VANCOUVER, B.C., Oct. 20, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Small Business BC is pleased to announce its partnership with the BC Small Business Roundtable to deliver the Open for Business Awards.

The Open for Business Awards recognize and celebrate B.C. communities that best demonstrate their support for small business by promoting business friendly initiatives in their region.   

“Across our province, small businesses are at the heart of B.C. communities,” said Bruce Ralston, B.C. Minister for Jobs, Trade and Technology.  “The Open for Business Awards provide an opportunity to celebrate local communities and municipalities that support these businesses, providing good jobs for people, and keep our economy vibrant and growing.”

 “We are delighted to be partnering with the Province in delivering the Open for Business Awards,” said George Hunter, CEO at Small Business BC. “We have witnessed how local governments can help small businesses to grow and thrive by creating a business friendly community culture.  It’s great to celebrate their contributions.”

This year, for the first time, nominations are open to both the public and the community in the following categories:

• Small Community (<5,000 residents)
• Medium Community (5,000 – 25,000 residents)
• Large Community (>25,000 residents)
• First Nations Community (all sizes)

Nominations are open from October 1, 2017 to November 30, 2017 through the Small Business BC Awards website, and ask simply: why should your community win this award?

When nominations close, nominated communities will be invited to present a case study on one of their initiatives to demonstrate to the judges what makes their community the best. These case studies will be used to determine Top 3 finalists of each category. Winners will be announced at the Small Business BC Awards Gala at the Vancouver Convention Centre on February 23, 2018. 

“I encourage other First Nations to submit their story,” says Bert Mercer, Economic Development Manager, Nisga’a Nation and 2016 winner. “Winning the award has given the Nisga’a Nation much free publicity on what we have as a Nation, especially the first modern Rural Treaty in BC, Canada and the World. We continue to grow and nurture in developing new business initiatives that benefit our Nation.”

The Open for Business Awards provide an important platform for local government to learn and share best practices, and showcase winning initiatives that have contributed to the success of local businesses.

“The Open for Business Awards is a terrific opportunity for local government to share a successful initiative that helps to support small business,” explains Kerri Moore, Manager, Strategic Relations & Business Development. “After receiving the award in 2016, we’ve had several municipalities reach out to learn more about our initiatives and how we have been making it easier to do business in the City of Victoria.”

More details on the Open for Business Awards can be found at www.sbbcawards.ca/open-for-business.

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.

Media Contact:
Leah Baker
Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Small Business BC
Direct: 604-775-5607
baker.leah@smallbusinessbc.ca