Applications being accepted for Blue Chip Award

The 15th annual Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award coordinated and sponsored by Oswald Trippe and Company recognizes small businesses that have overcome adversity to achieve success. The luncheon ceremony will take place Thursday, Nov. 5, at Harborside Event Center, located at 1375 Monroe Street in Fort Myers. Registration begins at 11 a.m. The program starts at 11:30 a.m. The keynote speaker will be Todd Huston, amputee, mountain climber and world record-holding disabled athlete.

"We are honored to have sponsored the Blue Chip Award program for 15

years," said Gary V. Trippe, chairman and CEO of Oswald Trippe and Company. "We believe it is vital to recognize small businesses in our communities who have overcome adversity and are willing to share their successes as lessons for all of us."

Charlotte, Collier and Lee county for-profit businesses that have been in operation for at least three years and employ five to 400 people are eligible for the award. Applications, which must be submitted no later than Sept. 14, can be requested by calling Stacey Mercado at 433-7189. Independent judges will select the winning entry.