SBA Opens Nominations for 2026 National Small Business Week Awards
The U.S. Small Business Administration has officially opened nominations for the 2026 National Small Business Week (NSBW) Awards, inviting communities across the country to spotlight the entrepreneurs who power jobs, innovation, and local prosperity. NSBW 2026 will be celebrated from May 3 to 9, 2026.
National Small Business Week honors the impact of America’s small businesses, 36 million strong, who represent 99% of U.S. firms, create two out of every three new jobs, and employ roughly half of the nation’s workforce.
“During National Small Business Week, we honor America’s job creators and the vital role they play in making our country the greatest in the world,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “From farms to factories, hardworking small businesses are the engine of our economy, the heartbeat of local communities, and the foundation of our nation’s strength.”
Here in the Great Plains, the SBA is encouraging a surge of homegrown nominations. “The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well here in the Great Plains, and these awards are the perfect opportunity to shine a national spotlight on the incredible businesses in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska,” said Brad Zaun, SBA Great Plains Regional Administrator. “We have some of the most innovative and resilient business owners in the country, and I want to see their stories told.”
How to nominate a Nebraska small business
Nominations for Nebraska entrepreneurs, including forms, criteria, and full guidelines, are available at sba.gov/nsbw. Submissions must be completed electronically by 6 a.m. CST on Dec. 8, 2025. National honorees will be recognized in Washington, D.C., during NSBW in May, while the SBA Nebraska District Office will celebrate the state winner locally that same month.
Awards categories
One standout from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam will earn the State Small Business Person of the Year title and advance to compete for the SBA’s top honor: National Small Business Person of the Year. Additional categories recognize excellence in exporting, disaster recovery, federal procurement, and more, capturing the many ways small firms strengthen supply chains, rebuild communities, and open doors to opportunity.
Key details at a glance
Deadline (electronic submissions): Dec. 8, 2025, 6:00 a.m. CST
Where to start: sba.gov/nsbw (forms, criteria, contacts)
Recognition: Washington, D.C. ceremony during NSBW (May 3–9, 2026) and a Nebraska District celebration in May 2026
Questions (Nebraska): Nebraska.General@sba.gov
The SBA remains the federal government’s leading voice for small businesses, delivering resources to help entrepreneurs start, grow, expand, and recover through a nationwide network of field offices and partners. Learn more at sba.gov.