Lincoln County is states newest designated Entrepreneur Friendly community
ATLANTA, November 13, 2007 – Northeast Georgia's Lincoln 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-six percent of Lincoln County's 371 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.'
Lincoln County is the 66th community in the state to be named Entrepreneur Friendly by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). Previously certified Northeast Georgia counties include Wilkes and McDuffie. Warren County is currently in the process of designation and Oglethorpe and Columbia County received their certifications last month.
To earn the designation, Lincoln County completed the Entrepreneur Friendly program with the assistance of GDEcD's regional representative Adela Kelley. The county analyzed its entrepreneurial and small business environment and developed strategies to help foster the growth of this critical business segment. Lincoln County also underwent a full-day assessment by a review team composed of GDEcD staff and representatives from Senator Johnny Isakson's Office, Senator Saxby Chambliss' Office, the Small Business Development Center, OneGeorgia Authority, United States Department of Agriculture, and CSRA Business Lending.
Qualified entrepreneurs and small business owners in Lincoln 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.
'The 'Entrepreneur Friendly' designation process has been informative for both the Chamber and Development Authority concerning our small businesses and how we can better serve them,' said Alana Burke, Executive Director of the Lincoln County Development Authority and Chamber of Commerce. 'From the information we have gained through the interviews, we plan to develop a resource guide that will assist our small business owners as they grow their businesses in Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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.