Iowa is considered a “small business state” and this week has been set aside to honor that large niche of our economy. Federal officials in Iowa hope people will take a little time out to recognize and patronize local merchants.Dave Lentell is spokesman for the Iowa office of the Small Business Administration. He says Governor Vilsack has signed a proclamation making this “Small Business Week” in Iowa to recognize the importance those merchants play in our state’s growth and prosperity.Lentell says more than 76-thousand businesses in Iowa are considered small businesses.In Iowa that’s 98-percent of all businesses.