Orange County NC Website
1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: May 2, 2017 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-I <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 whereby Orange County joins the Small Business <br /> Administration to designate the week of April 30 through May 6, 2017 as National Small <br /> Business Week, and honor small businesses for their contributions to the economy of the <br /> 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 our <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. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with approval of the <br /> proclamation. <br />