Nominations remain open for the 10 Under 40 contest, which recognizes 10 high-achieving individuals from the region who are under the age of 40.

The winners will be featured in a special publication of The Messenger on Sept. 4.

Deadline for submissions is Thursday.

Young professionals who have made an impact by being involved in their community would make good candidates for the contest, according to Jill Nelson, community development director for the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.

“I think we all know of a deserving individual who has contributed a lot to their place of business and their community and so I would challenge everyone to make sure those individuals get nominated,” Nelson said.

Forms are on the Growth Alliance’s website. They can be submitted at the Growth Alliance office, 24 N. Ninth St.

The nomination form includes a section where the nominator can provide examples of why the person they’ve selected should be honored as one of the 10 Under 40.

“It’s important to note that nominees are only scored on information provided on the form,” Nelson said. “So it is very important that as you are nominating someone you provide very detailed and thorough information.”

Examples could include accreditations, awards, promotions and professional accomplishments. In terms of community service, examples may include the different committees or boards an individual has served on.

10 Under 40 is a recognition program that occurs every other year. In past years, as many as 60 nominations have been received.

Once all the nominations are received, Nelson said a selection committee comprising Growth Alliance members, Young Professionals and Messenger staff members will review the forms and score them on two points of criteria — professional accomplishments and community service.

“Once the winners are selected, they will all be recognized in a special section of The Messenger on Sept. 4,” she said. “I would just encourage everyone to nominate someone. I think everyone knows of an individual under the age of 40 that has made large contributions to the community and excelling in their place of work and we want to recognize those individuals.”

Nelson believes it’s important to recognize young leaders.

“We have a lot of growth and exciting things happening in our region and a lot of different people contribute to that success,” Nelson said. “Many are our young professionals. It’s important they are recognized for their hard work. Anytime we recognize those doing well in the community, it inspires others to act in a similar way.”

10 Under 40 is a collaborative effort between the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, the Fort Dodge Young Professionals and The Messenger.

Here is the link for the 10 Under 40 nomination forms:

https://bit.ly/2QitVaS