SBA Extends SBW Awards Nomination Deadline, 1/31/13

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Baltimore District Office has extended the deadline for nominations for the successful small person who might become Maryland’s “Small Business Person of the Year” for 2013 and compete for the national title during National Small Business Week. Nominees are also being sought for several local Champion and Special Award categories. The new deadline for nomination submissions is Thursday, January 31, 2013.

This is an excellent opportunity to promote your own business, a client or even an employee. It’s your chance to be recognized for all of your hard work and entrepreneurial spirit. Both the nominator and nominee receive recognition through this awards program. Who can’t use some free publicity these days?

Small Business Person of the Year nominees will compete locally and the winner will advance to the National competition. Nominees will be judged on a variety of criteria, including staying power, growth in employment and sales, innovation of product or service and evidence of contributions to the community.

Small Business Champion awards are presented by Maryland Small Business Week Awards Program, Inc. to persons who have used their professional or personal talents to further the public’s understanding and awareness of small business. Candidates must have taken an active role in creating opportunities to promote the interests of small business. Champion award categories include: Financial Services, Home-Based Business, Minority, Veteran and Women. Special award categories include the Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Small Business award, Entrepreneurial Success, Small Business Exporter, Young Entrepreneur, the Accountant Champion, Insurance Champion and Legal Champion awards.

Nominations can be made by an individual or an organization. The Maryland program accepts nominations for individuals or businesses operating within the City of Baltimore and all Maryland counties except Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. All nominations must be received by the SBA Baltimore District Office no later than Thursday, January 31, 2013. This year’s progam allows for electronic submission or traditional printed nominations. Refer to the nomination guidelines for submission instructions.

To obtain nomination criteria and submission guidelines, visit us on the web atwww.sba.gov/md or contact Rachel Howard at (410) 962-6195, Ext. 330 or by email atrachel.howard@sba.gov.

P.S. (Don’t forget to mark your calendar for Friday, April 19, 2013  for the 2013 Maryland Small Business Week Awards Luncheon, Martin’s West, Woodlawn, Md.) (For sponsorship information, contact Ed Podowski of MD Small Business Week Awards Program, Inc. at 410-821-1025, ext. 100)