Chamber seeking award nominations

Van Wert independent/Chamber of Commerce news

The Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce is now seeking nominations for its 2013 Salute to Small Business Awards.

This year’s awards will recognize and spotlight businesses “built on an independent entrepreneurial spirit that play a vital role in the Van Wert community and economy.” Nominees are being accepted in seven categories:

Spirit of Entrepreneurship

Nominees in this category will have a substantiated history as innovative, established businesses that demonstrate initiative, perseverance, and profitability. Other factors include growth in number of employees, increase in sales, and evidence of contributions by nominees to aid community-oriented projects through the use of time and other resources.

Agriculture Enterprise

Nominees in this category should have a substantiated history as an established farm/agricultural business that has demonstrated sound business practices and leadership within the agricultural sector, based on economic impact, marketing, innovative farm practices and dollars and time invested in the community.

Charitable Non-Profit

Nominees should be an established 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization with a volunteer board of trustees or governing body that has demonstrated sound business practices, innovation and leadership in offering services within the Van Wert community.

Generations

Nominees should be established businesses that have been handed down from one generation to another, with growth in the number of employees, increases in sales, and evidence of contributions to the community in time or other resources. Must be locally owned with at least a 15-year track record. Nominees must serve as a majority owner and operator.

Downtown Champion

Nominees should be innovative, established Van Wert downtown area businesses with growth in number of employees, an increase in sales and evidence of contributions to aid community-oriented projects – especially in the downtown area – through the use of time and other resources.

Woman-Owned Business

Nominees should be established businesses at least 50.1 percent owned by a woman or women. The business should be able to show growth in the number of employees, an increase in sales and evidence of contributions to aid community-oriented projects through time or other resources.

Export/Import Excellence

Nominees should have be an established business, with increased sales, profits and growth of employment, effective export-import practices and creative overseas marketing strategies. Also considered will be contributions to aid community-oriented projects.

Nomination forms (click here) should be returned to the Chamber office, 118 N. Washington St. in Van Wert, no later than Thursday, October 10, by mail, email or fax. The Chamber email address is chamber@vanwertchamber.com while the fax number is 419.238.4589.

The 2013 Small Business Awards will be announced at a luncheon held at 11:45 a.m. Friday, November 15, at Willow Bend Country Club in Van Wert.