As we approach the new year, the South Carolina District Office is seeking nominations for the 2026 National Small Business Week Awards.
National Small Business Week, which takes place from May 3 to May 9, recognizes the contributions of organizations that employ approximately half of the United States’ workforce and comprise about 99% of all businesses in the country.
All nominations must be submitted by 2 p.m. on Dec. 22, and national awards will be presented during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. next May. State awards will be presented in Columbia during National Small Business Week.
The national recognition will choose one small business owner from each state for categories including: Small Business Person of the Year, Graduate of the Year, Small Business Exporter of the Year and the Phoenix Award.
Local South Carolina awards include: Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year, Women-Owned Small Business of the Year, Small Business Manufacturer of the Year, Rural Small Business of the Year and Blue-Collar Small Business of the Year.
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The S.C. District Office said each state award winner will compete for the 2026 National Small Business Person of the Year title, SBA’s signature award.
To nominate a small business or learn more, go here.
To learn more about national awards, go here.
Award information specifically for South Carolina can be found here.
