'Build resilient businesses' — SBA celebrates 70th anniversary

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA was founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on July 30, 1953 when he signed the landmark “Small Business Act,” which established the agency and made it a policy to support and protect the interests of small businesses.

“Small businesses are a driving force of our nation’s economy, and the building blocks of our communities. Small business owners are working hard every day to produce the products and services we rely on, develop innovative technologies, and create jobs that fuel our local economies. For seventy years, the SBA has been dedicated to the mission of helping to start, grow and build resilient businesses.” SBA Seattle District Director Kerrie Hurd said.

“Here in the Seattle District, it is an honor to deliver this mission with the help of our Resource Partner network and dedicated lenders and stakeholders, we are connecting small business owners with access to capital, government contracting opportunities, disaster assistance, and the training and technical assistance to help them succeed.” 

In August, the SBA kicks off a monthlong anniversary celebration, including the announcement of 68 Legacy Business recipients in the coming days and weeks. Many Legacy Business recipients started small and leveraged SBA resources on their journey to becoming household names.

In honor of the anniversary, here are five things you may not know about small businesses and the U.S. Small Business Administration:

1) How many small businesses are there in Washington and Idaho?

There are 657,529 small businesses operating in Washington and 183,972 in Idaho. Small businesses account for 99.5% and 99.2% of all businesses in the states, respectively.

2) For every net new job, how many are created by small business?

Two out of three net new jobs created are created by small business. Small businesses in Washington state support 1.4 million employees (49.8% of employees), while in Idaho small businesses support 347,193 employees (56.3% of employees).

3) How long has the SBA celebrated National Small Business Week?

President John F. Kennedy proclaimed the first National Small Business Week 60 years ago in 1963. Since then, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week each year, recognizing the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.

In 2023, the SBA Seattle District recognized five Small Business Week award winners:

• Washington State Small Business Person of the Year: Jennifer Weddermann, Weddermann Architecture in Tacoma

• Exporter of the Year (Seattle District winner and Pacific Northwest Region winner): Tool Gauge in Tacoma

• 8(a) Graduate of the Year (Seattle District): ST Fabrication in Orting

• Rural Small Business of the Year (Seattle District): Jack and Jill’s Kits for Kids in Ellensburg

• Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Seattle District): Iyad’s Syrian Grill on Vashon Island

4) How many Administrators have led the SBA in 70 years?

Since the founding of the SBA in 1953, the agency has been led by 27 administrators. The longest-serving administrator was Wendell B. Barnes, who led the agency under President Dwight D. Eisenhower from February 9, 1954, to November 21, 1959.

Today, the agency is led by Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman. On Monday, July 31, 2023, Administrator Guzman rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange to celebrate the SBA 70th Anniversary milestone. Read the Administrator’s comments on the 70th Anniversary here.

5) How many district offices are located across the nation?

SBA programs and services are delivered through 68 district offices covering every U.S. state and territory. The Seattle District serves small businesses across Washington and northern Idaho with an office in Seattle and a branch office in Spokane. 

Learn more about SBA programs, SBA Resource Partners, and connect with local staff by visiting our Seattle District website www.sba.gov/wa.