This week is National Small Business Week. Since 1963, the president of the United States has issued a proclamation recognizing the contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are 30 million small businesses across the country. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three jobs in the country each year.

In Minnesota alone, there are more than 500,000 small businesses. These businesses employ more than one million people, according to the Small Business Administration.

In Albert Lea, it is no different. Small businesses form the backbone of our community, and we appreciate all those who have stepped up both in years past and in recent months to start new business ventures. We hope you find success in your efforts.

Albert Lea has a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and it is always exciting to see the success of companies that started small and now sell their products or services in multiple states across the country.

The community has many examples of success stories, and we are sure there will be many more to come.

We encourage people to go out of their way to support local small businesses this week — whether it’s a restaurant, retail store or a service-oriented company, they are all around us.

Let’s help them grow.