The Moore County Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for its Small Business and Entrepreneur Business of the Year awards.

The winner of each of these awards will be presented at the Chamber's annual banquet Feb. 5, 2009.

"The Chamber is proud to showcase our businesses and their contributions to the enrichment of Moore County's business Community," said Sherwood Blackwood, 2008 chairman of the board. "The Chamber is looking for businesses that, despite facing tremendous adversity, would do it all over again, and whose fervor for running a business is rivaled only by their willingness to serve the community."

The criteria for both awards included innovation, response to adversity and community involvement.

For innovation the businesses needed to cite examples as to marketing ideas, overcoming significant challenges, employee relations, customer development, technology, distribution and competitive advantages.

In the category of adversity, the business needs to show how it addressed significant challenges, overcoming one or more of the following: employee relations, growth, training, retention, management and technology.

In the last category, the business needs to indicate its involvement in the community, not including industry-related organizations or affiliations.

A steering committee comprised of Chamber executives and economic development executives from outside Moore County will review the applications.

The 2008 winner of the Entrepreneur Business of the Year Award was Bliss, A Salon Experience, and the 2008 Small Business of the Year Award was presented to Connect NC Inc.

Anyone needing more information or to obtain a copy of the nomination form or application can contact the Chamber by visiting www.moorecountychamber.com or calling 692-3926.