- CROIX COUNTY, WI – September 28, 2026 – St. Croix Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) is now accepting nominations for its 2026 Business of the Year Awards, honoring local businesses and organizations that have made an outstanding impact on the St. Croix County community. Five awards will be presented this year across the following categories:
2026 Award Categories
- Emerging Business of the Year – Open to companies headquartered in St. Croix County operating for one to five years with an annual revenue under $1 million.
- Small Business of the Year – For businesses with 29 or fewer employees that have been operating in St. Croix County for at least three or more years with an annual revenue over $1 million.
- Large Business of the Year – For businesses with 30 or more employees, located in St. Croix County for a minimum of three years.
- Non-Profit of the Year – Recognizing a non-profit organization headquartered in St. Croix County that has made a significant contribution to the community.
- County Impact Award – Recognizing an organization headquartered in St. Croix County that addresses critical county needs, such as childcare, healthcare, workforce education, housing, etc.
Nomination Criteria
Nominees will be evaluated across five categories: Innovation & Growth, Financial Performance, Community Impact, County Impact, and Overall Excellence. Points will be awarded for recent notable achievements — such as milestone anniversaries, expansions, new product lines, job growth, sales growth, new training programs, or export sales — as well as for community contributions, including participation in local projects, youth services, educational programs, and other efforts that improve quality of life across the county.
Guidelines:
- Nominations will be accepted from Monday, September 28, 2026, and close on Tuesday, December 1, 2026.
- The honorees will be announced in January and recognized in February at the SCEDC Banquet located at Ready Randy’s.
- Companies may, and are encouraged, to nominate themselves. Multiple submissions do not increase the odds of a company being selected.
How to Submit a Nomination
Nominations can be submitted online at: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/U0vQVLn28w
Nomination Deadline
Nominations must be submitted by Tuesday, December 1, 2026.
Annual Banquet Registration Now Open
Award recipients will be announced in January 2027 and celebrated at the SCEDC’s Annual Banquet on Thursday, February 25, 2027, from 5:00-8:00pm at Ready Randy’s. Registration for the banquet is now open and can be found at: https://business.stcroixedc.com/events. Registration remains open through Thursday, February 18, 2027.
This is an exciting opportunity for the St. Croix community to recognize and celebrate the hard work and contributions of our local businesses and organizations. We look forward to receiving your nominations!
About the St. Croix Economic Development Corporation
St. Croix Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) was formed in 1993 and operates as an independent economic development arm serving all corners St. Croix County, Wisconsin. The SCEDC focuses on fostering economic development in the county by participating in workforce development, housing, entrepreneurial development, business expansion and retention, business attraction and recruitment, and ecosystem building. SCEDC also strives to grow collaboration between the 35 towns, cities, and villages in St. Croix County as well as working closely with Pierce and Polk County to grow the St. Croix Valley as a whole. To learn more please visit stcroixedc.com.
Contact:
Melissa Meschke | St. Croix Economic Development Corporation
262-689-2089 | melissa@stcroixedc.com