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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: April 19, 2016 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 4-c <br /> SUBJECT: National Small Business Week Proclamation <br /> DEPARTMENT: Economic Development <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> National Small Business Week Steve Brantley, Director of Economic <br /> Proclamation Development, (919) 245-2326 <br /> Yvonne Scar lett, Business Retention <br /> Economic Developer, (919) 245-2327 <br /> PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation, joining with the U.S. Small Business Administration, to <br /> designate the week of May 1 through May 7, 2016 as National Small Business Week and honor <br /> small businesses for their contributions to the economy of the nation, state and county. <br /> BACKGROUND: Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a <br /> proclamation announcing National Small Business Week and recognizing the critical <br /> contributions of America's entrepreneurs and small business owners. Small businesses create <br /> nearly two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year, and employ more than half of all <br /> working Americans. <br /> As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the <br /> opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and <br /> other small business ventures from all 50 states and U.S. territories. The agency is working <br /> every day to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase <br /> America's global competitiveness. <br /> Orange County Economic Development will be sponsoring events that will celebrate small <br /> businesses in Orange County during the first week of May. <br /> Orange County and the Board of County Commissioners offer several initiatives that <br /> successfully assist in the retention, growth and recruitment of local businesses in the <br /> community. These resources include the small business and agri-business loan grant <br /> programs, and the LAUNCH incubator, which are all funded by the 1/4 cent sales tax proceeds <br /> (Article 46) to support economic development. Orange County small business owners who <br /> have received support from the loan and grant programs have been invited to the meeting to <br /> observe the reading of the proclamation as part of the audience. <br />