Sixteen Lehigh Valley companies have been nominated as finalists for the Governor’s ImPAct Awards, which honors companies that have made a substantial impact on the state through job creation or retention.

The state announced the finalists this month for its 2015 signature awards program, which celebrates companies that have proven they are committed to Pennsylvania and see the value and benefits of doing business in the state.

Several regional partners collaborated to help submit applications on behalf of the Lehigh Valley businesses, including the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC), the Manufacturers Resource Center, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, the Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board, and the Small Business Development Center.

The awards ceremony will be held on May 21 in Hershey. The Lehigh Valley companies are competing in five different categories, which are listed below.

Community ImPAct Award Finalists

• Just Born Quality Confections (Bethlehem)
• PPL Corporation (Allentown)
• Victaulic (Easton)

This award is given to a company that shows a sustained commitment to the growth and development of its employees and the community in which it does business.

Entrepreneur ImPAct Award Finalists

• Bio Med Sciences, Inc. (Allentown)
• CyOptics, Inc. (Breinigsville)
• EcoTech Marine (Allentown)

This award is given to an entrepreneur who has led his or her company to a position of strength in the marketplace through creativity, innovation, managerial ability or leadership skills.

Export ImPAct Award Finalists

• Apprise Software (Bethlehem)
• Dynalene Heat Transfer Fluids (Whitehall Township)
• Martin Guitar (Nazareth)

This award is given to a company that has significantly increased its export sales and the number of new foreign markets it sells to since 2012.

Jobs That Pay Award Finalists

• Bethlehem Shared Services Center (Bethlehem)
• Follett Corporation (Easton)
• Nestle Purina Petcare Company (Allentown)

This award is given to a company that has demonstrated consistent job growth and retention over the past two years.

Small Business ImPAct Award Finalists

• Altitude Marketing (Emmaus)
• Fragrance Manufacturing, Inc. (Allentown)
• Orbel Corporation (Easton)
• ProtoCAM (Allentown)

This award is given to a company of 100 employees or less that has been an innovator within its industry, demonstrated revenue/profit growth, increased its workforce and committed to the growth and development of its employees and community.

To be considered for an award, companies must be a for-profit entity, publicly or privately held, with headquarters or significant operations in Pennsylvania. It must be in business for a minimum of one year and be in good standing with the state.

One business from the Lehigh Valley region will be awarded in each category. Each of the Partners for Regional Economic Performance (PREP) regions, including the Lehigh Valley was able to select up to five finalists in each of the five Impact Award categories. PREP is a network of business assistance providers working together to coordinate economic development efforts.

The five Lehigh Valley companies to receive 2014 Governors ImPAct Awards included:

• Community ImPAct Award – B. Braun Medical, Bethlehem
• Entrepreneur ImPAct Award – CAI Inc. / Computer Aid, Allentown
• Export ImPAct Award – Bitronics LLC/NovaTech LLC, Bethlehem
• Jobs First ImPAct Award – Samuel Adams Pennsylvania Brewery, Breinigsville
• Small Business ImPAct Award – HindlePower, Inc., Easton