Governor Ivey Proclaims National Small Business Week in Alabama
Montgomery, Ala. — Governor Kay Ivey has officially declared May 4-11, 2025, as National Small Business Week in Alabama, celebrating the vital role small businesses play in the state’s economy and job creation.
“Small businesses are the engine that keep Alabama moving forward—powering local economies, creating good jobs and strengthening communities in every corner of our state,” Ivey stated. She noted that due to the leadership of President Trump, Alabama is enjoying a “Golden Age” for small enterprises, emphasizing the state’s vibrant entrepreneurial spirit.
Small businesses comprise a staggering 99.4 percent of all businesses in Alabama, employing 46.7 percent of the private sector workforce. Over the last 25 years, small business employment has risen by nearly 10 percent, and these enterprises are critical to the state’s trade, exporting over $4.4 billion annually.
This year’s celebration highlights the work of Kimberly and Larry Lewis, owners of PROJECTXYZ, INC. in Huntsville, who have been named Alabama’s 2025 Small Business Persons of the Year. Janita R. Stewart, the SBA Alabama District Director (Acting), praised their contributions, affirming that over 449,000 small businesses in Alabama collectively bolster the state’s economy.
Additional accolades from the SBA include:
- Rural-Owned Small Business of the Year: Dulane Tolbert, CEO of Tolbert Insurance Agency, Inc., Oneonta
- Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year: Sean Chappell, CEO of Southern Sun Laundry, Foley
- Women-Owned Small Business of the Year: Lori Purnell, CEO of Spencer Environmental Consultants, LLC, Birmingham
- Phoenix Award for Disaster Recovery: Pastor John E. Grayson, Gospel Tabernacle Church, Selma
All honorees have benefited from the Alabama Small Business Development Center network’s resources and support, further emphasizing the collaborative effort to empower local businesses.
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