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Orange County / Inland Empire 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.

Community Excellence in Ed Award

Any organization, department, or chamber that shows significant support for economic development, improved communication with business community, builds trust, creating an environment for business growth and retention, job growth and access to resources.  An entity that also cooperates with other economic development institutions.

Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year

Woman-owned business with a minimum of three years in business. It must be 51% woman-owned. Demonstrate business success and growth. Show creativity, leadership, character, and determination. SBA assistance is preferred but not required.  

Family-Owned Business of the Year

Family-owned and operated business by a family or passed on to the next generation.  Nominees must also serve as a majority owner and operator or bear principal responsibility for operating the small business with a minimum of 5 year-track record.

Micro-Entrepreneur of the Year

Has a growing business with less than nine employees.  Received assistance from the SBA network of resources and lenders.  Has been in business for more than one year. 

Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year

Nominee is an individual who has fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of small business opportunities for veterans of the U.S. armed forces or a veteran small business owner who has experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning their own business.   Champion nominees may or may not be veterans.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

A business owner under 40 years old running their own business who shows creativity, leadership, character, and determination.  The business must be profitable and show potential for growth. The young entrepreneur must be in business for at least three years

SBA will award the above-referenced awards to eligible small businesses at the Orange County / Inland Empire 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 Sylvia Gutierrez.

Última actualización 19 de agosto de 2024