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Our office presents national and district level awards. National-level awards, including Small Business Person of the Year, go on to compete for additional recognition and some winners are invited to attend ceremonies in Washington, D.C. The district level winners are honored locally. Read on for general guidelines for all available District Office awards.
General guidelines
Award eligibility
Who is eligible to be nominated for this award?
Nominees for this award must meet both of the following eligibility requirements:
Any legal resident of the United States or its Territories who owns and operates or who bears principal responsibility for operating a small business may be nominated. Partners who jointly own and operate a small business may be nominated as a “team,” so long as the number of individuals in the team nomination does not exceed four (4).
Who is NOT eligible to be nominated for this award?
- Individuals or teams who own or operate a business defined as “other than small” (i.e., large businesses) for its primary industry under the applicable SBA size standards or
- Individuals or firms who are currently suspended or debarred by the Federal government.
Who may submit nominations for this award?
- Individuals or organizations dedicated to the support of the small business community in the United States such as trade and professional associations and business organizations, may submit nominations.
- Individuals may self-nominate.
How to apply
What information must the nomination package contain?
Nominations must contain the information below. Incomplete nomination packages will not be considered.
- A completed SBA Form 3300, Award Nominee Background form. For “team” nominations, a background form is required for each team member;
- A completed Authorization, Grant & Release of Materials form. For “team” nominations, a release form is required for each team member.
- A completed SBA Form 3315, District Office nomination form.
- An original 8 in. x 10 in. or 5 in. x 7 in. photo of the nominee or a digital photo – at least 300 dpi is required; photocopies are not acceptable. For “team” nominations, a photo of each nominee or group photo is acceptable; and
- Additional supporting documentation deemed significant by the nominator, including news clips, letters of recommendation, nomination letter (if not self-nominated), and other evidence of the appropriateness of the nomination. Supporting documentation may not exceed 10 pages. Videos will not be considered.
Where are the nominations to be sent?
All nominations must be submitted electronically to the upload link in the "About the District Office awards" section below. Nominations should be scanned and submitted as one full document. Photo should be submitted as a separate attachment.
When is the deadline for nominations?
Nominations must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. ET on December 5, 2024 (3:00 p.m. CT/2:00 p.m. MT/1:00 p.m. PT).
How are winners selected?
What are the evaluation/selection criteria?
In evaluating the nomination packages, the judges will look at the following criteria:
- Business’ staying power, growth in employees, increase in sales, improved financial position, and innovativeness of product or service offered;
- Contributions to community— evidence of the use of his/her personal time and resources to contribute to its community; and
- Additional criteria to be determined by the individual District Office.
What are the selection procedures?
The District Office Award will be selected by the appropriate District Director based on, but not restricted to, the recommendations of the panel of judges of federal or non-federal employees.
About the District Office awards
To be nominated and receive one of the following local awards, the small business nominee must fit within the category of the award, demonstrate success in business, and complete and submit the required nomination package information. Incomplete packages will not be accepted.
Read on for local award nomination criteria and to submit your nomination.
Minority Small Business of the Year
Any individual who qualifies as a minority and who owns at least 51% and operates a small business may be nominated. Nominee must demonstrate: Staying power; Growth in number of employees and increase in sales over three years (2021, 2022, 2023); Innovativeness of product or service offered; Contributions to community-oriented projects; Response to adversity; and Volunteer efforts to advance minority business interests within the community. Business must have received SBA assistance.
Veteran Small Business of the Year
Any individual who owns at least 51% and operates a small business and is a veteran of the U.S. armed forces may be nominated. Nominee must demonstrate: Staying power; Growth in number of employees and increase in sales over three years (2021, 2022, 2023); Innovativeness of product or service offered; contributions to community-oriented projects; response to adversity; volunteer efforts to advance veteran business interests within the community; and increased employment opportunities for veterans. Business must have received SBA assistance.
Woman Small Business of the Year
Any woman who owns at least 51% and operates a small business may be nominated. Nominee must demonstrate: Staying power; Growth in number of employees and increase in sales over three years (2021, 2022, 2023); Innovativeness of product or service offered; Contributions to community-oriented projects; Response to adversity; and volunteer efforts to advance woman business interests within the community. Business must have received SBA assistance.
LGBTQ+ Small Business of the Year
Nominee must demonstrate: Staying power; Growth in number of employees and increase in sales over three years (2021, 2022, 2023); Innovativeness of product or service offered; contributions to community-oriented projects; response to adversity; volunteer efforts to strengthen other LGBTQ+ owned businesses within the community; and increased employment opportunities. Business must have received SBA assistance.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Any young entrepreneur who is a legal resident of the United States or its territories and a majority owner (51% or more) and operator or bears principal responsibility for operating a small business with a minimum three (3) year track record, and who has not reached the age of 30 by June 1, 2025. Business must have received SBA assistance.
Entrepreneurial Success of the Year
Any individual who serves as a majority owner and operates a business that started “small” by SBA standards, then developed into a large business may be nominated. Up to four partners who jointly own and operate a business may be nominated as a team. Business must have received SBA assistance.
Rural Small Business of the Year
The nominee must be a legal resident of the United States or its territories who is a majority owner (51% or more) and operator or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business in Georgia with a minimum three (3) year track record. The business must be in a rural community, defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as a city, town, or a community in a non-urban area with a population under 50,000 people. Business must have received SBA assistance.
Family-Owned Small Business of the Year
Family-owned business that has passed from one generation to another and owner has responsibility for operating the business. Nominees must serve as a majority owner and operator or bear principal responsibility for operating the small business with at least a 15-year track record and show voluntary efforts to strengthen family-owned businesses in the community. Business must have received SBA assistance.
Small Business Manufacturer
Any small business manufacturer may be nominated. Nominee must demonstrate: Staying power; Growth in number of employees and increase in sales over 3 years (2021, 2022, 2023); Innovativeness of product or service offered; contributions to community-oriented projects; response to adversity; and Demonstrated creativity and/or commitment to a social mission in hiring policy, buying local, etc. Business must have received SBA assistance. *Products must be made or manufactured within the U.S.*
SBA will make the above referenced awards to eligible small businesses at the Georgia District level only. Awards for Small Business Person of the Year and Exporter of the Year will be forwarded for National competition.
Need help?
If you have questions about our local awards, please contact Erin Tindell.