From staff reports:

The public has until Oct. 15 to nominate local businesses for a Corporations for Communities Fall Award. The program was launched in 2009 by Secretary of State Sam Reed as a way to recognize exceptional Washington businesses that demonstrate a commitment to giving in order to improve local or regional social and environmental conditions.

Twice a year, Reed selects one large and one small corporation from among the nominations to receive a National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion, which is the highest civics honor awarded by the state.

Last May, Redmond housing firm Aboda and Pullman-based Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories were selected from a statewide pool of nominees as 2010 spring award winners.

Winners for this current cycle of awards will be announced in November. Nomination forms are available on the Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.wa.gov/corps/corpsforcommunities/default.aspx.