Press Release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MEDIA INFORMATION:
Lindsey Barnes 770-859-2350
Samantha Ducote 770-859-2349
COBB COUNTY IS STATES NEWEST ENTREPRENEUR FRIENDLY COMMUNITY
Marietta, GA (March 17, 2008) – The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced Wednesday, March 12 that Cobb County was the 84th community in the state to receive Entrepreneur Friendly certification.
The designation indicates the community has worked to develop an environment that is welcoming to small business and entrepreneurs.
“The Cobb Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Cobb County Government and the cities of Cobb have for years, been working to provide programs and an environment that is business friendly,” said Sam Kelly, Cobb Chamber of Commerce Chairman. “This designation recognizes those results.”
Qualified entrepreneurs and small business owners in Cobb County are now eligible for customized market data, such as demographic and business information, to help give them a competitive edge, which is also available through the Walter J. Kelly Business Resource Center at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce.
The process of earning this designation involved a committee that worked with small businesses and entrepreneurs from all over Cobb County to develop data and information pertaining to small businesses in Cobb County. The Cobb Chamber’s partnerships with Cobb County Government, Kennesaw State University’s Small Business Development (more)
Entrepreneur Friendly/Page 2
Center, Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) and various business associations from across the county aided in the process of certification.
On March 12, the county underwent a full-assessment day which included a presentation and tour of selected Cobb County businesses in addition to an analysis of statistical data gathered from 54 small businesses. The businesses that had been previously recognized for achievement and provided briefing during the Cobb County tour included Gabriel’s Desserts, Henry’s Louisiana Grill, jB+a & Associates, Inc., Paladin Construction and Preferred Jet Center.
If you are an entrepreneur or small business owner and would like to start receiving data to help get the competitive edge, please contact Katy Cleveland with the Cobb Chamber Small Business Services Department at (770) 859- 2336.
For more information on the Entrepreneur Friendly program, please visit the GDEcD Web site at www.georgia.org.
The Cobb Chamber of Commerce represents Cobb County’s diverse, dynamic business community. The Cobb Chamber is a member-supported business organization working to maintain a healthy economy by bringing business and industry to the area, helping established firms grow and building the community through outreach and service.
###
Be Here. Achieve More.
(l to r) Cobb Chamber Business Services Manager Megan Stambaugh; Terrilyn Hannah, economic development coordinator of Cobb County Government; Lydia Jones, director of Small Business Development Center at Kennesaw State University; Cobb Chamber Economic Development Director Tom Boland; Bob Walsh, president of United Community Bank; Regie Elkins of Professional Group Associates; Melissa Queen, regional sales manager of Georgia Power and Don Beaver, COO and senior vice president of Economic Develpment of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce accept the 84th Entrepreneur Friendly designation.
Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administrationand the University of Georgia. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Lydia C. Jones, Director, KSU SBDC, Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road, #3303, Kennesaw, GA 30144 or 770-423-6450 | Client Consulting | FastTrac Program | Existing Businesses | New Businesses | CPEs for CPAs | © 2008 - Small Business Development Center at Kennesaw State University |