Ashland SBDC to host small business awards ceremony

Morehead State’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Ashland office will host the 2019 Northeast Kentucky Small Business Awards to honor and recognize small business owners, small business champions and young entrepreneurs (under age 40) in Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Greenup, and Lawrence counties on Thursday, May 9.  This year’s small business award categories include: New Business (operating less than two years), Emerging Business (operating for two to five years), Retail/Wholesale, Service, Professional, Construction/Contracting, Downtown Business and Family-Owned.   The Young Entrepreneur category includes individuals under the age of 40 (as of May 15) who have owned/operated a successful small business for two or more years. The Small Business Champion category recognizes individuals who assist small businesses through advocacy and support efforts that help improve business, regulatory, and/or financial opportunities for small business owners. Champions may include bankers, attorneys, CPAs, politicians, economic development officials, etc. The public is encouraged to nominate outstanding small business owners and/or champions. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, March 15. All nominees will be honored during an awards breakfast on Thursday, May 9. One winner will be selected in each category, and an overall Northeast Kentucky Small Business of the Year will take the top award.