Atlanta the seventh-best start-up city

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Atlanta the seventh-best start-up city
July 29, 2009
The Atlanta Business Chronicle

Entrepreneur magazine’s August issue ranks Atlanta the seventh-best start-up city in America.

The magazine’s look at startup-friendly cities addresses issues such as government incentives, population growth, affordability of commercial rents, and openness to new ideas.

Entrepreneur calls Atlanta the “Grower” among the top 10 cities.

“There’s a simple formula that defines the Atlanta small-business scene: Big growth equals big opportunities,” the magazine said. “Service and retail businesses are in constant demand all across the metro area to serve the city’s expanding boundaries, and a full portfolio of city-backed loans, grants and tax credits, combined with a low cost of living, makes Atlanta prime real estate for entrepreneurs with franchise dreams.”

The magazine noted Atlanta’s move to grow in biotech in its “Innovation Crescent,” an urban arc from Atlanta to Athens dedicated to life-sciences companies. As an example, it cited Atlantan Russell Rainey of Rainey Compression Essentials, who developed a line of nylon compression garments designed to promote healing after face-lifts, tummy tucks and other cosmetic procedures.

The top ten cities in order are Las Vegas, Portland, Ore., Orlando, Fla., San Diego, Phoenix, Chapel Hill, N.C., Atlanta, Madison, Wis., Youngstown, Ohio, and Austin, Texas.