Small business owners and economic development professionals from Bulloch, Evans, and Screven Counties met last month to begin the process of becoming Entrepreneur Friendly Communities.

            The Entrepreneur Friendly Initiative was created by the Georgia Department of Economic Development to help communities in providing support for small businesses and fostering an environment where entrepreneurship can thrive. 

            “Small businesses are crucial to the economic health of our county, and we need to do all we can to help these businesses succeed,” stated Peggy Chapman, president of the Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber and executive director of the Development Authority of Bulloch County.

            Brian Glenn of Glenn-Davis Associates added, “As a small business owner, I can speak from experience of the need for support in starting and running a small business.  This initiative will provide a great service to existing and prospective business owners in Bulloch County.”

            Adela Kelley, regional project manager with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, confirms the importance of this initiative to Bulloch County.  “There are several crucial steps and a lot of hard work involved in receiving the Entrepreneur Friendly designation,” notes Kelley.  “However, this effort will be more than repaid through the support it will provide for prospective and existing small business owners in the county.”

            Bulloch County will join Evans and Screven Counties in working toward the designation.  Ogeechee Technical College’s Economic Development Division will provide support and coordination for the effort.  “Ogeechee Tech is perfectly suited to assist Bulloch County in this effort, and we look forward to the positive impact this will bring to the community,” stated Dr. Ben Thompson, Vice President for Economic Development at OTC.

In the coming months, several activities will be offered toward achievement of the designation, including a Resource Fair and a survey of existing small business owners.  The Bulloch/Evans Small Business Resource Fair will take place on Monday, August 27th from 6-7:30 PM at Ogeechee Technical College’s Multi-Purpose Room.