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.
After you read through the categories below, you can read the general guidelines and submit your nomination.
Minority-Owned Business of the Year
Any individual who qualifies as a minority, is a U.S. Citizen or legal resident of the United States or its territories AND who is a majority owner (51% or more) bearing principal responsibility for operating a small business for a minimum of three (3) years in Alabama may be nominated. Nominee must demonstrate: Staying power; Growth in number of employees and increase in sales over three (3) years (2020, 2021, 2022); Innovativeness of a product or service offered; Any contributions to community-oriented projects; Response to adversity (example: problems faced in the nominee’s business and the methods used to solve them; including any COVID-19 related issues); and any volunteer efforts within their community. Business must have received SBA assistance.
Veteran-Owned Business of the Year
Any individual who qualifies as a veteran of the U.S. armed Forces, is a U.S. Citizen or legal resident of the United States or its territories, AND who is a majority owner (51% or more) bearing principal responsibility for operating a small business for a minimum of three (3) years in Alabama may be nominated. Nominee must demonstrate: Staying power; Growth in number of employees and increase in sales over three (3) years (2020, 2021, 2022); Innovativeness of a product or service offered; contributions to community-oriented projects; response to adversity (example: problems faced in the nominee’s business and the methods used to solve them; including any COVID-19 related issues); any volunteer efforts within their community; and increased employment opportunities for veterans. Business must have received SBA assistance.
Women-Owned Business of the Year
Any woman who is a U.S. Citizen or legal resident of the United States or its territories AND who is a majority owner (51% or more) bearing principal responsibility for operating a small business for a minimum of three (3) years in Alabama may be nominated. Nominee must demonstrate: Staying power; Growth in number of employees and increase in sales over three (3) years (2020, 2021, 2022); Innovativeness of a product or service offered; Contributions to community-oriented projects; Response to adversity (example: problems faced in the nominee’s business and the methods used to solve them; including any COVID-19 related issues); and any volunteer efforts within their community. Business must have received SBA assistance.
Rural-Owned Business of the Year
Any individual who is a U.S. Citizen or legal resident of the United States or its territories, who is a majority owner (51% or more) bearing principal responsibility for operating a small business for a minimum of three (3) years in Alabama, AND the business must be in a rural community, as 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. Nominee must demonstrate: Staying power; Growth in number of employees and increase in sales over three (3) years (2020, 2021, 2022); Innovativeness of a product or service offered; Contributions to community-oriented projects; Response to adversity (example: problems faced in the nominee’s business and the methods used to solve them; including any COVID-19 related issues); and any volunteer efforts within their community. Business must have received SBA assistance.
SBA will make the above referenced awards to eligible small businesses at the Alabama District level only. Awards for Small Business Person of the Year and Exporter of the Year will be forwarded for National competition.