Governor Stein Proclaims Small Business Week

Small Business Week

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, the State of North Carolina values the dedication and entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses, which are a crucial pillar of our state's economy; and 

Whereas, there were 1.1 million small businesses in North Carolina according to the latest 2025 figures from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), accounting for 99.6 percent of the state's businesses; and 

Whereas, these small businesses employed 1.8 million people, which is 44.2 percent of the state's private-sector workforce; and 

Whereas, North Carolina's small businesses contributed more than 52,820 in 2024, illustrating the critical role they play in the state's economic prosperity and opportunities; and 

Whereas, small businesses contribute significantly to North Carolina's export activity and global reputation in manufacturing, with more than 9,500 small firms, representing nearly 87 percent of the total exporters, exporting goods from the state, generating $8.8 billion in exports in 2023; and 

Whereas, North Carolina public agencies, educational institutions, and private-sector organizations collaborate to help small businesses grow and create new jobs by providing workforce training, business mentoring, financial assistance, research, technical assistance, export support services and more; and 

Whereas, North Carolina provides many services to small businesses through community college small business centers, NCWorks, the Small Business and Technology Development Center, SCORE, SBA Women’s Business Centers, the Veterans Business Outreach Center, the Rural Center, and a toll-free information and referral service known as the Small Business Advisors hotline; and 

Whereas, during National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration highlights the impact small business owners and entrepreneurs have on our nation's economy and global competitiveness; and 

Whereas, when we support North Carolina small businesses, jobs are created, local communities thrive, and our economy grows;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May 3 – 9, 2026, as “Small Business Week” in North Carolina and commend its observance to all residents.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-seventh day of April in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.