Small Employers, Big Impact: Why Johnson County Celebrates Small Business Week
This week (May 3-9) is National Small Business Week, a time to recognize the entrepreneurs and small business owners who power our economy and shape the character of our communities.
For more than 60 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration has led this national celebration, highlighting the innovation, resilience, and impact of America’s small businesses. Today, there are more than 36 million small businesses across the country. Here in Johnson County, their presence and impact are especially meaningful.
The SBA defines a small business as one with fewer than 500 employees. In Johnson County, the reality is far more local and far more personal. The vast majority of our businesses are much smaller. In fact, 82% of Aspire Johnson County members have fewer than 50 employees.
That local lens tells a powerful story.
Johnson County is home to approximately 5,000 small employers with fewer than 50 employees. Together, they support more than 32,000 jobs and generate $4.7 billion in annual economic activity.
When you account for supply chains and household spending, those businesses help drive an estimated $7 to $9+ billion in total economic impact annually and support as many as 50,000 to 65,000 jobs across our local economy.
This isn’t just a contribution. It’s a core driver of our local economy. But the importance of small businesses goes well beyond the numbers.
Across Johnson County, small businesses have fueled the resurgence of our downtowns, bringing new life to once vacant storefronts and creating destinations where people want to gather. They offer unique experiences that define a community, including locally owned restaurants, one-of-a-kind shops, and spaces that reflect the personality of the people who live here.
They are also central to quality of life.
Today’s workforce, along with the companies competing for that workforce, evaluates communities differently than in the past. They look for vibrant places to live, not just places to work. Small businesses play a critical role in shaping that environment and help attract and retain both residents and employers.
That impact extends to tourism as well. Johnson County’s $341 million visitor economy is strengthened by small businesses that create memorable experiences and give visitors a reason to explore, stay, and return.
In short, small businesses do more than participate in our economy. They help define it.
For those considering starting a business, there has never been a better time to take the first step. Aspire Johnson County connects aspiring entrepreneurs with no cost coaching and mentorship through trusted partners like SCORE, the Business Ownership Initiative, and the Indiana Small Business Development Center. These resources are available to anyone in our community, regardless of membership. If you are ready to take the first step, visit AspireJohnsonCounty.com.
That is part of how we strengthen our local economy by supporting those willing to build something new.
This National Small Business Week, do something simple but powerful. Choose to support a small business. Every purchase, every visit, and every referral helps sustain the entrepreneurs who are creating jobs, investing in our community, and shaping Johnson County’s future.
Small employers are not just part of our economy. They are the backbone of it.