The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has opened nominations for the 2026 National Small Business Week Awards. National Small Business Week recognizes the contributions of America’s 36 million small businesses – which make up 99% of all businesses in America, create two out of every three new jobs, and employ about half of America’s workforce. Next year, National Small Business Week will take place May 3 – 9, 2026.
To nominate a small business in your area and download related forms, criteria, and guidelines, visit sba.gov/nsbw. All nominations must be submitted electronically by 7 a.m. ET on Dec. 8, 2025. National awards will be presented during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., next May during National Small Business Week. Local awards will be presented in West Virginia also during National Small Business Week.
A business owner from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam will be selected for State Small Business Person of the Year awards. State award winners will compete for the 2026 National Small Business Person of the Year title, SBA’s signature award.
National award categories include:
-Small Business Person of the Year
-8(a) Graduate of the Year
-WV Small Business Exporter of the Year, and more
National award information can be found at: www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week/awards.
Local WV awards include:
-Family-Owned Small Business of the Year
-Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year
-Women-Owned Small Business of the Year
-Small Business Manufacturer of the Year (new!)
-Rural Small Business of the Year (new!)
-Blue-Collar Small Business of the Year (new!)
District office award information can be found at: www.sba.gov/district/west-virginia/west-virginia-district-office-awards.
