Many businesses and individuals received community recognition as early Christmas gifts on Dec. 22, when the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce released its list of Community Awards finalists.

The Annual Community Awards Gala takes place Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Florence Filberg Centre. Tickets are already 70 per cent sold out, so don’t delay in reserving your seat online at http://bit.ly/TixAA

Following is the list of finalists and nominees in each of the 14 categories.

Business Leadership Award

Sponsored by First Credit Union & Insurance

Finalists:

• Dale Roberts (T. Dale Roberts Notary Public)

• Karen McKinnon (McKinnon Photography)

• Sandra Viney (Atlas Café)

Also nominated – Jonny Mac (Comox Valley Boxing Club); Sue Finneron (Finneron Hyundai)

Business of the Year Award

Sponsored by MNP LLP

Finalists:

• Atlas Café

• Fix Auto

• Van Isle Veterinary Hospital

Also nominated – Comox Valley Seniors Village - Casa Loma; Cumberland Brewing Company; ILS Learning Corp; Ocean View Enterprises Ltd.; Westview Ford

Customer Service Award

Sponsored by Robbins & Company

Finalists:

• Greg Saunders (Parker Marine)

• Karen Webber (The Waverley Hotel)

• Sheryl Alexander (Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community

Also nominated – Emma Greene (Emma Greene Hair); Karen McKinnon (McKinnon Photography); Krista Smith (Presley & Partners); Marc Gagnon (Westview Ford); Mattias Gottman (Progressive Systems)

Family First Award

(formerly Employee’s Choice)

Sponsored by the Comox Valley Child Development Association and ValleyChild.ca

Finalists:

• Cinnamon Salon

• Robbins & Company

Food and Farm Business Award

Sponsored by Local’s Restaurant

Finalists:

• Pattison Farms

• Blue Moon Winery

• 40 Knots Vineyard & Estate Winery

New Business of the Year

Sponsored by Presley & Partners

Finalists:

• Cumberland Crate Company

• StrongHearts Fitness: School of Movement

• Wayward Distillation House

Also nominated – Kayla McDonald Video Production; Verti Creative

Heritage Recognition Award

Sponsored by Waypoint Insurance

Finalists:

• Brian McLean GMC

• Ocean View Enterprises Ltd.

• Comox Valley Transition Society

• North Island College Foundation

Not for Profit Organization

Sponsored by Pacific Sleep Care

Finalists:

• Comox Valley Community Foundation

• North Island College Foundation

• Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation

• Dawn to Dawn

Also nominated – Comox Valley Food Bank; Comox Valley Hospice Society; Comox Valley Transition Society; Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island; Wachiay Friendship Centre

Sustainability Award

Sponsored by West Coast Expeditions

(2016 is the first year for this award)

Finalists:

• Ecofish Research Ltd.

• John Gower Design - Gower  Design Group

• Level 10 Eurospa

Also nominated – 40 Knots Vineyard and Estate Winery; Cumberland Crate Company; Royston House Bed & Breakfast; Seeds Market

Tech & Innovation Award

Sponsored by OnDeck Systems

Finalists:

• Gear Out Here

• Kitestrings/Medium Rare Interactive

• Tickit/Dialect

Also nominated – GCS Technology Services Inc.

Small Business of the Year

Sponsored by Peninsula Co-op

Finalists:

• Andy’s Auto Centre

• Blinds Bubbles Boutique

• Tria Fine Catering

Also nominated – 40 Knots Vineyard and Estate Winery; AudioXcellence DJ Services; Comox Valley Poochies Pet Care; Cumberland Village Works; Guerilla Food Company; Halftone Pixel; Mudsharks Coffee Bar; Triple Heat Dance - Academy of the Performing Arts

Young Entrepreneur Award

Sponsored by Wedler Engineering

Finalists:

• James Flawith (Precision Tree Services/Lil’ Worker Safety Gear)

• Kayla McDonald (Kayla McDonald Video Production

• Daniel Kooman (Unveil Studios)

Youth Leadership Award

Sponsored by NIC School of Business

Finalists:

• Breanna Brosko

• Rachel Lafitte

• Zara Nybo

President’s Merit Award

Sponsored by North Island College

To be announced at the Awards Gala

This award is given out by the Chamber of Commerce board of directors and is not open to nominations.