Apply now for small business awards

Owners of small businesses that have overcome adversity to achieve success are invited to apply for the 2007 Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award. Oswald Trippe and Company Inc. is coordinating and sponsoring the program to recognize successful small businesses and share their stories as models for other entrepreneurs.

Award winners use stamina, creativity and hard work to meet challenges head on, overcome adversity and vault financial hurdles.

The competition is open to companies that meet the following criteria:

. For-profit business; . Operating for at least three years with

principal office located in Lee or

Collier counties; . Five to 400 employees; and . Has overcome adversity to achieve

success.

The deadline for submissions is Monday, Sept. 17. Business owners may nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else, and help is available to draft applications. For information and applications, contact Stacey Trippe at 985-7614 or strippe@ otc1.com. ¦