2026 Salute to Small Business Awards Application Available Now; Deadline to Apply On-line is Thursday, June 18

​Commerce Lexington began honoring the contributions that small businesses have on our economy in 1986, and since that very first Salute to Small Business event, the impact of small businesses has become more important than ever.  This week marks National Small Business Week, so what better way to mark the occasion than with the opening of the application process for the 2026 Salute to Small Business Awards presented by Forcht Bank.  How does your small business or nonprofit stack up against the area’s best?  Apply by June 18, 2026, for one of four award categories and find out who will be crowned the new Small Business of the Year at an awards luncheon on August 14.
 
Commerce Lexington President and CEO, Bob Quick, said, “Small businesses continue to be the backbone of our economy. It takes a great deal of sacrifice and hard work to be a business owner, and our Salute to Small Business Awards are a way for us to say, thank you, and recognize the many exceptional small businesses that are woven into the fabric of every part of our community and region. We are excited to hear the stories of success from this year’s group of award winners.” 

Award Categories:

• Excellence in Minority Business
• Business Success
• Achievement in Entrepreneurship
• Nonprofit Community Impact Award (not eligible for overall Small Business of the Year Award)

 
Award Eligibility:

• Businesses must be active members of Commerce Lexington Inc.
• Businesses must have completed three (3) or more full years of operation in the local market with fewer than 150 employees.
• Small businesses can apply for ONE award category.
• Past Category and overall Small Business of the Year award recipients are not eligible to reapply for 5 years from the date of their award presentation.

 
Apply Today or Nominate a Small Business:
View the award descriptions and access the awards application ON-LINE HERE. The deadline to submit applications for the Salute to Small Business Awards is Thursday, June 18, 2026.  The general public can also nominate their favorite small business, and our team will follow up with the owner to give them all the details about applying for an award. Nominate a business ON-LINE HERE.