The Elevate Rapid City Business Awards Night honors businesses, organizations, and people within our community for making significant contributions to our mission: elevate the economy for all.
What are the Elevate Rapid City Business Awards? The Elevate Rapid City business awards were established in 2022 to celebrate and recognize the businesses, non-profits, and people in our community who have made significant contributions to our mission: elevate the region for all.
When is the 2025 Awards Night Celebration? The 2025 celebration event will be Tuesday, June 10, 2025. Please mark your calendar and join us for the celebration!
What is the process? The 2025 awards nomination and application window is February 20 to March 28. You can nominate a business using the nomination form or apply for the applicable categories during this time. The application window is now open for nominated and all Rapid City businesses. Applications close March 28. Judges will then score the applications and make the decision. Final 3 businesses will be released in May with winners announced at the Awards Celebration on June 10, 2025. Business must be active investors of Elevate Rapid City in order to qualify.
What makes for a strong application? When working on your application for the Business Awards we strongly encourage you to use the opportunity to tell your story. Judges can only go on the information provided, so it is important to include information as though no one has heard of your business or what you do. Be thorough and persuasive, include evidence for how you meet the criteria and deserve to win the award. Be sure to read the required criteria for the category. And, of course, a picture is worth 1,000 words - don't forget that section of the application!
Read the descriptions below for more information about each business award category. Click the + symbol for the details and the application.
In May the applications will be reviewed by a judges panel to select the finalists. Winners will be announced at the event on June 10, 2025.
Small Business of the Year
- 25 or less full-time equivalent employees
- Privately held, for-profit business/organization
- Has been in business in the Rapid City community for a minimum of three years (since Jan. 1, 2022)
- Shows stability or growth in sales, service and/or number of individuals served and/or expanded products and services
- Demonstrates a commitment to ethical business practices
- Demonstrates a commitment to employee support and development
- Demonstrates corporate citizenship and/or community leadership
- Current investor in good standing with Elevate Rapid City
Emerging Business of the Year
- 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees
- Privately held, for-profit business/organization
- Has been an established business in the Rapid City community for fewer than three years (since January 1, 2022)
- Demonstrates a high level of entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, perseverance, innovation and determination
- Demonstrates a commitment to ethical business practices
- Demonstrates a commitment to employee support and development
- Demonstrates corporate citizenship and/or community leadership
- Current investor in good standing with Elevate Rapid City
Business Expansion Award
- Open to any business that has enhanced the quality of life in Rapid City.
- Business who has made significant contributions to our community by expanding.
- Business that shows continual commitment to the community.
- Been in the Rapid City community for a minimum of three years (since January 1, 2022)
- Current investor in good standing with Elevate Rapid City.
Large Business of the Year
- More than 25 full-time equivalent employees
- Privately held, for-profit business/organization
- Been in business in the Rapid City community for a minimum of three years (since January 1, 2022)
- Shows stability or growth in sales, service and/or number of individuals served and/or expanded products and services
- Demonstrates a commitment to ethical business practices
- Demonstrates a commitment to employee support and development
- Demonstrates corporate citizenship and/or community leadership
- Current investor in good standing with Elevate Rapid City
Young Professionals Best Place to Work
- Young professionals are defined as 40 and under
- Open to all businesses, non-profit and for-profit
- The organization supports total Young Professional development
- Has been in business in the Rapid City community for a minimum of three years (since Jan. 1, 2022)
- Current investor in good standing with Elevate Rapid City
Non-Profit of the Year
- Must be a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, as defined by IRS standards, in the Rapid City community
- Has been in business in the Rapid City community for a minimum of three years (since Jan. 1, 2022)
- Shown stability or growth in services and/or number of individuals served and/or expanded programs and services
- Proven contribution to enhancing the community’s overall quality of life
- Demonstrated commitment to ethical business practices
- Demonstrated commitment to employee support and development
- Current investor in good standing with Elevate Rapid City
Culture of Belonging Award
- Open to all businesses, non-profit and for-profit
- Demonstrates organizational practices inclusive of all people no matter that person’s race, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity
- Demonstrates strong, visible and effective strategic leadership on creating a culture of belonging
- Demonstrates intentional creation of policies and procedures that embrace fairness and equity in the workplace
- A commitment to diversity and inclusion is integrated throughout your organization’s mission/strategic plan
- Demonstrates a commitment to employee support and development
- Has been in business in the Rapid City community for a minimum of three years (since January 1, 2022)
- Current investor in good standing with Elevate Rapid City
Beautification Award
- Open to businesses that have made significant improvements to the exterior of their business.
- Has been in business in the Rapid City community for a minimum of three years (since January 1, 2022)
- Current investor in good standing with Elevate Rapid City.
