Press release:
State Budget Director Andrew Heath Visits Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Small Business Center
Candler, NC – State Budget Director Andrew Heath visited the Small Business Center at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) today to discuss the state’s commitment to our community colleges and small businesses. Director Heath joined Jill Sparks, Executive Director of the Small Business Center, for a tour and discussion regarding the important role community colleges play in supporting small businesses.
“Small businesses are the backbone of North Carolina’s economy,” said Director Heath. “Working together with community colleges and business leaders, Governor McCrory has helped boost our workforce training programs and lower taxes on small businesses so that they can invest more in their employees and grow their businesses.”
Since 2013, more than 300,000 new jobs have been added in North Carolina, many of which can be attributed to small business. Half of North Carolina’s total private workforce, or 1.6 million workers, are employed by small businesses.
When Governor McCrory entered office in 2013, the state and employers owed the federal government $2.5 billion in unemployment insurance debt. The governor spearheaded reforms to the state’s unemployment insurance program to pay off the debt years ahead of schedule saving businesses more than $750 million in tax surcharges.
The Small Business Center at A-B Tech helps entrepreneurs and small businesses gain the training and tools needed to build and grow successful businesses. Last year alone, the Small Business Center helped establish 25 new businesses supporting 101 jobs in the region and assisted more than 1,635 individuals through workshops, classes, seminars and counseling.
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