Small Business Administration Opens Nominations for Small Business Week Awards

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the South Carolina District Office opened nominations for its 2027 National Small Business Week Awards, which recognize exceptional small business owners from South Carolina. National Small Business Week will take place May 2–8, 2027. Nominations must be submitted by 3 p.m. ET on Dec. 7, 2026, at SBA.gov/nsbw.

"Thanks to President Trump, the golden age for small businesses is here, with record new business starts, rising employment and investment, and historically high small business optimism,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “We are proud to celebrate the entrepreneurs and hardworking business owners who are putting that renewed confidence to work across America — from our rural communities to revitalized industrial hubs. From generational businesses to innovative startups, National Small Business Week 2027 will honor the nation’s best small business leaders who are creating jobs, investing locally, and contributing to America’s historic economic comeback.” 

“National Small Business Week gives us an opportunity to recognize the entrepreneurs whose innovation, determination, and leadership strengthen communities and drive South Carolina’s economy,” said Melissa Lindler, South Carolina District director for the U.S.  Small Business Administration. “I encourage our resource partners, lenders, chambers, economic development organizations, and community leaders across the state to nominate the outstanding small businesses and advocates who are making a difference.” 

SBA has recognized National Small Business Week since 1963. Each year, a business owner from South Carolina is selected for the State Small Business Person of the Year award. The South Carolina State award winner will compete for the 2027 National Small Business Person of the Year – SBA’s signature award and the agency’s highest small business honor. In addition to the national award categories, the South Carolina District Office is also accepting nominations for Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year.  The awards recognize small businesses that are excelling in specific areas that contribute to American strength, innovation, and resilience.  The categories are:  

• Small Business Person of the Year

• Blue-Collar Small Business of the Year 

• Small Business Manufacturer of the Year 

• Rural Small Business of the Year 

• Small Business Exporter of the Year

• Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Excellence & Innovation Award

• Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Excellence in Service Award

• Women’s Business Center of the Year 

• Veteran Small Business of the Year

• Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year 

Small business owners may nominate themselves for an award, or they may be nominated by a third-party. Visit SBA.gov/nsbw for the full list of awards, eligibility requirements, guidelines, nomination forms, local area contacts, and all related information. Next May, during National Small Business Week, national honorees will be recognized in Washington, D.C., and local recipients will be honored in Columbia, South Carolina. Last year, national award recipients were recognized by President Donald J. Trump at the White House during the National Small Business Week Small Business Summit.