Franklin County is states newest designated Entrepreneur Friendly community
ATLANTA, September 6, 2007 – Northeast Georgia's Franklin 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-three percent of Franklin County's 953 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.' Franklin County is the 55th community in the state to be named Entrepreneur Friendly by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). Previously certified North Georgia counties include White, Habersham and Forsyth. Nearby counties in the progress of designation include Stephens, Banks, Hall, Whitfield and Haralson. To earn the designation, Franklin County completed the Entrepreneur Friendly program with the assistance of GDEcD's regional representative Suzanne Browne. The county analyzed its entrepreneurial and small business environment and developed strategies to help foster the growth of this critical business segment. Franklin County also underwent a full-day assessment by a review team composed of GDEcD staff and representatives from the Department of Community Affairs, Georgia Tech, Small Business Development Center, Hartwell Downtown Development Authority, and North Georgia Technical College. Qualified entrepreneurs and small business owners in Franklin 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. 'If we support and encourage our small businesses, we are investing in the future of our own community,' said Cindy Smith, Executive Secretary of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. 'This is a great opportunity for us to help our small business owners realize their own dreams. Through the Entrepreneur Surveys and speaking with our small business owners, we have learned that the vast majority of our small businesses are planning for growth. With the knowledge we have obtained through this process, I feel the Lavonia Chamber and the Franklin County Chamber are now better prepared to help those businesses grow and help them realize those dreams.' '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 Franklin 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.