The Times News is in the middle of a new campaign to highlight area businesses.

Nominations are open in the 2019 Readers’ Choice contest.

Readers are invited to nominate their favorites in auto, entertainment and sports, financial, food and drink, home, health, shopping and professional and specialty services.

Nominations are open through July 24.

Advertising representative Stephanie Heater said, “The Readers’ Choice contest created a spark in the community, especially with small businesses. Business owners are talking to each other about the contest and supporting one another in various categories.”

The contest opened Monday and there has been a good response.

“After the first day, it essentially took over my entire social media page. So many local businesses are sharing about the contest and asking their customers for their support. It’s something new that hasn’t been done in this area before, and it created quite a bit of excitement,” Heater said.

The next phase of the contest, from Aug. 7 through Aug. 31, will allow people to vote for their favorites.

“I think the businesses will like to see the feedback they receive with the contest results. They think it’s nice to know that their customers appreciate their business enough to take time to nominate and vote for them,” Heater said.

People who participate in Readers’ Choice can win a $25 gift card to Dunbar Bottling Company Inc. of Lehighton. Check out Readers’ Choice at tnonline.com/contests.