SMITHFIELD, NC — January 30, 2026 — Due to high demand and a surge of community interest, the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce is officially extending the nomination deadline for the 2025 Legacy Awards. Recognizing that extraordinary community dedication takes time to document, the Chamber is ensuring that every deserving business, volunteer, and changemaker has the opportunity to be celebrated. Nominators now have until February 14th to share their love for deserving local leaders, organizations, and entrepreneurs who make a difference.
This two-week extension provides extra time to document the extraordinary dedication from our local community heroes.
2025 Award Categories Include:
- Triangle East Citizen of the Year
- Triangle East Lifetime Achievement Award
- Jimmy Creech Small Business Person of the Year
- Triangle East Emerging Leader Award
In the spirit of broad community appreciation, nominees for most categories are not required to be Chamber members, allowing for county-wide recognition of deserving individuals. The only exception is the Jimmy Creech Small Business Person of the Year, which requires good standing Chamber membership.
How to Nominate:
To review award criteria or submit a nomination, please visit the Triangle East Legacy Awards page or the Chamber office at 1115 Outlet Center Drive, Smithfield, for paper nomination forms.
The award recipients will be celebrated during a formal dinner scheduled for May 19, 2026. Help the Chamber honor those who shape our community—submit your nominations by February 14th.
