Washington County is States Newest Designated 'Entrepreneur Friendly' Community
ATLANTA, June 27, 2008 – East Georgia's Washington 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 Washington County's 663 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.'
Washington County is the 114th community in the state to be named Entrepreneur Friendly by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). Previously designated East Georgia counties include Wilkinson, Laurens and Emanuel. Johnson County is currently in the process of designation. Treutlen County received its designation earlier this month.
To earn its designation, Washington 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 its growth. Washington County also underwent a full-day assessment by a review team composed of GDEcD staff and representatives from the Department of Community Affairs, United States Department of Agriculture, OneGeorgia Authority, United States' Senator Johnny Isakson's office and United States' Senator Saxby Chambliss' office.
Qualified entrepreneurs and small business owners in Washington 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.
'We are pleased to be certified as an Entrepreneur-Friendly Community by the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Small business is an extremely important industry in Washington County, and this process has given us the resources to help the industry succeed and grow,' said Theo McDonald, President of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.
'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 Washington 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 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.