SACRAMENTO – Gov. Edmund G. Brown, Jr. issued an official proclamation declaring the month of May as “California Small Business Month.”

“This month, we reaffirm our commitment to helping California’s small businesses thrive and prosper,” said Gov. Brown. “The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, along with key agencies of state government, works to facilitate economic growth through collaboration with small businesses. Supporting small-scale private- sector job creators is among our most promising strategies to enhance California’s human capital, expand job opportunities and increase our competitive advantage in the global marketplace.”

As part of Small Business Month, California Small Business Advocate Barbara Vohryzek on Thursday spoke to a wide array of business owners, city leaders, and small business advocates at San Francisco’s Small Business Week event.  

Vohryzek recognized the contributions and importance of California’s 3.5 million small business owners, the largest amount of any state.

“As the single biggest business sector of our state, California’s small businesses have been the foundation of our state’s continuing – and accelerating – recovery,” said Vohryzek. “As California’s Small Business Advocate I am proud to serve and support these dynamic business owners across the Golden State.”

Brown’s proclamation highlights the importance of the state’s 3.5 million small businesses which comprise 99 percent of all firms and employ 52 percent of the workforce.  

GO-Biz works closely with small business owners to provide resources and technical assistance, help them navigate the State’s regulatory and procurement processes.

The Small Business Advocate has held a series of “GO-Biz Brown Bag It!”  events across the state on issues crucial to California small businesses including implementing the Affordable Care Act, access to training funds, GO-Biz support services and more.

For more information visit: www.business.ca.gov .