The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry has chosen their Small and Large Business of the Year nominees for 2009. 

The nominees for Small Business of the Year, sponsored by Comcast Business Services Group are: Net Solutions NA, Signs By Tomorrow, Boundary Bay Brewery, Laserpoint Awards & Promotions, and Kelly’s O’Deli. 

The nominees for Large Business of the Year are: Bank of the Pacific, Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa, Costco, Wal-Mart and The Unity Group Insurance. 

Nominations are made for these awards from throughout the community, and a committee of Chamber Members makes the decision on the five finalists in each catagory.  Committee members then visit each of the nominees, decide on the winner, and the announcement is made at the Chamber’s Annual Awards Banquet, scheduled for Wednesday, December 9th at the Lakeway Inn and Conference Center. 

“There are so many deserving companies in our County, and we received dozens and dozens of nominations,” said Ken Oplinger, President/CEO of the Chamber.  “Making this decision is always difficult for our nomination committee, and I thank all of them for their efforts.” 

In addition to the Small and Large Businesses of the Year, the Chamber will also award the Woman and Man of the Year, sponsored by Peoples Bank, as well as the Green Business and Non-Profit of the Year.