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 2026 Awards Night Celebration? The 2026 celebration event will be Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Please mark your calendar and join us for the celebration!
What is the process? The 2026 awards nomination window is February 18 to March 25. You can nominate a business using the nomination form during this time. The application window for nominated and all Rapid City businesses will be March 11 to April 13. Please encourage the business you nominate to fill out the application!. Judges will score the applications and make the decision. Final 3 businesses will be released in May with winners announced at the Awards Celebration on June 9, 2026. 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 9, 2026.
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, 2023)
- 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, 2023)
- 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, 2023)
- 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, 2023)
- 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, 2023)
- 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, 2023)
- 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 Excellence Award
- Open to all businesses, non-profit and for-profit
- Demonstrates intentional leadership and a clear strategy for developing, supporting, and sustaining a strong workforce.
- Invests in employee training, upskilling, and professional development, with clearly defined career pathways that are actively encouraged and easy for employees to access.
- Implements effective strategies to attract, retain, and engage talent in a competitive workforce environment.
- Shows measurable outcomes from workforce initiatives, including participation in programs, employee advancement, retention, or performance improvements.
- Contributes to strengthening the Rapid City workforce through partnerships, industry alignment, or support of the local talent pipeline.
- Has been in business in the Rapid City community for a minimum of three years (since January 1, 2023)
- 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, 2023)
- Current investor in good standing with Elevate Rapid City.
