BUSINESS OF THE YEAR CRITERIA
Nominating a business or your own business for Business of the Year?
You can nominate your own business or another business. All deadlines are firm and nominations will not be accepted after the deadline.
Previous winners must wait 7 years before eligibility is restored. A list of past winners are listed below.
Award Categories | Small Business of the Year | Business of the Year | New Business of the Year | Non-Profit of the Year
Small Business of the Year Criteria
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
1. Nominee must be an active business with a location in Washington County.
2. Nominee must be a member in good standing with the Chamber of Commerce.
3. Nominee must have been in business for at least 3 years.
4. Nominee must be an independently-owned business.
5. Nominee must have demonstrated one or more of the following characteristics:
- Revenue growth and/or job growth.
- 24 or fewer employees
- Innovative products or services
- Provides exemplary customer service
- Encourages and provides professional development of staff.
- Active member in the Washington County community
Who can nominate? Anyone can nominate a member business, or you can nominate your own business. The chamber reserves the right to request letters of reference from a third party. Nominees may furnish one of these if they did not submit the original nomination form. Nominations will require a completed application to be considered. Once the nomination is received, the top 3 nominations from each category will be placed in an online poll for the community to vote on. The winner of each award will be announced at the Annual Chamber & EDF Banquet on January 30, 2025.
Business of the Year Award Criteria
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
1. Nominee must be an active business with a location in Washington County.
2. Nominee must be a member in good standing with the Chamber of Commerce.
3. Nominee must have been in business for at least 3 years.
4. Nominee must have demonstrated one or more of the following characteristics:
- Revenue growth and/or job growth.
- 25 or more employees
- Innovative products or services
- Provides exemplary customer service
- Encourages and provides professional development of staff.
- Active member in the Washington County community
Who can nominate? Anyone can nominate a member business, or you can nominate your own business. The chamber reserves the right to request letters of reference from a third party. Nominees may furnish one of these if they did not submit the original nomination form. Nominations will require a completed application to be considered. Once the nomination is received, the top 3 nominations from each category will be placed in an online poll for the community to vote on. The winner of each award will be announced at the Annual Chamber & EDF Banquet on January 30, 2025.
New Business of the Year Criteria
NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
1. Nominee must be an active business with a location in Washington County.
2. Nominee must be a member in good standing with the Chamber of Commerce.
3. Nominee must have been in business for less than 3 years.
4. Nominee must be an independently-owned business.
5. Nominee must have demonstrated one or more of the following characteristics:
- Revenue growth and/or job growth.
- Innovative products or services
- Provides exemplary customer service
- Encourages and provides professional development of staff.
- Active member in the Washington County community
Who can nominate? Anyone can nominate a member business, or you can nominate your own business. The chamber reserves the right to request letters of reference from a third party. Nominees may furnish one of these if they did not submit the original nomination form. Nominations will require a completed application to be considered. Once the nomination is received, the top 3 nominations from each category will be placed in an online poll for the community to vote on. The winner of each award will be announced at the Annual Chamber & EDF Banquet on January 30, 2025.
Community Impact Award
NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR AWARD
1. Nominee must be an active 501-C3 organization operating in Washington County.
2. Nominee must be a member in good standing with the Chamber of Commerce.
3. Nominee must have been in operation for at least 3 years.
4. Nominee must have shown exemplary support to the community.
5. Nominee must have demonstrated the following:
- Demonstrate outstanding contributions to the community.
- Exhibits organizational excellence and responsibility to stakeholders.
Who can nominate? Anyone can nominate a 501C3 or this can be a self-nomination. The Chamber reserves the right to request two letters of reference from a third party. Once the nomination is received, the top 3 nominations from each category will be placed in an online poll for the community to vote on. The winner of each award will be announced at the Annual Chamber & EDF Banquet on January 30, 2025.
PAST WINNERS
Small Business of the Year Past Recipients (24 or fewer employees)
2014 – RE/MAX Advantage
2015 – Home Sweet Farm
2016 – Kwik Kopy Business Center
2017 – Independence Coffee
2018 – Bliss Candy Co.
2019 – LJ’s BBQ
2020 – Must Be Heaven
2021 – The Yard
2022 – Brenham Quality Meat Market
2023 – Brenham Charcuterie Boards
Business of the Year Past Recipients (25+ Employees)
2014 – Brenham National Bank
2015 –
2016 – Glasco & Co. Landscaping
2017 – Del Sol Food Co. BRIANNAS
2018 – South Texas Tack
2019 – Bluebonnet Electric
2020 – Bank of Brenham
2021 – Seidel Schroeder
2022 – Citizens State Bank
2023 – Brenham Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
Non-Profit of the Year
2022 – Brenham Pregnancy Center
2023 – Gather N Grace
New Business of the Year
2023 – Glamfetti