Marion County is States Newest Designated 'Entrepreneur Friendly' Community
ATLANTA, August 5, 2008 – Southwest Georgia's Marion 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-three percent of Marion County's 138 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.'
Marion County is the 123rd community in the state to be named Entrepreneur Friendly by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). Previously designated Southwest Georgia counties include Seminole, Mitchell and Early. Nearby counties in the process of designation include Clay, Randolph, Quitman and Stewart. Webster County received its designation last month.
To earn its designation, Marion County completed the Entrepreneur Friendly program with the assistance of GDEcD's regional representative Rebecca O'Neil. The county analyzed its entrepreneurial and small business environment and developed strategies to help foster its growth. Marion County also underwent a full-day assessment by a review team composed of GDEcD staff and representatives from the Department of Community Affairs, Small Business Development Center, United States Senator Johnny Isakson's Office, Middle Flint Regional Development Center and Georgia Southwestern State University.
Qualified entrepreneurs and small business owners in Marion 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.
'Marion County formed an Entrepreneur Friendly Committee in June of 2007. Since that day, this diverse group of small business owners and community leaders has worked together toward forming an entrepreneur friendly Marion County. Realizing that 75 percent of all new jobs created come from small business, this task takes on a special meaning in rural Georgia. During the five-step process of designation, we learned a lot about our county and most of it was promising. Through our county's Entrepreneur Friendly designation, we look forward to helping minimize the risks associated with owning and operating a small business,' said Steve White, the Entrepreneur Friendly Committee Chair.
'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 Marion 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.