Fountain Inn Chamber Opens Nominations for Small Business of the Year — A Chance to Celebrate the Backbone of the Community
March 25, 2026
Spring has arrived in Fountain Inn, and with it comes an opportunity for the community to pause and recognize the small businesses that keep this growing city’s economy and spirit alive.
The Fountain Inn Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for its annual Small Business of the Year award, a springtime tradition that puts a well-deserved spotlight on the entrepreneurs, shop owners, and service providers who show up day after day to serve their neighbors.
This year’s nomination deadline is Friday, April 10, at 5 p.m., with the winner to be announced the following week at the Chamber’s Annual Banquet — one of the most anticipated gatherings on Fountain Inn’s civic calendar.
To be considered, a business must hold current membership in the Fountain Inn Chamber of Commerce and operate within the local service area. Nominees also need to have been open for a minimum of one year and employ fewer than 25 full-time staff members. Once nominations close, the Chamber’s Board of Directors will review all eligible candidates and cast their votes to determine the honoree.
One noteworthy detail: businesses are welcome to put themselves forward. Self-nominations are accepted, so if you know your business — or someone else’s — has made a real difference in Fountain Inn this past year, now is the time to say so.
The nomination form is available through the Chamber’s official SurveyMonkey page, and tickets for the Annual Banquet can be found at fountaininnchamber.org.
Small businesses are often the first to show up for a local fundraiser, sponsor a youth sports team, or keep a downtown block looking vibrant. This award is the community’s way of saying thank you — and the Chamber is counting on residents to help make sure the right people are in the running.
