Entries have closed in the 2015 Casey Cardinia Business Awards, with winners set to be announced later this year.
The awards have attracted submissions from throughout the City of Casey, including Narre Warren, Victoria.
Mayor Cr Mick Morland said participating in the awards drew recognition and awareness to commercial enterprises based in the city.
He said they had also proven to be a great opportunity for self-promotion and had, as part of the application process, given individual outlets a chance to strategically review their progress to date and to plan for the future. Finalists will also be listed by programme and brochure printers as part of the marketing for the event's presentation dinner.
Business Awards nominees will vie for $15,000 in prizes and cash.
According to the mayor of Cardinia Shire, Leticia Wilmot, the awards were considered a great way to develop and celebrate the region's diverse range of businesses.
She said applications had been received from commercial enterprises of all sizes and types and the community had also participated in the People's Choice Awards category, in which people put forward their favourite local business, with the winner to be determined by popular vote.
The 2015 award nominees cover a wide range of categories, such as Business of the Year; People's Choice; Environmental Sustainability; Trades and Construction; Tourism; Social Enterprise; Retail; New Business; Manufacturing; Hospitality; Home-based Business; Health, Education and Wellbeing; Business and Professional Services; and Agriculture and Food.
The announcement of winners will take place on October 20th, 2015.
