Independent We Stand now accepting nominations for second annual Indie Business Award

The national small business movement Independent We Stand (IWS) is now accepting nominations from indie shoppers across the nation for the 2012 independent business of the year award, “The Indie.” Nominations are being accepted at www.IndieBizAward.com until Aug.17.

“The Indie” winner will receive a new website design, complements of independent web design firm Launch Interactive; a location page with Google map integration and Web traffic reporting; a Stihl equipment certificate, redeemable at one of more than 8,000 local dealers nationwide; a five-minute video to be featured on the IWS YouTube Channel; and a three-day/two-night stay at an independent beach resort hotel in Virginia Beach, Va. The value of these prizes totals $7,000.

Project Manager Bill Brunelle is looking forward to the second year that Independent We Stand recognizes independent businesses across the country. “These businesses build communities and help revitalize their local economies,” Brunelle said. “‘The Indie’ is not only a way for customers to celebrate and show appreciation to their favorite local businesses; it is a way to shed light on the benefits of buying local.”

“It is no secret that local businesses are well known for their outstanding community support and customer service,” Brunelle added. “Judging for ‘The Indie’ will be based on these two criteria, as well as number of nominations.” Finalists for the prize will be selected from all nominations, and voting for finalists, which will also take place at www.IndieBizAward.com, will be open to the public from Aug. 22 to Sept. 7. The winner of “The Indie” will be announced on Sept.10.

The 2011 Indie Award winner was Georgia-based Howard Brothers Hardware, which garnered almost 45,000 votes from its dedicated fans. Paying it forward, the winners donated their website design prize to second-place finisher Mummphy’s Book Nook from Indiana.

For more information on “The Indie” or to nominate your favorite business, visit www.IndieBizAward.com.

Independent We Stand is a movement of independent business owners across the country to inform their communities about the importance of “Buying Local” and how these efforts bolster their local economy. This movement supports all local and national causes committed to boosting local economic development projects. The Independent We Stand movement is sponsored in part by Stihl Inc. For more information, visit www.IndependentWeStand.org.