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Small Business BC Award nominations for 2021 officially open

Seven categories up for grabs
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The Honourable George Chow, Minister of State for Trade, Fred Haynes, Mayor of The District of Saanich, Bruce Williams, CAO and Zac de Vries, District of Saanich Councillor.

With 2021 being the 18th edition of the BC Small Business Awards, businesses deserve more recognition this year like any other. 

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses have struggled to keep their shops open while pushing themselves each day to provide for their comminutes. 

And now, you can now officially nominate a place you know for the 2021 Small Business BC Awards. 

“This past year has been unlike any other for small business owners, which makes this celebration all the more important,” Small Business BC CEO Tom Conway said in a news release.

“In the midst of the challenges we’re facing, we want to take a moment and acknowledge the hard work and dedication it takes to run a successful business, especially during a pandemic.”  

There are a total of six awards, with one making its debut this year. 

  • Best Youth Entrepreneur 
  • Best Community Impact
  • Best Solopreneur (new in 2021) 
  • Best Innovation
  • Best Immigrant Entrepreneur 
  • Premier's People's Choice 

Businesses can be nominated by themselves and by members of the public. 

“Our small businesses play an essential role in the overall health and vibrancy of our communities and local economies, and we are proud of the resiliency they have shown in a year full of extraordinary challenges," Canada's Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Mélanie Joly added. 

Nominations began yesterday (Jan. 18), are open until March 8 and can be completed online.

Businesses that have the most votes in each category will be narrowed down into the top 20 and then judged by an internal panel of business experts. 

Judges will look at votes and business applications to narrow it down to five in each category. 

"This small business award is really not small after you win it. You now have this benchmark on your website, desk and other places," said owner of Fort St. John's Northern Legendary Construction Eric Bell, past winner of the Small Business BC Best Apprenticeship Training Award. 

"It's like a silent coach just sitting there reminding you to keep up the good work, keep going."