Last week was National Small Business Week, a time when the nation joins together to celebrate and thank our small businesses. I’m a big fan of this observance because it puts the focus where it should be — on our innovators, workers, entrepreneurs and job-creators who keep our economy moving forward. There is no doubt that small businesses are critical to our national economy. America’s small businesses are responsible for creating nearly seven out of 10 new jobs and half of our workforce is employed at a small business. In North Carolina, we have good reason to celebrate. We have hundreds of thousands of top-notch small businesses — manufacturers, retailers, restaurants, technology start-ups and hotels just to name a few. These are the workhorses that drive our local economy, accounting for nearly 1.5 million jobs.

While I travel the district, I try to stop by as many small businesses as I can. Sometimes this means touring one of our renowned businesses, like Cape Fear Arsenal in Lumberton, to talk with employees, view their operations and understand what I can do to ensure our local businesses continue to grow, create jobs and thrive. And other times, I just stop by while I’m on my way through town. From visiting with our local veterans at Carm’s Café in Concord, to grabbing a delicious hot dog for lunch at Hap’s Grill in Salisbury, to picking up a few shot gun shells at Bob’s Sporting Goods in Biscoe, or buying tools at Rockingham Hardware in Rockingham, I’m committed to supporting our district’s small businesses.

Although a lot of our small businesses’ success revolves around traditional brick and mortar, a growing number are turning to the internet. The rapid growth of social media has changed the landscape for small businesses by opening up new opportunities to reach customers and requiring new strategies to be successful. Think about it — folks are spending more and more time online, and it’s important small businesses meet them there. That’s why I joined Facebook and the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce last week for Facebook Boost, an event to equip our small businesses with the tools necessary to compete in today’s digital economy and connect Main Streets across our state to customers across the globe.

At the event, I was able to speak firsthand with our entrepreneurs and workers. This helps me gain a better understanding of how Washington’s policies are impacting jobs. I am so impressed by those who work incredibly hard every day to build quality businesses that provide employment opportunities and foundations for growth in our local economy. Now more than ever, it’s clear to me that we need a pro-growth plan that gets government off the backs of our small businesses and returns power to American workers and entrepreneurs.

As you’ve probably heard me say before, my top three priorities are jobs, jobs and jobs. I understand our economy is made stronger and jobs are created not by government, but by the hard work of our small business owners and workers. I know you work hard — for yourself, for your family and for our community — and that’s why I’m fighting in Congress on your behalf. See my jobs plan and tell me what you think at Hudson.House.gov/JOBS.