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Early Co. 'Entrepreneur Friendly'
Ninety-three percent of Early County's 489 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. Early County is the 89th community in the state to be named Entrepreneur Friendly by the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Previously designated Southwest Georgia counties include Miller, Calhoun, Decatur and Dougherty. To earn the designation, Early County completed the Entrepreneur Friendly program with the assistance of regional representative Rebecca O'Neil. After several months analyzing its entrepreneurial and small business environment and developing strategies to help foster growth of this critical business segment, Early County underwent a full-day assessment by a review team. Qualified entrepreneurs and small business owners in Early 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 grant to help it implement specific, long-term programs that support their entrepreneurs and small businesses. The grant must be matched 50 percent in dollars or in-kind value by the community. "Being designated 'Entrepreneur Friendly,' Early County will be on the map of places in the state with a substantial support group for small business owners," said Mary Beth Temples, chair of the Entrepreneur Friendly Committee. "We are a committed, forward-thinking community that wants to see its economy thrive by strengthening existing business and fostering growth of new business in the area."
"We applaud Early County for incorporating small businesses into its strategic plan for growth," said Heidi Green, chairman of the Georgia Entrepreneur and Small Business Coordinating Network and GDEcD's deputy commissioner for Global Commerce.
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