The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for their annual awards to be presented at the Chamber’s 2017 Annual Meeting and Business Celebration on January 27 with presenting sponsors Lourdes and CSI. 

The Chamber’s annual awards recognize the remarkable companies and individuals who, through their talent and time, work to keep Paducah’s economy and business environment healthy and who serve others in the area through community development. A business or organization must be a member of the Chamber.  

The Chamber is accepting nominations for the business awards and then the business will be notified they have been nominated for this award. The business will have the opportunity to submit additional information to be included in their nomination. This new extra step applies to the awards for Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year and a new award this year, Non-Profit Organization of the Year. 

Nominations are also being accepted for other awards that include: Citizen of the Year, Summit Award and Volunteer of the Year. Other awards to be presented at the Annual Meeting are the Leadership Paducah Alumni of the Year that is selected by the Leadership Paducah Foundation and the Young Leader Award that is coordinated by The Paducah Sun Business Journal. 

The deadline to submit nominations is Monday, December 5. A nomination form is available on the Chamber’s website at www.paducahchamber.org or 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 awards presented at the 2016 Annual Meeting went to Beltline Electric, Business of the Year; Socially Present, Small Business of the Year; Janice Cleary, Chamber Volunteer of the Year; f.a.c.e. Makeup Artistry, Entrepreneur of the Year; Michael and April Cochran, Summit Award; Donald Shively, Young Leader of Western Kentucky; Ralph Mounts, Leadership Paducah Alumnus of the Year; and the Generations Award to Ray Black & Son. 

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. Awards will be presented in two categories: less than 15 employees and more than 15 employees. 

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. The Volunteer of the Year criteria includes volunteerism and provided leadership in a key area and/or made significant contributions to the Chamber. The Non-Profit award is for a 501C3 that is serving our community and its citizens.  

The Summit and Citizen of the Year Awards are not presented every year. These awards are to recognize those who have demonstrated significant leadership for the benefit of the community. 

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