We are Georgia Entrepreneur Friendly!

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and the Development Authority of Cherokee County are pleased to announce their partnership in achieving the Georgia Department of Economic Development's Entrepreneur Friendly Designation. Cherokee County became the 28th community in Georgia to be designated Entrepreneur Friendly for small businesses and their owners. More than 90 percent of the businesses in Cherokee County are classified as small business.

The Chamber and Authority identified a diverse group of entrepreneurs and asked them to be part of the Entrepreneur Friendly Advisory Board. All entrepreneurs asked to participate gladly accepted the challenge to better small business development in Cherokee County. The Entrepreneur Friendly Advisory Board, as well as representatives from the Chamber's Leadership Cherokee Class of 2006, interviewed 72 local small businesses to determine a baseline of services and to discover gaps that could be filled to better serve the businesses in Cherokee County. One of the most requested items was a document that would offer assistance in starting or growing a business, and from this the Business Start-Up Kit was created.

Business Start-Up Kit

This kit contains information about how to start and run a business in Cherokee County. The kits are available on both the Chamber and Authority websites, the county Business License Office, City Halls, select local attorney's offices and bank offices.

Professional Mentor Program

The R.S.V.P Program (Resource Services from Valuable Professionals) is a valuable resource for small businesses in Cherokee County. A free one-hour consultation with a consultant can mean a lot to the owner of a small business, whether they need answers to specific problems, or just need to bounce an idea or two off someone whose viewpoint is a knowledgeable one. Stay tuned for further information on how you can receive services from an RSVP program participant. Want to be listed as an RSVP? Contact Pam Carnes for further details.

I Have Walked In Your Shoes Campaign!

Entreprenuers just like you share their experiences through this campaign which promotes small business assistance provided by the Chamber and Development Authority.