A total of eight shire businesses and individuals have been nominated across nine categories for the awards, which will be held in two weeks.

Regional manager of the Murray-Riverina NSW Business Chamber, Ben Foley, said the finalist list had shown improvement on what had been an impressive 2013 response.

"Last year Leeton and Deniliquin were the standout communities," Mr Foley said.

"Again I am very impressed by the volume of finalists out of Leeton. There is also more from Griffith and Wagga this year.

"From a regional perspective I am extremely happy with the high calibre of entries and nominations.

"All credit to Leeton and the Leeton Chamber of Commerce (and Industry). It is also reliant upon the individual business owners to put their hand up to nominate."

The regional awards are based on a self-nomination system, but owners also gain knowledge and insight into their own business through answering questions as part of the nomination process.

Leeton chamber president Maryann Vitelli said the recognition was a boost for business in the shire.

"We were excited to see good representation at the awards again," Miss Vitelli said.

"Obviously it is a flow-on effect from our business awards and the regional awards last year.

"It is a good sign of the calibre of business here in Leeton."

Having been a regional finalist in 2013 and winning three awards at a Leeton level in June, Southern Cotton dominated the regional announcement, named as a finalist in six categories - more than any other business.

vnGrainlink and Anytime Fitness Leeton are finalists in three categories after also winning multiple local awards.

Southern Cotton general manager Kate O'Callaghan said the recognition was a result of strong management, skilled staff, excellent customer service and grower support.

"Being recognised in this way means a lot to us because we are well aware there is plenty of regional business talent in the Murray-Riverina," Mrs O'Callaghan said.

"For us, it provides a level of confidence that we are heading in the right direction as an organisation and making a positive contribution to the local community."

The awards finalists were shortlisted from a wider list of nominations and Mr Foley said making it this far through the judging process should be considered an honour.

"The Leeton Outstanding Business Awards are now aligned with the regional awards, meaning some of the finalists were nominated through their success at those awards," he said.

"(The regional awards) are designed to identify the best of the best. To be named as a finalist means they can be proud they are doing something right or showing a certain level of expertise."

Category winners from the Murray-Riverina Business Awards will be announced at a gala dinner in Griffith on August 15. Those winners then proceed as finalists to the NSW Business Chamber State Business Awards, to be held in Sydney on November 28.

Young Business Executive

-Brad Carroll, McDonalds Leeton

Business Leader

-Paul Pearsall, Grainlink

-George Weston, Weston & Weston Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning

-Kate O'Callaghan, Southern Cotton

Excellence in Innovation

-Anytime Fitness Leeton

-Southern Cotton

Excellence in Business Ethics

-Anytime Fitness Leeton

Excellence in Small Business

-Antoinette's Showcase Jewellers

-Anytime Fitness

-Sauce Communications

Employer of Choice

-Southern Cotton

Excellence in Business

-Southern Cotton

-Grainlink

Excellence in Work, Health and Safety

-Southern Cotton

Excellence in Export

-Toorak Winery

-Southern Cotton

-Grainlink

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LEETON Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Maryann Vitelli was returned to the position for 2014-15 at the organisation's annual general meeting on Monday.

It is Miss Vitelli's second term in the role and her executive will feature Megan Martin (vice president), Melinda Angel (secretary) and Fran McLaughlin (treasurer).

In her president's report, Miss Vitelli thanked the chamber members for their input, assistance and time, and recalled events and initiatives from the previous 12 months.