Nearly 99 percent of state businesses considered small

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Statistics show nearly 99 percent of all businesses in North Dakota are considered small businesses.

Those employers make up more than 72,700 businesses in North Dakota, employing nearly 211,000 people - or about 58 percent of all employees in the state.

The U.S. Small Business Administration defines a small business as any firm employing fewer than 500 people.

KXMB-TV reports SBA figures show about 86 percent of all North Dakota companies employ 1 to 20 people. The remaining 14 percent have at least 20 employees, but less than 500 workers.

National Small Business Week is April 29 to May 5.

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Information from: KXMB-TV, http://www.kxnet.com