A new study says the number of businesses owned by women in Alabama has increased about 67 percent since 1997.
That makes the state No. 12 nationally in terms of the growth of female-owned companies during the period.
The report released by American Express OPEN says Alabama now has about 116,000 companies owned by women. Those Alabama-based companies will have sales estimated at $16 billion this year.
The report says Alabama has surpassed the national growth rate of women-owned firms of 59 percent over the last 15 years.
The largest share of female-owned companies deal with health care and social assistance, followed by educational services like private schools. The report says service businesses like beauty salons and administrative services have increased as well.