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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

Nominations are now being accepted for The Shelby County Chamber’s 2025 Small Business of the Year.

The Small Business of the Year award is the joint collaboration of the following five organizations: Calera Main Street, Columbiana Main Street, the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce, Montevallo Main Street and The Shelby County Chamber.

“(We’re all) honored to recognize the excellence and success of our small business community,” read an official release by The Shelby County Chamber.

There will be five categories for the 2025 Shelby County Small Business of the Year

• Category 1 – One to five employees, open for one year or more
• Category 2 – Six to 10 employees, open for one year or more
• Category 3 – 12-20 employees, open for one year or more
• Category 3 – More than 21 employees, open for more than one year
• Category 5 – Open less than one year as of March 31 with less than 25 total employees

In order to qualify for the award, the nominated business should meet the following conditions:

• Have ownership that has not been convicted of a felony
• Be able to prove financial stability
• Have a current license to do business in Shelby County or a municipality inside Shelby County

Self-nominations for the award are accepted.

Businesses will be evaluated for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024 based on the following criteria:

• Staying power: A substantiated history as an established business (Categories 1-4)
• Growth in number of employees: A benchmark to judge the impact of the business on the Shelby County job market (Categories 1-4)
• Increase in sales and/or unit volume: An indication of continued growth (Categories 1-4)
• Response to adversity: Provide written examples of problems faced in the nominee’s business and the methods used to solve those problems (All categories)
• Evidence of contribution to aid community-oriented projects: Provide written examples of personal time and resources utilized (All categories)

All 2025 nominees and recipients in each category will be recognized and announced at the Shelby County Chamber Small Business of the Year Awards luncheon which is currently scheduled for Wednesday, May 21 at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena in Pelham.

Completed packets for the five nomination categories are due to The Shelby County Chamber no later than Monday, April 28 at 5 p.m. Packets can be mailed to the Shelby County Chamber at 1301 County Services Drive, Pelham AL 35124 or sent by email to kirk@shelbychamber.org.