Program Overview

APPLICATION

Main Street Business Owner of the Year Award

Nominations are due no later than Thursday, April 20 at 3 p.m.

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Program Overview The University of Mary Washington Center for Economic Development (CED) collaborates with business, government, education, and private parties to promote personal, professional and economic growth by advancing knowledge through entrepreneurship, small business development, innovation and competitiveness, research and analysis, and outreach and engagement. The Main Street Business Owner of the Year Award serves to recognize business owners who have achieved exemplary accomplishments through their relationship with the CED by advancing an enterprise and making giving back to the business community. Nominees for this award can be any business owner in a Main Street identified zone that have had a working relationship with the Center for Economic Development as a business client or partnered initiatives such as teaching, mentoring, or advising.

Program Objectives 1. Recognize business owners who have made a significant contribution to the economy through ownership in a Virginia Main Street small business. 2. Recognize business owners who have made a significant difference in their communities by promoting a sense of volunteerism. 3. Increase the number of Main Street businesses served by the Center for Economic Development and the UMW Small Business Development Center.

Eligibility Guidelines The following are key requirements for nominees of the award. 1. Demonstrated Passion and Commitment to their Enterprise 2. Leadership within their industry 3. Proven Business Success through sustainability and growth 4. Dedication to Community 5. The nominee must own, or have owned, at least 51 percent of a Virginia based business. 6. The nominee must have owned their business for at least one year. 7. The nominee and his/her business must be (or have been) located in Virginia. 8. Nominees must be living in Virginia at the time of their nomination. 9. All nominating material becomes the property of the UMW Center for Economic Development and may not be returned. 10. Past recipients are not eligible.

Nomination Process An application for nomination for the Award may be filled out by the nominee, by an SBDC counselor, or by any interested party. The application is sent to the Center for Economic Development: Main Street Business Owner of the Year Nomination University of Mary Washington Center for Economic Development 1125 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Suite 400 Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 Email: [email protected]

Nominations are due no later than Thursday, April 20 at 3 p.m. Award will be announced Friday, May 5 at the Main Street Meeting

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Nomination Package Nomination Form The nomination form identifies the business owner, their business, and their involvement at the Center for Economic Development, business advocacy service, and community service. Nomination Narrative or Letter The nominating package will include a narrative or letter, not to exceed one page, single spaced, explaining why the nominee is being nominated. It should describe the qualities and performances that merit the award. The letter should have one-inch margins, 12 pitch and Times New Roman font. The nomination letter must include the nominator's name, address, and phone number. Permission for Publicity Information Form Nominations must include a Permission for Publicity Information Form, granting permission to use the information for promotional purposes. The form is included in the instruction packet. This information is vital to disclosing the recipient and acknowledging achievements when the award is made.

Resume and/or Biography Nominations must include the nominee's resume and/or biographical profile. Letters of Recommendation Nominations may include up to three letters of recommendation or examples of media coverage. All information must be in printed format as electronic format will not be accepted. Send completed applications to: Main Street Business Owner of the Year Nomination University of Mary Washington Center for Economic Development 1125 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Suite 400 Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 Email: [email protected]

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NOMINATION FORM Nominee: Title: Business name: Percent ownership in business: Length of ownership (in years): Other businesses owned (more than 51%): Current address: Phone:

E-mail:

Company web site: Relationship to the UMW Center for Economic Development, Business Organizations, and Main Street Programs:

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NOMINATION NARRATIVE (may submit on separate sheet, but limit to one page) In 500 words or less, give concise information of the qualities and performance that merit this award. Include detailed information about the nominee’s business success, business advocacy and community involvement. Describe how the nominee has been innovative and successful in their business(es) and how they have advocated for small business formation and growth in a Main Street program.

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PERMISSION FOR PUBLICITY INFORMATION FORM UMW Center for Economic Development Awards MAIN STREET

Name:

Please complete entire nomination packet to be considered for the award.

Information requested on this form and the nomination packet gathered for the UMW CED Main Street Business Owner of the Year Award, may be used in articles, public service announcements, education, speeches, etc. The more complete the information, the greater it has of being used. Furnishing the personal information requested is voluntary. Commercial or financial information obtained which might be competitively harmful to your business will be kept confidential unless requested otherwise By signing this agreement you allow the UMW CED to use this information for the above listed purposes.

Signature: ____________________________________________ Printed Name: DATE:

This material is based upon work supported by University of Mary Washington Center for Economic Development. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the University of Mary Washington.

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CHECKLIST o

Nomination Form (mandatory)

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Nomination Narrative (mandatory)

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Nomination Letter (optional)

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Resume or Biography (mandatory)

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Up to 3 letters of recommendations/media coverage

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Signed Publicity Information Form (mandatory)

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