Hanover County Announces 2026 Heart of Hanover Business Awards Contest & Recognition

Hanover County Economic Development is excited to announce the return of the Heart of Hanover Business Awards for 2026, continuing a growing tradition of recognizing the businesses and organizations that drive the county’s economy and strengthen the community.

“The Heart of Hanover Business Awards are a powerful way to celebrate the businesses and organizations that make our community strong,” said Brandon Turner, Director of Hanover County Economic Development. “From long-standing companies to innovative new enterprises, these awards highlight the dedication, investment, and community spirit that continue to drive Hanover County forward. We’re proud to recognize their impact and invite the entire community to take part in supporting their favorites.”

Building on the success of the inaugural program, the 2026 awards once again highlight excellence across Hanover’s diverse business community through a mix of public voting and committee-selected honors. The program is made possible through the continued collaboration of Hanover County Economic Development and its valued community partners, with support from local sponsors and media partners.

This program is made possible through the generous support of our 2026 sponsors.

• Title Sponsor: Hanover County Economic Development Authority
• Heartbeat Sponsor: Ashland Economic Development
• Pulse Sponsors: Southern Bank, Virginia Natural Gas, and Downtown Ashland Association

With seven public-voted awards and three committee-determined awards, this program aims to spotlight exceptional contributions to the community and economic development in Hanover County. Committee-determined categories will include the following:

• Legacy Business Award presented to business(es) in continual operation in Hanover County for 50+ years.
• Marc S. Weiss Business of the Year Award presented to a standout business demonstrating excellence in areas such as investment, community involvement, workforce development, and other impactful contributions.
• Design and Building Improvement Award presented to a business that has made a significant investment in its facility, either through new construction or major building improvements completed within the past two years.

Public-Voted Award Categories

The public will determine the Heart of Hanover Award winners in the following categories:

• Destination Business of the Year
• Health & Wellness Business of the Year
• Manufacturer Business of the Year
• Nonprofit Organization of the Year
• Retail Business of the Year
• Restaurant of the Year
• Service Business of the Year

2026 Key Dates

Nominations for the seven public-decided awards will open this spring, offering the community an opportunity to recognize their favorite local businesses.

• Nominations Open:   April 13, 2026
• Nominations Close: April 26, 2026
• Top 10 in Each Category Announced:  Week of April 27, 2026
• Public Voting Begins:  May 4, 2026
• Public Voting Ends:  May 17, 2026
• Top 3 In Each Category Announced:  Week of May 25, 2026
• Awards Announcement:  June 2, 2026

Businesses may be self-nominated or nominated by customers, clients, and community members. All nominations will be verified to ensure each business operates within Hanover County and meets award guidelines.

Following the nomination period, the top nominees in each category will advance to the public voting round. The businesses receiving the most support will be named as Top 10 finalists, with the Top 3 in each category invited to attend the awards celebration on June 2, 2026.

Community Participation & Incentives

Community engagement remains a key part of the Heart of Hanover Business Awards. The more nominations a business receives, the greater its chances of advancing to the voting round.

Whether you’re a business owner, employee, or community member, there are many ways to get involved:

• Nominate your favorite local businesses
• Vote for top 10 finalists
• Share and celebrate businesses across social media
• Follow the awards celebration on June 2

As an added incentive, individuals who submit nominations in all seven categories will be entered to win a Hanover Economic Development swag bag filled with prizes and items from local businesses.

Celebrating Hanover’s Business Community

From legacy businesses that have served generations to established and emerging companies making their mark, the Heart of Hanover Business Awards celebrate the people and organizations that make Hanover County a thriving place to do business.

Winners will be announced on June 2, 2026, as the community comes together to recognize excellence, innovation, and impact across the county.

To learn more, submit a nomination, or participate in voting, visit Hanover Business Recognition Programs at HanoverVirginia.com