Colquitt County is States Newest Designated Entrepreneur Friendly Community
ATLANTA, March 26, 2008 – South Georgia's Colquitt 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 Colquitt County's 1,401 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.' Colquitt County is the 87th community in the state to be named Entrepreneur Friendly by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). Previously designated South Georgia counties include Brooks, Lowndes, Cook and Tift. Nearby counties in the process of designation include Thomas and Mitchell. To earn the designation, Colquitt 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. Colquitt County also underwent a full-day assessment by a review team composed of GDEcD staff and representatives from the GDEcD Centers of Innovation, Moultrie Technical College and the Small Business Development Center. Qualified entrepreneurs and small business owners in Colquitt 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. 'Small business is important to Moultrie-Colquitt County and we are very fortunate to have a diverse business and industry mix here. Since going through the process to earn the 'Entrepreneur Friendly' designation, we are positioned to provide enhanced services to our business community,' said Darrell Moore, president of the Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce. 'We have a history of successful entrepreneurs in our community and look forward to working with many new companies in near future.' '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 Colquitt 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.