Businesses in Blackfalds were recognized last Friday evening during the 2015 Business of the Year Awards.
Hosted by the Blackfalds and District Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Blackfalds Economic Development and Tourism Board, the annual event showcased the importance of small businesses in the growing community.
Business owners, delegates and community members gathered at the Blackfalds Community Hall for the celebration.
Blackfalds and District Chamber of Commerce President Carlene Kowalchuk welcomed all the guests gathered at the event. “There were quite a few nominations this year,” she noted. “It’s really good to recognize businesses in Blackfalds.”
During the nomination period, customers were able to make nominations along with fellow businesses. A committee was then put together between the chamber and the Economic Development and Tourism Board to review all of the nominations.
Town of Blackfalds Mayor Melodie Stol welcomed all attendees on behalf of Town council.
“I’m so excited to see how the Chamber of Commerce has grown over the past 10 years,” she said. “It is an integral part of our community.”
Stol said Blackfalds businesses are getting a positive reputation around the province.
“People now travel to Blackfalds as a destination to shop,” she said.
Three Blackfalds businesses were recognized and took home major hardware from the awards ceremony.
The 2015 Business for Service Excellence Award was given to Highway Angels Eats and Treats. The 2015 Exceptional Retail Product Award was given to Sik Session Board and Apparel. The 2015 Exceptional Community Involvement Award was given to Nurture Salon and Spa.
Special recognition was also given to local businesses that made contributions to community recreational groups and individual athletes in Central Alberta and beyond.
Additional businesses nominated for exceptional service, retail product or community spirit included Alpen Dental, Blackfalds Chiropractic Centre, Blackfalds Gas and Wash, Blackfalds Professional Pharmacy, Clean Machine Auto Detail, Dancer’s Edge Studio, Main Street Hardware, Sandstone Pharmacy (IDA) and Sun Life Financial.
The Blackfalds Business of the Year Awards are usually held in November but were moved this year to coincide with Small Business Week, which ran from Oct. 18th to the 24th.
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