Vermont SBA seeks nominees for small business awards

MONTPELIER

The Small Business Administration Vermont District Office is accepting nominations for its annual small business awards. Previous Vermont winners include Ben and Jerry’s, Switchback Brewing Co. and Vermont Teddy Bear Co. Nomination deadline is Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014.

The categories are:

Small Business Person of the Year

Criteria: Individual or partners who own a small business that has increased sales, profits and employees and been in business for three years.

Exporting Small Business of the Year

Criteria: Small business that has increased sales, profits and/or employees due to exporting and been in business for three years.

Family-Owned Small Business of the Year

Criteria: Small business must be family-owned for at least 15 years and ownership has transitioned to another generation.

Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year

Criteria: Small business at least 51 percent owned by a veteran of U.S. armed forces, which has been in business for three years.

Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year

Criteria: Small business at least 51 percent owned by a woman, which has been in business for three years.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Criteria: Individual or partners who own a small business, are under 35, and have been in business for three years.

Microenterprise of the Year

Criteria: Individual or partners who own a microenterprise with five or less employees, received SBA assistance and have been in business for three years.

To nominate a Vermont small business, email vermont_do@sba.gov the company’s name, owner’s name and award category. Businesses may self-nominate. For more information, email vermont_do@sba.gov or call 802-828-4422.