2010 First Choice Business Awards

Each year, Chesterfield County honors local companies that contribute to the county’s economy and its residents. The intent is to give recognition to businesses that consistently contribute to the community by giving back to the residents of Chesterfield County through community service, or create and deliver products or services that are innovative to its customers.  Other criteria include that a business is a leader in valuing its employees, and upholds the principles and standards of ethical business practices. Past winners have included, Boulevard Flower Gardens, Getloaded.com and BluePrint Automation Inc.

On behalf of Chesterfield County, the Department of Economic Development, the Chesterfield County Chamber of Commerce, and the Chesterfield Business Council are inviting nominations for the 2010 First Choice Business Awards. Companies may nominate themselves and/or be nominated by any individual or group within the community. All nominated companies will receive a formal application form to be completed by the nominee.

Winners will be chosen by a selection panel, which will consist of business leaders and county staff selected for their business and community knowledge. The selection panel will then interview businesses that meet the general eligibility criteria before final winners are chosen.

The winners will be recognized at Chesterfield County’s Celebrate Chesterfield Business! event.  The Board of Supervisors also will also recognize this year’s First Choice Business Awards winners at their May meeting. Celebrate Chesterfield Business! is the county’s annual business appreciation event held each May during the commonwealth of Virginia’s Annual Business Appreciation Week.

2010 First Choice Business Award Categories

Community Impact Award
This award is designed to recognize a Chesterfield County business, which has contributed significantly to the community by giving back to the citizens of Chesterfield.  These contributions can be in any of many different forms, including, employees volunteering for community events, company sponsorship of community focused events, company and/or employee monetary contributions to local charities, etc.  Small and large businesses will be looked at similarly as relative size of the company relative to its efforts to serve the community will be taken into account.

Innovation Impact Award
This award is designed to recognize a Chesterfield County business, which has created and delivered a product or service to its customers in the past year, which is very innovative.  The innovation shall be one, which creates a new market or enhances existing markets for the company.  Other characteristics that may play a factor in the award could include the positive impact made on consumers’ lives, significantly improving the company’s revenue and profitability, or, bringing significant attention to Chesterfield County as a location for business innovation/creativity.

Employee Impact Award
This award is designed to recognize a Chesterfield County business, which is a leader in valuing its employees. Characteristics, which may be evaluated for this award, could include comprehensive benefits, profit sharing, and availability of ownership in the business, the physical work environment, and other things, which make the business a preferred place to work.  The “cause and effect” of valuing employees and the resulting company success will also be considered.     

Minority Business Award
This award is designed to recognize a Chesterfield County business, which is 100%, owned by a minority or woman, which has proven to be a leading business in Chesterfield County.  Company growth along and other impacts to the county including community service, innovation, valuing employees, and over-coming adversity will be considered.  

Business of the Year Award
This award is designed to recognize a Chesterfield County business, which has been a leader in terms of overall impact to Chesterfield County.  The company will be a leader in business growth, community service, and valuing employees.  Other characteristics, such as innovation, over-coming adversity and turn-around success will be considered if applicable.

Environmental Stewardship Award
This award is designed to recognize a Chesterfield County business, which has successfully displayed their efforts in being a responsible protector of the environment.  The business will showcase their environmental endeavors by partnering with local residents, civic groups, churches, businesses and schools.  The business that will receive this award will be a role model for others to follow which will lead to a cleaner Chesterfield County.

If you have any questions about the award program, please call Tina Shreve or Karen Alyward at 318-8550, or email at tina@chesterfieldbusiness.com or karen@chesterfieldbusiness.com.

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