Pima County, Arizona — The Pima County Small Business Commission is accepting nominations for the 2021 Small Business of the Year Awards. The commission presents the awards each year, judging nominees on criteria such as company culture, positive impact on Pima County and community involvement.
The 2021 awards program will be presented during what is hoped are the waning days of uncertainty for small businesses brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The awards will recognize small businesses and nonprofit organizations that had a positive impact on Pima County through workforce development and maintaining a supportive workplace environment, community engagement and providing innovation that helped employees or operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2021 Pima County Small Business of the Year Awards will be presented to three small businesses and/or nonprofits. At least one awardee will be located outside of Tucson city limits. Each successful applicant selected by the Pima County Small Business Commission will receive $500. Presentation of the 2021 Small Business Awards will be made at a future Pima County Board of Supervisors meeting.
Below are the eligibility guidelines for nominees:
- Be located in Pima County (may be a branch or division of a larger company).
- Be owned or managed by a Pima County resident.
- Be in operation for at least two years.
- Employ fewer than 100 employees.
Application Procedures
- Nominations may be submitted by either a small business/nonprofit organization owner/manager or by a customer or client of a small business/nonprofit organization.
- All 2021 award nominations must be submitted using the online application form:
https://webcms.pima.gov/cms/One.aspx?pageId=160545 - Nomination applications must be submitted online by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 15, 2021.
Past winners of the Pima County Small Business of the Year Award
- 2020: Coffee Times (business); Homewatch CareGivers of Southern Arizona (nonprofit); Treasures 4 Teachers of Tucson (nonprofit)
- 2019: Rural Award - Westgate Garden Design; Urban Award – Cabling Solutions Group; Non-profit Award – (No award presented at the Commission’s discretion.)
- 2017/2018 combined: Rural Award – Miura Contracting; Urban Award – Kool Air Manufacturing; Non-Profit Award – Pima Community College Small Business Development Center
- 2016: Rural Award - Vistoso Automotive; Urban Award - Plum Windows & Doors, Inc.
- 2015: Rural Award – Bling by Design; Urban Award - Aztera
- 2014: Rural Award - Golden Goose Thrift Store in Catalina; Urban Award - The Planning Center
- 2013: Rural Award - Ajo Transportation; Urban award - Casa de los Niño’s Thrift store
- 2012: Joint Technical Education District
- 2011: Gasoline Alley, an automobile repair and restoration business in Green Valley
- 2010: Microbusiness Advancement Center