Applications Now Open for the 21st Annual Blue Chip Community Business Awards

FORT MYERS, Fla. - July 7, 2015 - PRLog -- The 21st annual Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award are coordinated and sponsored by BB&T-Oswald Trippe and Company and BB&T Bank. Applications are now open to successful small businesses in Lee, Collier or Charlotte County that have overcome adversity to achieve success. To qualify, the for-profit business must have been in operation for at least three years under the same ownership and employ five to 400 people.

Applications are due by September 7 and independent judges will pick the winning entry. Businesses can nominate themselves or be nominated by a third party. The award ceremony will take place Thursday, Nov. 5 at Harborside Event Center, located at 1375 Monroe Street in Fort Myers.

To submit an application, please contact Stacey Mercado at (239) 433-7189 or SMercado@BBandT.com.

The 2015 Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award is endorsed by the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, Business Observer, Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte County Economic Development Office, Christian Chamber of Southwest Florida, City of Cape Coral Economic Development Office, Englewood-Cape Haze Area Chamber of Commerce, Estero Chamber of Commerce, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida Southwestern State College, Florida Weekly, Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce, Gulfshore Business, Hodges University, Lee County Economic Development Office/Horizon Council, Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce, Southwest Florida Business Today, Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, The Greater Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce.

About BB&T Oswald Trippe and Company

BB&T-Oswald Trippe and Company provides comprehensive insurance and risk-management services to families and businesses throughout Florida. The agency offers the most effective insurance protection, strategies to meet changing business and insurance trends and the highest level of customer service. BB&T-Oswald Trippe and Company has offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Holmes Beach, Miami, Naples, Ocala and Weston, Fla. To learn more, please call (239) 433-4535.

About BB&T Insurance Services

BB&T Insurance Services, the fifth largest insurance broker in the U.S. and the sixth largest internationally, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Branch Banking & Trust Company (BB&T). Founded in 1922, it operates more than 100 insurance agencies in Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and California. Visit Insurance.BBT.com to learn more.