Chamber seeks Business of the Year

It’s that time of the season.

The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking its 2012 Business of the Year, and organizers are seeking the community’s help.

Chamber president Dan Meyer described the criteria, which must demonstrate the nominee’s performance in as many of the following areas as possible:

• Staying power – a substantiated history as an established business;

• Growth and number of employees – a benchmark to judge economic impact on the area job market;

• Increase in sales and/or unit volume – an indication of continued growth;

• Innovativeness of products or service offered – illustrations of the creativity and imagination of the originator or subsequent manager of the business;

• Response to adversity – example of problems faced by the business and the solutions taken in resolving them;

• Evidence of contributions to community-oriented projects through the use of employee time or their resources; and

• Use of local resources – utilizes educational institutions, natural resources, goods, services, etc.

Nominations, which are being sought from both chamber and community members, must be submitted by Friday, Oct. 5. Forms are available by emailing (info@boonechamber.com) or calling (828) 264-2225.

Winners will be announced at the October Business After Hours, to be held Thursday, Oct. 25, at Bare Essentials Natural Market, which was the award recipient in 2000.

Other winners include Peddler Steakhouse in 2011, Stick Boy Bread Company and Appalachian Regional Healthcare in 2010, Chetola Resort in 2009, Boone Mall in 2008, Carefree Companies in 2007, Makoto’s in 2006, Boone Drug in 2005, Pepper’s in 2004, Footsloggers in 2003, W.J. Office in 2002. Mast General Store was the first recipient in 1987.

The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce is located at 870 W. King St. in downtown Boone. For more information, call (828) 264-2225 or visit http://www.boonechamber.com.