Nominations are officially open for the 2026 Georgia Chamber Rural Awards, an annual program recognizing the people, businesses, organizations, programs, and communities making an extraordinary impact across rural Georgia through innovative solutions and a commitment to strengthening their communities.
Award Categories
Rural Champion Award Honors a person, business, organization, or program actively addressing challenges and improving quality of life in a rural community. Areas of impact may include economic development, workforce, education, healthcare, housing, agriculture, placemaking, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and more.
Rural Community of the Year Award Honors a rural community that has demonstrated outstanding leadership and success in promoting prosperity for its citizens. The winning community will serve as host for a Rural Prosperity Council quarterly meeting the following year.
Important Dates
- Nominations Open: July 1, 2026
- Submission Deadline: August 15, 2026
- Recipients Notified: On or around August 31, 2026
- Awards Luncheon: September 30, 2026, during the State of Rural Prosperity event
Eligibility
The awards are open to persons, businesses, organizations, programs, and communities of all sizes located or doing business within Georgia's rural counties, as identified by the Georgia Chamber Foundation. Nominations may be submitted by a staff member of a local chamber of commerce in one of the eligible counties or by a member of the Georgia Chamber's Rural Prosperity Council.
Submit a Nomination
- Rural Champion Award: www.surveymonkey.com/r/RuralChampion2026
- Rural Community of the Year Award: www.surveymonkey.com/r/RuralCommunity2026
If you know a leader, organization, or community in Southwest Georgia whose work deserves statewide recognition, now is the time to nominate them!
For questions about the awards program, contact Tiffany Holmes, Deputy Director of the Georgia Chamber Foundation, at (229) 349-6900 or visit www.gachamber.com.
