Press Release
U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $100,000 to Create Jobs in Georgia by Provide Critical Technical Support to Emerging Entrepreneurs
September 9, 2011
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $100,000 grant to the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) of Atlanta, Ga., to help expand an Economic Gardening Pilot Program that provides technical assistance to growth-oriented entrepreneurs.
"Creating local jobs is President Obama's top priority and he has taken significant steps to support entrepreneurs and small businesses, which are the backbone of our economy and the cornerstone of our communities," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez. "This EDA grant will help to create new jobs by providing critical technical support to the region's budding entrepreneurs."
"Economic Gardening will enhance and accelerate the maturity of early-stage tech and tech-enabled companies by leveraging existing regional strengths along with new, innovative business support services," said Melanie Brandt, Chief Operating Officer, of Technology Association of Georgia of Atlanta. "Georgia is the national leader in entrepreneurial activity, so it is natural and imperative that, as a state, we support the companies and people driving Georgia's—and the nation's—economic recovery."
The project will allow TAG's Economic Gardening program to expand its service delivery area beyond the 11-county area it currently serves. TAG's economic gardening program supports small, emerging technology-based firms, specifically companies in Stage I and Stage II of the business cycle, with research and marketing assistance.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov):
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.