Nominations are now open for the 2017 Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce Mark of Excellence Awards.

Chamber Director Crystal Young says they have reduced some barriers for eligible businesses this year to help increase the number of companies being given consideration for one of the ten honours.

"There is a market out there of organizations that are doing a really great job in the various categories," Young said. "We do not want to create barriers for them, it's open to everyone. This year one of the things our committee decided to do is allow organizations if they feel as though they meet the criteria, go ahead and self nominate."

The categories are Large and Small Business, New Business Venture, Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Community Involvement, Community Merit, Marketing, Service and the People's Choice Award.

Of the ten, and not listed is the Community Builder Award, this is new this year sponsored by the Community in Bloom committee.

Young adds fresh off the CIB Humboldt win earlier this fall, they wanted to instill some form of that into the honours.

"It's more about those organizations that are doing more of the preservation of our community whether it relates to tidiness, environmental action. heritage conservation and urban forestry, landscape and floral displays."

The nomination did get an earlier start this year as the Chamber set up a booth at their tradeshow back in November.

They have a couple other options now open to get the name in of any deserving business into the Chamber as Young explains.

"We also have a booth set up at the Humboldt Mall, if you are in the process of taking your kids out there for the Santa photos and stuff on Saturday, my dear it's right there, go ahead and fill it out or you can go on our website"

The nomination deadline is December 31st.

They will also honour the Citizen and Junior Citizen of the year, the Business Hall of Fame will also grow on March 23rd during the awards gala. Ticket availability will be made at a further date.

You can hear more from Young below in her interview with Bolt FM's Clark Stork.