The U.S. Small Business Administration is seeking nominations for the 2024 National Small Week Awards that recognize outstanding achievements, contributions, and resilience of SBA-assisted small businesses.
“Small businesses power our nation’s economy and are the realization of the American Dream for millions of entrepreneurs,” SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman said. “From mom-and-pop shops to innovative startups, small businesses create good jobs, provide vital services, and help define the identities of the neighborhoods and communities they serve.”
The 2024 deadline for submission is Dec. 7, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. National award winners will be announced during National Small Business Week (NSBW), April 28 – May 4, 2024. To nominate a local small business owner or download related forms, criteria, and guidelines, visit sba.gov/nsbw.
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 will be selected for the individual State Winner awards. State award winners will then compete for the title of National Small Business Person of the Year.
Last year, NJBIA member Lauren Borawski, owner of Child’s Play Courses in Scotch Plains, was honored by the SBA as the New Jersey winner of the 2023 Small Business Person of the Year Awards. Borawski will also share her insights and passion for entrepreneurship at the NJ Women Business Leaders Forum, powered by NJBIA, which is being held Sept. 27-28 at the Liberty International rty International Airport Marriott in Newark.
Nominations for the SBA’s 2024 awards are also being accepted in these categories:
- Small Business Exporter of the Year
- 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 Excellence & Innovation Award
- Women’s Business Center of Excellence Award
- Veterans Business Outreach Center of the Year
- Small Business Investment Company of the Year
About National Small Business Week
For nearly 60 years, the president of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, recognizing the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. 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. each year.
