Orange Business Chamber president Jack Evans said due to COVID-19 restrictions the awards follow an invitation-only finalists' night.

"After almost two years of not being able to hold the awards, it is great to see a return to this great community event," Mr Evans said,

To be nominated as a finalist during challenging times for many businesses is an extraordinary feat in itself".

Outstanding Employee (any age): Julianne Pearce - Flirt Adult Store, Robert Afford - Diesel and Blue and Sharon Taylor- Neami National.

Outstanding Young Business Leader (35 and under): Jessica Hickman, Michael Ruddy- Surround Supports and Amy van den Ven - Quest Orange.

Outstanding Business Leader (36 and over): Peita Mages - Clever Cookie Academy, Sharon Lord- Yates Baker McLean, Tracy Hinton- Coffee Club.

Outstanding Community Group: Lives Lived Well, Neami National, Orange and District Early Education Program.

Excellence In Innovation: GB Auto Electrics, Jessica Hickman, Clever Cookie Academy.

Outstanding Employer of Choice: Millthorpe Little Learning Centre, Orange Credit Union, Studio Seed.

Excellence In Hospitality: Antica Australis, Indigenous Cultural Adventures, Quest Orange.

Excellence In Personal Services: Clever Cookie Academy, Diesel and Blue Doggie Day-care, Studio Seed.

Excellence In Professional Services: Cheney Suthers Lawyers, Millthorpe Little Learning Centre, Orange Credit Union.

Excellence In Trade and Construction: Iconic Outdoors, Test n Tag Orange and Trojan Group.

Excellence In Tourism: Indigenous Cultural Adventures, Quest Orange and Antica Australis.

Excellence In Retail: Chaos & Karma, Jumbled, Orange Pie Company.

The Business of the Year Award will be announced at the awards night. Businesses who are eligible will proceed to the NSW Regional Awards to compete against their peers from across the region.

The chamber has also launched a social media campaign, We Want You Orange, in a bid to encourage customers to return to their local spending habits.

"We understand a lot of businesses, particularly in the retail and hospitality industry, have struggled, not only during the Central West lockdown but also in the prior two or three weeks since the Greater Sydney Lockdown began," Mr Evans said.

"This call to action can be succeeded by any action a business wishes their customers to do such as buy a coffee, have lunch, go shopping or anything that is relevant to how businesses engage with their customers.

"The NSW Health guidelines are designed to help us go about our business in a covid safe way."

The campaign will feature business owners and their staff displaying the We Want You message via video with the intent of creating a real community feel, showing that they are neighbors, family and friends who are counting on our support to stay open and employed during uncertain economic times.

People who share the hashtag #wewantyouorange along with a photo of their purchase in a retail or hospitality business will also have a chance to win a Shop Orange gift card valued at $100 to spend in a local business.

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