SBA NH District Office now accepting Nominations

SBA New Hampshire District Office Seeks Nominations for National Small Business Week 2024

Concord, NH - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) New Hampshire District Office has officially launched the call for nominations for the 2024 National and District Small Business Week Awards, including the annual Small Business Person of the Year Award. If you know a small business with exceptional innovation, growth, community engagement, or resilience, put them in the spotlight by submitting a nomination. Don’t miss the opportunity to honor the entrepreneurial spirit that drives our economy forward.

“Each year the New Hampshire SBA is thrilled to recognize and highlight outstanding small business owners and their advocates who have developed innovative products, successfully advanced their businesses, and contributed significantly to their local communities,” SBA District Director Amy Bassett said. “A National Small Business Week award is one of the nation’s highest honors of achievement and we look forward to receiving nominations from partners, lenders, and small business champions so that we may have the opportunity to highlight New Hampshire’s deserving entrepreneurs.”

The SBA Awards given in celebration of National and District Small Business Week include the following awards:

Small Business Person of the Year Award: Nominees must bear principal responsibility for operating a small business for a minimum of three years prior to being nominated and demonstrate success in business as well as contributions to their local communities.

Small Business Exporter of the Year: SBA’s Small Business Exporter of the Year recognizes individuals for their success and dedication to exporting products or services.

New Hampshire District Office Awards:

Jeffrey Butland Family: Owned Small Business of the Year: Any small business that is family-owned and operated, with a 15-year track record that has been passed on from at least one generation to another.

Minority Small Business Owner: Any individual who qualifies as a minority, owns at least 51% and operates a small business may be nominated.

Veteran Small Business Owner: Any individual(s) who owns at least 51% and operates a small business and is a veteran of the U.S. armed forces may be nominated.

Women Small Business Owner: Any woman/women who owns at least 51% and operates a small business may be nominated.

Microenterprise: Any individual(s) who founded, owns, and operates a business with 5 or fewer employees (including the owner).

Young Entrepreneur: Any individual(s), under the age of 30 by June 30th, 2024, who owns at least 51% and operates a small business may be nominated.

Small Business Manufacturer: Any small business manufacturer may be nominated. Highlighting demonstrated creativity and/or commitment to a social mission, buying local, etc.

Home-based Business Owner: Any small business operated out of a home office location may be nominated.

Financial Services Champion: Any Individual who assists small businesses through advocacy to increase the usefulness and availability of accounting or financial services.

To be nominated and receive one of the following awards, the nominee must fit within the category of the award, have a three-year track record, and have received at least one type of SBA assistance such as an SBA loan, SCORE counseling, Small Business Development Center (SBDC) assistance, Veteran’s Business Outreach Center (VBOC) assistance, Women’s Business Center (WBC) assistance, government contracting assistance, disaster assistance, Emerging Leaders Initiative, or Boots to Business training, growth in number of employees, and increase in sales over 3 years (2020, 2021, 2022).

A complete nomination package will require a completed background form (SBA Form 3300) and the SBA District Office Award Form (SBA Form 3315). Selected winners in all NH categories will compete with winners from all six district area offices for the title of New England-owned Businesses of the Year.

Visit the SBA’s dedicated website at www.sba.gov/nsbw to download forms, criteria, and guidelines for submitting a nomination. The NH District Nomination Guidelines and district awards categories can also be found at https://www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week/district-office-awards.

To be considered the Concord District Office must receive all nominations by electronic submission ONLY to the District’s BOX account no later than 4 p.m. ET on December 7, 2023. Incomplete packages will not be accepted.

To obtain additional information or receive a copy of the National/Concord NH District Nomination Guidelines, please contact Cheryl.Croto@sba.gov.

About National Small Business Week

Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America's entrepreneurs and small business owners. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov/nsbw.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.