1. Emerging Business of the Year

This award is open to businesses who started in the last two years and have had success introducing their product or service. Businesses recognized in this category are run by great leadership, show a promising vision for the future, and have created a mission statement that aligns with their core values.

2. Micro-Business of the Year

This award is open to businesses who have less than ten employees and operate efficiently with a small team while positively impacting the local economy. Businesses considered for this award can clearly explain what makes their product or service unique, how they measure success and what opportunities they provide their employees.

3. Small Business of the Year

This award is open to businesses who have less than 50 employees that focus on employee inclusion, community involvement and innovation in their business practices. Businesses considered for this award can clearly explain what makes their product or service unique, how they measure success and what opportunities they provide their employees.

4. Medium/Large Business of the Year

This award is open to businesses who have more than 50 employees that has been able adaptable to change over the past year, has displayed economic growth, and provides opportunities for their employees to improve their skills in an ever-changing environment.

5. Employer of the Year

This award is for businesses with an outstanding and supportive work environment with a focus on great training programs, an understanding of work-life balance, and career progression. Employers recognized in this category inspire and motivate their growing, diverse staff with equal opportunity programs.

6. Entrepreneur of the Year

This award recognizes an entrepreneur who has a creative product or service that solves a problem in the marketplace. They are highly ambitious, serve as community leaders, and work to improve the quality of life for others through either employment or serving others.

7. Non-Profit of the Year

This award recognizes a nonprofit organization that shows dedication for improving the quality of life in the community through volunteering, partnerships, or fundraising. Winners will be able to share how they have effectively used these skills to further their mission and improve the community.

8. Minority-Owned Business of the year

This award recognizes a minority-owned small business that has attained outstanding business achievement while showing social responsibility, creativity, and leadership; all to improve and grow the community.

9. Female-Owned Business of the year

This award recognizes a women-owned small business that has attained outstanding business achievement while showing social responsibility, creativity, and leadership; all to improve and grow the community.

10. Veteran-Owned business of the year

This award recognizes a veteran-owned small business that has attained outstanding business achievement while showing social responsibility, creativity, and leadership; all to improve and grow the community.

11. Young entreprenuer of the year

This award recognizes a small business owner who has successfully launched and grown their business before the age of 30. This person demonstrates an entrepreneurial spirit by applying business knowledge, growth potential and success in the operation of their business. They also prove to be a great example to other young individuals.

12. Smart Business of the year

This award recognizes a business that has used advanced or cutting-edge technology to advance their business or make a difference in their industry in response to challenges due to COVID-19.

13. The John Myslak Award for Servant Leadership

This award is given to a leader who enriches the lives of others, builds better organizations, and ultimately helps create a more just and caring world. That is what our friend and colleague John Myslak did in our community, and we honor his memory by recognizing others who live their lives as fully as he did.

14. Community Vibrancy Award

So many of our communities, organizations, small businesses, nonprofits, and individuals are doing amazing things to make our communities better and to help create vibrancy. They have shown us they are resourceful, inventive, and really creative. Do you have a story to tell? If you know of a group or individual who is making life better for others in the community, we want to hear about it. Send in your bright ideas and success stories of what’s working – regardless of the size of the program.