PARIS – The Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce board of directors has announced that the annual dinner and awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, Jan. 31, at Hebron Academy. A social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m., opening remarks and dinner will start at 6:15.

Speaker will be Matthew C. Jacobson, president and CEO, Maine and Company. Under Jacobson’s leadership since 2006, Maine and Company has recruited several major companies to Maine, including NotifyMD, athenahealth and Boston Financial Data Services. The companies will combine to hire more than 1,500 new employees.

Prior to joining Maine and Company, Jacobson was most recently assistant vice president of sales and marketing, Canadian National Railways, based in Chicago. In his role at CN, Jacobson was responsible for International and North America Intermodal sales and marketing.

For more information about ticket pricing, registration forms and menu, go to the chamber’s Web site.

The chamber is soliciting applications for the following business and community award categories:

• Business of the Year: Awardees will be recognized in three categories: large business (more than 25 employees), small business (25 employees or less), and nonprofit organizations. Criteria includes excellence in one or more of the following areas: dynamic products or services, contributions to the Oxford Hills region and community, market share, noteworthy industry achievements and dedication to the well being of its employees and associates.

Eligibility: Oxford Hills chamber members only.

• Employee of the Year: The distinction is awarded to an individual who displays outstanding work ethic, a cooperative nature among fellow employees and contributes to the success of the company for which they are working.

Eligibility: Oxford Hills chamber members only.

• Rising Star of the Year: The distinction is awarded to a young business owner or employee (age 20 to 40’ish) who is “up and coming” and is positively contributing to make the Oxford Hills an exciting and dynamic place to live and work.

Eligibility: Oxford Hills chamber members only.

• New Business of the Year: The award is given to a new Oxford Hills business that has shown grit, determination to succeed and a willingness to become part of the community around them.

Eligibility: Chamber members who have opened their business on or after Jan. 1, 2007.

• Citizen of the Year: The distinction is awarded to an individual who has provided outstanding community service to the Oxford Hills region over an extended period of time.

Eligibility: Any resident of the Oxford Hills.

Deadline for awards submission to the chamber is Friday, Jan. 9. To download nomination forms, go to the chamber’s Web site and click on the “Annual Dinner” link.