Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has proclaimed National Small Business Week to recognize the contributions of small businesses to the economic well-being of America. In 2010, National Small Business Week (May 23-29) will honor the estimated 27.2 million small businesses in America. Small businesses are major contributors to the strength of the American economy: nationally, more than half of Americans either own or work for a small business. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), small businesses drive innovation, create 21st century jobs and increase U.S. competitiveness.
The SBA defines a small business as any business under 250 employees. In Arlington, with average employees per business at 20.4, it is clear that small businesses –especially micro-businesses – play a prominent role in our local economy. Some 93% of all Arlington businesses have fewer than 50 employees, and 60% of Arlington businesses have fewer than five employees. Arlington small businesses benefit from proximity to Washington, D.C., and the federal government with more than 2,000 small businesses in the management consulting and professional and technical services sectors. As is the case nationally, Arlington small businesses drive innovation and help maintain Arlington’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Arlington is a location where small businesses can thrive. Proximity to the Pentagon and Washington, D.C., plus a dense, urban location and a highly educated workforce help Arlington’s small businesses contract with the federal government and develop working relationships with each other. In fact, ten of the recently named Virginia Fantastic 50 winners are located in Arlington. The Virginia Fantastic 50 Awards recognizes the fifty fastest growing companies in Virginia. Catapult Consultants, Morgan Borszcz Consulting (MBC), Ideal Innovations Inc., Arc Aspicio, Advanced Systems Development Inc., Transformation Systems Inc., RNB Technologies Inc., Capterra, PRO-telligent LLC, and Stargates were all named to this prestigious list.
Intelligent Community Forum representative John Jung commented during a recent visit to Arlington, that Arlington “played well beyond its size.” Arlington is without a doubt one of the smaller locations within the Washington, D.C. metro region. It is, however, that smaller size that works to the advantage of many small businesses in Arlington. This week, Arlington welcomed DARPA Director Dr. Regina Dugan to speak at its most recent Executive Luncheon Series. Thirty of Arlington’s top executives gathered to hear from the leader of one of the nation’s most interesting organizations, and to network with each other. The ability of organizations to develop mutually beneficial working relationships in a small, intimate setting is one of the many advantages of an Arlington location.
This weekend, many of Arlington’s best known small businesses – our restaurants – will participate in the Annual Taste of Arlington. Over 40 restaurants participate in this spectacular community event, which draws an average of 15,000 people each year who live in the greater Washington, D.C. area. ShopArlington will also be there to distribute free water and ShopArlington Savings Cards to help promote these retail businesses. We encourage you – during Small Business Week, and in the weeks and months in the future – to patronize Arlington’s small businesses. It is our collective, lasting support which helps Arlington’s small businesses continue to thrive.
