WHEREAS, according to the US Department of Labor, most new jobs created throughout the United States in the past decade have come from the creative efforts of entrepreneurs and small businesses; and

WHEREAS, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education, and partner organizations established National Entrepreneurship Week through US House Resolution 699 approved June 7, 2006 to annually observe the contributions of entrepreneurs; and

WHEREAS, a local group of service providers from Henderson, Knox, Mercer, and Warren Counties along with other rural communities have formed the Entrepreneurship Support Network of West Central Illinois to regionally serve entrepreneurs  by providing technical assistance, offering financing, promoting innovation, and developing an entrepreneurial culture within our communities; and

WHEREAS, the Entrepreneurial Support Network of West Central Illinois in recognition of National Entrepreneurship Week 2010 from February 21 to 28 will launch a business plan competition for highschoolers, an awards celebration for small business leaders, and create an entrepreneurial newsletter.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Salvador Garza, Mayor of the City of Galesburg, Illinois do hereby proclaim February 21 – 27, 2010

NATIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK

in the City of Galesburg and urge our citizens, educational institutions, economic development agencies, and business community to recognize the efforts of our local entrepreneurs and encourage the spirit of entrepreneurialism in our community.

   Dated this 1^st day of February, 2010.