Have you thanked an entrepreneur lately?

If the answer is no, then this is a perfect opportunity as we enter National Small Business Week, May 3-9, 2026.

This is my second National Small Business Week as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration; I’m reminded just how much small businesses shape the strength and character of our communities.

Across our region, entrepreneurs show up, take risks, and build something meaningful – not just for themselves, but for their employees, their families, and their neighborhood. From rural towns to growing downtowns, small businesses are creating opportunities, driving innovation, and anchoring local economies.

Here in Pennsylvania, we see the impact every day, with more than 1.1 million small businesses making up over 99 percent of businesses in the Keystone State. Did you know they employ more than 2.5 million employees, which is 42.5 percent of the state’s workforce?

At the U.S. Small Business Administration, our role is to make sure entrepreneurs don’t have to go it alone. We work alongside our lending partners, resource organizations, and local stakeholders to connect small businesses with the tools they need – whether that’s access to capital, counseling, or opportunities to compete for federal contracts.

National Small Business Week is also about recognizing excellence. In Pennsylvania, we are proud to honor the following businesses, whose leadership and commitment set a high bar for what small businesses can achieve.

— Western PA District, Pennsylvania, and Mid-Atlantic Region Manufacturer of the Year, Value Added Processing, Inc. VAP Steel, East Pittsburgh.

— Western PA District Small Business Person of the Year, Mary Mancini Hartner, Mancini’s Bakery, Inc., McKees Rocks.

— Western PA District Rural Small Business Person of the Year, John Levi Esh, Jr., Goot Essa, Howard.

— Western PA District Blue-Collar Small Business Person of the Year, Nathaniel Schiffer, Schiffer’s Custom Cabinetry, Seneca.

— Western PA Small Business Director’s Choice Award, Revolution Energy Services, Washington.

But recognition shouldn’t stop at just one week.

The next time you grab a coffee, shop local, or hire a service – take a moment to say thank you. Your support fuels dreams, creates jobs, and keeps our communities strong.

I encourage everyone to take part in National Small Business Week and shop locally, thank an entrepreneur, and learn more about the resources available to help small businesses succeed. Small businesses continue to show us what’s possible with hard work, resilience, and a little bit of courage.

It’s our job to make sure they have every opportunity to succeed.

Jim Spencer is the Small Business Association Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator. It serves Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.