Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today joined Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and the U.S. Small Business Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman to celebrate National Small Business Week and Minnesota’s Small Business Week award winners. The event took place at the Landmark Center in Saint Paul and was attended by nearly 200 small businesses, federal partners, and community leaders. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor highlighted the need for inclusive entrepreneurship, small business developments, and continued collaboration with federal partners. Minnesota is home to 534,397 small businesses, representing 99.4 percent of all Minnesota businesses.

“Small businesses are at the heart of communities across Minnesota. They drive our economic growth, culture, and innovation,” said Governor Walz. “Today we celebrated some of these outstanding small business owners and highlighted their importance in Minnesota. We are committed to strengthening our federal partnerships and investing in small businesses and breaking down barriers for future generations of entrepreneurs.”

“Small businesses provide opportunities for every Minnesotan,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “Nearly half of Minnesota’s workforce is employed by a small business, and I am grateful Second Gentleman Emhoff, SBA Administrator Guzman, and our federal partners recognize the importance of small business development to our state. Minnesotans work best when we work together to provide solutions and support for entrepreneurs and workers alike. Just as small businesses owners and employees work hard every day to better our state, we will continue to make Minnesota work better for them.”