Nearly all of American businesses are small businesses.

99.9% according to the US Small Business Association.

There are 30.7 million of them in total and they employ nearly 60 million people. That’s 47.3% – nearly half – of America’s combined workforce.

Most work for businesses that employ fewer than 100 people.

South Carolina is in the top half for small businesses in the country.

The Palmetto State has:

• 431,835 small businesses (99.4% of businesses)

• 10,696 small businesses per 100,000 residents 18 and older (#42 highest among all states)

• 817,008 small business employees (#25 highest among all states)

• Small business share of total employment: 43.8% (#45 highest among all states)

• Self employed minorities: 57,623 (#20 among all states)

County jobless claims down

Lexington County unemployment claims are down from 492 to 406.

Initial unemployment claims elsewhere in SC rose for the week ending Aug. 15 after a 4-week decline.

Greenville County had 689 claims, Richland County 672, Charleston County 440 and Spartanburg County 412.

The 7,255 claims represented an increase of 1,334 from the previous week, according to the SC Department of Employment and Workforce.

In the last 22 weeks, 719,704 initial claims have been filed.

The agency has paid more than $3.81 billion in state and federal benefits.

Dan Ellzey, DEW executive director, said the 4 weeks from July 25 to Aug. 15 had 34,279 initial claims, down from the 67,248 claims filed from June 27 to July 18.

Who’s new at LMC

Amanda J. Warner, DPM, has joined Lexington Medical Center’s network of care.

Dr. Warner will practice at the Northeast Columbia location of Lexington Podiatry, a Lexington Medical Center physician practice. The practice offers a full range of podiatric medical services, including conventional and surgical therapies.

Lexington Podiatry has 2 locations: Northeast Columbia at 103 Summit Centre Drive, and Lexington at 121 Park Place Court.

Matthew P. Mazzola, DO, joins the boardcertified physicians and nurse practitioners at The Columbia Medical Group.

Dr. Mazzola will provide comprehensive medical care for adults, including the diagnosis and treatment of health issues, care for chronic diseases, and advice on preventive care, diet and exercise.

Dr. Mazzola is accepting new patients.

International recognition

A West Columbia employee is now internationally distinguished.

West Columbia’s Crystal Bouknight Parker, CMC, has earned the designation of Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC).

The International Institute of Municipal Clerks grants the CMC designation only to those municipal clerks who complete demanding education requirements and who have a record of significant contributions to their local government, their community, and state.

Mayor Tem Miles stated, “We are proud to have Crystal Parker as our City Clerk and a member of our team.

“We appreciate her dedication and willingness to go above and beyond to earn this prestigious designation.”

Dream deals opens

Dream Deals has opened at 2271 Sunset Boulevard.

It’s across from Food Lion and Grecian Gardens.

Dream Deals buys overstocked inventory, the Chronicle’s Terry Ward reported.

“We sell absolutely everything you can imagine. You can find anything from tablets to cosmetics, from tools to video games,” a company spokesman said.

“We get containers full of products from big online retailers and we never know what we will get. We simply put the product in the bins for the consumers to come and find, it is a treasure hunt.”

Prices start at $6 on restock day and are discounted every day.

Commuter caution

Commuters driving into Columbia may want to leave earlier for work next week.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) will be conducting storm drainage repairs at the intersection of Gervais St and Park St. Monday, August 31, through Friday September 4.

Work will be taking place from 9 am-3:30 pm each day.

Both north bound lanes of Park St. and the east bound right lane of Gervais St. at this intersection will be closed.

Drivers are encouraged to find alternate routes around the work zone.