The Cabonne Council area's Daroo Business Awards are this year celebrating their 21^st anniversary.

The awards committee chair Libby Oldham said this year there were 77 nominations across 15 categories.

Ms Oldham, who is also a councillor at Cabonne, said the voting was open on the Cabonne council website until 5pm on Friday, September 10.

She said Cabonne businesses had shown resilience, particularly during the recent drought and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms Oldham said the awards were an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the achievements made by businesses.

This year's awards features three new categories.

Two cover innovations in agricultural food and beverages while the third, titled 'Businesses that have adapted to changing times' recognises the challenges businesses have faced with the impact of bushfires, drought and COVID-19.

Five businesses are nominated in this category including 17 Shades Hair Salon, Eugowra Community Children's Centre, The Cheesecake Co, The Fat Parcel and Yates Baker McLean.

There are also nine nominees for the award for Contribution to Cabonne by a community organisation and nine in the category for excellence in hospitality including pubs and restaurants.

Ms Oldham said a further 21 people had been nominated for the Apprentice/Trainee of the Year and the Employee of the Year categories.

Those winners, as well as the Best Business in Cabonne, will be determined by judging and not by the popular vote.

Applications opened this week for the first round of Cabonne Council's 2021-22 Community Assistance Program grants.

Applicants must be a not-for-profit organisation in the Cabonne area undertaking a project on non-commercial facilities within the shire.

Applications close on September 24 and the application form is on council's website.

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