Wilkes seeking 'Entrepreneur-Friendly' status

Local small business owners and leaders are meeting today with state economic development representatives to review Wilkes County's efforts to obtain the designation of "Entrepreneur Friendly Community."

In today's all-day review session in the ballroom of the Fitzpatrick Hotel, a team led by Regional Project Manager Adella Kelley from the Georgia Department of Economic Development will review the efforts of the local community team and local leadership to determine if Washington-Wilkes has met the criteria for the designation of "Entrepreneur Friendly Community."

The effort to be declared entrepreneur friendly has involved months of meetings, interviews, and conducting a resource fair for small businesses, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Donna Hardy said, with the local group working closely with Kelley, the state's economic development regional project manager.

In today's meeting, after a welcome by Wilkes County Commission Chairman Sam Moore, local leaders will present the results of their extensive surveys of community small businesses.

Five Wilkes County businesses will present the stories of both their struggles and their successes. Joe Barnett of Style South Drapery, Marc McAvoy of Acurio Lattice, Soren and Kelly Dresch of Ruffin Flag and Palmetto Pouches, Joan and George Bowen of Jolly Rompers & Baby Bloomers Wholesale, and David and Janie Cravens of Cravco, Inc./McDonalds will describe their experiences in establishing and running small businesses in Wilkes County.

After lunch, the review team will meet. The review team will assess the community's current activities and make recommendations for possible new programs or strategies based on our community's unique opportunities, Hardy said.

The review team will deliver their findings to the community in an open session at 3 p.m., and at this time the Wilkes County team will learn if they have earned the coveted designation.

When Wilkes County is awarded the designation, the regional project managers will assist the local team to plan and implement strategies that result from the process and designation.

As a member of the Georgia "Entrepreneur Friendly" Team, the community will be expected to participate in opportunities such as professional development, conferences, and the sharing with other communities of best practices.

The local team will also report to the state team on the number of jobs created, and amount of investment in local start-ups and existing businesses.

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