The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce announces the 2006 Greater Austin Business Awards call for nominations today. Created in 2001, the Business Awards program has continued to set the standard for Greater Austin business excellence.

In the past, the Business Awards program recognized only Greater Austin Chamber members. Today marks the first year that the Greater Austin Chamber together with the Austin American Statesman will recognize the entire Greater Austin business community for excellence including businesses in Georgetown, Leander, San Marcos, Buda and all other cities within the Central Texas region.

On August 30, the Greater Austin Chamber will honor the winners of the 2006 Greater Austin Business Awards at the Hilton hotel in downtown Austin. Award categories include Innovation, Customer Service, Community Service, Education and, for the first time, Environmental. Each of these categories will recognize a small, medium, large, and non-profit business winner. In addition, one of the programs three Title Sponsors, Freescale Semiconductor, will honor the outstanding nonprofit organization with the Freescale Not-For-Profit Award. A total of 21 awards will be given on this prestigious evening.

The deadline for nominations is June 30.