Beneficial State Bank and Foundation have officially opened nominations for the 2016 Oakland Indie Awards, which honor Oakland’s businesses and independent artists. The awards are focused on building prosperity in the local economy by celebrating the social, economic and environmental impacts of supporting local commerce. “As we face rapid change in Oakland, we know that the Oakland Indie Awards is an ever-important mainstay in our community that serves to lift up the independent businesses and artists who give back so much to our city,” said Beneficial State’s Community Engagement Officer, Emma Guttman-Slater.