First Choice Business Awards – Call for Nominations

Each year Chesterfield County honors local companies that contribute to the county’s economy and its citizens. The intent is to give recognition to businesses that consistently contribute to the community by giving back to the citizens of Chesterfield through community service, create and deliver products or services to its customers which are innovative, is a leader in valuing its employees, and upholds the principles and standards of ethical business practices. Past winners have included City Ice, Hoover and Strong, and Capital One.

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 2006 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! Celebrate Chesterfield Business! is the County’s annual business appreciation event held each May during the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Annual Business Appreciation Week. This year’s special guest speaker at Celebrate Chesterfield Business! will be Ellen J. Kullman, Group Vice President with DuPont’s Safety and Protection division. DuPont’s Safety and Protection division includes DuPont Advanced Fiber Division and DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise. In 2005, Ms. Kullman was named to Fortune Magazine’s exclusive 50 Most Powerful Women in Business List.

The Board of Supervisors will also recognize this year’s First Choice Business Awards winners at their June meeting.

Nomination forms are available online and may be submitted online at www.chesterfieldbusiness.com/award/ or by fax at 804-796-3638, or mail to P.O. Box 760, Chesterfield, VA 23832