If you own a small business in Georgia, you’re in good company. Even in the midst of an extraordinarily painful recession, new firms continue to occur throughout the state, particularly in Metro Atlanta. According to the latest published edition of the index of business activity Kaufmann 1, April 2009, Georgia led all states with an average of 590 per 100,000 adults, create a new one every month in 2008. The national average for all states was 320 per 100,000 adults. Metro Atlanta was well ahead of all other major cities with a statistical average of 740 per 100,000 adults, create a new one every month.

What is so special about Georgia? The answer begins in Metro Atlanta. According to Entrepreneur Magazine August 2009 issue: “There is a simple formula that the scene Atlanta Small Business Set: Big growth equal opportunities for service and trading companies are in constant demand throughout the metropolitan area on the extension of city limits, and with …. the cost of living, makes Atlanta a prime real estate for entrepreneurs … “

The cost of living and relatively low growth potential combined metro Atlanta are certainly attractive to entrepreneurs. However, culture and common characteristics of metropolitan Atlanta’s population is more to do with what really sets it off. As of the census of the United States have increased from 1990 to 2000 the population of the county Metropolitan Atlanta 20 from 38.9 percent just under 3 million to more than 4.1 million people. 2 In 2009, the population is estimated at more than 5 million people. Many of these new residents moved to Georgia from other parts of the country in search of economic opportunities. A comprehensive assessment could be that people who are willing to devote their lives and families in other areas may also tend to transplant a larger share of firms personality traits such as initiative, independence, risk taking, perseverance and flexibility. It may be a partial answer, but there are other factors that set Georgia to help

on pages 52-53 of his 2007 program, entrepreneurship in the United States. The Future Is Now, Paul Davidson Reynolds 3 describes the following characteristics of the geographical areas in the U.S., which tend to be particularly conducive to the creation of new businesses
– “The increase in demand, such as by the growth of human population occupied and higher incomes “
-” more educated population of young adults
– “larger proportion of small firms in the industry population
-” The more volatile economic sectors, a greater diversity of the sector “
– “Flexible policies regarding the hiring and firing employees,”
(It is interesting and catchy, it can be said of the statistical analysis of Reynolds, the higher unemployment rate does not tend to factor in a net increase in new be a business in the United States.)

What all mean for the future of entrepreneurship in Georgia? If these five factors listed by Reynolds is correct, the future for small startups in Georgia is clear and should remain so for some time. Growth of the population of people … “Check”. highly educated population of young adults … “Check”. greater proportion of small businesses in the industry population … “Check.” Greater economic diversity … “Check”. (This means that the economy is not on a few key sectors such as agriculture and mining, automotive, etc. Instead, based, there are many economic sectors, especially a large area of the service industry, where demand for certain services ebb and flow can and can become obsolete industries.) Flexible policies regarding the hiring and firing of employees. .. “Check”. (Georgia is widely considered a very favorable condition for employers who accepted offer little protection for workers in comparison to many other states.) So, based on criteria of Reynolds, Georgia is a state supported contractors.

Georgia entrepreneurs are well positioned to play an important role in economic recovery in the coming years. A major reason is that Georgia needs new jobs. A very popular and economically sound bite politics today is that small businesses, the “main engine of job creation and economic growth” that moves the economy out of recession. On 16 March 2009 saying President Barack Obama at this point while addressing small business owners, called them “the heart of the American economy.” He also said that “they are responsible for half of the jobs in the private sector and they generate about 70 percent of new jobs in the last ten years. Such small businesses not only generate jobs, they are also the focus of the American dream. “4 If this is true, and it is the author’s personal conviction is that to support the entrepreneurs of Georgia ready much importance for future recreational development of Georgia in the Southeast and nation.

In summary, if you have seriously considered starting a business in Georgia, this can be a good time to evaluate your options. It may seem risky to start a business in a residential feel, but is often the best time to do so. Google, Microsoft, Apple, Cisco, and Starbucks, among many others, all started during an economic downturn. In an economy like this, although there are significant challenges in raising capital, and many other expenses for a new business owner is lower than usual (such as offices, highly qualified staff and technology). Many employees are working harder, it is usually less turnover, customers and prospects looking to feel the economic malaise that lead to new suppliers and service providers can.
Each potential contractor should obtain professional advice and carefully the risks and potential benefits must be weighed before a new one. Despite the risks, the opportunity cost for many Georgians inclined business currently at a low point for a number of reasons. If you decide to make the leap, you will be a challenge, but at least you can be sure that Georgia as an entrepreneur, you will also be in good company.

3 Paul Davidson Reynolds is a professor at Florida International University and the recipient of the 2004 International Award for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Research of the Swedish Foundation for Small Business Research and the Swedish Development Agency (the “Price Swedish “).

4 Barack Obama,” Speech delivered by the president of small business owners, community leaders and members of Congress ” (the White House, Washington, DC, March 16, 2009), available (2009 Hits August 24) at www.whitehouse.gov / the_press_office / Notes-by-the-chair small business.


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