NFIB State Director Rosemary Elebash, NFIB Alabama Leadership Council Chair Brett Ballard, and Vice Chair Gwyn Pirnie joined Gov. Kay Ivey today as she signed a proclamation recognizing this as National Small Business Week.

“We’re grateful to Governor Ivey for recognizing the vital role small businesses play in our state,” Elebash said. “Small businesses are the backbone of Alabama’s economy, and this proclamation shows that our state’s leadership understands the challenges and contributions of Main Street enterprises.”

Ballard, of Southern Independent Bank in Opp, said, “Small business owners aren’t just employers. They’re neighbors, volunteers, and leaders in every community across the state. We appreciate the governor taking the time to honor their impact.”

Pirnie, of Conference America, in Troy, said, “Running a small business isn’t always easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. It means a lot to have this kind of recognition from the governor.”

Small businesses account for 99.4 percent of all employers in the state and employ over 800,000 people statewide, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Small Business Administration.