Nominations are now being accepted for the state’s highest civics award, the Corporations for Communities 2011 Award, by Secretary of State Sam Reed.

The program was launched in 2009 by 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.

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

Anyone is able to nominate businesses for this honor. Any sized for-profit corporation, Limited Liability Corporation (LLC), or Limited Partnership is eligible for this award. The nominee must be registered with the Office of the Secretary of State and be in compliance with state and federal laws.

Deadline for nominations is Aug. 13.

Nomination forms are available on the Secretary of State’s Web site.

Winners for the 2011 Awards cycle will be announced in September.

Last fall, GLY Construction in Bellevue won the award.

More information is available at 360-725-0358 or at patrick.reed@sos.wa.gov.