The Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber invites you to honor community members and area businesses for their contributions to our vibrant and thriving communities. Nominations are currently being accepted for Business of the Year (Small and Large), New Business Venture of the Year, Young Professional of the Year, Citizen of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement Awards. Awardees will be honored with thanks and praise during the Chamber’s Annual Meeting – The BIG Night Out on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, 5 to 8 p.m.

Nominate an outstanding Mid Coast business or individual. Please provide documentation that addresses the criteria of each award. Nominations will be accepted until noon, Dec. 18. Your name, business, address, phone and email with your nominations. Send to SMMC, P.O. Box 33, Brunswick, ME 04011 or email to info@midcoastmaine.com

Here are the categories:

Business of the Year (small under 25 employees and large 25 and over employees) – criteria: business growth and improvement, good financial health, quality customer service, staying power, overall excellence in the marketplace, and community contributions.

New Business Venture of the Year - a new business start-up in the Midcoast region, or the owners of an "old business made new again!" A "new" business is any business that began or came under new ownership since January 1, 2015. Criteria: demonstrated business growth, quality customer service and community contributions.

Young Professional of the Year - An up and coming chamber business professional under the age of 40, business owner or employee, who uses their skills and abilities to make the Midcoast region a better place to live, play, and work. Please include person’s position in their company and examples of what makes them good at.

Citizen of the Year - initiated in 1958, this award recognizes an individual who, through his or her unselfish commitment to the community, embodies the best characteristics of community citizenship and serves as an example to all. This award can be given for a single, prestigious accomplishment, but is more typically given for sustained service over an extended period of time. Please provide examples of organizations and positions nominee has held, achievements and other awards and letters of recommendation on the nomination form.

Harry C. Crooker Lifetime Achievement - Initiated in 2004, this award recognizes an individual for a lifetime of consistent community contributions that reach beyond their hometown. Their actions, achievements and contributions evoke admiration and respect. The nominee should have an exemplary community service record in one or more of the towns and their influence and contributions will have made a tangible impact on the lives of those around them, their communities, and their place of business for many, many years of their life. Please provide comprehensive list of accomplishments, as well as prior community recognition.

Joshua L. Chamberlain Award – The individual should be one whose activities have served to build upon the close relationship and understanding existing between the military and civilian components of the greater Brunswick-Topsham-Bath community. Any individual that lives or works in the Chamber’s sixteen communities is eligible for nomination.

The Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber (SMMC) currently serves area businesses and organizations in the towns of Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Dresden, Edgecomb, Georgetown, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Richmond, Topsham, West Bath, Westport Island, Wiscasset and Woolwich. Members of the SMMC are listed  on  www.midcoastmaine.com.