Seminole County is States Newest Designated 'Entrepreneur Friendly' Community
ATLANTA, May 20, 2008 – Southwest Georgia's Seminole County is now one of the state's newest 'Entrepreneur Friendly' communities. The designation means the community has developed an environment that is welcoming to small business and entrepreneurs. Ninety-three percent of Seminole County's 362 companies are small businesses with fewer than 20 employees. 'The economic activity created by small businesses and entrepreneurs brings prosperity and opportunity to every part of Georgia,' said Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. 'By championing these businesses, we are investing in a stronger future for communities throughout the state.' Seminole County is the 104th community in the state to be named Entrepreneur Friendly by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). Previously designated Southwest Georgia counties include Early, Miller and Decatur. Nearby counties in the process of designation include Stewart, Randolph, Quitman and Clay. Mitchell County received its designation last month. To earn the designation, Seminole County completed the Entrepreneur Friendly program with the assistance of GDEcD's regional representative, Rebecca O'Neil. The county analyzed its entrepreneurial and small business environment and developed strategies to help foster its growth. Seminole County also underwent a full-day assessment by a review team composed of GDEcD staff and representatives from the Small Business Development Center, Moultrie Technical College, Georgia Agriculture Center of Innovation and Albany Technical College. Qualified entrepreneurs and small business owners in Seminole County are now eligible for customized market data, such as demographic and business information, to help them become more competitive. The county is also eligible for an Entrepreneur-Friendly Implementation Fund (EFIF) grant to help it implement programs that support their entrepreneurs and small businesses. The grant must be matched 50 percent in dollars or in-kind value by the community. 'In order to truly assist small business owners and potential small business owners, we believe you have to understand not only the culture of a community, but the concerns and needs of the individuals involved in small business,' said Brenda Broome, president of the Donalsonville/Seminole County Chamber of Commerce. 'Participating in the process to receive the 'Entrepreneur Friendly' designation will enhance our ability to provide assistance in all aspects of starting or growing a business in Seminole County. The educational benefits offered through this process will be invaluable to us as we continue to develop a strategy that will make it clear that we are indeed a community that welcomes small businesses and entrepreneurs.' 'Small businesses are the linchpin in all of Georgia's communities. By supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, we help Georgia grow,' said Heidi Green, chairman of the Georgia Entrepreneur and Small Business Coordinating Network and GDEcD's deputy commissioner for Global Commerce. 'We congratulate Seminole County for making small businesses part of its strategic plan for growth.' The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, video and music projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development.