Governor Holcomb Declares Small Business Week in Indiana

State celebrates economic contributions of small businesses and entrepreneurs

INDIANAPOLIS (April 30, 2018) – Governor Eric J. Holcomb today issued a proclamation declaring April 30 - May 6 as Small Business Week in Indiana, celebrating the nearly 500,000 small businesses in Indiana and the more than 1.2 million hardworking Hoosiers they employ. 

"This week we recognize all the many ways small businesses drive our state’s economy forward,” Gov. Holcomb said. “With their persistence and entrepreneurial spirit, small business owners create jobs and all the opportunities that are vital parts of every one of our Hoosier communities."

National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America's entrepreneurs and small business owners, has been celebrated since 1963. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and small businesses create about two of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. 

In Indiana, state leaders, small businesses, entrepreneurs, innovators and small business advocates will join Hoosiers to celebrate the small business community's economic contributions and the role Indiana's entrepreneurs play in driving innovation and creating 21st century jobs. 

Small Business Week Schedule:

Monday, April 30: Small Business Roundtable 

• Elaine Bedel, president of the IEDC, will participate in a panel discussion with local small business owners and the South Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC). 
• 2-4 p.m., CoWork Bloomington, 213 S. Rodgers St., Bloomington

Tuesday, May 1: Small Business Coffee Chat 

• Bedel will discuss the challenges faced by local small business owners in east central Indiana.
• 8-9 a.m., Heaven's Delight Bakery & Cafe, 1309 Park Road, Anderson

Wednesday, May 2: Indiana Small Business Impact Awards

• Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and Bedel will recognize Indiana entrepreneurs and the work of the Indiana SBDC regional teams who support small business.
• 11-1 p.m., Dallara IndyCar Factory, 1201 N. Main St., Speedway 

Indiana has an A+ rating for small business friendliness (Thumbtack 2017) and ranks top 10 in the nation on the small business policy index (SBE Council 2017). Hosted by the IEDC, the Indiana SBDC provides entrepreneurs with expert guidance and resources on how to start and grow a business, including:strategy development, business planning and valuation, export assistance and market research.