This is National Small Business Week. May 3-9. The Greater Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce embraces the celebration of Small Business and recognizes the majority of its members as Small Business and is promoting Small Business Month.

C-WC Chamber President and CEO Tim James was at the State House with state elected members as Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette proclaimed Thursday, April 28, , as Small Business Day. There will also be more.

Over the month of May, the C-WC Chamber will host events, programs and educational sessions, with a culmination of the Annual Small Business Luncheon where many in attendance will be recognized for their commitment to the business community.

National Small Business Week was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy, it is an annual event, normally held the first week in May to recognize the critical contributions of America’s Small Businesses, and their entrepreneurship owners.

The program is administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and is funneled locally to the state and local Chambers of Commerce to celebrate small businesses as the backbone of the economy, of which creates and sustains two-thirds of net new jobs.

Further educating the hundreds that were in attendance about the State of South Carolina is home of more than 530,000 small businesses, and responsible for more than 70% of the new jobs created last year.

South Carolina is the fastest growing state for job growth, with a 3.1 % increase last year, the state in 2nd place has only a 2% in job growth last year. Our Chamber and its Board of Directors is excited focus on the small business members over the month of May and share ways that our community can help support the men and women who have invested in our lives.

Key Historical facts
* 1963 Inception: President Kennedy signed the first Presidential Proclamation
establishing the week to honor top entrepreneurs with awards and special
recognition.
* SBA Role: The Small Business Administration, created in 1953, has used this
week to offer educational workshops, recognize successes, and highlight
resources for small businesses.
* Significance: It serves to highlight the impact of small businesses on local and
national economies, with small businesses still generating 40% of the nation’s
economic output.
 Evolution: Since its inception, the week has focused on boosting small business
growth, honoring entrepreneurship across all sectors, and hosting national
events like virtual summits.
The tradition has continued under every president since 1963