Georgia Southern University will showcase its new City Campus in downtown Statesboro during a special event from 5 until 7:30 p.m. Thursday on East Main Street next to City Hall.
    The City Campus is a joint-effort between Georgia Southern, the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority and the City of Statesboro designed to boost the economic development of the city and downtown area.
     “The City Campus highlights the important relationship between Georgia Southern University and the Statesboro/Bulloch County community,” said Georgia Southern University President Brooks Keel. “The university is very fortunate to be located in a community that is so supportive of its endeavors. Georgia Southern looks forward to the opportunities the City Campus will bring to support the current and future business leaders of Statesboro and Bulloch County.”
     The City Campus will house the university’s Bureau of Business Research and Economic Development along with an E-Zone, which is part of the University’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Learning. The E-Zone will consist of classrooms and meeting space, but will also house areas that small businesses can utilize during their initial start-up phase.
    “The City Campus will be a place where people in the business community can tap into the deep well of knowledge our College of Business Administration faculty have about what it takes to be an entrepreneur and how to run a successful operation even during these trying economic times, “said Ronald Shiffler, dean of the College of Business Administration.
    A branch of the University Store also is located in the City Campus so that fans have another place to shop for Georgia Southern merchandise. The City Campus store’s summer hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
    During the grand opening celebration, which will be held along with the Statesboro Chamber of Commerce’s ‘Business After Hours’ event, people will be able to tour the City Campus and learn more about what it has to offer the business community.
    “The addition of the City Campus shows Georgia Southern University’s commitment to the people and businesses of Statesboro and Bulloch County,” said Allen Muldrew, executive director of the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority. “We are hopeful that many successful, locally owned businesses will get their start here and will continue to utilize the City Campus as they grow and prosper.”