April 30 May 6 2023 Small Business Week

WHEREAS, America’s small businesses continue to pioneer innovative solutions to our country’s greatest challenges and create opportunities for families and workers, creating the strongest economic growth in almost 40 years; and,

WHEREAS, small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities and the American economy, employing more than half of our Nation’s workers, launching new technologies, creating new American-led industries, enriching our Main Streets, making parts and products in America to fuel our supply chains, and building our Nation’s infrastructure; and,

WHEREAS, historic investments made through the State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0, the President’s American Rescue Plan, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act will ensure small businesses have access to federal capital support, technical assistance, contracting opportunities, and other resources to help lead the way as we rebuild America’s roads and bridges and build a clean energy economy for the future; and,

WHEREAS, supporting small businesses helps us create jobs and enrich local communities; and,

WHEREAS, entrepreneurship continues to be one of the best pathways to the American Dream, evidenced by the remarkable small business boom, with more than 10.5 million Americans applying to start a business since January 20, 2021 – more than in any other two-year period in American history; and,

WHEREAS, by renewing our commitment to supporting small businesses, we can maintain our global competitiveness and build a stronger Nation where everyone can succeed – from the bottom up and the middle out; and, 

WHEREAS, the President of the United States has proclaimed National Small Business Week every year since 1963 to highlight the programs and services available to entrepreneurs through the U.S. Small Business Administration and other government agencies; and, 

WHEREAS, Michigan is home to a robust network of resources ready to help small businesses launch, stabilize and grow through the support of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Small Business Services and Solutions team; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan supports and joins the national effort to recognize the contributions of small businesses to the American economy and their importance in ensuring that our local communities remain as vibrant tomorrow as they are today;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim April 30 – May 6, 2023, as Small Business Week in Michigan.