A Geo-spatial Examination of Small-owned Businesses in Kentucky

This study employs the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to examine the geospatial patterns of small business ownership in Kentucky. Data were obtained from the Small Business Administration Dynamic Small Business Search for self-reported small business addresses for the state. Data was also obtained for the small businesses registered as women owned. Using the geo-coding operation in ArcMap software, individual addresses for each business location were mapped. Patterns of concentration were found in larger metropolitan areas, as well as differences between male-owned and woman-owned businesses across the state. Additional exploration found variance in the location patterns based upon Area Development District locations. The study concludes with discussion of possible population, income, and socio-economic theories for the identified results, as well as possible analyses for future research.