Evans County is states newest designated Entrepreneur Friendly community
ATLANTA, December 17, 2007 – Central Georgia's Evans County 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-one percent of Evans County's 371 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.' Evans County is the 75th community in the state to be named Entrepreneur Friendly by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). Previously certified Central Georgia counties include Montgomery, Toombs, Tattnall, and Candler. Nearby counties in the progress of designation include Effingham and Bulloch. Liberty County received its certification earlier this month. To earn the designation, Evans County completed the Entrepreneur Friendly program with the assistance of GDEcD's regional representative Ray Snow. The county analyzed its entrepreneurial and small business environment and developed strategies to help foster the growth of this critical business segment. Evans County also underwent a full-day assessment by a review team composed of GDEcD staff and representatives from the Small Business Development Center, Department of Labor and the Department of Community Affairs. Qualified entrepreneurs and small business owners in Evans 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. 'Through the Entrepreneur Friendly designation process, we have gained valuable information and insight into the needs of our small businesses,' said Tammi Rogers Hall, executive director of the Claxton-Evans County Chamber of Commerce. 'This process has allowed us to better understand the challenges facing small business owners. We look forward to working with business and community leaders to address the concerns and suggestions that were brought to light during this process.' 'I believe the Entrepreneur Friendly initiative has already begun to make a difference just by raising awareness that there needs to be an organized effort to welcome and assist entrepreneurs,' said Geri Wasdin, Evans County Entrepreneur Friendly Committee Chair. 'Because the grant program can be tailored to address the specific needs of our community, future efforts can target education, encouragement and other resources to help start and keep small businesses on track.' '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 Evans 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.