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 2027 Awards Night Celebration? The 2027 celebration event will be Tuesday, June 8, 2027. Mark your calendar and join us for the celebration!

What is the process? The 2027 awards nomination window will open February 2027. You can nominate a business using the nomination form during this time. The application window for nominated and all Rapid City businesses will be in March 2027. 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 8, 2027. Business must be active investors of Elevate Rapid City in order to qualify.

What are the business award categories? These are the 8 business award categories and the 2026 finalists.

 

Small Business of the Year Award

  • A&B Business Solutions
  • Generation Plumbing
  • Who’s Toy House

Large Business of the Year Award

  • Millstone Family Restaurant
  • Nerdy Nuts
  • RCS Construction

Young Professionals Best Place to Work Award

  • RESPEC
  • South Dakota Mines and Technology
  • Rapid City Rush

Business Expansion Award

  • Liberty Superstores
  • Innovative Materials and Processes
  • Black Hills State University

Non-Profit of the Year Award

  • West River Mental Health
  • Black Hills Works
  • Children’s Home Society of SD

Culture of Excellence

  • Black Hills Works
  • Freidel and Associates
  • A&B Business Solutions

Beautification Award

  • Liberty Powersports and Marine
  • Rapid City Fire Department 1
  • Aspen Federal Credit Union

Emerging Business of the Year Award

  • Krusty Bin Cleaners
  • Nanna’s Café and Bread Company
  • The Rustic Nook Bakery

George & Granite Awards

George Award

Do you know of a person who demonstrates exceptional community service and leadershipHave they been involved in community activities in various ways for years and are naturally the “Go to” person when a tough job needs to get done? Nominate them for the 2027 George Awards! Nominations will open in February 2027.

Granite Award

The Granite Award was created to be given to a business that is an asset to the area and is a pillar of our community. A business that is stable and solid as “granite”….thus the name. To qualify it must be:

  • An area business
  • Evidence of Chamber/Elevate Rapid City support and involvement
  • Evidence of Community support
  • In business 10 years or more

Nominations will open in February 2027.

2026 Business Awards Sponsors

Support our business community and celebration when you become a sponsor! If your business is interested, contact us.

 

PREMIER SPONSOR

 

 

Corporate Sponsors

 

Community Sponsors

Ketel Thorstenson LLP