Help is available locally for those who may be in a quandary over how to dress up or repair a concrete walk, patio or garage floor.

Concrete Designs Unlimited, a division of Southern Triad Construction, is a new business venture begun by Bainbridge native David Helms.

Helms explained the process by saying simply, “It takes unfinished concrete and bonds a design to it.”

His company does not pour concrete, but through a series of steps it cleans, repairs cracks and then trowels a skim coat to existing concrete. Designs, color and varying textures are added in the process and several coats of sealer are applied for finishing touches and preservation.

The application is most frequently used on driveways, patios, pool decks, walkways, spa areas and commercial or industrial areas—anywhere concrete exits. However, it can also be applied to walls.

In addition to creating a pleasing décor, some of the benefits received include being twice the strength of normal concrete, and being stain, salt and heat resistant, and has a non-skid surface.

Helms said on average a normal job takes a couple of days.

This is the process frequently seen on television home improvement channels, and is now available in Bainbridge as a franchise of Concrete Technology Incorporated. The Bainbridge office serves all of Southwest Georgia and Leon County, Fla.

For more information, go to www.concretedesignga.com or call 248-0107 to schedule an appointment in the Bainbridge office located at 110 S. Broad St., next to Southern Triad Construction.

Belk hosting Business After Hours

Belk department store at Bainbridge Mall is scheduled to hold a Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce Appreciation Day and Business After Hours on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Belk is offering all Chamber members 20 percent off throughout the day, and beginning at 5 p.m., it will host a Business After Hours.

Lunch and Learn

The Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Lunch and Learn Series designed for business owners on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Sue Ford of the Georgia Small Business Association in Albany, will provide information about funding opportunities for businesses, such as funding options, stimulus money and how to get it, and what benefits there are out there for your business during this recession.

This class, and the other two scheduled for Sept. 9 and Oct. 14, will be in Room 416 at the Bainbridge College’s Continuing Education Building.

The other two classes’ topics are about customer service and a professional image, inside and out.

One class is $10 for Chamber members and $15 for non-members. For all three seminars, the cost is $25 for Chamber members and $40 for non-members.