News release:  “The number of businesses without paid employees in the U.S. rose 1.7 percent to 22.5 million in 2011, according to a new report released today from the U.S. Census Bureau. This marked the second straight increase in nonemployer businesses, with all but two states (Louisiana and New Hampshire) posting gains from 2010 to 2011. Today’s findings come from Nonemployer Statistics: 2011, an annual report on U.S. businesses without paid employees, classified in nearly 450 industries for the nation, states, counties and metropolitan areas. Nonemployer Statistics covers businesses with no paid employees, annual business receipts of $1,000 or more ($1 or more in the construction industries) and subject to federal income taxes.  Businesses with paid employees were covered in County Business Patterns, which was released in April.”