WHEREAS, in 2015, the United States Senate designated the first week in November as National Veterans Small Business Week by resolution; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina is home to more than 800,000 active duty military service members, veterans, and their families, representing nearly 10 percent of our state’s population; and
WHEREAS, veterans and their families are essential to the growth and development of North Carolina’s economy and our communities; and
WHEREAS, veteran entrepreneurship is an economic boon across our state and the entire nation; nearly 2.5 million American businesses are veteran-owned, employing six million people nationwide; and
WHEREAS, in North Carolina, there are more than 80,000 veteran-owned businesses, contributing around $34 billion annually to our local communities and economies; and
WHEREAS, Military Veterans Small Business Week is dedicated to supporting North Carolina’s veteran entrepreneurs, and encouraging consumers to purchase goods and services from our local veteran-owned businesses;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim November 5 – 9, 2020, as “NORTH CAROLINA MILITARY VETERANS SMALL BUSINESS WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.