The Auburn-Opelika area is ranked No. 16 on cnnmoney.com's list of best small places to launch a business.
The list, which included cities from across the country, cited the University and muted effects of the recession as key factors contributing to the area's high ranking.
"There are three key factors that we recognize every time," said Mayor Bill Ham. "First would be Auburn University and everything it brings to the community, second would be our public school system and third would be the people and the quality of life."
Ham attributed most of the credit for the ranking to members of the community, citing a sense of "involved citizenship," meaning residents value the quality of education and what it means for their families.
To aid small businesses with any problems that may arise, the University sponsors the Small Business Development Center. Director of the SBDC, Jackie Di Pofi, said there are a lot of factors that make the Auburn-Opelika area attractive on a national level.
"We are a small town that has the benefits of a small town, but we are close to Atlanta, the beaches, New Orleans and Nashville," Di Pofi said. "So it's just a great central place to live as well as an environment of warm, receptive people and interesting things to do."
Gus Clark, owner of Fine Wine and Beer by Gus, said he opened his store because of the rapid growth he saw in the area.
"There's a lot of room and a lot of need for businesses," Clark said. "It's easy to have a niche market due to the fact that there isn't much here."
The Auburn-Opelika area had 2,231 small businesses total in 2007, with the average for small metro areas being 3,516 nationally, according to cnnmoney.com.
The small business growth rate for the area in 2007 was 11.9 percent, while the average national growth rate for small businesses was 4.1 percent.
"The city focuses heavily on quality of life issues within the community," Ham said. "We do a citizen survey annually by a national company that tests the city against its peers, which are predominantly other university communities."
However, there are some downsides to owning a small business in the area.
"One of the downsides to the area would be the customer base is constantly in and out of town," Clark said. "That a little difficult to hold onto."
According to cnnmoney.com, another downside is the lack of public transportation.
"Everything is a mixed blessing and we are a small town," Di Pofi said. "Some people are used to a much faster, more exciting or more available choices in things."
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