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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.
Nominees must be residents of the 54 counties (see below) of Eastern Missouri served by the St. Louis District office. All nominees will be subject to background checks. Small businesses owned and operated by nominees must comply with federal civil rights laws. Consult the SBA St. Louis District Office if you have questions.
SBA St. Louis District - Eastern Missouri Counties Served:
Audrain, Bollinger, Boone, Butler, Callaway, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Clark, Cole, Crawford, Dent, Dunklin, Franklin, Gasconade, Iron, Jefferson, Knox, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, Maries, Marion, Miller, Mississippi, Moniteau, Monroe, Montgomery, New Madrid, Oregon, Osage, Pemiscot, Perry, Phelps, Pike, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Charles, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, St. Louis, Schuyler, Scotland, Scott, Shannon, Shelby, Stoddard, Warren, Washington, and Wayne counties and the independent city of St. Louis.
Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year – Eastern Missouri
The minority person(s) must serve as majority owners of (or bear principal responsibility for operating) a for-profit small business and experience the rewards and difficulties of owning their own business. Nominees must have been in business for a minimum of three years.
Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year – Eastern Missouri
The majority owner(s) of (or those who bear principal responsibility for operating) a for-profit small business and must have fulfilled a commitment to the U.S. Armed Forces and have experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning a small business. Nominees must have been in business for a minimum of three years.
Women-Owned Small Business of the Year – Eastern Missouri
The majority owner(s) of (or those who bear principal responsibility for operating) a for-profit small business must be women who have experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning their own business. Nominees must have been in business for a minimum of three years.
Rural-Owned Small Business of the Year – Eastern Missouri
This award honors the owner(s) of (or those who bear principal responsibility for operating) a for-profit small business that has operated successfully for the last three years in a community of 50,000 people or less (or the area is considered rural).
Family-Owned Small Business of the Year – Eastern Missouri
This award honors a family-owned and operated for-profit small business that has been passed on from one generation to the next. Nominees must have been in business for a minimum of three years.
Immigrant-Owned Small Business of the Year - Eastern Missouri
This award honors the owner(s) of (or those who bear principal responsibility for operating) a for-profit small business who are immigrant(s) to the United States and have experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning a small business.
Nominees must have been in business for a minimum of three years.
HUBZone-Owned Small Business of the Year – Eastern Missouri
This award honors the owner of (or one who bears principal responsibility for operating) a for-profit small business that is located in a HUBZone census tract and has experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning a small business.
Nominees must have been in business for a minimum of three years.
Start-Up Small Business of the Year – Eastern Missouri
The individual must serve as a majority owner and operate or bear principal responsibility for operating a for-profit small business with no more than two years in business.
Young Entrepreneur Small Business of the Year – Eastern Missouri
The individual must serve as a majority owner and operate or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business with a three-year track record, and who will not have reached the age of 30 by June 1, 2025.
Technology Small Business of the Year – Eastern Missouri
This award honors the owner of (or one who bears principal responsibility for operating) a for-profit technology business in which the owner has experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning a small business. Nominees must have been in business for a minimum of three years.
Home-Based Small Business of the Year – Eastern Missouri
This owner of (or one who bears principal responsibility for operating) a for-profit small business must have experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning a home-based business. Nominees must have been in business for a minimum of three years.
Entrepreneurial- Success Award Business of the Year – Eastern Missouri
Individuals must own and operate a business that was initially launched as a small business according to SBA size standards and has subsequently grown into a large business. They must have received SBA assistance to help the business grow.
Small Business Advocate of the Year – Eastern Missouri
An individual who must own a small business and advocate for small businesses either as part of their business goal/mission or as part of their community engagement.
SBA will make the above-referenced awards to eligible small businesses at the St. Louis 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 Gary Alexander.