Ben Hill County is States Newest Designated Entrepreneur Friendly Community
ATLANTA, September 18, 2007 – South Georgia's Ben Hill 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 percent of Ben Hill County's 737 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 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.' Ben Hill County is the 56th community in the state to be named Entrepreneur Friendly by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). Previously certified South Georgia counties include Worth, Berrien, and Ware. Nearby counties in the process of designation include Wilcox, Jeff Davis, Tift and Irwin. Bryan County received their certification in July. To earn the designation, Ben Hill County completed the Entrepreneur Friendly program with the assistance of GDEcD's regional representative Rhonda Geiger. The county analyzed its entrepreneurial and small business environment and developed strategies to help foster the growth of this critical business segment. Ben Hill County also underwent a full-day assessment by a review team composed of GDEcD staff and representatives from the Department of Community Affairs, One Georgia Authority and East Central Technical College. Qualified entrepreneurs and small business owners in Ben Hill 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. 'We are proud and excited about achieving the designation of 'Entrepreneur Friendly' community,' said Barry Peavey, chairman of the Ben Hill County Entrepreneur Friendly Committee. ''Entrepreneur Friendly' is a designation, not a destination. The research and planning necessary to achieve this honor have given us a roadmap to success. The interviews with our local entrepreneurs were extremely informative. We look forward to implementing some of the best practices and making Ben Hill County fertile ground for budding entrepreneurs.' '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 Ben Hill 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.