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Upson County Designated “Entrepreneur
Friendly” Community
Statewide program
helps foster current and potential small businesses
Upson
County has joined the state’s ranks of “entrepreneur friendly” communities, an
official designation indicating the community is developing an environment
conducive to small business and entrepreneurs. West Central Georgia’s
Upson
County is the 12th community in the state to earn “entrepreneur
friendly” status from the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s
Entrepreneur and Small Business Office.
The designation, which
followed the two-day comprehensive visit by the state’s review team, was
the culmination of almost nine months’ worth of effort by the
Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneurial Spirit Committee. “Our
committee has worked to establish strategies that will support
entrepreneur and small business development,” said Richard Strouss,
chairman of the committee. “Of course, now our work is just beginning, as
we follow through on the recommendations made by the review team.”
In making the
designation, the review team cited the leadership and cooperation that
have been exhibited during this process, as well as the demonstrated
effort the Chamber has shown in building the capacity to excel in this
state program. A full report of recommendations is due from the review
team within the next 30 days, and a business plan will be developed by the
Chamber committee to implement the recommendations.
“Encouraging and
supporting our hometown businesses and entrepreneurs will help create
quality jobs for Georgians,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “By helping local
communities support the growth of small business, we can ensure prosperity
and opportunity throughout the state.”
“Upson
County has taken a proactive approach to sustaining its small businesses,”
said Chris Clark, chairman of the Georgia Entrepreneur and Small Business
Coordinating Network and deputy commissioner of Global Commerce for GDEcD.
“We congratulate the community for taking the steps necessary to ensure
its small businesses will thrive and thus play an active part in Upson’s
strategy for recovery and growth.”
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