Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s more than 34 million small businesses, has opened nominations for the 2025 National Small Business Week (NSBW) Awards. For over 60 years, the SBA has supported small businesses in America, and the annual NSBW awards recognize exemplary achievements, contributions, and resilience of SBA-assisted individuals and businesses that drive the American economy.
“From corner shops to innovation hubs, American entrepreneurs create jobs, invent and provide crucial products and services to their communities, and help define the neighborhoods they serve,” said Administrator Guzman. “The SBA is proud to celebrate National Small Business Week each year to lift up the best of that American entrepreneurial spirit and recognize the many essential contributions all of our small businesses make to our nation.”
To nominate a small business owner in your area and download related forms, criteria, and guidelines, visit sba.gov/nsbw. All nominations must be submitted electronically by 4 p.m. ET on Dec. 5, 2024. National awards will be presented during the NSBW awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on May 4-5, 2025.
The SBA’s signature award during NSBW is the Small Business Person of the Year. A business owner from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam is selected for individual State SBPOTY winner awards; these state award winners will compete for the 2025 National Small Business Person of the Year title.
Nominations will be accepted for various award categories including:
- Small Business Exporter of the Year
- Small Business Investment Company of the Year
- SBIC Emerging Manager
- SBIC Established Manager
Phoenix Awards for Disaster Recovery:
- Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery
- Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery - Mitigation
- Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery (Public Official)
- Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery (Volunteer)
Federal Procurement Awards:
- Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year
- Small Business Subcontractor of the Year
- Dwight D. Eisenhower Awards for Excellence (for large prime contractors who use small businesses as suppliers and contractors)
- 8(a) Graduate of the Year
Awards to SBA Resource Partners:
- Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Excellence and Innovation Center Award
- S.C.O.R.E. Chapter of the Year
- Women’s Business Center of Excellence Award
- Veterans Business Outreach Center of the Year
Surety Bond Agent of the Year
For local area contact information and other related details, visit online at https://www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week/district-office-awards.
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About National Small Business Week
Every year since 1963, a proclamation by the President announces National Small Business Week to recognize critical contributions made by America's entrepreneurs and small business owners in their communities. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, creating about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. annually. The U.S. Small Business Administration highlights outstanding entrepreneurs' impact from all states including U.S. territories during this week.
About The U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration supports American business ownership dreams as a primary resource backed by federal government strength. It empowers entrepreneurs with resources needed to start or grow their businesses or recover from declared disasters through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public/private organizations.
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