Four companies in Lee received their awards at a luncheon at Harborside Event Center in downtown Fort Myers in September:

Riverside Bank of the Gulf Coast, whose business has grown by 400 percent during the past five years, gets involved with many charitable enterprises, and its programs run from free checking services to cash awards for customers and employees.

Hope Hospice and Palliative Care: Hope Hospice continues to grow and provide programs. It has expanded its services to include Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Boca Grande and North Fort Myers. The not-for-profit organization benefits from community donations and volunteers.

Suncoast Aluminum Furniture, which started with one part-time employee in 1983, now has more than 100 workers in a 125,000-square-foot manufacturing and office space. Suncoast has received the Design of Excellence Award for two of its furniture models. It offers its employees excellent benefits and educational opportunities,, is environmentally responsible and supports many local causes.

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, which opened in November 2000 at a cost of $125 million, has grown to $31.7 million in sales. Future expansions are already in the works. The Hyatt has donated nearly 500 hours of community service. Employee benefits include free nights at the hotel, free meals, use of the on-site health club, reduced rates in the spa and reimbursement for continuing education classes.

At the Collier County luncheon at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, on Sept. 16, awards went to small (one to 25 employees), medium (26 to 75) and large (76 or more) companies based on three different achievements: civic responsibility, employee enlightenment and innovative achievement. Recipients:

Employee Benefits/Civic Responsibility

Small-Southern Community Bank of Southwest Florida.

Medium-RWA Consulting.

Large-Gulfcoast American Blinds Corporation.

Innovative Achievement

Small-Herbeau Creations of America.

Medium-Intech Printing and Direct Mail (formerly Naples Graphics)

Large-Hospice of Naples.

Collier also presented nominees for the Governor's Business Diversification Awards, a new statewide program that recognizes Florida companies for their contributions to economic growth. The nominees:

Entrepreneurship Award Nominee

Gulfshore Technologies

Newcomer Award Nominee

Mentor Capital Partners

Innovation Award Nominee

Neighborhood America

Export Excellence Award Nominee

Contronex