The awards program honoring young professionals has been changed from the ''40 under 40 Awards'' to the ''25 under 35 Awards,'' according to the Mahoning Valley Young Professionals.
The lowering of the number of awardees is designed to make the selection more competitive while leveling the playing field for exceptional young professionals in earlier stages of their careers, Lori Shandor, planning committee chair and vice president for MVYP, said.
The 8-year-old program to honor ''Mahoning Valley's best and brightest young professionals'' will be held Feb. 1, 2013, at Stambaugh Auditorium.
Applications for 25 under 35 Awards are available by at MVYPClub.com or cfmv.org.