State program reaches milestone

ATLANTA - Thanks, in part to three counties in northeast Georgia, the state's Entrepreneur Friendly program has reached a milestone.

The governor's office says 18 counties have been added to the program so far this year.

They include White, Habersham and Barrow.

The program is meant to encourage the start-up and growth of small businesses in the state.

"This innovative program is a success because of the enthusiasm with which Georgia's communities have embraced policies and programs meant to encourage the start-up and growth of small businesses," Gov. Perdue said. "Small businesses make up 95 percent of Georgia's companies, and I am pleased the state has been able to work hand-in-hand with our communities to empower this key business sector with the tools they need for success."

Perdue created the Entrepreneur Friendly program in 2004.

To earn the designation, communities analyze their existing entrepreneurial environment and then develop strategies tailored to address their findings, in order to help foster the growth of this critical business segment. The timeframe is generally community-driven, but in each case a community works with its regional small business representative from GDEcD. The final step is a full-day assessment by a review team composed of GDEcD staff and other state and regional small business entities.

In addition, qualified entrepreneurs and small business owners in Entrepreneur Friendly communities become eligible for customized market data, such as demographic and business information, to help give them a competitive edge. Counties are also eligible for an Entrepreneur Friendly Implementation Fund (EFIF) grant to help them 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.

Georgia's Entrepreneur-Friendly communities and the year they were added:

2004

Valdosta-Lowndes County
Douglas-Coffee County
Fannin

2005

Ashburn-Turner County
Adel-Cook County
Montgomery
Tattnall
Toombs
Colquitt-Miller County
Conyers-Rockdale County
Albany-Dougherty County
Upson
Gwinnett

2006

Houston
Henry
Bacon
Brantley
Hart
Elbert
Douglas
Burke
Muscogee
Calhoun
Schley
Pulaski
Troup
Sumter
Cherokee
Glynn
Forsyth
Camden
Wilkinson

2007

Newton
McDuffie
Baldwin
Brooks
Walton
Habersham
Spalding
Clarke
Jasper
Berrien
Paulding
Barrow
Carroll
Jenkins
Worth
Ware
White
DeKalb