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Community | EventsAugust 25, 2025

Nominations Open for ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards at Bakery District

Written By: Rachel Putman

The University of ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ – Fort Smith Center for Economic Development will host the second annual Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Bakery District in downtown Fort Smith.

The event recognizes and celebrates outstanding achievements among regional family-owned and small businesses, as well as business advisors who support these enterprises.

Nominations for the 2025 awards are open through Sept. 17. Individuals, family-owned businesses, small businesses, and advisors may be nominated online.

Nominees do not need to be affiliated with the Jim Walcott Family Enterprise Center or the ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Small Business and Technology Development Center to be considered.

Award categories are divided into three primary groups: Small Business Awards, Family-Owned Business Awards, and the Business Advisor of the Year Award.

Small Business Awards include:

• Women-Owned Business Award
• Minority-Owned Business Award
• Technology and Innovation Business Award
• Early Success and Growth Award
• Small Business of the Year Award

To qualify for a Small Business Award, businesses must have no more than 50 employees.

Family-Owned Business Awards include:

• Legacy Champion Award
• Emerging Luminary Award
• Family Unity Award
• Business Renewal Award
• Family Business of the Year Award

To qualify as a family business, businesses must have at least two family members in management roles and hold a controlling interest.

The Business Advisor of the Year Award will honor a professional who has delivered exceptional advisory support to small or family-owned businesses, contributing to their sustainability and growth. Nominees can be from fields such as ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ, legal, insurance, accounting, or business consulting.

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