Elevate Rapid City held its fifth annual business awards celebration on June 9 at The Monument. With nearly 400 people in attendance, the celebration featured 10 award presentations.

The time-honored George Award was established by the Chamber of Commerce in 1981. Named after George Weedman, the award recognizes an outstanding community leader who has gone above and beyond throughout their life to bring about positive change and impact on the Rapid City community; they didn’t “just let George do it.” This year’s honoree was Marnie Herrmann.

Elevate presented a second time-honored Chamber Award, the Granite Award, to Monument Health. This award is given to a business that is an asset to the area and is a pillar of our community. To be selected, they must be instrumental in the overall economic well-being of our community and have been in business for longer than 10 years.

Elevate presented eight additional awards to honor and recognize the Rapid City business community.

Small Business of the Year: Generation Plumbing

Finalists: A&B Business Solutions, Who's Toy House

Large Business of the Year: Nerdy Nuts

Finalists: Millstone Family Restaurant, RCS Construction

Non-Profit of the Year: West River Mental Health

Finalists: Black Hills Works, Children's Home Society of SD

Young Professionals Best Place to Work: RESPEC

Finalists: Rapid City Rush, South Dakota Mines

Emerging Business of the Year: Nanna’s Café and Bread Company

Finalists: Krusty Bin Cleaners, The Rustic Nook Bakery

Beautification Award: Aspen Federal Credit Union

Finalists: Liberty Powersports and Marine, Rapid City Fire Department Station 1

Business Expansion of the Year: Innovative Materials and Processes

Finalists: Liberty Superstores, Black Hills State University

Culture of Excellence: Black Hills Works

Finalists: Freidel and Associates, A&B Business Solutions

“Rapid City would not be the community it is today without the people, businesses and leaders coming together to make things happen,” said Elevate CEO Todd Kenner. “This event is our opportunity to take a moment and celebrate those who go above and beyond to create opportunities for generations to come.”  

The event was sponsored by SDN Communications, Black Hills Energy, RESPEC, Ketel Thorstenson, LLP, Black Hills Federal Credit Union, and Mount Rushmore Society.

Nominations for the 2027 awards will begin in February with a celebration to be held June 8, 2027.