The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce has extended the deadline for nominations for its annual business awards, which will be presented at a banquet later this month.
The original deadline was last Friday (Oct. 1), but Chamber manager Dawn Booth said that’s now been extended to this Friday (Oct. 8).
“Because this is the first year we’re doing this [the awards] in the fall, we figured we’d give people more time,” she remarked.
The new deadline still will give the Chamber board time to choose the winners prior to the awards banquet, which is slated for Saturday, Oct. 23 at La Place Rendez-Vous.
Booth noted any nominations that come in over the weekend also likely will be accepted.
The awards banquet usually is held in the spring, but was moved to the fall this year to coincide with Small Business Week.
As in previous years, the banquet will recognize the achievement of local businesses and the contributions they make to the economic growth and prosperity of Rainy River District.
Booth stressed the nomination form is very simple, requiring only the name of the business or individual being nominated and their contact information, along with a brief description of why they deserve the award.
Any business in Rainy River District is eligible to be nominated, and businesses are encouraged to nominate themselves.
The categories include Business of the Year (1-15 employees); Business of the Year (16+ employees); Employee of the Year (private sector); Employee of the Year (not-for-profit); and Entrepreneur of the Year.
Rounding out the categories are the Abitibi-Consolidated Safety Award (business and individual); Customer Service (business and individual); and the Tony Beyak Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award.
The award sponsored by the Northwest Training and Adjustment Board has been changed slightly this year, and is now called the “Employer Champion of the Year Award.”
Booth explained the criteria is aimed at businesses that offer co-ops to youth.
Nomination forms are now available at various locations around the district, as well as the Chamber office (474 Scott St.) and on-line at www.fortfranceschamber.com
The awards banquet also will see the recipients of the Rainy River Future Development Corp.’s customer service awards recognized again.
These recipients already were honoured by the RRFDC back in May, but will be mentioned again to tie in with the Small Business Week theme.
Meanwhile, tickets for the banquet are on sale now for $45 each or $300 for a table of eight (this price includes dinner, entertainment, and wine).
The evening also will include a silent auction and entertainment courtesy of Little Theatre.
For more information or to reserve tickets, call Booth at 274-5773.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
