CNN/Money reports on a Census Bureau survey which indicates 19.5 million U.S. businesses have no employees on the payroll, up 4.7 percent from the previous year.
Businesses without a payroll now make up more than 70 percent of the nation’s more than 27 million companies, with annual sales of about $887 billion.
Building contractors, Internet service providers, nail salons, e-shopping and mail-order houses, lessors of real estate, formal wear and costume rental stores and motorcycle dealers were among the fastest growing of the smallest firms.
Florida led the nation in the growth of these small businesses with a 7.6 percent increase. Georgia climbed to second place with a 7.1 percent increase.