Development Authority of Cherokee County, GA: Contact Us

Click here to check out the new RSVP program!

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. In 2005, the Chamber and Development Authority recognized the need to better serve growing small businesses in Cherokee County, said Misti Martin, Executive Director of the Development Authority. 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 information that would be helpful in starting and growing a business.

The advisory board, Chamber and Authority staff created a "Business Start Up Kit." The kit contains information about how to start and run a business in Cherokee. The kits are available online at the Chamber's and Authority's websites, the county Development Service Center, City Halls, local attorney's offices and local bank offices. The board also plans to start a mentoring program that would allow existing business professionals to provide aspiring entrepreneurs advice and support. Other resources include BusinessLink, a program of Appalachian Technical College and the Small Business Development Center at Kennesaw State University.

• • Download Business StartUp Kit Here • •

According to their website, SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Both working and retired executives and business owners donate time and expertise as business counselors. SCORE was founded in 1964.

To find out more information please visit their website.

For more information on the Entrepreneur Friendly initiatives please contact the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce or the Development Authority of Cherokee County.



County Directory Press Room Contact Us Home Map		We are Georgia Entrepreneur Friendly! Governor Sonny Perdue recently presented members of the E-Friendly Advisory Board a plaque in recognition of Cherokee County's designation as Georgia's 28th Entrepreneur Friendly Community. Jewelry Designer Lisa Woodruff, center, known as The Bead Lady, is presented the first Business Start-Up Kit from Pam Carnes (left), Cherokee County Chamber, and Misti Martin (right), Development Authority of Cherokee County. Business Start-Up Kits are now available at both the Chamber and Authority, as well as through all local city/county business license offices. Click here to check out the new RSVP program! 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. In 2005, the Chamber and Development Authority recognized the need to better serve growing small businesses in Cherokee County, said Misti Martin, Executive Director of the Development Authority. 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 information that would be helpful in starting and growing a business. The advisory board, Chamber and Authority staff created a "Business Start Up Kit." The kit contains information about how to start and run a business in Cherokee. The kits are available online at the Chamber's and Authority's websites, the county Development Service Center, City Halls, local attorney's offices and local bank offices. The board also plans to start a mentoring program that would allow existing business professionals to provide aspiring entrepreneurs advice and support. Other resources include BusinessLink, a program of Appalachian Technical College and the Small Business Development Center at Kennesaw State University. • • Download Business StartUp Kit Here • • According to their website, SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Both working and retired executives and business owners donate time and expertise as business counselors. SCORE was founded in 1964. To find out more information please visit their website. For more information on the Entrepreneur Friendly initiatives please contact the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce or the Development Authority of Cherokee County.

We are Georgia Entrepreneur Friendly!