Jockey may be shutting down, but Millen is already aiming to expand the small businesses in the community. The Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce, in coordination with Millen Better Hometown, Inc. and the Millen Downtown Development Authority, has enrolled in Georgia's Entrepreneur and Small Business Development Initiative.

The program has a step-bystep process to encourage entrepreneurs, organize small businesses and help find funding to aid their operations.

Millen is currently on the first step, which involves creating a local leadership team. The team will be composed of interested individuals such as county and city officials, attorneys, downtown workers, hospital representatives and members of the media.

Paula Herrington, of the chamber of commerce, says that the feedback on the project has been positive so far, and several prospective members have already signed on.

The next steps involve increasing awareness of how "homegrown" businesses benefit the community and enhancing relationships with state and federal resource providers.

Then, after identifying the local entrepreneurs and finding the city's unique resources, the team will visit the businesses to see what their goals are and how they can accomplish them.

Herrington said that this was the part of the process that seemed most valuable to her. Regardless of whether or not the community receives any other benefits, the chamber of commerce would at least have an understanding of the needs of the local entrepreneurs, and could better serve them.

"Anything we can do to help, we've got to try to," said Herrington, who mentioned that they could help some entrepreneurs bring their business to a larger level, setting them up with the resources to bring their business to the digital age.

From that point, a Review Team will visit Millen to assess the progress of the city and make recommendations on possible new programs. If the community makes the cut, then it will receive the "Entrepreneur Friendly" designation.

Once the city receives that label, it will be eligible to receive much more funding from state and federal sources.

Herrington mentioned how Crisp County received nearly one million dollars when it was labeled as "Entrepreneur Friendly." The county used the money for an industrial park benefiting more than 50 people across 24 businesses.

Herrington said the businesses on Highway 25 would particularly benefit, especially once the Savannah River Parkway is expanded through the area.

But the process is just beginning. Herrington expects it to take a while for the city to become "Entrepreneur Friendly," but thinks that with the recent troubles, the wait will be worth it for the city.

"We all need to pull together and help one another," she said.