Google Data

Posted by Seth Webb, Senior Policy Manager

It's no secret that Google started out as a small business operating out of a Silicon Valley garage. We've consistently supported small business growth because we understand that our success depends on the success of our small business partners. With that in mind, earlier this year we launched the Small Business Network to help small businesses track legislation that might affect their growth.

Today, we're pleased to announce that we've redesigned our Small Business Network website to serve as a product toolkit in addition to a policy monitor. Entrepreneurs will be able to learn about products that help them run their businesses more efficiently and exchange ideas and best practices with other entrepreneurs, all while keeping up with legislation pending in federal and state governments that could affect their bottom line.

Over the next few months, we'll also be traveling the country, bringing free interactive workshops -- or as we call them, "Small Business 101s" -- to local businesses across America. These workshops are intended to help entrepreneurs become more familiar with online tools proven to help them succeed. Our next event is on September 22, 2009 at our Pittsburgh office. If you're in the area and would like to join us, please sign up here.

We're working to come up with products, services and programs that will help small businesses start up, stay up, and grow, because it's obvious that small business is the backbone of the economy. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses have generated more then 64 percent of the new jobs created over the last 15 years. Today, small businesses also pay 44 percent of the total payroll in the United States and hire 40 percent of the high-tech workers in this country -- like scientists, engineers and computer programmers.

As our country recovers from the recession, it's important to remember that many Americans will continue to face a long and difficult road as they struggle to pay bills or find work over the next several months. Enabling and promoting small business growth is a vital part of the solution.