Leesburg Opens Nominations for 2026 Small Business Awards Recognizing Community Impact and Innovation

The Town of Leesburg, Virginia, has officially opened nominations for its 2026 Small Business Awards, an annual event designed to honor businesses and individuals that significantly contribute to the community’s vibrancy and economic growth. The awards ceremony is scheduled for May 6, 2026, with the specific venue to be announced later. This year’s recognition program features seven distinct categories, each highlighting different facets of business excellence and community engagement. The deadline for all submissions is February 25, 2026, and interested parties can find nomination forms and detailed criteria online.

The seven award categories aim to cast a wide net in recognizing outstanding local enterprises. The Community Ambassador Award is designated for businesses or organizations that actively promote a positive image of Leesburg through dedicated investment of time, talent, and resources, going above and beyond daily operations to foster community strength and elevate the town’s appeal. For-profit entities demonstrating forward-thinking through novel ventures, product development, or advanced business practices are eligible for the Innovations Award. The New Business Award celebrates for-profit businesses that were newly permitted and licensed in 2023 or 2024 and have since established operations within Leesburg, recognizing their role in injecting fresh energy and investment into the local economy.

Further recognizing growth and commitment, the Expanding Business Award honors for-profit businesses that substantially increased their operations or investments in Leesburg during 2024 or 2025. This expansion could encompass physical growth, workforce development, the introduction of new services or products, or significant capital investment, all indicating continued confidence in the town’s future. The Arts and Culture Award is set to acknowledge businesses, organizations, or individuals who actively contribute to or support the arts scene within Leesburg, welcoming both for-profit and non-profit nominees.

For organizations dedicated to social impact, the Non-Profit/Philanthropic Award will honor registered charitable entities that serve or benefit Leesburg residents and businesses. These organizations must demonstrate exceptional commitment to the community through direct services that enhance the quality of life. Finally, the George C. Marshall Award will be presented to an individual whose leadership, vision, and dedication to community service embody the spirit of General George C. Marshall. While nominees for this award are not required to reside in Leesburg, they must have a connection to a local business or organization. A special addition to the awards is the People’s Choice Award, where the public will have the opportunity to vote online for their favorite nominee, with voting scheduled to commence in late February.

To be eligible for nomination, businesses must generally have a primary physical location within Leesburg’s corporate limits, with exceptions for certain non-profit nominees who must serve the Leesburg community but are not necessarily headquartered there. All business nominees must hold a valid Town of Leesburg business license or be a registered nonprofit organization with the Town, be in good standing with all local regulations, and have been operational for at least one year as of December 31, 2025. The Town of Leesburg reserves the right to reassign nominees to a more suitable category if deemed appropriate. For additional information or inquiries regarding the nomination process, interested parties can contact Melanie Scoggins, assistant director of Economic Development, at 571-271-1206 or via email at mscoggins@leesburgva.gov.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Town of Leesburg, Virginia.

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