For nine out of 10 companies in America, this is your week.

The U.S. Small Business Week begins today, drawing attention to the largest group of employers in the nation.

In the nation’s capital, the U.S. Small Business Administration will honor North Spokane’s Buckeye Beans & Herbs Inc. and companies from 49 other states as the Small Businesses of the Year.

In Spokane, the Small Business Information Center at the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce celebrates its one-year anniversary. More than 13,000 people contacted the BIC in its first year, with 800 small businesses receiving counseling and support services.

In other events this week:

Today

Delegation from Poland begins three-day visit of Spokane, with a tour of Spokane Airport Business Park Kitchen Center, Spokane Area Economic Development Council and the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute.

Idaho Barley Commission holds annual budget meeting in Boise.

Idaho Wheat Commission begins three-day meeting in Boise to plan for commercializing experimental hard white wheat variety. Call 208-334-2353.

Yakima hearing on whether to continue the Washington state seed assessment program.

U.S. Department of Agriculture forum in Washington, D.C., on U.S. contribution to world food security.

U.S. Department of Commerce reports April construction spending.

National Association of Purchasing Management in New York issues its report on manufacturing in May.

Automakers begin reporting May sales.

Eurogas Conference on natural gas supplies in Europe opens in Norway.

Tuesday

Commerce Department releases April factory orders report.

Wednesday

Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce Transportation Forum begins at 6 p.m. in the Riverpoint Higher Education Park lecture hall. Call 459-4113.

USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council holds mid-year meeting. Cost: $10 for lunch; $24, dinner. Call 208-882-3023.

OPEC holds general conference in Vienna.

Thursday

Adams County Wheat Growers Association conducts tour from the Ritzville city park at 8:30 a.m. Cost: $10. Call Cooperative Extension at 509-659-0090.

The nation’s largest retailers announce sales figures for May.

Orange County, Calif., sells $920 million in refinance bonds prior to getting out of bankruptcy.

OECD conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, on global cooperation for future information society.

Friday

U.S. Department of Labor releases May employment, including Idaho.

U.S. Department of Agriculture presents report on agribusiness ownership concentration.

Federal Reserve reports April consumer credit.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Sales tax receipts

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Money, June: Portland is the nation’s hottest housing market, according to Money’s annual rankings. The top five consisted exclusively of Western cities, with Salt Lake City, Las Vegas and Denver following Portland.

Shipping it out The leading metropolitan areas in terms of export sales in 1994, and their percentage change from the year before. Detroit, $27.5 billion, +63.7 percent New York, $23.5, -16.5 percent Los Angeles, $22.2 billion, +11.0 percent Seattle, $21.7 billion, -8.7 percent San Jose, $19.9 bilion, +23.3 percent Chicago, $17.3 billion, +20 percent Houston, $13.4 billion, +9 percent