Early County is state's newest designated Entrepreneur Friendly community

ATLANTA, March 28, 2008 – Southwest Georgia's Early County is one of the state's newest 'Entrepreneur Friendly' communities. The designation indicates the community has worked to develop an environment that is welcoming to small business and entrepreneurs. Ninety-three percent of Early County's 489 companies are small businesses with fewer than 20 employees. 'Small businesses and entrepreneurs create the kind of economic activity that is integral to ensuring prosperity and opportunity throughout Georgia,' said Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. 'By encouraging and supporting these businesses, we are investing in a stronger future for our communities and the state as a whole.' Early County is the 89th community in the state to be named Entrepreneur Friendly by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). Previously designated Southwest Georgia counties include Miller, Calhoun, Decatur and Dougherty. Nearby counties in the progress of designation include Seminole, Clay and Mitchell. To earn the designation, Early 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 the growth of this critical business segment. Early County also underwent a full-day assessment by a review team composed of GDEcD staff and representatives from the Agriculture Center of Innovation, Department of Community Affairs, Small Business Development Center, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Cooperative Extension, Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute Development Association, Darton College and Albany State University. Qualified entrepreneurs and small business owners in Early County are now eligible for customized market data, such as demographic and business information, to help give them a competitive edge. The county is also eligible for an Entrepreneur-Friendly Implementation Fund (EFIF) grant to help it implement specific, long-term programs that support their entrepreneurs and small businesses. The grant must be matched 50 percent in dollars or in-kind value by the community. 'By being designated 'Entrepreneur Friendly,' Early County will be put on the map of places in the state that have a substantial support group set up for their small business owners,' said Mary Beth Temples, chair of the Entrepreneur Friendly Committee. 'We are a committed, forward-thinking community that wants to see its economy thrive by strengthening existing business and fostering growth of new business in the area. By receiving this title, we are proving just that. " 'Small businesses are the backbone of Georgia communities. By helping entrepreneurs and small businesses grow, 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 applaud Early County for incorporating small businesses into 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.