Citizens, the bank that has a branch at 725 Bloomfield Avenue near Fairview Avenue, has opened applications for its annual Small Business Community Champion Award contest. The award recognizes the positive contributions small businesses make within their communities. Now in its seventh year, the contest will award $10,000 each to 30 small businesses across Citizens’ footprint, including 10 minority-owned and 10 women-owned businesses. This year, for the first time, Citizens will also set aside five of its 30 awards exclusively for veteran-owned businesses along with five other qualifying businesses. The contest is open until 5 p.m. on Thursday February 1.
Citizens created the Small Business Community Champion Award program as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthen local economies and communities. To date, the program has awarded more than $1.2 million, helping 112 small businesses to expand their operations, offer products and services to customers, and support community growth.
“When a small business chooses to bank with Citizens, they are selecting a partner committed to helping them achieve their goals and have an impact in the community,” said Mark Valentino, head of business banking at Citizens. “We strive to be our clients’ trusted advisors, delivering personalized insights and innovative financial solutions that will give them an edge, help them meet challenges head-on and enable them to succeed.”
What: The Citizens Small Business Community Champion Award contest. Eligible for-profit small businesses can enter for a chance to win $10,000. To enter, businesses must answer the following questions:
- How would you use the Citizens Small Business Community Champion Award to strengthen and sustain your business? (100-word maximum)
- How would you use the Citizens Small Business Community Champion Award to support your community’s growth and their evolving needs and behaviors? (150-word maximum)
Official rules, including eligibility, entry and submission requirements, and additional instructions are provided on the contest website.
When: The contest is open for award submissions 5 p.m. on Thursday February 1.
Where: To enter, please visit here.
Who: For-profit small businesses with up to $3 million in annual revenue that have been in business for at least two years and maintain a minimum of five full or part-time employees or contractors for no less than 51% of any calendar year. Businesses must be either a) a Citizens Bank, N.A. business banking account holder as of 1/18/24 or, b) based in Citizens’ footprint (CT, DC, DE, FL, MA, MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA or VT). Entrants must be 18 years of age or older. Additional restrictions apply.
