The Iowa office of the U-S Small Business Administration is taking nominations for its annual awards honoring the Iowa small business person of the year, as well as other small businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans and other categories. Joe Folsom, the S-B-A’s district director, says “we really want to recognize the small businesses for their achievements and what they bring in particular to their communities and their local economies.” Other categories include Financial Services Champion of the Year, Home-Based Business Champion of the Year, Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Family-Owned Small Business of the Year. Folsom says there are about 240-thousand small businesses in Iowa, or about 98-percent of all businesses in the state. Folsom says small businesses provide more than half of the nation’s jobs and this awards program aims to highlight those contributions on behalf of those that have done things in an unusual and special way. Nominations have to be submitted before November 4th. Winners of the state awards go on to compete for national awards. For more information, surf to “www.sba.gov” or call (515) at 284-4522.