The New York City Department of Small Business Services is calling for the nominations of individuals, small businesses and community organizations for the 2012 Neighborhood Achievement Awards. New Yorkers, nonprofit organizations, businesses, educational institutions, business improvement districts, local development corporations, merchants associations and other neighborhood associations are encouraged to apply and/or nominate others for awards in eight categories, including two brand new categories.

"The Neighborhood Achievement Awards annually honor the individuals, businesses and groups who share our commitment to building neighborhoods, creating jobs, and opening opportunities for New Yorkers," said Commissioner Walsh. "I encourage New Yorkers to nominate those who are making a difference in their communities."

Click here to view the application.

Awards will be presented in the following categories:

New! The BID Innovation Award honors a Business Improvement District that goes above and beyond in delivering its core mission, and successfully revitalizes its community through partnerships that improve parks, schools, and the entire neighborhood.

New! The Entrepreneur Award honors a start-up business or organization that successfully realized a creative idea and opened its doors in the past two years, providing an important product, service or community benefit.

The Norman Buchbinder Placemaking Award honors an individual, business or organization that has increased the visibility, stature, and overall identity of a neighborhood by highlighting and enhancing its look and feel, thereby increasing visitation or economic activity. The award is presented in memory of Norman Buchbinder, a co-founder of the Union Square partnership, the city’s first Business Improvement District (BID), and founder of the Village Alliance BID.

The Adaptive Reuse/Preservation Award honors a business or organization that has transformed, preserved or restored an underutilized space into a vibrant re-adapted development, serving the diverse needs of the local community, delivering tangible benefits for the neighborhood or contributing to the overall identity of the neighborhood.

 The Cultural Award recognizes a cultural institution that has made a major contribution to a neighborhood, generating economic activity and the growth of small business while employing local workers and adding to the artistic and educational fabric of New York City.

The Leadership Award honors an individual or organization who has demonstrated outstanding leadership over the course of their career in advancing the development or overall economic welfare of a New York City neighborhood. Candidates may be from the business or civic community, and must demonstrate success at bringing together different stakeholders.

The Small Business of the Year Award honors an entrepreneur whose business has significantly improved its neighborhood or demonstrated outstanding commitment to the community through offering new or enhanced products and services, generating new activity on a commercial strip, attracting new businesses to the area, or providing exceptional employment opportunities.

The Partnership Award honors a joint endeavor between businesses, or civic, commercial, or development organizations, whose partnership has brought new benefit and services to the community. Examples include local hiring programs, business/education partnerships, cultural events, the rehabilitation of a park or public space, or a unique community outreach effort.

The M/WBE Advocate of the Year Award honors an individual, business, or organization whose leadership within the M/WBE community has encouraged entrepreneurship among other minorities and women and whose success has strengthened New York City's small business landscape.

The Workforce Innovation Award honors an organization or business that, through pioneering a creative and effective approach to workforce development (e.g. training programs, recruitment and hiring), has developed a model that has enhanced their community and provided a model for others to emulate.

View the 2011 Neighborhood Achievement Awards Program