Every November, Americans honor the men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform. During National Veterans Small Business Week, celebrated this year from Nov. 9 to 13, we also recognize the veterans, service members, military spouses, and military families who continue serving America in another way: by building businesses, creating jobs, and strengthening the communities they call home.
In Montana veterans make up 6.1 percent of all workers and own 8.5 percent of total businesses. More than 9,400 businesses are owned by veterans which employ thousands of Montanans.
This year’s theme, “Honoring Veteran-Owned, American Made,” reflects a simple truth. American-made represents quality, resilience, and strength – and veteran entrepreneurs embody those values every day.
Veteran-owned businesses are central to the American economy. More than 1.8 million veteran-owned small businesses generate about $1.3 trillion in annual sales, pay $258 billion in payroll, and employ more than 4 million Americans. About 7 percent of the nation’s 632,000 small manufacturers are veteran-owned, punching above their weight as a share of the population.
Read the article.