Oconee County is States Newest Designated Entrepreneur Friendly Community
ATLANTA, April 7, 2008 – East Georgia's Oconee 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 percent of Oconee County's 1,371 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.'
Oconee County is the 92nd community in the state to be named Entrepreneur Friendly by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). Previously designated nearby Georgia counties include Athens-Clarke, Walton, and Barrow. Nearby counties in the process of designation include Putnam and Hancock. Morgan County received its designation last month.
To earn the designation, Oconee County completed the Entrepreneur Friendly program with the assistance of GDEcD's regional representative Ryan Thornton. The county analyzed its entrepreneurial and small business environment and developed strategies to help foster the growth of this critical business segment. Oconee 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 Department of Agriculture and Athens Technical College.
Qualified entrepreneurs and small business owners in Oconee 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.
'Entrepreneurs and small businesses are the heart and soul of local economies in smaller communities,' said Rusty Haygood, economic development director for the Oconee County Board of Commissioners. 'Through this process, we want entrepreneurs to know that there are resources available to assist as they look to start or grow their business in Oconee 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 Oconee 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.