Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Seth Effron
Date: September 7, 2006 Phone: 919/733-5612
GOV. EASLEY ANNOUNCES N.C. LEADS IN GROWTH OF WOMEN-OWNED FIRMS
Small Business Administration Report Ranks North Carolina Ranks 5th Nationally
RALEIGH - Gov. Mike Easley today announced that a new Small Business Administration Report ranked North Carolina fifth among states with the most growth in women-owned firms. According to the report, these firms in North Carolina grew faster than the national average for women-owned businesses and significantly faster than the rate of growth for all firms.
“North Carolina provides a business climate where those with drive, ambition and vision can succeed,” said Easley. “We continue to earn these kinds of accolades because of our emphasis on top-quality education, worker training and infrastructure.
“Providing a workforce with the knowledge, talent and skill employers need to compete in the global economy brings high quality jobs to hard working North Carolina families. It is no surprise that since 2001, our state has successfully recruited 163,380 jobs and more than $26.2 billion in investment.”
The report, “Women in Business: A Demographic Review of Women’s Business Ownership,” was issued in August by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy. It ranked women-owned firms in the states by their rate of growth.
“Women business ownership has greatly influenced the economy in general and women’s economic well-being in particular,” the report says. Women owned 6.5 million businesses nationally in 2002, according the report, accounting for 28 percent of all non-farm firms in the nation.
Women-owned businesses, from the period studies in the report 1997 to 2002, grew at a faster rate than business overall in the United States. In North Carolina, women own 173,847 firms, with total receipts of $26.7 million, and employ 225,440 workers with a payroll in excess of $4.9 billion, according to the 2002 statistics, the latest information available from the report.
“This shows good potential in North Carolina,” said report author Ying Lowrey. “Fostering support for entrepreneurs, particularly women, will only help the state’s economy.”
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