Our printed story on the Business Excellence awards neglected to mention that the Bored Room Bistro was recognized by way of being nominated for the Business Service Excellence Award and the Individual Service Excellence Award; along with nominations for the Family Friendly Business Award, Green Business Award and Business of the Year that made a total of five nominations for the Bistro.
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“Get back to the basics—Reenergize your business” was the theme of Small Business 2014 last week and entrepreneurial talent from across the Boundary packed the Grand Forks Curling Rink last Thursday to celebrate with those chosen to receive 2014 Business Excellence Awards and Community Service Awards.
“Small business is significant in B.C.,” said Wendy McCullough, manager of Community Futures Boundary (CFB) and economic development officer for the Boundary Region. She reminded them that B.C., with 83.4 per 1,000 population, has more small businesses per capita than elsewhere in the country.
“Small business provides 59 per cent of the private sector jobs, employing over one million people,” she said. “Almost half of all the value of products exported from the province is generated by small business. Small business is responsible for 31 per cent of B.C.’s gross domestic product.”
McCullough shared news that the City of Grand Forks was awarded the BC Small Business Roundtable Open for Business award, which came with $10,000. The presentation took place at the Union of BC Municipalities convention last month.
She also noted that Community Futures was awarded the Provincial Community Futures Association Award for excellence in innovation for their work in support of the regional chamber of commerce; and that the Boundary Country Regional Chamber of Commerce (BCRCC) was awarded the Communications Award by the BC Chamber Executives for chambers under 200 members.
“Small Business Week is the time that we recognize the fact that in all of the provinces 98 per cent of all businesses are small businesses,” said MLA Linda Larson. “You are here to recognize and honour the businesses of your community and to give them a pat on the back. They are the lifeblood of all of our communities; certainly in the Boundary-Similkameen we don’t have a community with more than 4,000-something population— so we rely very heavily on small businesses.
“You are all winners. I think anybody who runs a small business in a small community is a winner to me.”
The awards were announced by CFB Resource Worker Jay Alblas.
The Business Service Excellence Award recognizes a business that provides superior products and/or services; sponsored by the Boundary Country Regional Chamber of Commerce. The 2014 winner is Jazzercise Grand Forks. West Boundary business Bored Room Bistro in Midway was recognized by being nominated as well.
The Manufacturing / Industrial Excellence Award was sponsored by the Boundary Country Regional Chamber of Commerce and won by Roxul Inc.
The Retail Excellence Award saw two Greenwood businesses—The Yellow Door and Deadwood Junction—among the 17 nominees. Sponsored by Black Press (Grand Forks Gazette and Boundary Creek Times), the award was won by Neighbours Computers.
The Trade Services Excellence Award, also sponsored by Black Press, was won by Dandy Plumbing & Gas Fitting.
The Family Friendly Business Award had 13 nominees, including the Bored Room Bistro in Midway. The award was sponsored by Phoenix Foundation of the Boundary Communities and won by gallery 2.
There were 19 businesses nominated for the Green Business Award, including Norbert Salvage and Bored Room Bistro. The award was sponsored by the Boundary Sentinel and won this year by Gaia Green Products Ltd.
The Community Impact Award recognizes community impact by a non-profit organization that has had positive and meaningful effect on the broader community. Greenwood Food Bank (Evangel Chapel) and Rock Creek Market were two of the 26 nominees. It was sponsored by Grand Forks Credit Union and won by Whispers of Hope Benevolence Association.
Greg Starchuk of Tool Time Supplies was awarded the Individual Service Excellence Award for exceeding customer expectations. The award was sponsored by Community Futures Boundary. Bored Room Bistro was also nominated.
The Business of the Year Award saw 28 nominees, including West Boundary businesses Deadwood Junction, Bored Room Bistro, Copper Eagle Cappuccino & Bakery, and The Spot. Sponsored by Community Futures Boundary, the 2014 winner is The Wooden Spoon Bistro & Bake Shop.
The Community Futures Volunteer Award was won by Jim Holmes. The award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated dedication and commitment to various community organizations and committees; making a significant contribution to the Boundary Region through volunteer service.
Susan Green, CFB business analyst/loans manager/micro loan coordinator, was awarded the 2014 Community Futures Award of Excellence. Grand Forks Mayor Brian Taylor presented certificates of merit to eight individuals for their work as a volunteer within the city. Recognized for their service were Lee Derhousoff, Rick Friesen, Judith Lloyd, Derek Taylor, Shannon Profili, Bud Alcock, Joan Thomas and William Caley.