The U.S. Small Business Administration Eastern Pennsylvania District Office is accepting nominations for its 2022 National and District Small Business Week Awards, including the Small Business Person of the Year award.
Visit sba.gov/nsbw to download forms, criteria and guidelines for submitting a nomination. Categories include:
– Small Business Person of the Year (National and District)
– Small Business Exporter (National and District)
– Entrepreneurial Success
– Family-Owned Business of the Year
– Minority-Owned Small Business Person of the Year
– Veteran-Owned Small Business Person of the Year
– Woman-Owned Small Business Person of the Year
– Young Entrepreneur of the Year
“For more than 50 years, National Small Business Week has celebrated the inspiring achievements of America’s small businesses and the countless contributions they make to their local communities and our nation’s economy,” said Steve Dixel, U.S. SBA Eastern Pennsylvania District Director. “The SBA is proud to recognize the outstanding small businesses that drive our nation’s economy with these awards, which are one of the nation’s highest honors for small business achievement.”
All nominations must be received by the Eastern Pennsylvania District office by electronic submission only no later than 3 p.m. on Jan. 11. Contact Sonia Smith at sonia.smith@sba.gov for more information.
Additionally, the SBA is encouraging Americans to shop small on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 27, in support of local businesses and Main Street economies.
“This Small Business Saturday, let’s celebrate the contributions of small businesses to our communities by supporting small in all the ways that we can,” said SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman. “With vaccinations on the rise thanks to President Biden’s leadership, our local Main Streets and business centers are seeing renewed activity. On Saturday and throughout the holiday season, let’s patronize our small shops, restaurants, theaters, entertainment centers and more to help support their recovery. It takes hard work, grit and determination to bounce back from a once-in-a-generation pandemic, and the SBA is proud to do its part to provide entrepreneurs with vital resources. Now more than ever, let’s buy local to support small business owners who are creating opportunity and driving job growth across the nation.”
Celebrated each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday allows consumers to make an impact in their neighborhoods by supporting local small businesses from nearly every sector, from manufacturing to e-commerce, to mom-and-pop shops on Main Street. The day is designed to support local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and enliven neighborhoods around the country.
Since 2010, Small Business Saturday has been an annual celebration of America’s small business community. Last year, the total reported projected spending among U.S. consumers who shopped at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday reached an estimated $19.8 billion.
There are over 32.5 million small businesses in the U.S. About half of all American workers are either employed by a small business or own a small business, and two out of three net new jobs are created by small businesses. Visit sba.gov/saturday for more information.
