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.
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 a small business and experience the rewards and difficulties of owning their own business.
Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year – Eastern Missouri
The majority owner(s) must have fulfilled a commitment to the U.S. Armed Forces and have experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning a small business.
Women-Owned Small Business of the Year – Eastern Missouri
The majority owner(s) must be women who have experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning their own business.
Rural-Owned Small Business of the Year – Eastern Missouri
This award honors any small business owner that has operated successfully for the last three years in a community of 50,000 people or less (or is considered rural).
Family-Owned Small Business of the Year – Eastern Missouri
This award honors a family-owned and operated business which has been passed on from one generation to the next.
Immigrant-Owned Small Business of the Year - Eastern Missouri
This award honors a business that must be owned by an immigrant(s) to the United States who has experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning a small business.
HUBZone-Owned Small Business of the Year – Eastern Missouri
This award honors a business owner that is located in a HUBZone census tract that has experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning a small business.
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 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, 2024.
Technology Small Business of the Year – Eastern Missouri
This award honors a technology business in which the owner has experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning a technology focused business.
Home Based Small Business of the Year – Eastern Missouri
The business must have experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning a home-based business.
Entrepreneurial Success Award Business of the Year – Eastern Missouri
Individuals must own and operate a business initially launched as a small business according to SBA size standards and subsequently grown into a large business and they must have received SBA assistance to help the businesses 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 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.