Hanover Business Recognition Programs

Heart of Hanover Business Awards Contest

(Public Nomination & Public Voting)

Winners will be selected through public nomination and voting in the following categories:

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

Business Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for nomination, a business must:

• Have a physical location in Hanover County. Mobile trucks registered in Hanover County and the Town of Ashland, if applicable, are allowed.
• Be registered with Hanover County Commissioner of the Revenue
• Be current on all Hanover County and Town of Ashland taxes for the previous year
• Be locally owned or a local franchisee that meets all eligibility requirements
• Be in good standing and in compliance with Hanover County and the Town of Ashland. (At times, matters beyond taxes may need to be addressed.)
• If you are unsure if you are registered, current on taxes or in good standing, reach out to the following:
  • Hanover County: Felix Stephens: flstevens@hanovercounty.gov | 804-365-6823
  • Town of Ashland: Daniel Thomas: DThomas@ashlandVa.gov | 804-299-3233 – or – Wanda Jones: wjones@ashlandva.gov | 804-798-8650

Nomination Process

• Nominations are open to the public and may also be submitted by the business itself.
• Nominations must be submitted using the official online or paper nomination form.
• Each nomination requires basic business information and category selection.
• Individuals may nominate in each category once per day.
• Businesses and individuals are encouraged to share nomination links with customers, family, and friends.
• Link to submit nominations: https://richmond.com/contests/heart-of-hanover. Paper ballots may be filled out and submitted at the following locations:
  • Hanover County Economic Development, 8200 Center Path Lane, Ste. E, Mechanicsville, VA 23116
  • Ashland Town Hall, 121 Thompson St, Ashland, VA 23005

Top 10 selection:

• The Top 10 nominees in each category, based on vote totals, will be reviewed and verified to ensure eligibility.
• Verified nominees will advance to public voting.

Public Voting Process

• Public voting will open for the Top 10 finalists in each category.
• Voting will be open for two weeks.
• Individuals may vote in each category once per day.
• Businesses and individuals are encouraged to share voting links with customers, family, and friends.
• Link to vote: https://richmond.com/contests/heart-of-hanover. Paper ballots may be filled out and submitted at the following locations:
  • Hanover County Economic Development, 8200 Center Path Lane, Ste. E, Mechanicsville, VA 23116
  • Ashland Town Hall, 121 Thompson St, Ashland, VA 23005
• The business receiving the highest number of votes in each category will be named the category winner.
• The Top 3 Finalists in each category will be invited to attend the awards luncheon.

Important Dates

Nomination Period:

• Opens: Monday, April 13, 2026
• Closes: Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

Top 10 in Each Category Announced: Week of April 27, 2026

Public Voting Period:

• Opens: Monday, May 4, 2026
• Closes: Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

Top 3 in Each Category Announced: Week of May 25, 2026

Awards Announcement

• Tuesday, June 2, 2026
• Business Appreciation Awards Luncheon by invitation only
• Hosted at the Richmond Times-Dispatch

Contest Award Category Definitions

• Destination Business of the Year
  This award recognizes a Hanover business that provides entertainment, recreational, cultural, or historical experiences for the tourists and residents. Some examples include farms focusing on agritourism, historic sites, breweries, wineries, B & Bs, farmers markets, hotels, resorts, and amusement parks and theaters.
• Health & Wellness Business of the Year
  This award recognizes a Hanover County business that provides services and/or products in the health and wellness industry. Some examples include hair and nail salons, spas, beauty clinics, massages, gyms, wellness centers, doctors, dentists, etc.
• Manufacturer of the Year
  This award recognizes a Hanover-based manufacturer of goods and products.
• Nonprofit Organization of the Year
  This award recognizes any nonprofit organization with a 501c tax id residing in Hanover County that delivers programs and/or services to Hanover residents.
• Retail Business of the Year
  This award recognizes a retailer in Hanover County that is locally owned. Some examples include bakeries and coffee shops, clothing boutiques, hardware, thrift, gifts, décor, jewelry, and pet supplies.
• Restaurant of the Year
  This award recognizes a restaurant where a meal is served on or from the premises located in Hanover County or mobile truck with a Hanover business registration.
• Service Business of the Year
  This award recognizes a Hanover business that has a Hanover location that serves the residents of Hanover County. Examples include accounting, banking, financial planning, engineering, law, technology, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, contractors, handyman, cleaning, pet grooming and boarding, roofing, etc.

Committee-Selected Business Awards

(Committee Review & Selection)

• Legacy Business(es) of the Year
  Recognizes a business/businesses that has operated continuously in Hanover County for 50 years or more. View a list of previous winners.
• Marc S. Weiss Business of the Year
  Honors a Hanover-based business or organization demonstrating long-term commitment to innovation, growth, leadership, and service within the business community. View a list of previous winners.
• Design or Building Improvement of the Year
  Recognizes 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. View a list of previous winners.

Questions

Contact Ann Glave
Email:  agglave@hanovervirginia.com
Phone:  804-365-6459