The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for their annual awards to be presented at the Chamber’s 2016 Annual Meeting and Business Celebration on January 29 with presenting sponsors Lourdes and CSI. Nominations are being accepted for several awards including Business of the Year (two categories), Entrepreneur of the Year, Summit Award and Volunteer of the Year. The deadline to submit nominations is December 22. A nomination form is available on the Chamber’s website at www.paducahchamber.org, by calling 270-443-1746 or at info@paducahchamber.org. Businesses or individuals who have received recognition in the past five years are not eligible to win in the same category.  

The theme for this year’s Annual Meeting is “Celebrating Generations of Success.” Nominations are being solicited for a special Generations Award. Businesses are invited to submit information about how their business best reflects multiple generations working together successfully.  

The awards presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting went to Henry A. Petter Supply as Business of the Year; Jim Dudley as Chamber Volunteer of the Year; Strawberry Hills Pharmacy as Entrepreneur of the Year; former city commissioner Robert Coleman for the Summit Award; and Helen Sims as Citizen of the Year.     

The suggested criteria for Business of the Year includes a business in existence for five or more years with a history of being successful. The business should have achieved growth in measurable areas and be involved in the community and member of the Chamber. Awards may be presented in two categories:  less than 15 employees and more than 15 employees. Other previous business of the year winners have included the Orthopaedic Institute, CSI, Swift and Staley and Paducah Bank. 

The Entrepreneur of the Year is for a business or an individual who has established a business within the past five years and is recognized for innovative products or services; demonstrates community involvement, shown exceptional growth and performance and is a Chamber member. Recent winners have included Ed and Meagan Musselman with Musselman Properties; Andy Carloss with Midtown Market; and Kalleo Technologies. The Volunteer of the Year criteria includes volunteerism and provided leadership in a key area and/or made significant contributions to the Chamber.  

The Summit and Citizen of the Year Awards are not presented every year. The award is for someone who has demonstrated significant leadership for the benefit of the community. Previous honorees have included: former Mayor Bill Paxton; Dr. Barbara Veazey, President of West Kentucky Community and Technical College; and John A. Williams Sr., Founder and Chair of Computer Services Inc.  

For more information, go to www.paducahchamber.org, call (270) 443-1746 or e-mail info@paducahchamber.org.