Cutting-Edge Award

The Economic Development Department is excited to announce the Cutting-Edge Small Town Award Program to celebrate Littleton’s vibrant small business community! The Cutting-Edge Award was created out of the 2024 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) to showcase businesses within Littleton that are moving the city towards becoming “A Creative Cutting-Edge Small Town.”

Program Information

NOMINATIONS

Littleton residents and businesses are encouraged to nominate businesses located within the City of Littleton that demonstrate characteristics such as creativity, economic growth, community engagement, and sustainability.

  • Who Can Nominate? Any Littleton business or resident
  • Who Can Be Nominated? Any business located within the City of Littleton
  • Self-Nominations? Yes! Businesses may nominate themselves or another business

Nominations should consider the Evaluation Criteria listed below that will be used by the Review Committee to officially score the list of nominated businesses, ranking how closely each business aligns with the criteria to ensure a fair and equitable outcome.

REVIEW COMMITTEE

A committee will review and evaluate the nominations in alignment with the evaluation criteria.

AWARD

The business with the highest evaluated score is the determined winner and will receive:

  • $500 to support business operations!
  • A commemorative award plaque for display!
  • Special mention in city media publications!
  • A complimentary one-year membership with the Littleton Business Chamber!

All of this will be provided at a celebratory ceremony held at the business site with members of the review committee and elected officials!

Evaluation Criteria

CATEGORY 1: INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY

Criteria: Businesses that demonstrate innovation and creativity in their products, services, processes, or business models. This can include the development of new technologies, unique marketing strategies, novel approaches to problem-solving, or disruptive innovations that have positively impacted their industry.

CATEGORY 2: CONTRIBUTIONS TO ECONOMIC GROWTH

Criteria: Businesses that make significant contributions to economic growth, such as job creation, revenue generation, attracting investment, expanding market opportunities, or enhancing the local business ecosystem.

CATEGORY 3: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND COLLABORATION 

Criteria: Businesses that actively engage with the local community and collaborate with other stakeholders to drive economic development initiatives. They can involve partnerships with educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or other businesses to address community needs and opportunities.

CATEGORY 4: SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE

Criteria: Businesses that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and resilience in their operations, including efforts to reduce environmental impact, promote energy efficiency, adopt sustainable business practices, or contribute to building a resilient economy that can withstand economic disruptions.

Nominations:

  • Nominations may be submitted via the provided URL within the open nomination period.
  • Nominations should describe how the business meets the evaluation criteria.

Review Committee:

  • The members of the review committee will review the results of the submitted nominations and determine a list of semi-finalists. The semi-finalists will be further evaluated in alignment with the categories of the evaluation criteria to determine finalists.

Awards Ceremony:

Economic Development staff will work with the winning business owner to coordinate a site visit and celebration inclusive of members of the review committee. The business owner will be gifted the award as outlined above.

  • To keep matters fair, awarded businesses are not eligible to win again for 2 years.
  • The business must be a permanent, brick/mortar location and be current in its payment of sales and/or property taxes to be considered for the award.
  • The winning business must agree to on-site ceremony and filming with intent to broadcast/publish by the City of Littleton.
  • Amendment or termination of this program may be performed administratively or as directed by City Council.

Start Your Nomination Here!

Cutting-Edge Award Nomination Application

Important Dates

May 16 – July 18: Open Nomination Window
July – August: Review Committee Evaluation
September: Awards Ceremony

Related Information

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