CANTON -- The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for this year’s three business awards that will celebrate local businesses at their annual dinner Nov. 5 at SUNY Potsdam.

The chamber, with over 500 members spanning the county and beyond, is seeking nominations for this year’s three business awards. Nominations can be submitted online at www.NorthCountryGuide.com or by calling 386-4000. Nominations will be accepted until Oct. 9.

A new award this year is the Producer or the Year, recognizing a chamber producer who has developed their capacity for creating and selling a product that is handmade, locally sourced or value added, raising awareness and pride for local products.

“We appreciate that a rural economy is made diverse by a multitude of small businesses creating and selling unique, local products,” said Chamber Executive Director Brooke Rouse. “The work we do at the Chamber to support these entities is in an effort to help them grow, and we want to recognize those who have taken their hobby to the market as a business.”

Nominations can include a variety of producers, from specialty food and beverage, art and jewelry, to home and personal products.

Last year, the chamber introduced the Customer Service Excellence Award, which recognized the Ole Smokehouse in Madrid. This award will again celebrate a business that has provided extraordinary service in their delivery of product and/or service to their customers. Rouse introduced the award last year to encourage and acknowledge the importance of quality service in developing a strong economy.

The third and most prestigious award is the annual Business of the Year award recognizing a chamber member who has contributed to the growth of St. Lawrence County’s economy and brings pride to the business community.

Last year the award celebrated Commercial Press, Inc. This award is an overall honor, with highest praise from the Chamber and business community.