Governor Josh Stein has proclaimed May 3-9 as Small Business Week to recognize the contributions of entrepreneurs and small businesses across North Carolina, according to a May 4 announcement.
The proclamation highlights the role that small businesses play in driving economic growth and job creation throughout the state. The week is intended to celebrate their impact and encourage continued support for their success.
“North Carolina communities are energized by the one million small businesses that innovate, create jobs, and spur growth,” said Governor Josh Stein. “As we celebrate Small Business Week, we recognize the immense contributions of entrepreneurs statewide and reaffirm our commitment to supporting their success and resiliency by fostering opportunity in every corner of the state.”
N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley said, “Small businesses employ nearly half of all private sector jobs while driving local economies. Even as we face shifting economic conditions, our commitment is clear: We must continue creating the conditions that allow these entrepreneurs to grow, adapt, and lead.”
According to data from 2025 cited in the release, small businesses made up more than 99 percent of all companies in North Carolina and employed about 1.8 million people statewide. More than 9,500 small businesses exported goods from North Carolina in recent years, generating $8.8 billion worth of exports.
The U.S. Small Business Administration established National Small Business Week as an annual event recognizing entrepreneurial achievements nationwide. In addition to celebrating this week locally, several programs are underway or ongoing within North Carolina’s Department of Commerce aimed at supporting small business development through grants for workforce training, infrastructure improvements after natural disasters such as Hurricane Helene, technical assistance initiatives like NCWorks Work-Based Learning grants funded by federal relief dollars, nondilutive research awards under One North Carolina Small Business Program (open through June 30), rural economic development efforts including building reuse projects across dozens of counties last year alone—and tourism-based strategies such as CORE adopted by multiple communities.
State agencies collaborate with educational institutions and private organizations to offer resources like mentoring services via SCORE or Veterans outreach centers; financial assistance; export support; research help; technical guidance; community college business centers; plus information through a toll-free hotline known as Small Business Advisors.
Applications for some grant programs remain open into summer months while recovery funds continue assisting those affected by recent storms—demonstrating an ongoing commitment toward helping new ventures thrive across both urban centers and rural areas.
