The New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC), an agency of the Department of State, joins the nation in celebrating National Small Business Week, which runs from April 30 – May 6, 2023. This annual event recognizes the significant contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. To celebrate small businesses and the New Jerseyans behind them, NJBAC will use its social media platforms to spotlight small businesses that are contributing to the statewide economy and amplify small business successes and resources among statewide agencies throughout National Small Business Week. NJBAC will also be participating in small business resource webinars sponsored by the NJ Economic Development Agency. https://www.njeda.com/events/

Small businesses in New Jersey are significant contributors, stimulating critical economic activity and providing job opportunities. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, New Jersey is home to over 953,000 small businesses, which represents 99.6% of all businesses in the state. Nearly 2 million employees, which is over 49% of all employees in New Jersey, are employed by a small business.

To nurture success and ensure access to resources and funding programs, the New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC) and its Office of Small Business Advocacy provide free small business consulting services and host “Resource for Growth” events throughout the year that connect business owners with state and county representatives, lenders, and community partners. Throughout the annual week of small business recognition, NJBAC will focus on sharing small business resource information through its digital channels, which will include highlighting winners from this year’s NJ Small Business Development Center’s (NJSBDC) Small Business Success Awards.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and we are proud to support their growth and success,” said Secretary of State Tahesha Way. “Through our Office of Small Business Advocacy and NJBAC, we offer a variety of resources to help businesses navigate the challenges they face, from licensing and regulatory processes to procurement and export assistance.”

The NJBAC’s Executive Director, Melanie Willoughby, added, “We understand that running a small business can be challenging, and we are here to help. Our business advocates are available to work closely with businesses and connect them with the appropriate experts to reach their goals. We can facilitate meetings, handle follow-ups, and provide confidential assistance at no cost to the business owner.”

The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that small businesses create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year, and more than half of Americans either own or work for a small business. The NJBAC is committed to helping New Jersey’s small businesses thrive and succeed, and urges all business owners to reach out to their office for support.

For more information on how the NJBAC and Office of Small Business Advocacy assists small businesses, please call the Business Helpline at 1-800-JERSEY-7 (1-800-537-7397) or access the live chat through https://business.nj.gov/