, water gas and light, everybody needs a program. I think it's the duty of government to help the businesses in the community,” says Modeste.

The closing may mean small businesses will have to hire a secretary or additional staff for their outsourcing.

“I’m concerned for people who are unlearned, the up and coming entrepreneurs. There are a lot of programs around, but there's none with as much experience,” says Constance Greene, small business owner.

The closing of the office would mean more layoffs. Modeste says she would go into private practice, most likely as a grant writer.

Do you think the county should hold on to their small business program?