Lanier County is States Newest Designated 'Entrepreneur Friendly' Community
ATLANTA, July 31, 2008 – South Central Georgia's Lanier 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-two percent of Lanier County's 158 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.'
Lanier County is the 120th community in the state to be named Entrepreneur Friendly by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). Previously designated South Central Georgia counties include Berrien, Cook and Lowndes. Thomas County received its designation earlier this month.
To earn its designation, Lanier 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 its growth. Lanier County also underwent a full-day assessment by a review team composed of GDEcD staff and representatives from the Small Business Development Center, Department of Labor, Valdosta Technical College, South Georgia Rural Development Center, Berrien County and Georgia Tech.
Qualified entrepreneurs and small business owners in Lanier 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.
'Things are on an upward swing here in Lakeland and Lanier County,' said EF Committee chairman Alex Lee. "The surveys conducted bettered our understanding of what is needed by entrepreneurs in our community and those interested in our community. We look forward to helping Lakeland grow to become a great tourist destination with an overgrowth of entrepreneurs champing at the bits to open a business here. We feel as thought this great stamp of achievement is another way to make Lakeland and Lanier County a great place to live, work, and play.'
'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 Lanier 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.