Coastal Glynn County receives Entrepreneur Friendly designation
ATLANTA, December 5, 2006 – Glynn County is the newest addition to the fast-growing group of state-designated 'Entrepreneur Friendly' counties that are strategically developing pro-small business and entrepreneur environments. 'Encouraging and supporting our homegrown businesses and entrepreneurs will help create quality jobs for Georgians,' said Governor Sonny Perdue. 'By helping local communities support the growth of small business, we ensure prosperity and opportunity throughout the state.' Glynn County is the 29th community and the state and the 16th this year to be named 'Entrepreneur Friendly' by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD)'s Entrepreneur and Small Business Office. Glynn follows Brantley County as the second coastal Georgia community to have earned this designation. With the assistance of GDEcD's regional representative for entrepreneur and small business, Glynn County completed the 'Entrepreneur-Friendly' program that evaluated the entrepreneurial and small business environment and created strategies tailored to supporting small business and entrepreneurs. Glynn County also underwent a full-day assessment by a review team composed of GDEcD staff, representatives from the Small Business Development Office and the Department of Labor. Qualified entrepreneurs and small business owners in Glynn County are now eligible for customized market data, such as demographic and business information, to help give them a competitive edge. 'I believe Brunswick and Glynn County's recognition as an Entrepreneur Friendly Community will have both immediate and long-term impacts to our community's small business community,' said Nathan Sparks, executive director for the Brunswick Glynn County Development Authority. 'The process allows organizations like ours to better understand and respond to the unique set of needs and challenges faced by small businesses. In the long run, small business will become a more unified and visible force within the community.' There are 2257 small businesses in Glynn County, representing approximately 65 percent of the county's total businesses. 'By taking a proactive approach to supporting small businesses, Glynn County is ensuring it will thrive and play an integral role in the community's strategy for local business development,' added Chris Clark, chairman of the Georgia Entrepreneur and Small Business Coordinating Network and GDEcD's deputy commissioner of Global Commerce. 'We congratulate Glynn County for completing these steps necessary for cultivating future 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.