Bulloch County is States Newest Designated 'Entrepreneur Friendly' Community

ATLANTA, April 15, 2008 – East Georgia's Bulloch 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-two percent of Bulloch County's 2,568 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.' Bulloch County is the 94th community in the state to be named Entrepreneur Friendly by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). Previously designated East Georgia counties include Candler, Emanuel and Jenkins. Nearby counties in the process of designation include Treutlen, Johnson, Jefferson and Richmond. Screven County received its designation earlier this year. To earn the designation, Bulloch County completed the Entrepreneur Friendly program with the assistance of GDEcD's regional representative Adela Kelley. The county analyzed its entrepreneurial and small business environment and developed strategies to help foster the growth of this critical business segment. Bulloch County also underwent a full-day assessment by a review team composed of GDEcD staff and representatives from the Department of Community Affairs, OneGeorgia Authority, Small Business Development Center and the Service Corps of Retired Executives. Qualified entrepreneurs and small business owners in Bulloch 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 and also have a regional impact. The grant must be matched 50 percent in dollars or in-kind value by the community. "The Entrepreneur Friendly Initiative has given us a great opportunity to engage small business owners in our community," said Peggy Chapman, president of the Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce. "We have been able to get valuable information on the atmosphere for small businesses in our county, and ideas for supporting the creation and growth of entrepreneurs. This designation will allow us to continue to grow small businesses and maintain a healthy and diverse economy in Bulloch County." '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 Bulloch 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.