Maui County's history is rich because of the hard work of our many small businesses. They are the heart of our community and contribute greatly to our economy and quality of life. They provide needed goods and services, help support other businesses and nonprofits, generate tax revenue that funds government services and benefits us all, and are the friendly voices and faces we like to hear and see. They are the true job generators who invest their time and personal resources and whose efforts keep more dollars circulating in the Maui community.
This is why the Maui Chamber of Commerce and the County of Maui's Office of Economic Development are partnering to again hold the annual Mayor's Small Business Awards in 2012.
The chamber and Mayor Alan Arakawa and his administration well understand the value of small businesses, and we want to celebrate the accomplishments of Maui County's excellent small businesses this year. We invite you unite with us in paying tribute to their tremendous efforts and accomplishments and offer three ways that you can get involved today.
First, you can nominate a deserving small business for the 2012 Mayor's Small Business Awards. These awards honor outstanding small businesses in our community with 50 or fewer employees that have had a Hawaii general excise tax license for no less than two years, show business leadership in a changing economic environment, create a quality work environment for their employees, exhibit the aloha spirit and exemplary customer service, develop partnerships with other sectors of the community and demonstrate other exceptional qualities or traits.
Awards will be given in the following six categories; all nominees will be recognized:
* Exceptional Small Business of the Year (10 or fewer employees).
* Exceptional Small Business of the Year (11 to 25 employees).
* Exceptional Small Business of the Year (26 to 50 employees).
* Outstanding Non-Profit Business (50 or fewer employees).
* Young Small Business Person of the Year (under age 40 as of March 29).
* Lifetime Achievement Award (for any individual doing business in Maui County for more than 20 years).
Nomination forms are available online at www.mauicounty.gov/mcbrc and www.mauichamber.com, as well as at the Maui County Business Resource Center at the Maui Mall and the Maui Chamber of Commerce and branches of American Savings Bank, Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank and First Hawaiian Bank.
Completed nomination forms are due by noon on March 16.
Second, you can help to sponsor the 2012 Mayor's Small Business Awards dinner that will take place on March 29 at the Waikapu Ballroom of the King Kamehameha Golf Club. Various sponsorship levels and packages are available from $500 to $5,000. It is a great way to stand in strong support of small businesses, to be known for your leadership, and to promote your organization or business as well. Please contact the Maui Chamber of Commerce by phone at (808) 244-0081 or by email at office@mauichamber.com to become a sponsor of this event.
Third, you celebrate with us by purchasing an event ticket. Tickets are available for $50 each and are available through the Maui Chamber of Commerce by contacting us as noted above.
We hope you will join us in appreciating and honoring Maui County's deserving small businesses today!
* Pamela Tumpap is president of the Maui Chamber of Commerce.
