Businesses celebrate their outstanding achievements

South Simcoe celebrated the achievements of its business community, when over 100 people attended the 11th annual Business Excellence Awards, held at the Essa Township municipal office last week.

The evening was presented by Nottawasaga Futures, in partnership with the township.

Mary Munnoch, president and chair of Nottawasaga Futures, said over 200 nominations were received.

"This is indicative of a growing recognition of the awards, but, it is also a reflection of South Simcoe's support for members of the business community," she said.

Dignitaries and community leaders presented awards in 10 categories, with a number of customer service certificates also being handed out.

New to the ceremony, Scotia Bank was recognized for extraordinary community support and leadership demonstrated by a traditional local lending institution. Scotia Bank's angus branch was recognized as a leader within the township.

The customer service award was presented to Stephens Fuels of Adjala- Tosorontio.

The literacy promotion and advancement award was presented to Simcoe Tutoring Service in Alliston. New business awards went to Poraver North America and Danny's Fish and Chips, both located in Innisfil.

In the agricultural category, Bradford West Gwillimbury's S & S Visser Farms received an award.

The Entrepreneur of The Year award was given to Balance Yoga Studio of Tottenham.

Four quality awards were also handed out.

The first, for micro business (one to nine employees) went to Naturally For You Health Store, in Essa.

Silver Brooke Golf Club, in Adjala-Tosorontio, won the small business (ten to twenty-four employees) award, while Lotto Sanitation Pumping and Hydrovac Services from Bradford earned the medium business (twenty-five to seventy four employees) honour.

Innisfil's Georgian Downs won the quality award for large business

seventy-five plus employees).

The business excellence award was presented to Dave Dobinson Excavating in Innisfil.