15 Apr Employer Extra: May is Small Business Month
For more than 50 years, the United States has recognized small businesses and their impact on the American culture and economy. 2016 will be no exception. The City of Charlotte has joined the nation in designating May as “Small Business Month.”
Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts‘ proclamation states that “small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, employing half of our country’s private sector workforce, and creating nearly two out of every three new jobs in our country.” And, “small businesses in Charlotte provide needed goods and services to our residents, engage in philanthropic and civic concerns, help preserve our neighborhoods and business districts, encourage youth entrepreneurship, and improve the quality of life of our citizens.”
Since May 2015, 77 percent of the new businesses registered in NCWorks Online in Charlotte were small businesses, with one in five qualifying as micro-businesses (six employees or fewer).
In the NuWire Investor article “How Important are Small Businesses to the US economy?,” James Noe, an analyst for financial information services provider Sageworks, observes that, “while the largest, publicly traded companies often dominate the news headlines, it’s small, privately-held companies that drive the bulk of GDP and job creation in the U.S.”
ADP’s Small Business Report indicates that businesses with fewer than 50 employees created 1.09 million jobs in 2015. In the Charlotte region, data from the U.S. Small Business Association indicates that there are more than 28,000 small businesses employing more than 108,000 workers and paying just below $4 billion in wages.
Charlotte Works recognizes the important role small businesses play in the development of Charlotte’s workforce. For Small Business Month, we’re hosting two workshops to help employers of any size take advantage of helpful resources:
- Small businesses often struggle with a lack of financial resources to hire and train new and existing staff. This is important for the business to stay competitive in the marketplace. Fortunately, resources are available. “Grow Your Business by Growing Your Staff” will be held on Tuesday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. This session will focus on ways employers can take advantage of available funds for On-The-Job Training Grants and training for existing workers.
- Owners and staff of small businesses often face the challenge of wearing many “hats” – having to provide services, sales, accounting, human resources (HR) and a variety of other functions. At least one of those roles can be made a little easier with the help of NCWorks Online. “HR Solutions using NCWorks Online” will explore the ways employers can make the most of NCWorks Online, North Carolina’s one-stop online resource for employers to find candidates, post jobs and search labor market information. This session will be held on Tuesday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Each of these free workshops will be held at the NCWorks Career Center at 1401 W. Morehead St., Suite 100 (28208).
To register or get more information, contact me by phone at 704.390.7093.
Learn more about Small Business Month, including a calendar with all Charlotte’s events, on Charlotte Business Resources.
Jim Korth is the business services programs manager for Charlotte Works. He has served on the business services team since January 2013. Prior to Charlotte Works, Korth worked at the N.C. Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Solutions, where he was an employment consultant, TAA (Trade Adjustment Assistance) case manager, WIA (Workforce Investment Act) case manager and special programs coordinator. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Bible from Cairn University, a master’s degree in religious education from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and a graduate certificate in public administration from Liberty University.