The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce awards a local business each year with the Small Business of the Year Award. The Champaign County Small Business of the Year Award honors an outstanding small business that significantly contributes to the local community and economy. It is intended to recognize a successful and growing company that has achieved its status through ingenuity and hard work. The nomination criteria is below:
- The business must be a member of the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce and should be located within Champaign County.
- The business must be in operation for at least three years.
- The business should have a solid track record of growth and demonstrated integrity and community involvement.
- The business should meet the following small business size standards as determined by the SBA. The business is considered a small business if it is not greater than the size standard indicated below (dollar amount below is in reference to annual receipts).
| Manufacturing |
500 employees |
| Wholesale Trade |
500 employees |
| Agriculture |
$4 million |
| Retail Trade |
$35 million |
| General & Heavy Construction (except Dredging) |
$36.5 million |
| Dredging |
$27.5 million |
| Special Trade Contractors |
$15 million |
| Travel Agencies (commissions & other income) |
$20.5 million |
| Engineering Services |
$15.0 million |
| Business & Personal Services (except those listed below) |
$11.0 million |
| Architectural, Engineering, Surveying & Mapping Svcs. |
$7.5 million |
| Dry Cleaning & Carpet Cleaning Services |
$5.5 million |
The recipient will be named at the 2025 Champaign County Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting on Friday, October 24, 2025. Self-nominations are encouraged. Previously nominated businesses are eligible for consideration without renomination; however, previous winners cannot be nominated. Completed nomination forms must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 26, 4:00 pm. Only on-time nominations will be considered. The selection committee and/or the Chamber Board of Directors reserves the right to nominate additional individuals and/or expand the nomination process if an adequate pool of nominations has not been received.