Chamber Chatter
By: Brandie Reese

In part with Governor Sonny Perdue's "Entrepreneur Friendly" initiative, the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is working alongside the Lincolnton- Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority to foster a strong business community.

The Georgia Department of Economic Development's Small Business Division provides a community-based program that helps create an entrepreneur environment, building entrepreneur and small business strategy into the community's overall economic development strategies.

The key steps to become "Entrepreneur Friendly" include:

.. Identifying the local leadership group and champion who will lead the community in their entrepreneur and small business development strategy.

.. Increasing community awareness of and support of the strategies, needs and resources.

.. Enhance relationships with state and federal resource providers in educational sessions that help local leadership learn how entrepreneurs can be supported.

.. Mapping local assets.

.. Visiting and interviewing local entrepreneurs; reviewing and compiling results to determine appropriate strategies.

.. Scheduling the Review Team visit to assess current activities and make recommendations for new programs based on our community needs.

This process will help us better understand the needs of Lincoln County's business community and will help us develop sustainable and effective local strategies to grow businesses and the community by taking this community through proven, key success methods designed to establish an entrepreneur support program.