BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) _ Federal figures show that businesses with fewer than 100 employees employed more than 40 percent of people in North Dakota.
Figures from the U.S. Small Business Administration's most recent report show there were 1,735 companies with 20 to 99 employees in 2010 in North Dakota.
Dale Van Eckhout, SBA senior area manager, tells say that people are moving to the state from all over the country with marketable skills. He says many people can also work out of their homes while raising their families.
Greater North Dakota Chamber President Andy Peterson says the state economy has expanded 13 percent over the last year.
He says the state can't have that rate of expansion without growth in small, medium and large businesses.
