Payson Roundup | Payson, AZ

Excellence in business is a combination of passion, long hours, hard work, excellent customer service, great hiring techniques, loyalty and a lot of other attributes that all businesses strive to achieve.

Some businesses achieve these goals and are shining examples that the community recognizes every year.

The Rim Country Business Awards, developed by the Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce, Northern Gila County Economic Development Corporation and the Town of Payson, are designed to highlight those businesses and business people who exemplify these qualities.

The fifth annual Rim Country Business Awards Committee thanks the many people who took the time to nominate the businesses competing for this year’s three awards.

Two dozen businesses were nominated in one of three categories, large business (having 10 or more full-time employees), small business (nine or less full-time employees) or nonprofit organization.

Additionally, at this year’s event, the Jim Young Business Person of the Year and the Pat Willis Business Excellence Award will be awarded.

All awards are judged by a seven-person panel of judges.

The awards will be handed out at luncheon on May 19, at the First Church of the Nazarene, 200 E. Tyler Parkway, beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Gerardo’s Firewood Cafe will cater the luncheon. Luncheon tickets are $25 or $175 for a table of seven and are available after April 10 at the Rim Country Chamber of Commerce.

KC’s Home Health Care, the Rim Country Alliance, APS, PostNet, and the First Church of the Nazarene are sponsoring the event.

Nominees for the 2011 Rim Country Business Awards are as follows:

Small Business of the Year

Charles M. Beier, DDS

Dan Good Flooring, Inc.

East West Exchange

Healthy Perspectives, LLC

KMOG

Moose Mountain Gifts & Antiques

Payson Florist & Gifts

Payson Pet Care Veterinary Clinic

Quality Plus

Scoops Ice Cream & Espresso

Service First Financial Center, Inc.

Simmons Landscape, Inc.

Tonto Silk Screen & Embroidery

Uptown Espresso

Waste Management

Large Business of the Year

Ace Hardware & Nursery

Chili’s Grill & Bar

El Rancho Restaurant

Hospice Compassus

Rim Country Health & Retirement Community

Nonprofit organization

Good Samaritan Society Majestic Rim

Gracie Lee Haught Children’s Memorial Fund

Payson Area Habitat for Humanity

Tonto Community Concert Association

“We encourage all Rim Country residents to support these businesses and get your tickets early for the event,” said Chamber Manager John Stanton.