Hall County is States Newest Designated Entrepreneur Friendly Community
ATLANTA, March 18, 2008 – North Georgia's Hall 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 Hall County's 6,539 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.' Hall County is the 85th community in the state to be named Entrepreneur Friendly by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). Previously designated North Georgia counties include Forsyth, Habersham and White. Nearby counties in the process of designation include Banks and Dawson. Lumpkin County received its designation last month. To earn the designation, Hall 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. Hall 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, Cornelia Better Hometown Program and Hartwell Downtown Development Authority. Qualified entrepreneurs and small business owners in Hall 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. 'Small business is important to Gainesville-Hall County; we now know what services to provide to help them succeed,' said Kit Dunlap, president of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce. 'The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce offers an array of services, seminars and networking opportunities to assist our small business owners. We are proud to partner with the State of Georgia to grow our small businesses in Gainesville-Hall 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 Hall 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.