Keene Perspectives received this year's award.
MONTPELIER, Vt. -- The SBA Vermont District Office is accepting nominations for its 2023 small business awards. Previous Vermont winners include Ben and Jerry’s, Mamava, Blake Hill Preserves and Keene Perspectives.
The annual awards recognize the achievements of SBA-assisted small businesses and the contributions they have made to their communities and Vermont’s economy.
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.
The categories are as follows:
Small Business Person of the Year
Criteria: Individual or partners who own a small business, which has increased sales, profits and employees, and have been in business for three years. Business must have received Small Business Administration assistance.
Exporting Small Business of the Year
Criteria: Small business which has increased sales, profits and/or employees due to exporting and been in business for three years.
Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Small Business of the Year
Criteria: Small business must be family-owned for at least 15 years and ownership has transitioned to another generation.
Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year
Criteria: Small business at least 51% owned by a veteran of U.S. armed forces, which has been in business for three years.
Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year
Criteria: Small business at least 51% owned by a woman, which has been in business for three years.
Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year
Criteria: Small business at least 51% owned by an ethnic minority, which has been in business for three years.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Criteria: Individual or partners who own a small business, are under 30, and have been in business for three years.
Microenterprise of the Year
Criteria: Individual or partners who own a microenterprise with five or less employees, received SBA assistance and have been in business for three years.
Manufacturer of the Year
Criteria: Individual or partners who own a manufacturing business, which has been in business for three years.
Financial Services Champion of the Year
Criteria: Individual or partners who assist small businesses through advocacy to increase usefulness and availability of accounting or financial services.
Visit the SBA’s dedicated website at www.sba.gov/nsbw to download forms, criteria, and guidelines for submitting a nomination. The Vermont District Nomination Guidelines and district awards categories can also be found on SBA’s dedicated website at SBA Vermont District Office Awards.
The Vermont District Office must receive all nominations by electronic submission ONLY to the District’s BOX account (Vermont District Office Awards Submissions) no later than 4 p.m. ET on December 7, 2023.
If you know of a Vermont small business that would be a good fit for any of these awards, email the name of the business along with the owner’s name and specific award category the company is being nominated for to [email protected]. The SBA Vermont District Office will then follow up with the business to get the required forms and documents.
For more information about the awards, call 802-828-4422 or email [email protected].
Shop Small on November 25th
Small Business Saturday 2023 will be held on November 25th, marking the 14th annual celebration of the day. This day was created to help independent businesses capture a larger piece of the critical holiday season consumer spending, while also helping address small business owners’ most pressing need: getting more customers through their doors.
Small businesses are the engine of our national economy. Today, there are over 33 million small businesses and startups in the United States. Small businesses create two-thirds of net new jobs, making them crucial pillars of communities across the country.
Right now, The United States is experiencing a historic small business boom under the Biden-Harris Administration with more than 21,000 new small business applications here in Vermont since the President took office.
Let’s keep the momentum going forward. Small businesses need our support as they continue to navigate, retool, pivot, and grow.
Here are some ways we can all do our part to support the small businesses in our communities:
- Choose to Shop Small and make a holiday purchase at a local business on Small business Saturday. It’s a meaningful show of support for entrepreneurs and small business sellers – these business owners help generate jobs, stimulate the economy, and contribute to the vibrancy of our local neighborhoods.
- Visit small, independent restaurants, eateries, and entertainment venues this Small Business Saturday. If your out and about on Small Business Saturday and taking a break for a snack or lunch, why not visit a locally owned establishment?
- Encourage friends and family to do the same by shopping at a small business in-person or online. Better yet, make a day of it and Shop Small together!
To learn more about Small Business Saturday, visit sba.gov/saturday.
SBA Vermont District Office
87 State St., Unit 205
Montpelier, VT 05601
Phone: 802-828-4422
www.sba.gov/vt
