Kentucky District Office Awards

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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?

  1. 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
  2. Individuals or firms who are currently suspended or debarred by the Federal government.

Who may submit nominations for this award?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

  1. A completed SBA Form 3300, Award Nominee Background form. For “team” nominations, a background form is required for each team member;
  2. A completed Authorization, Grant & Release of Materials form. For “team” nominations, a release form is required for each team member.
  3. A completed SBA Form 3315, District Office nomination form.
  4. 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
  5. 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:

  1. Business’ staying power, growth in employees, increase in sales, improved financial position, and innovativeness of product or service offered;
  2. Contributions to community— evidence of the use of his/her personal time and resources to contribute to its community; and
  3. 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.

Financial Services Advocate of the Year 

The award will be presented to an individual who assists small businesses through advocacy and other efforts to increase the usefulness and availability of financial literacy or financial services for small businesses, as well as those who assist entrepreneurs in obtaining small business financing in Kentucky. 

Home-Based 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 Kentucky with a minimum three (3) year track record.     

Minority Small Business of the Year 

A minority-owned and operated business. The owner must also serve as a majority owner and operator or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business. The owner must be in business a minimum of three years. 

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 Kentucky with a minimum three (3) year track record. The business must be located 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.  

Small Business Advocate of the Year

An individual who or organization that assists entrepreneurs through advocacy and other efforts that raise the profile, effectiveness, health, vitality, growth, and/or expansion of small businesses in Kentucky. 

Small Business Media of the Year

The award will recognize an outstanding journalist from television, radio, web, electronic or print media whose work supports the growth and expansion of small businesses in Kentucky. 

Women Small Business of the Year 

The award honors a woman-owned and operated business. The owner must also serve as a majority owner and operator or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business. The owner must be in business a minimum of three years.

Veteran Small Business of the Year

A veteran-owned and operated business. The owner must also serve as a majority owner and operator or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business. The owner must be in business a minimum of three years.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award  

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 reached the age of 30 by June 1, 2025. 

SBA will make the above referenced awards to eligible small businesses at the Kentucky 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 Sharron Johnson.

Last updated August 19, 2024