The Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce finalists in five categories of the Bluffton Business Awards: Nonprofit of the Year, Business Startup of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Good Heart Award, Professional Education & Development Person of the Year and Regional Impact Award. Winners will be announced at the Bluffton Ball sponsored by Moonlit Lullaby on January 8, 2016.

Since the Award Committee began receiving nominations in October, over 160 were submitted for 90 different businesses and individuals impacting the Greater Bluffton Area. Some categories had over 20 nominees. Submissions were open to the public and no affiliation was required for nomination or recognition.

“We feel that Bluffton represents the best of the best in business. With over 1,000 resident businesses licensed in Bluffton, another 1,000 out of town licensees, and many thousands more in nearby unincorporated Beaufort and Jasper Counties, and across our bridge - we are proud of our community and its passion for business” shared Shellie West, Executive Director of the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce.

The Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce has organized both the Bluffton Business Awards and Bluffton Ball to celebrate Bluffton. Individuals and companies in the community who have made a difference, and exemplify what it means to be a Blufftonian will be celebrated.

“Our committee only wishes that having more than three or so finalists made sense. We had over ten solid candidates in a number of categories. Our formula was based on the quality of the nominations, the match to the category criteria, community involvement and impact, and committee research” said Award Committee Chair Ron Gray. “The chamber will announce finalists in the remaining categories next week, followed by providing the community with details on the Lifetime Achievement and Memorial Awards after the remaining finalists are announced.”

Nonprofit of the Year finalists:
Programs for Exceptional People
Second Helpings
Bluffton Self Help
The Literacy Center

Business Startup of the Year finalists:
Aunt Laurie’s
Healthsmart
Just Be Centre
Lowcountry Lobster

Rookie of the Year finalists:
Daniel Lentz, Memory Matters
Mike Reichenbach, Mike Reichenbach Chevrolet
Emily Cohn, Moonlit Lullaby

Good Heart Award finalists:
Audre Reichenbach, Mike Reichenbach Chevrolet
George Owens, Town of Bluffton
Nate Pringle, A Call to Action

Professional Education & Development Person of the Year finalists:
Dylan Curtis, Hilton Head Christian Academy
Timothy Chase, Bluffton High School
Marva Neal, Okatie Elementary School

Regional Impact Award finalists:
Parker’s
John Paul 2 High School
The Greenery