Chamber accepting nominations for Small Business Awards

Sarah Sledge was voted “Community Servant of The Year” in 2013 Small Business Awards, sponsored by Madison Chamber of Commerce. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Madison Chamber Commerce is accepting nominations for its 2014 Small Business Awards.

The awards include “Small Business of the Year,” “Start-Up Business of the Year,” “Excellence in Leadership and Service,” “Community Servant Award” and “Ambassador of the Year.”

“Nominees in all categories must be a member in good standing of the Madison Chamber of Commerce for a period of at least six months,” events and marketing coordinator Janice Alex said. Except for community servant, all nominees must own or operate a ‘small’ business as defined by applicable SBA size standards.

The “Small Business of the Year” award recognizes “dedication, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit,” Alex said. The business must have been in operation for a minimum of three years.

Nominees for small business must have exhibited outstanding service, professional ethics and involvement in civic stewardship, she said.

“Start-Up Business of the Year” nominees “have laid the foundation for future growth and achievement by developing sound business strategy and practices,” Alex said. This company must demonstrate high-level entrepreneurial spirit, perseverance, creativity and determination.

The start-up business must have been operating for one year minimum but no more than three years.

“Excellence in Leadership & Service” recipients have demonstrated solid authority in business and community stewardship. The nominee must be a lead officer of the organization and have shown positive impact to the region’s economics.

The “Community Servant of The Year” recipient works as a civil servant or volunteer with a non-profit organization. This person “exemplifies meritorious service to our community on behalf of their organization,” Alex said.

For the “Ambassador of the Year” award, this volunteer has represented the chamber as a “messenger of goodwill in the public and private domain,” Alex said. The service requirement is six months minimum

Nomination deadline is Sept. 5. To submit nominations, call the chamber office at 256-325-8317 or email to janice@madisonalchamber.com. For more information, visit madisonALchamber.com.