Family businesses are the backbone of our region, even the world's economy. In the prairie states, their influence is perhaps felt even stronger, as roughly 90% of all businesses are family-owned. The Family Business Association has a desire to recognize the successes of exemplary family firms - those with a rich heritage, strong values, community involvement, and that have weathered the metaphorical storms of family enterprise.

The Association now presents “Excellence in Family Business” Awards at fourteen local Chamber events annually. These honored families are then considered for the Prairie Family Business of the Year Award, as well as a runner-up. We also present the Heritage Award to a family firm that has been in the family for 75 years.

Once you are nominated by a Chamber fill out the attached form and return it to our address or the Chamber will do that for you.
Here is a current list of the chambers that are particpating:

   
Aberdeen, SD - January 27th, 2009
Belle Fourche, SD – February 2009.
Brookings, SD- March 09
Chamberlain, SD -Janurary27th 2009
Hill City, SD - October 25 2008 -Country Creek Resort
Huron, SD – November 20th 2008- Lankota Inc
Mitchell, SD- December 2nd 2008- Murtha Repair
Milbank, SD  (NEW)
Mobridge, SD (NEW)
Platte, SD  (NEW)
Pierre, SD- November 6,2008 Klocker Furniture, Inc
Rapid City, SD Tom Didier Award September 29th- Reptile Gardens
Sioux Falls, SD – November 17 2008 To Austad's Golf.                            Sisseton, SD - March 09
Spearfish, SD- April 09
Vermillion, SD – February 2009.
Wall, SD -April 09
Watertown, SD -September 30th,2008 Zimmel's Furniture
Wessington Springs, SD – March 09
Yankton, SD – January 14th 2009.

-Feel free to contact us for additional information about the nearest chambers of commerce award dates near you. They range from September- April.