Championing the Community: The Valley’s Best

A thriving regional economy relies on more than just physical infrastructure. It is powered by the passion of local entrepreneurs and the dedication of community non-profit organizations. At WRTA, we believe that when small businesses and non-profits succeed, the entire Mahoning Valley moves forward.

To honor these cornerstone organizations, WRTA hosts dedicated campaigns and signature events throughout the year. Together, this comprehensive effort to spotlight and elevate our community’s finest is known as The Valley’s Best.

WRTA Small Business Awards

Small businesses quietly employ the majority of our local workforce and represent the backbone of our economy. Yet, while large corporations dominate the headlines, local business owners take the risks with little recognition. The annual WRTA Small Business Awards competition was created to change that.

Now in its fifth year, this major community event attracts dozens of local entrants across the Valley—from family-owned auto repair shops and neighborhood bakeries to independent fitness gyms and specialized services. Selected by an independent panel of business leaders, the winners are officially honored at a celebratory dinner at the historic B&O Station Banquet Hall.

The impact goes far beyond a single evening:

• Official State Recognition: Winners receive formal commendations from the Governor of Ohio and the state legislature.
• Shared Marketing Boost: Award recipients receive a complimentary, high-impact 90-day regional marketing campaign spanning TV, social media, and interior bus advertising.
• Small Business of the Year: One standout business is named the overall Small Business of the Year, earning a dedicated six-month custom media campaign and a $1,000 business booster cash prize to fuel their next phase of growth.

WRTA Non-Profit Awards

While small businesses drive commercial growth, our local non-profits provide the essential social fabric that supports Valley residents 365 days a year. Every winter, WRTA shines a spotlight on these vital organizations through the WRTA Non-Profit Awards (traditionally celebrated during our Holiday Lights campaign).

This initiative honors ten local non-profits for their outstanding and consistent dedication to the community—ranging from local historical societies and children’s science museums to health advocacy groups and conservation organizations.

Like their small business counterparts, the ten winning non-profits are celebrated at a formal awards dinner and receive a shared regional awareness campaign across television, social media, and WRTA’s digital displays to help them share their mission with a wider audience. Through a public community vote, one organization is chosen as the Non-Profit of the Year, receiving an individual TV advertising campaign and a $1,000 donation from a local financial institution to help further their cause.

The Valley’s Best Hub: To ensure these incredible organizations are championed all year long, WRTA integrates these winners into The Valley’s Best program—creating an ongoing, permanent community directory that connects residents directly with the top small businesses and non-profits moving our region forward.