SBA Seeks Award Nominations

The Connecticut office of the U.S. Small Business Administration has announced they are now accepting nominations for the 2015 Small Business Week Awards. If you know a Connecticut small business that you believe should be recognized for its success, don’t wait! Nominate them today! The deadline for nominations is November 21st so don’t delay. Get them in today!

Here’s the categories and how to submit your nomination(s).

AWARD CATEGORIES

Small Business Person of the Year* – Any individual who owns and operates or 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,” as long as the number of individuals in the team nomination does not exceed four. A nominee for Small Business Person of the Year must own or operate a business defined as “small” under the applicable SBA size standards. Nominees must also be residents of the United States or its territories and will be subject to background checks. Small businesses owned and operated by nominees must comply with federal civil rights laws. While receipt of SBA assistance is not required, it is preferred.

This award is the single most prestigious of all SBA Awards. It will be presented to an entrepreneur who has developed an outstanding, growing business. The Rhode Island state winner will compete for the national award.

Jeffrey Butland Family Owned Small Business – This award honors a family owned and operated business which has been passed on from one generation to the next. The owners must serve as a majority owner and operator or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business with at least a 15-year track record.

SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year – To be considered a young entrepreneur, 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 35 by June 1, 2015.

Entrepreneurial Success – Must be an individual who owns and operates or who bears principal responsibility for operating a business. Partners who jointly own and operate a business may be nominated as a “team,” so long as the number of individuals in the team nomination does not exceed four. A nominee for this award must own or operate a business that initially was defined as “small” under the applicable SBA size standards, developed into a large business and must have received SBA assistance to help the business grow.

Microenterprise of the Year – Any individual who founded, or owns and operates a microenterprise which received SBA assistance (through SBA loan programs or as a client of our technical service providers) may be nominated. Microenterprise is defined as any small business with five or fewer employees including the owners.

Small Business Exporter of the Year* – Any individual who owns and operates a small business engaged in exporting may be nominated.

Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year – A U.S. Armed Forces veteran who serves as majority owner for a small business with at least a three year track record may be nominated.

Minority Owned Small Business of the Year – Any ethnic minority who serves as majority owner for a small business with at least a three year track record may be nominated.

Woman Owned Small Business of the Year – Any woman who serves as majority owner for a small business with at least a three year track record may be nominated.

Home-Based Small Business of the Year – Any individual(s) that owns and operates a business based out of their home may be nominated.

Financial Services Champion of the Year – An individual who assists small businesses through advocacy efforts to increase the usefulness and availability of accounting or financial services for small businesses may be nominated. Nominees may or may not be small business owners.

To nominate, you may submit your nominations via email at connecticut.ct@sba.gov or you may fax it to (202) 481-1723. Questions call (860) 240-4654.

Mail to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Attn: Small Business Awards Committee, 280 Trumbull Street, 2nd flr., Hartford, CT 06103.

Please send us the following information about the nominee:

First and Last Name

Name of Business

Position/Title

Award Category Nominated In

Business Address

City/Town and Zip Code

Phone Number

Email Address

Please be sure to include your name, business, and your contact information.

ALL NOMINATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21ST