Lumpkin County is States Newest Designated Entrepreneur Friendly Community
ATLANTA, February 26, 2008 – North Georgia's Lumpkin 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-four percent of Lumpkin County's 986 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.'
Lumpkin County is the 81st community in the state to be named Entrepreneur Friendly by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). Previously designated North Georgia counties include Rabun, Habersham and White. Nearby counties in the process of designation include Dawson, Union, Towns and Hall. Stephens County received its designation last month.
To earn the designation, Lumpkin 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. Lumpkin County also underwent a full-day assessment by a review team composed of GDEcD staff and representatives from White County Government, Georgia Tech, Small Business Development Center and Appalachian Community Enterprises.
Qualified entrepreneurs and small business owners in Lumpkin 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.
'We are excited about the direct feedback we received from local businesses through the interviews and will be able to use that information to directly address local business needs,' said Stefani Jones Logsdon, VP of operations for the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce.
'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 Lumpkin 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.