Celebrating Small Businesses

The Elbert County Board of County Commissioners have proclaimed April 30-May 6, 2023 National Small Business Week in Elbert County Colorado.  For over 50 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has been supporting this event recognizing and acknowledging the contributions of America’s small business owners and entrepreneurs. 

Small businesses make America hum as they are truly the engine of our economy.  According to the SBA, there are more than 33 million small businesses in the US, which account for over 99 percent of all US businesses.  In Colorado there are over 650,000 small businesses, employing 1.1M people.   Elbert County alone boasts nearly 800 businesses. 

Records were broken in 2021 with 5.4M new business applications filed in the U.S. This statistic illustrates that entrepreneurship is booming.  The SBA administers the Small Business Development Centers program (SBDC) around the country.  Our Economic Development team partners with our local SBDC agency and can help support small businesses seeking resources, counseling, training, and general assistance. 

Photo from left to right: Elbert County Commissioner Chris Richardson, Kiowa Car Wash Owner Robert Kirch, Elbert County Director of Community and Economic Development Marc Dettenrieder, and Elbert County Commissioner Grant Thayer.