VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 31, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Small Business BC and the Province of British Columbia are proud to announce the communities who have made it to the finals of the Open for Business Awards. The communities selected have proven their support for their local small businesses by adopting business-friendly best practices in their region.
The Open for Business Awards finalists are as follows:
Large Community Finalists
Campbell River
Penticton
Prince George
Medium Community Finalists
Cranbrook
Kimberly
Salmon Arm
Small Community Finalists
Chetwynd
Lumby
First Nations
Nisga’a Lisims
“The Open for Business Awards are an important opportunity to recognize leadership from municipalities and First Nations throughout B.C. that have created a more welcoming small business environment,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology. “This year’s finalists have demonstrated new and innovative ways of supporting small businesses and good jobs for British Columbians by improving services and reducing regulatory burden in their communities.”
This year, 31 communities from across the province presented case studies on one of their initiatives to the awards judges for review to prove why their community is the best and most supportive of small business.
“We are very happy to partner with the Province to deliver the Open for Business Awards and bring to the forefront communities that deserve to be recognized for their support of small business,” said George Hunter, CEO at Small Business BC. “It’s important to recognize not only the small businesses of B.C., but also the local governments who support them and create space for them to flourish. Being able to present the Open for Business Awards at the Small Business Awards Gala creates a unique opportunity to celebrate both small businesses and the communities they thrive in.”
In partnership with the BC Small Business Roundtable, Small Business BC will host the Open for Business Awards at the Small Business BC Awards Gala on February 23, 2018 at the Vancouver Convention Centre, where the winners of each category will be announced. Gala tickets are now on sale at www.sbbcawards.ca/buy-tickets.
More details on the Open for Business Awards can be found at www.sbbcawards.ca/open-for-business.
Media Contact:
Leah Baker
Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Small Business BC
Direct: 604-775-5607
baker.leah@smallbusinessbc.ca
About Small Business BC
Small Business BC provides entrepreneurs with the information and guidance necessary to build a solid foundation for their business. Through a wide range of products, services, education and resources there’s a piece that fits with every business. No matter what stage or what skill level, when an entrepreneur finds themselves asking “How do I…?” Small Business BC is the one to call.
About the Small Business Roundtable
The Small Business Roundtable was established in 2005 to engage in a dialogue with small business owners to identify the key issues and opportunities facing small businesses in British Columbia, and to develop recommendations for small business and government on strategies to enhance small business growth and success.