A handful of businesses with ties to the city of Cape Coral have been named as finalists for the 25th annual Industry Appreciation Awards.

Hosted by the Lee County Economic Development Office and the Horizon Council, the ceremony recognizes companies that have made a significant contribution to the economy through growth and innovation, industry leadership or displayed superior corporate citizenship, according to the county’s website. To be eligible, a company must be a for-profit company and be located within Lee County.

The awards will take place on Aug. 25 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Estero.

Wicked Dolphin Rum Distillery is a finalist for the Emerging Business Leader Award, while IBERIABANK is up for the Business Citizenship Award. In addition, Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida has been announced as a finalist for the LocalLEE Grown Business Award.

To mark the 25th anniversary, the Bruce T. Gora Legacy Award has been created to recognize an individual who has established a history of distinguished service and contributions to the betterment and growth of Lee County’s business community over the last 25 years, according to the county.

David Barton, developer and owner of the North Cape Industrial Park, is one of the finalists.

A panel of local business leaders serve as judges for the awards.

“This is totally new for us,” JoAnn Elardo, owner of the Wicked Dolphin, said. “Of course, we’re all nervous and very honored to be mentioned – we’re listed with a lot of really good businesses.”

The Emerging Business Leader Award is awarded to a relative newcomer to Lee County that is experiencing marked growth while introducing inventive products, services or business practices. The finalists were judged on things like revenue growth, employment and innovative developments.

Opened in 2012, Wicked Dolphin grew from two employees to 15 full- and 16 part-time employees. Revenues grew over 73 percent from 2014-15, with sales in 2016 projected to be up by 60 percent.

“I think we were judged on our growth and innovative development,” she said, explaining that they and one other company in Florida were the first to speak to state legislators about holding distillery tours.

“And we have a lot of rums on the market that are completely different than the big guys,” Elardo said.

The company was awarded Trip-Advisor’s 2015 Certificate of Excellence.

“I think Wicked Dolphin is a Cape Coral business, and Cape Coral is our community and we love to promote it,” she said. “I think that’s been something that’s been noticed about us.”

It works with the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau and VISIT FLORIDA.

“When they have people visiting our area, we always help out and give tours,” Elardo said.

She reported that its tours generate more than 25,000 visitors to the Cape each year.

“Because of that a lot of restaurants in the area and a lot of businesses get new clientele,” Elardo said.

Since 2013, Wicked Dolphin has earned several awards for its spirits. In fact, the company recently learned that Walmart is going to stock its locally-made alcohol in 50 stores throughout Florida.

“It kind of shocked us last week,” she said. “They love the spirits.”

The alcohol is anticipated to be on shelves in mid-October.

“This is huge for a small craft distillery to catch a national or international account,” Elardo said.

Before that, the company’s new venue – Big Blue Brewing – is scheduled to open in mid-September in the South Cape. A restaurant, test kitchen and beer brewery combined, the owner is Bob Elardo.

“It’s going to be focused on the best available local ingredients, kind of like a scratch kitchen. We plan on making most of everything ourselves,” she said, adding that they just brewed their first beer.

“We’re hoping to bring a lot of people down into the South Cape,” Elardo said.

The other finalists are iPartnerMedia and The RocketLounge.

IBERIABANK has two branches located in the Cape.

The Business Citizenship Award is awarded to a company whose financial, volunteer and active involvement in organizations and programs have helped create a better quality of life in Lee County. Award finalists were judged on their overall commitment to bettering the community as a whole.

Entering the local market in 2009, IBERIABANK has been a strong supporter of the community, according to the county. It has offered employee volunteer hours, fundraising activities and financial contributions. Last year, IBERIABANK donated over $50,000 to local charitable organizations.

The other finalists are Priority Marketing and Pushing the Envelope.

Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida operates several locations in Lee County, with five in the Cape. The offices include OBGYN, family practice, pediatric and internal medicine services.

“We are honored to be a finalist and be among other such fine companies who are also being recognized as a LocalLEE Grown Business,” Annette Pounders, administrator for the group, said.

“This year, we are celebrating our 20th anniversary as a medical group in Lee County,” she said. “In fact, a number of our physicians have been practicing in Lee County for over 30 years.”

The award is given to a company that was founded in Lee and is distinguished by its operational excellence and commitment to the vibrancy of the regional business climate. Finalists were judged on things like longevity in Lee, successes and their long-term commitment to economic development.

Since opening its doors in 1996, PPC has become a leading medical practice in Lee County and a pioneer in bringing the latest medical advances to the area, according to the county. The company has donated over $100,000 to charities and 26 physicians volunteer their time to health organizations.

“In the Cape, we were the first to bring gentle C-section, as well as one of the first medical groups to bring digital mammography to the area,” Pounders said. “Additionally, as community citizens of Cape Coral, we are a major sponsor in the Bike Path, as well as we have supported Taste of Cape.”

“As the largest independent multi-specialty primary care practice in Lee County, we count it a privilege to care for thousands of Lee County residents from birth and throughout all of life stages,” she added.

The other finalists are Bailey’s General Store and Parker/Mudgett/Smith Architects.

Barton faces Marshall Bower, Scott Fischer, Gail Markham and Gary Trippe for the Bruce T. Gora Legacy Award. The award honors an individual who has exhibited superior leadership and inspiration to others, not only in the business community but to the whole community, according to the county.

“Obviously, I take it as a great compliment,” he said.

Barton was a founding member of the Horizon Council and served as its first chairman, holding the position for four years. After serving on the advisory board to the county on economic development, he become the first president of the Horizon Foundation. Barton is still a voting member of the council.

“It’s proved to be, I think, a very successful organization,” he said.

Barton noted that in the group’s start-up period there were 27 voting members.

“All from different organizations,” he said.

Barton attributed the group’s successes to the people involved in it.

“The Horizon Council has kept moving forward and progressing,” he said. “I think the success has always been the fact that all the participants participant with enthusiasm and support.”

Barton has served on the Industrial Development Authority for nearly 20 years and is a founding member and former executive director of the Southwest Florida Regional Manufacturers Association.

He has also served on numerous councils and committees over the past two decades.