Salute to Small Business Awards Application
The Application Period has Ended for 2019. Check Back Next Year!
Commerce Lexington Inc. 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 on the global economy has become greater than ever before. In fact, small business owners have accounted for more of the job growth in our country over the last decade than large companies. Consumers rely on small businesses for everything from home repairs to dry cleaning to computer maintenance to lawn care, and when people find one they love, they are loyal for a lifetime. In 2010, Commerce Lexington reformatted its Salute to Small Business Awards program, adding more and better defined award categories, more inclusiveness among the small business community, and the opportunity for state and national recognition.
ELIGIBILITY: Businesses must be active members of Commerce Lexington Inc., and must have completed three (3) or more full years of operation and have fewer than 100 employees. Small businesses can apply for more than one award category, but can be a finalist for ONLY one category. Past Overall Small Business of the Year Award recipients are not eligible to reapply for 5 years from the date of their award presentation. APPLICATIONS ARE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL.
SELECTION PROCESS: Small business award applicants are judged and winners are selected for each of the eight categories. The names of the category winners are released about a month prior to the Salute to Small Business Awards Luncheon. The Commerce Lexington Inc. Small Business of the Year is then selected from the eight category winners and announced at the awards luncheon. The Overall Small Business of the Year then has the opportunity to apply for state and national recognition through the U.S. Small Business Administration with the assistance of the Bluegrass Small Business Development Center. Additionally, award winners in each category are provided with exhibit space prior to the Salute to Small Business Awards Luncheon, so they can show off their products and services.
SALUTE TO SMALL BUSINESS AWARD CATEGORIES:
ELIGIBILITY: Businesses must be active members of Commerce Lexington Inc., and must have completed three (3) or more full years of operation and have fewer than 100 employees. Small businesses can apply for more than one award category, but can be a finalist for ONLY one category. Past Overall Small Business of the Year Award recipients are not eligible to reapply for 5 years from the date of their award presentation. APPLICATIONS ARE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL.
SELECTION PROCESS: Small business award applicants are judged and winners are selected for each of the eight categories. The names of the category winners are released about a month prior to the Salute to Small Business Awards Luncheon. The Commerce Lexington Inc. Small Business of the Year is then selected from the eight category winners and announced at the awards luncheon. The Overall Small Business of the Year then has the opportunity to apply for state and national recognition through the U.S. Small Business Administration with the assistance of the Bluegrass Small Business Development Center. Additionally, award winners in each category are provided with exhibit space prior to the Salute to Small Business Awards Luncheon, so they can show off their products and services.
SALUTE TO SMALL BUSINESS AWARD CATEGORIES:
- Green Initiative
- Innovation
- Legacy Award
- Minority Business
- Nonprofit
- Phoenix Award
- Business Success
- Young Entrepreneur
