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February 15-22, 2025: Entrepreneurship Week

WHEREAS, entrepreneurship is a key building block to success in the workplace and communities as it brings ideas, creativity, and innovation to life and drives economic growth on local, state, and national levels; and,

WHEREAS, according to the 2023 Small Business Profile, business owners by demographics in Michigan are women (43.5%), veterans (5.2%), Hispanics (3.1%), and racial minorities (16.3%); and,

WHEREAS, according to the Statistics of U.S. Businesses, U.S. Census Bureau (SUSB), 908,007 small firms have established themselves in the state—that’s 99.6% of all businesses in Michigan; and,

WHEREAS, 1.9 million individuals are employed by small businesses in the state, comprising 47.3% of the private workforce (SUSB).

WHEREAS, during this week and as we work toward a better Michigan, we encourage youth and all citizens throughout the state to explore innovative ways in which entrepreneurship education can bring together the core academic, technical, and problem-solving skills essential for the success of our state's future entrepreneurs; and,

WHEREAS, a total of 14,265 identified firms exported goods worth $52.5 billion from Michigan in 2021. Of those exporters, 12,688 (89.9%) were small. Exports by small firms reached $12.1 billion, making up 23.1% of exports by identified firms.

WHEREAS, according to the Ipsos for Junior Achievement (JA) USA, more than half of Junior Achievement alumni report having started or owned a business (or multiple businesses) at least once in their life (51% overall – 45% White JA Alumni, 53%, Black JA Alumni, 67% Hispanic/Latino JA Alumni); and,

WHEREAS, the State of Michigan offers a network of support hubs and funding resources to help high-tech entrepreneurs and small businesses access mentoring, networking events, product development, grant writing, business planning, technology mining, market analysis, and more to support their business growth; and,

WHEREAS, during this month, we join with other states in engaging public and private organizations to spark entrepreneurial initiatives that can serve as a catalyst for new economic opportunities;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, and Garlin Gilchrist II, lieutenant governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim February 15-22, 2025, as Entrepreneurship Week in Michigan.