#SmallBusinessWeek starts this Sunday! Get inspired by reading success stories about some of our small business clients who have overcome challenges, discovered new opportunities and unlocked their potential with the #FloridaSBDC: https://bit.ly/2PDeW6A
National Small Business Week is the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) annual event that celebrates the innovation and contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small businesses across the country. Recognized through proclamation by the President of the United States since 1963, National Small Business Week takes place the first week in May and is May 5th – May 11th this year.
America’s Small Business – By the Numbers
No doubt, small businesses are the leading drivers of our nation’s economy. The U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy 2018 U.S. Small Business Profile reports on the leading indicators of American Small Businesses:
• 30.2 million small businesses (99.9% of U.S. businesses)
• 58.9 small business employees (47.5% of the U.S. workforce)
• 8 million minority-owned businesses
• 1.9 million net new jobs added by small businesses
• 287,835 small business exporters
Visit the 2018 Small Business Profiles to learn more about specific states and territories.
About the Florida SBDC Network: For over forty years, the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance [Fl. Stat. 288.001], has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development to provide existing and aspiring small and medium-sized business owners with management and knowledge resources that enable overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for Florida’s economy. Since 2011, Florida SBDCs have provided 624,331 hours of professional business consulting to 58,975 client businesses, resulting in 281,831 jobs impacted; $36.7 billion in sales generated; $2.7 billion in government contracts acquired; $1.6 billion in capital accessed; and 4,520 new businesses started. A statewide network of over 40 offices, the Florida SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Defense Logistics Agency, State of Florida and other private and public partners. The Florida SBDC Network, headquartered at the University of West Florida, is nationally accredited by the Association of America’s SBDCs and is a 2016 recipient of the President’s E Award for Export Service. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency.
