to WorkDECATUR – TCCI Manufacturing has been certified by Great Place to Work for the second year in a row.

Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation.

The prestigious award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at the company.

“Great Place to Work Certification isn’t something that comes easily — it takes ongoing dedication to the employee experience,” said Sarah Lewis-Kulin, vice president of global recognition at Great Place to Work. “It’s the only official recognition determined by employees’ real-time reports of their company culture. Earning this designation means that TCCI is one of the best companies to work for in the country.”

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TCCI Manufacturing is a global compressor supplier based in Decatur.

“Our employees and their experience are our top priority, and the Great Place to Work Certification is representative of that,” said Richard Demirjian, president of TCCI Manufacturing. “TCCI’s continued success is a result of our hardworking, dedicated employees, and we are grateful and honored to receive this meaningful recognition.”

Kottich

Sarah Kottich DECATUR — Sarah Kottich has been appointed to serve as Millikin University’s executive vice president and chief strategy officer.

Kottich served as a consultant to Millikin since November 2022, working on recruitment strategies.

Kottich comes to Millikin with a long history of executive-level strategic planning and leadership, last serving as executive vice president at the College of Saint Mary, an all-female college in Omaha, Neb.

“I’m grateful that Sarah has joined our campus community,” Millikin President Jim Reynolds said. “She comes to Millikin with a wealth of experience at institutions like ours and she will provide significant leadership in the areas of strategic planning, enrollment management and help us to look for operational efficiencies which will set Millikin up for future success.”

In her 15 years at Saint Mary, Kottich had an increasingly larger role, including serving as provost where she oversaw strategic planning and guided several restructurings, before becoming executive vice president.

“I believe in the power of small private colleges, and I think we do a very good job of retaining students and graduating students when compared to bigger publics and community colleges for students who thrive in a smaller environment,” Kottich said.

Author and motivational speaker Pinky Lilani is adamant there are many simple ways to unplug and recharge over the course of the day.

of the month DECATUR — Decatur Memorial Hospital has announced its colleagues of the month for January and February.

January’s honoree is Michelle Parnell, an environmental services tech. “Whenever she works, there are little things she helps with to make our unit a little more special,” wrote her nominator. “She can be overloaded with tasks and running in every direction and never loses her ability to be compassionate toward others around her.” Parnell has worked at Decatur Memorial Hospital since 2017

February’s honoree is Agime Aliu, a main lobby receptionist. “She went above the call of duty to help me out,” wrote one nominator. Aliu has worked at Decatur Memorial Hospital since 2021.

States with the highest rates of small business employment

States with the highest rates of small business employment

2021 was a record year for people deciding to work for themselves, with 5.4 million new business applications nationwide—and 2022 has followed close on its heels. Though not all companies will have employees, the surge could lead to a rise in small business jobs in years to come.

This analysis defines small businesses as having fewer than 500 employees, which comprise more than 99% of businesses nationwide. There were more than 6 million of them in the U.S. in 2019, the most recent year of the Census Bureau’s Statistics of U.S. Businesses. These small businesses employed about 61.7 million people—a little less than half of all private workers—and paid nearly $3 trillion in wages.

Swyft Filings used Census Bureau data to identify which states have the highest rates of small businesses employment. States are ranked by the percentage of employees who worked at small businesses in 2019. The data excludes nonemployer businesses, private households, railroads, agricultural production, and most government entities.

David Gyung // Shutterstock

Small businesses employ less than half of the private workforce in most states

Nationally, 46% of employees worked for small businesses in 2019. Most states are close within that range, as well. But there are some notable exceptions.

In much of the northwest quadrant of the country, small companies held a larger share of total employees. Montana led the nation, with about 2 in 3 employees working for small bsuinesses—surpassing the national average by 20 percentage points. Leading small business industries for Montana and neighboring states include construction, professional/scientific/technical services, and real estate/leasing, according to the Small Business Association (SBA).

The relatively low cost of living in the Midwest and Mountain regions means small businesses can afford to employ more people than in states with higher living expenses or where they have to compete with larger, high-paying corporations. Montana’s companies benefit from its quality-of-life characteristics, such as work-life balance, outdoor activities, and the landscape’s natural beauty, according to a Montana High Tech Business Alliance survey.

Vermont and Maine also stood out, particularly within the Northeast. Again, the largest industries for small businesses were construction and professional/scientific/technical services, according to the SBA. Most Vermont small businesses are sole proprietorships or unincorporated businesses with a single owner who may or may not have employees.

Swyft Filings

US averages about 22 employees per business

Small businesses have 500 employees or less, but most are considerably smaller. Nearly 9 in 10 of all U.S. companies have fewer than 20 employees. On average, U.S. companies have about 22 employees.

The highest statewide average employment per business is 28 in Washington D.C. Again, the northern Mountain region maintains the lowest averages, namely in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, with Vermont following closely behind.

Swyft Filings

Business applications, including probable employers, surged in 2021

Of the 5.4 million business applications in 2021, nearly 1.8 million were likely employers. That’s more than any single year in the past 15 years. Through November 2022, about 1.5 million more applications were deemed likely to become employers.

The Census uses a variety of factors to determine likely employers (formally called high-propensity business applications). Considerations include whether an application comes from an existing corporate entity, whether it indicates a hiring plan or planned wages, and if it’s within a handful of industries that typically go on to employ others, such as accommodation, food services, manufacturing, or retail.

Startups are critical to innovation, job creation, and productivity. Though applications—likely employers or not—won’t all materialize into companies, historically, startup activity has followed business application trends fairly closely. There’s a good chance more companies, and in turn, small business jobs, will continue to grow in the months and years to come.

Swyft Filings

#51. Florida

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 40.5% (3.6 million)

– Share of businesses that are small: 98.9% (465,494)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $154.9B (36.3% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 558,818 (34.3% likely to become employers)

DNV // Shutterstock

#50. Tennessee

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 42.2% (1.2 million)

– Share of businesses that are small: 96.5% (97,229)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $49.0B (37.7% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 84,415 (33.1% likely to become employers)

Ground Picture // Shutterstock

#48. Arizona (tie)

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 42.5% (1.1 million)

– Share of businesses that are small: 97.0% (110,403)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $48.2B (37.2% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 105,966 (29.7% likely to become employers)

Diego Cervo // Shutterstock

#48. Georgia (tie)

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 42.5% (1.7 million)

– Share of businesses that are small: 97.6% (181,536)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $76.3B (35.9% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 252,191 (27.7% likely to become employers)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#47. Nevada

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 42.8% (540,004)

– Share of businesses that are small: 95.6% (52,368)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $23.5B (40.4% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 57,290 (28.5% likely to become employers)

Ground Picture // Shutterstock

#46. South Carolina

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 43.0% (837,615)

– Share of businesses that are small: 96.7% (82,820)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $32.2B (38.6% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 83,645 (26.6% likely to become employers)

Kristi Blokhin // Shutterstock

#45. Kentucky

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 43.3% (722,253)

– Share of businesses that are small: 96.1% (64,723)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $27.9B (37.2% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 42,973 (29.7% likely to become employers)

JNix // Shutterstock

#44. Indiana

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 43.8% (1.2 million)

– Share of businesses that are small: 96.9% (106,588)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $50.6B (38.2% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 76,795 (30.5% likely to become employers)

DianeGiangrossi // Shutterstock

#43. North Carolina

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 44.4% (1.7 million)

– Share of businesses that are small: 97.8% (178,487)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $71.7B (36.8% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 150,702 (30.4% likely to become employers)

mavo // Shutterstock

#42. Texas

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 44.5% (4.9 million)

– Share of businesses that are small: 98.6% (452,239)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $233.3B (38.2% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 428,385 (30.7% likely to become employers)

Follow Focus // Shutterstock

#40. Ohio (tie)

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 44.7% (2.2 million)

– Share of businesses that are small: 97.7% (179,051)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $93.7B (38.4% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 129,404 (27.6% likely to become employers)

Kenneth Sponsler // Shutterstock

#40. Illinois (tie)

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 44.7% (2.5 million)

– Share of businesses that are small: 98.1% (251,107)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $126.9B (39.0% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 156,745 (36.8% likely to become employers)

mavo // Shutterstock

#39. Missouri

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 45.3% (1.2 million)

– Share of businesses that are small: 97.3% (113,475)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $47.4B (37.8% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 74,692 (29.3% likely to become employers)

Odua Images // Shutterstock

#38. Massachusetts

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 45.4% (1.5 million)

– Share of businesses that are small: 97.7% (141,939)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $90.9B (38.0% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 65,865 (39.5% likely to become employers)

G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock

#37. Utah

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 45.5% (625,571)

– Share of businesses that are small: 96.9% (68,371)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $27.1B (40.1% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 59,709 (28.5% likely to become employers)

stefanolunardi // Shutterstock

#34. Minnesota (tie)

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 46.0% (1.3 million)

– Share of businesses that are small: 97.5% (116,317)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $57.8B (37.6% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 56,372 (32.8% likely to become employers)

iJeab // Shutterstock

#34. Virginia (tie)

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 46.0% (1.6 million)

– Share of businesses that are small: 97.6% (151,283)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $79.1B (40.1% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 113,544 (28.7% likely to become employers)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#34. Mississippi (tie)

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 46.0% (441,099)

– Share of businesses that are small: 95.8% (42,411)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $15.7B (41.5% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 51,288 (30.3% likely to become employers)

James Kirkikis // Shutterstock

#33. Pennsylvania

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 46.2% (2.6 million)

– Share of businesses that are small: 98.1% (226,511)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $115.8B (39.3% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 128,239 (30.4% likely to become employers)

James Kirkikis // Shutterstock

#32. Iowa

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 46.6% (644,100)

– Share of businesses that are small: 96.8% (61,192)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $26.4B (41.4% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 27,793 (30.3% likely to become employers)

Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#31. Alabama

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 46.8% (822,668)

– Share of businesses that are small: 96.4% (71,997)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $33.7B (42.4% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 65,708 (27.5% likely to become employers)

mentatdgt // Shutterstock

#30. Arkansas

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 47.2% (497,605)

– Share of businesses that are small: 96.3% (49,321)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $18.5B (39.9% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 34,686 (31.1% likely to become employers)

DGLimages // Shutterstock

#29. Delaware

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 47.4% (195,792)

– Share of businesses that are small: 93.4% (19,768)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $9.7B (40.5% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 41,852 (31.8% likely to become employers)

88studio // Shutterstock

#28. Colorado

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 47.6% (1.2 million)

– Share of businesses that are small: 97.6% (140,662)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $58.3B (41.0% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 106,527 (32.8% likely to become employers)

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#26. California (tie)

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 47.9% (7.4 million)

– Share of businesses that are small: 99.2% (783,945)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $415.0B (38.5% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 448,998 (42.3% likely to become employers)

Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#26. Michigan (tie)

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 47.9% (1.9 million)

– Share of businesses that are small: 98.0% (170,405)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $85.4B (42.0% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 125,765 (28.0% likely to become employers)

Zivica Kerkez // Shutterstock

#25. New York

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 48.1% (4.1 million)

– Share of businesses that are small: 98.9% (461,206)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $230.1B (38.2% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 275,163 (41.3% likely to become employers)

Kenneth Sponsler // Shutterstock

#24. Connecticut

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 48.2% (741,920)

– Share of businesses that are small: 96.7% (68,118)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $39.5B (39.4% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 41,152 (29.2% likely to become employers)

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#23. Nebraska

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 48.3% (413,735)

– Share of businesses that are small: 96.3% (42,117)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $17.0B (43.1% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 18,981 (31.1% likely to become employers)

Carrastock // Shutterstock

#21. West Virginia (tie)

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 48.6% (269,473)

– Share of businesses that are small: 94.9% (24,717)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $9.9B (41.6% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 12,709 (31.4% likely to become employers)

mavo // Shutterstock

#21. Washington DC (tie)

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 48.6% (257,236)

– Share of businesses that are small: 92.3% (17,326)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $19.4B (43.3% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 13,143 (26.8% likely to become employers)

Milan Ilic Photographer // Shutterstock

#20. Wisconsin

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 48.8% (1.3 million)

– Share of businesses that are small: 97.3% (105,731)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $53.3B (40.7% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 59,192 (29.8% likely to become employers)

owloncloud // Shutterstock

#19. New Jersey

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 49.2% (1.9 million)

– Share of businesses that are small: 98.2% (191,253)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $96.6B (40.3% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 141,760 (29.2% likely to become employers)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#18. Hawaii

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 49.3% (272,459)

– Share of businesses that are small: 96.0% (24,677)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $11.6B (44.9% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 17,109 (31.1% likely to become employers)

Jeff Whyte // Shutterstock

#17. Maryland

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 49.4% (1.2 million)

– Share of businesses that are small: 97.3% (107,212)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $61.2B (44.7% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 91,187 (29.0% likely to become employers)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#15. New Hampshire (tie)

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 49.7% (308,296)

– Share of businesses that are small: 95.4% (29,544)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $15.2B (45.9% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 12,779 (31.3% likely to become employers)

Olga Enger // Shutterstock

#15. Kansas (tie)

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 49.7% (601,426)

– Share of businesses that are small: 96.0% (55,101)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $24.9B (43.6% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 28,611 (34.2% likely to become employers)

Andriy Blokhin // Shutterstock

#14. Washington

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 49.8% (1.4 million)

– Share of businesses that are small: 98.0% (156,575)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $74.4B (38.9% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 81,691 (33.1% likely to become employers)

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#13. Oklahoma

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 51.1% (718,033)

– Share of businesses that are small: 96.8% (70,983)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $29.0B (44.5% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 50,743 (30.5% likely to become employers)

Aleksandar Karanov // Shutterstock

#12. Rhode Island

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 51.2% (227,699)

– Share of businesses that are small: 95.1% (23,244)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $10.5B (46.2% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 10,060 (33.0% likely to become employers)

Natalia Deriabina // Shutterstock

#11. Alaska

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 52.3% (138,517)

– Share of businesses that are small: 96.1% (16,691)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $7.5B (45.5% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 7,788 (35.2% likely to become employers)

Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#10. Louisiana

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 52.7% (905,726)

– Share of businesses that are small: 97.1% (79,135)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $38.7B (47.0% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 74,272 (26.9% likely to become employers)

sirtravelalot // Shutterstock

#9. New Mexico

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 53.7% (346,374)

– Share of businesses that are small: 95.1% (32,776)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $13.7B (48.7% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 24,845 (28.0% likely to become employers)

Fh Photo // Shutterstock

#8. Oregon

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 54.4% (893,405)

– Share of businesses that are small: 97.5% (94,568)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $39.3B (44.9% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 45,738 (33.5% likely to become employers)

Esteban Martinena Guerrer // Shutterstock

#7. North Dakota

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 55.7% (196,770)

– Share of businesses that are small: 95.2% (18,867)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $9.1B (49.9% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 7,460 (31.5% likely to become employers)

RUBEN M RAMOS // Shutterstock

#5. Maine (tie)

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 56.3% (293,748)

– Share of businesses that are small: 96.6% (33,300)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $12.0B (49.7% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 11,974 (37.0% likely to become employers)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#5. Idaho (tie)

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 56.3% (347,193)

– Share of businesses that are small: 96.6% (41,174)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $13.1B (48.4% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 27,513 (32.8% likely to become employers)

Jess Kraft // Shutterstock

#4. South Dakota

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 58.0% (208,353)

– Share of businesses that are small: 95.8% (21,473)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $8.0B (51.0% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 9,695 (32.5% likely to become employers)

DGLimages // Shutterstock

#3. Vermont

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 60.2% (157,131)

– Share of businesses that are small: 95.6% (16,962)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $6.7B (56.3% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 6,938 (33.6% likely to become employers)

James Kirkikis // Shutterstock

#2. Wyoming

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 64.1% (132,595)

– Share of businesses that are small: 95.6% (17,777)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $5.9B (56.6% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 37,992 (21.9% likely to become employers)

Yuganov Konstantin // Shutterstock

#1. Montana

– Share of workers employed by small businesses: 66.8% (250,680)

– Share of businesses that are small: 97.2% (32,614)

– Annual payroll of small businesses: $9.6B (60.1% of state’s private payroll)

– 2022 small business applications through November: 19,064 (31.3% likely to become employers)

This story originally appeared on Swyft Filings and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

William Campbell // Getty Images

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