2026 Local Small Business
Excellence Awards and Celebration

Presented by the Orange County Inland Empire SBDC Network
Orange County | Riverside County | San Bernardino County

Celebrating Small Business

86 Cities. 86 Businesses. One Regional Celebration.

Small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities. They create jobs, bring new ideas to life, and help define the character of our cities. This year, the OCIE SBDC is bringing the region together for something bigger than we have never done before: one signature celebration recognizing the small businesses powering Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

Each city is invited to select one standout company as your 2026 Business of the Year to represent the innovation, resilience, and growth happening locally. We will bring all honorees together with city leaders, economic development teams, and SBDC partners to celebrate their impact, spotlight success stories, and strengthen the relationships that help small businesses thrive.

Our goal is simple and powerful. We want one business from every city, so every community is seen, celebrated, and connected through a shared story of regional small business success.

Resource Tables

2027 Startup Challenge

Which city/county can start the most businesses in 2027?

SBDC City/County One-Pagers

Snapshot data for each city and/or county

City + SBDC Program Showcase

Examples of successful programs delivered with partner cities

Regional Small Business Survey

Biggest needs for small businesses in 2027

County of Riverside Revolving Loan Fund

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City of Garden Grove Loan Program

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Little Saigon Economic Profile

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SBDC Business Intelligence Reports

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New SBDC Commercial Business Support Pilot

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About the Program

Wednesday, December 3 | Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
18001 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda, CA 92886

10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Registration, mocktails, and Appreciation Awards

11:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Lunch

11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Awards & Program Highlights

Selection Process & Required Information

City Selection Process

Each city will nominate its 2026 Business of the Year. Cities may use existing selection criteria, or select a business based on community impact and other factors that demonstrate the business’s value to the local economy and quality of life. Examples include:

Economic impact and job creation, such as hiring locally, retaining jobs, or creating new opportunities
Longevity and stability, including years in operation and sustained contribution to the local business community
Business growth and resilience, such as expansion, recovery from challenges, or adapting to changing market conditions
Community involvement and civic leadership, including charitable giving, volunteerism, sponsorships, or participation in city events and initiatives
Customer service and reputation, including strong community support and a track record of serving residents well
Innovation and entrepreneurship, such as new products or services, modernization, or a unique concept that strengthens the city’s business landscape
Support for local supply chains, including partnerships with other local businesses and vendors
Commitment to inclusive opportunity, such as creating pathways for employees or serving underserved neighborhoods
Place-based impact, including contributions to neighborhood vitality, downtown activation, corridor revitalization, or improving the local sense of place

Cities are encouraged to select a business that best represents the spirit of small business in their community and has made a meaningful impact during 2026 (or over the past 12 to 24 months).

Required Information

Information City Staff Will Provide

City contact information: city name, staff contact name, title/department, email, and phone
Nominated business details: business name, address, business category, and an optional website or social link
Business owner/primary contact details: name, optional title, email, and phone
Nomination narrative: a short paragraph on why the business is the city’s 2026 Business of the Year, plus a brief impact statement (jobs, community impact, growth, innovation, etc.)
Event participation and permissions: whether the business can attend on Dec. 3 (up to two tickets for the business) and whether the city will attend (up to two tickets for city staff and/or elected officials), plus confirmation that OCIE SBDC may contact the business and publicly recognize them.