The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for outstanding small businesses.

Jason Mock, director of the organization’s Small Business Services Center, said the nominees will be considered for the 2013 Small Business Awards.

Mock said the event, set for Feb. 21, was begun in 2011 as a way to recognize small businesses separately from other award recipients during the chamber’s annual meeting and dinner, held each fall.

“It gives us a chance to recognize small business owners for their accomplishments throughout the year,” Mock said.

Nominations are being sought from chamber members and the community at-large of “small business owners that stand out.”

“All they need to do is nominate a business and have their name and telephone number and address on there … and we’ll contact those businesses and give them a packet to fill out and get back to us,” Mock said.

He noted that the deadline to nominate a business is Aug. 30.

“We’re trying to get everything in by the end of the month as we can start that process,” he said.

At the awards luncheon in February, he said about half a dozen different awards will be presented.

“The qualifications that we’re looking for are, No. 1, they must be a member of the chamber, they must have been in business for a minimum of one year, and they must be the primary owner or major shareholder of that business,” Mock said.

In addition, he said, the business must have demonstrated an increase in sales or unit volume over a three-year period, or if a new business, over the course of the year.

Previous award winners are ineligible for two years.

“Right now, we’re just trying to get people to nominate different businesses and allow those businesses to fill out the application so our advisory council has a chance to review those over the next few months,” he said.

“We’ll be doing site visits with the nominees in trying to select the best of the best.”

Mock said anyone interested in nominating a business, should contact him at the chamber or via e-mail. He hopes for a lot of interest.

“This gives us an opportunity to recognize entrepreneurship in our community,” he said.