2015 Business Champion Awards nominations open

McHENRY - McHenry County Economic Development Corporation is accepting nominations for the 2015 Business Champion Awards.

In its eighth year, MCEDC recognizes outstanding companies who have made a positive impact on McHenry County's economy and who are exceptional primary employers. A primary employer is defined as the one creating a product or service that is principally sold outside of a region, thereby generating new money and profits into the region. Examples include manufacturing, back-office operations or service centers, professional services, corporate headquarters, distribution facilities and research and development to name a few.

Business Champions are typically companies with strong vision, a solid long range business strategy, as well as best practices that make them stand out among others. They may be a corporate park neighbor, a supplier or customer that you find exceptional or you may be an employee who feels your employer provides a great work environment or goes the extra mile to help the employees. As a CEO or a member of the executive team of a company that is proud of recent expansion, acquisition, special project or growth, your self-nominations would also be welcomed.

Nominations are being accepted for the 2015 Business Champion Awards until Sept. 7.

All nominees are introduced during the MCEDC Annual Dinner Tuesday, Oct. 27 at the Holiday Inn in Crystal Lake. The 2015 Business Champions will be announced at the dinner and presented with their awards by our keynote speaker, Brik Eyre, Corporate Vice President and President of Baxter International Hospital Products.

Nominations categories are based on the number of employees - small -24 or less, medium - 25 to 100, large - over 100, as well as a special category for those companies who have over 300 employees. Judges are business leaders from outside of the county.

MCEDC's previous Business Champions include Radicom, Tegel Design, Mac Automation, Metalmaster Roofmaster, Claussen Pickles and Charter DuraBar in 2014; Phoenix Woodworking, Advanced Flexible Composites, Watlow and Covidien in 2013; Chroma Corporation, All-Rite Spring, Impact Plastics in 2012; Other World Computing, Dordan Manufacturing, Joule Technologies in 2011; Scot Forge, Jan Air, Astro Craft in 2010; Medela, Millennium Electronics, Stan's Office Technologies in 2009; Pioneer Center for Human Services, Prairie Ridge Media/McHenry County Living, & New Concepts Development Corporation/Other World Computing in 2008.

"All are exceptional primary employers and valuable corporate citizens," said Pam Cumpata, MCEDC President. "We look forward to adding to this prestigious list of McHenry County employers."

Additional information and forms are available on the MCEDC website home page - www.mchenrycountyedc.com or by contacting the MCEDC office at (815) 893-0895.