Wayne County is States Newest Designated 'Entrepreneur Friendly' Community
ATLANTA, July 8, 2008 – Coastal Georgia's Wayne 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-two percent of Wayne County's 893 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.'
Wayne County is the 115th community in the state to be named Entrepreneur Friendly by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). Previously designated Coastal Georgia counties include Brantley, Glynn and Liberty. Charlton County received its designation in May.
To earn its designation, Wayne County completed the Entrepreneur Friendly program with the assistance of GDEcD's regional representative Ray Snow. The county analyzed its entrepreneurial and small business environment and developed strategies to help foster its growth. Wayne County also underwent a full-day assessment by a review team composed of GDEcD staff and representatives from the Department of Community Affairs, Department of Labor and the Small Business Development Center.
Qualified entrepreneurs and small business owners in Wayne 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 excited to receive the Entrepreneur Friendly designation. Over the past ten months our committee has been dedicated to better understanding the entrepreneur environment in Wayne County. It is thrilling to recognize the potential we have to help small business owners,' said Downtown Development Authority Chairman, Shaun O'Quinn. 'Our committee looks forward to establishing strategies to enhance business in our community."
'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 Wayne 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.