Dade County is States Newest Designated 'Entrepreneur Friendly' Community
ATLANTA, July 24, 2008 – Northwest Georgia's Dade County is now one of the state's newest 'Entrepreneur Friendly' communities. The designation means the community has developed an environment that is welcoming to small business and entrepreneurs. Ninety-one percent of Dade County's 474 companies are small businesses with fewer than 20 employees. 'The economic activity created by small businesses and entrepreneurs brings prosperity and opportunity to every part of Georgia,' said Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. 'By championing these businesses, we are investing in a stronger future for communities throughout the state.' Dade County is the 118th community in the state to be named Entrepreneur Friendly by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). Previously designated Northwest Georgia counties include Murray, Gordon and Catoosa. Nearby Chattooga County is currently in the process of designation. Walker County received its designation last month. To earn its designation, Dade County completed the Entrepreneur Friendly program with the assistance of GDEcD's regional representative Dawn Townsend. The county analyzed its entrepreneurial and small business environment and developed strategies to help foster its growth. Dade County also underwent a full-day assessment by a review team composed of GDEcD staff and representatives from the Department of Community Affairs, Department of Labor, Small Business Development Center and the Southeast Development Corporation. Qualified entrepreneurs and small business owners in Dade County are now eligible for customized market data, such as demographic and business information, to help them become more competitive. The county is also eligible for an Entrepreneur-Friendly Implementation Fund (EFIF) grant to help it implement programs that support their entrepreneurs and small businesses and have a regional impact. The grant must be matched 50 percent in dollars or in-kind value by the community. 'The Dade County Chamber of Commerce is very excited about becoming an Entrepreneur Friendly community,' said Allan Ward, Dade County Chamber of Commerce President and a member of the Trenton DDA Board. 'The work done has helped us better understand the hardships our small business owners are faced with and gives us the knowledge and network of qualified agencies to help them. This will be a valuable tool for all business owners in Dade County for years to come. We would also like to take this opportunity to ask all entrepreneurs to come to Dade County and test the water in 'Your City for Family Living.'" 'Small businesses are the linchpin in all of Georgia's communities. By supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, 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 congratulate Dade County for making small businesses part of its strategic plan for growth.' The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm. The agency attracts new business, encourages the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, and locates new markets for Georgia products. It also markets Georgia to tourists and promotes the state as a location for film, music and digital entertainment projects. For more information, visit www.georgia.org.