Apex is a fast-growing community in a region that attracts skilled and talented people. Companies and people are drawn to our quality of life, transportation access, amenities, and proximity to the greater Raleigh-Durham area. Small businesses are flourishing and entrepreneurs have quick and easy access to small business resources and services provided by the Town of Apex’s Economic Development department. The mission of the department is to position Apex for economic opportunity and prosperity through business and industry growth, and entrepreneurship.
One of the five goals found in the Town of Apex’s newly adopted strategic plan, Game Plan Apex, is ‘Economic Vitality’. The Town wants to improve and sustain an environment that invites and retains a diversity of residents, employment opportunities, and businesses. Apex’s goals are centered around business retention and attraction, entrepreneurship, tourism development, and long-range planning.
Small businesses often aren’t in the spotlight in the business world but are the backbone of the local economy. In North Carolina, 99.6% of all businesses are small businesses. Small businesses also reflect the diversity of the U.S. population, with 36% of small businesses owned by women, 9% owned by veterans, and 15% owned by people of color.
In Apex, we strive to highlight the important role entrepreneurs and small business owners have in our community. We continually look for opportunities to enhance access to resources and services available to sustain the economic vitality of Apex’s entrepreneurs and small businesses. We also want to produce a stronger, more diverse, and sustainable economy for growth, both here in Apex and beyond.
LOVE LOCAL
The Love Local initiative was created in 2021 and aims to provide support and encourage community members to show love for small businesses. In a recent study, $68 of every $100 spent at a local business stays in the community, meaning when local businesses are supported and thrive, so do our economy and community. Through the Love Local initiative, Apex Economic Development provides a number of services and resources to our small business community. Some of these resources are detailed below.
Training & Education
Training and education are integral pieces of Apex Economic Development’s strategy to support small business. The strategy is facilitated through partnerships with the Wake Tech Entrepreneurship & Small Business Center, providing educational opportunities to small businesses through the Coffee & Connections series and our entrepreneurial program LaunchAPEX.
LaunchAPEX is a free program for entrepreneurs and small business owners to start and grow businesses, business concepts, and ideas. It is part of the national LaunchMyCity program and was initially introduced to the Triangle area through LaunchRALEIGH. There are currently nine municipalities across Wake County that offer Launch programs.
LaunchAPEX has four main components
Business Training: Wake Technical Community College provides the curriculum and facilitators for the business training.
Business Mentoring: Local business mentors are matched to class participants for a 6-month mentoring relationship.
Business Networking: Multiple networking opportunities are provided during the program. Class participants are encouraged to join the Apex Chamber of Commerce for further business networking and educational opportunities.
Financial Resources: The program offers access to financial resources like pitch contests and loan information.
The LaunchAPEX Program consists of five partners: Wake Tech Community College, Apex Rotary Club, Apex Sunrise Rotary Club, Town of Apex, and Apex Chamber of Commerce.
The next LaunchAPEX cohort starts in August 2023. The program is accepting applications from June 5 through July 14, 2023. To apply for LaunchAPEX, please visit www.launchapex.org.
Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program
The Minority and Women Business Enterprises (MWBE) program, launched in early 2023, aims to support minority and women-owned businesses in finding resources. It also provides a directory of their businesses and the services they offer the community. The MWBE initiative advocates for and facilitates business growth by providing opportunities for historically underutilized businesses (HUB). Program benefits include:
Providing a marketing tool to increase visibility of your business
Subscription to email notifications for MWBE news and updates
Increased knowledge, greater access, and connections to resource networks that enhance your business
Do you have a minority- or women-owned business? Apply to have your business recognized as an MWBE and listed on the Small Business Directory at www.apexnc.org/MWBE
Small Business Promotions & Marketing Campaigns
Throughout the year there are many no-cost opportunities for small businesses to partner with Apex Economic Development and our small business partners to promote and market their business. These promotions and marketing campaigns are designed to help bring awareness to Apex’s local businesses and increase sales. Annual promotions include:
Small Business Saturday
Apex Restaurant Week
Love Local Apex NC
Apex Small Business Week
Shop, Play & Dine Video Series
Downtown Apex Website
The Stroll Tour – Shops-Sips-Suds-Sweets (Coming September 2023)
Small Business Advisory Committee
The Small Business Advisory Committee is a newly established committee and is open to Apex small business owners willing to volunteer and provide input to Apex Economic Development. The committee would offer feedback on promotions and marketing tactics, tourism, and more.
Interested in serving on the Apex Small Business Advisory Committee? Complete an interest form at www.apexnc.org/BizServices.
Community & Economic Development Partners
Small business resources and services rely on community and economic development partners. These partners help provide programs that enhance and position Apex’s small businesses for economic opportunity and prosperity. Our partners include:
Apex Chamber of Commerce
Economic Development Partnership of NC (EDPNC)
NC Department of Administration Historically Underutilized Business (HUB)
NC Small Business Enterprise; Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) at NC State
Wake Tech Entrepreneurship & Small Business Center
Wake County Economic Development
How can you get involved if you aren’t a small business owner? You can show your support by shopping, dining, and playing in Apex to Love Local!
If you are an Apex small business or are considering opening a business in Apex and would like more information on Apex Economic Development’s Small Business Services, visit: www.apexnc.org/BizServices.
