Thomas County is States Newest Designated 'Entrepreneur Friendly' Community
ATLANTA, July 22, 2008 – South Central Georgia's Thomas 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-one percent of Thomas County's 2,058 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.'
Thomas County is the 117th community in the state to be named Entrepreneur Friendly by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). Previously designated South Central Georgia counties include Colquitt, Brooks and Lowndes. Nearby Lanier County is in the process of designation.
To earn its designation, Thomas 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. Thomas 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, Thomas County Library, UGA Cooperative Extension Service, Quitman/Brooks Chamber of Commerce, and the United States Department of Agriculture.
Qualified entrepreneurs and small business owners in Thomas 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.
'The Entrepreneur Friendly Initiative has given our community a greater ability to seek out and support not only new start up businesses but also established existing entrepreneurial businesses that have the potential to grow and create jobs for our community,' said Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber President Don Sims. 'We are excited about opportunity we see in this effort!'
'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 Thomas 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.