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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.
New Mexico Entrepreneurial Success Award
The individual(s) must own and operate a business that was initially launched as a small business according to SBA size standards and has subsequently developed into a large business.
New Mexico Family-Owned Small Business of the Year
This award honors a family-owned and operated business that has been passed on from generation to generation. The owner must serve as a majority owner and operator or bear principal responsibility for operating the small business. The business must have been in operation for a minimum of 15 years.
New Mexico Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year
To be considered a minority-owned small business, it must be 51% owned and operated by one or more minorities. The individual(s) must serve as a majority owner(s) and operate or bear principal responsibility for operating the small business. The business must have been in operation for a minimum of three years.
New Mexico Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year
To be considered a Veteran-owned small business, it must be 51% owned and operated by one or more Veterans. The individual(s) must serve as a majority owner(s) and operate or bear principal responsibility for operating the small business. The business must have been in operation for a minimum of three years.
New Mexico Women-Owned Small Business of the Year
To be considered a women-owned small business, it must be 51% owned and operated by one or more women. The individual(s) must serve as a majority owner(s) and operate or bear principal responsibility for operating the small business. The business must have been in operation for a minimum of three years.
New Mexico Financial Services Champion of the Year
An individual who assists small businesses through advocacy efforts to increase the usefulness and availability of accounting or financial services. Nominees may or may not be small business owners.
- Outside of regular business duties, the amount and quality of assistance given to small businesses to obtain financing.
- Advocates for changes in the financial services industry to assist small businesses.
- Encourages the flow of investment capital to small ventures.
- Actively supports legislative or regulatory actions designed to help small businesses.
- Demonstrates measurable accomplishments through their advocacy efforts of the financial services or accounting industries to advance small business interests.
New Mexico Minority Small Business Champion of the Year
An individual who has committed to the advancement of small business opportunities for minority business owners. Nominees may or may not be small business owners.
- Demonstrates volunteer efforts beyond business/professional responsibilities to advance minority small business interests within the community, state and/or nation.
- Advocates to improve conditions in the minority small business community, not solely for individual personal advancement.
- Provides voluntary professional services to the minority small business community in a legal, legislative, managerial, or financial capacity.
- Demonstrates accomplishments in advising minority small business groups about opportunities within the overall business community.
- Demonstrates other accomplishments as an effective advocate for minority small business interests.
New Mexico Women Small Business Champion of the Year
An individual who has committed to the advancement of small business opportunities for women business owners. Nominees may or may not be small business owners.
- Actively supports legislative or regulatory actions designed to help small businesses.
- Demonstrates efforts to increase business and financial opportunities for women.
- Provides legal, financial, or managerial assistance to enhance women’s business ownership.
- Demonstrates voluntary efforts to strengthen the role of women business owners within the community.
- Advocates to improve conditions in the women’s small business community, not solely for individual personal advancement.
- Demonstrates other accomplishments as an effective advocate in improving the environment for expanding women-owned and operated businesses.
New Mexico Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year
An individual committed to advancing small business opportunities for Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Nominees may or may not be Veterans.
- Actively supports legislative or regulatory actions designed to help small businesses.
- Demonstrates efforts to increase business opportunities for Veterans.
- Performs advisory activities to improve awareness of small business opportunities among Veterans’ groups.
- Advocates for special consideration in government policymaking for Veteran-owned small businesses.
- Demonstrates success in obtaining support within the community for Veteran-owned small businesses.
- Demonstrates other accomplishments as an effective advocate for Veteran-owned small business interests.
SBA will make the above-referenced awards to eligible small businesses at the New Mexico District Office level. National awards such as the Small Business Person of the Year and Exporter of the Year will be forwarded to compete in the national competition.
Need help?
If you have questions about our local awards, please contact Michelle Duran.