By Mark Ambrogi

The process of picking the first OneZone Business Excellence Awards has gone smoothly.

OneZone President Mo Merhoff expects the same will be true the second time around. The Fishers and Carmel chambers of commerce merged in February 2015.

An 11-person awards committee, chaired by Sue Maki, chooses from the nominations. Merhoff and Executive Vice President Dan Canan are members of the committee. OneZone will honor outstanding local businesses and individuals at its second Business Excellence Awards Luncheon Dec. 14 at the Ritz Charles in Carmel. Nomination applications are available on onezonecommerce.com and accepted through Oct. 24.

“We’ve kept our Look awards available to both communities, because obviously we want to applaud interesting building and positive construction in both Carmel and Fishers,” Merhoff said. “So rather than picking one overall winner, we will pick one each in Carmel and Fishers (for new construction and renovation projects). We also have lifetime achievement awards for each Carmel and Fishers.”

Look awards are presented for new construction and renovation projects. Nominees are judged on the quality of work, appropriateness of the construction to its surroundings and the contribution of the project to the overall look of the community.

Applause Business of the Year award recognizes a company that has demonstrated outstanding business success in growth and stability, commitment to quality, creative/unique solutions to challenges, entrepreneurial spirit and overall contribution to the community. Merhoff said depending on the nominees, there will be both a small and large businesses recognized. Business size is determined by overall revenue.

“We decided years ago it’s hard to judge a small business success against a very large entity,” Merhoff said.

Other award and nomination criteria include: Young Professional of the Year award recognizes an individual between the ages of 21 and 40 who has demonstrated leadership, mentorship, community involvement or entrepreneurship; The Green Award recognizes an organization, company or association that is solving environmental challenges using innovative and green practices or by setting up creative partnerships to enhance the environment; and Most Valuable Volunteer (MV2) award is presented to a OneZone member who works full time but also makes a difference in the community through active volunteerism.