Four businesses from the Westlock area are among the 12 recipients slated to receive GROWTH Alberta Business Awards of Excellence in January.
All 12 recipients were announced at a formal luncheon hosted at the Westlock Inn on Thursday. The luncheon, which coincided with Small Business Week, was also attended by GROWTH Alberta members, representatives of local municipalities and past winners of the awards.
From the Westlock area, the award-winners include Wabash Manufacturing Inc., Hutchison Cabinets, Growth Agri-Coaching and Clyde Auctioneering.
The other recipients were B&B Wilson Oilfield Services, Barrhead Electric, Black Gold Insulation, Dwayne Thompson Tank Truck Services, Mill Creek Sand and Gravel, Neeralta Welding and Sales, and Timeau Forest Products.
All 12 award-winners will be presented with their trophies at the formal Business Excellence Awards Gala on Saturday, Jan. 21. That is also when several special awards will be presented.
GROWTH Alberta board chair Alan Deane said the lunch was held as the kickoff to the formal gala for the Business Excellence Awards.
Of the 80 nominations submitted this year, Deane said the selection committee definitely “had trouble” coming up with the 12 award-winners given the range of good candidates.
Deane said they didn’t have an unusual number of nominations this year, but they are seeing more awareness of the GROWTH organization and more recognition of the businesses in the area.
“We’re really happy about that,” he said.
Master of ceremonies and Westlock Chamber of Commerce president Ben Kellert said the 12 recipients didn’t start out with the goal of winning the Business Awards of Excellence.
“They began because they recognized a need and went about with the desire to meet that need. It may not have always been easy, but through perseverance, they found it was indeed as George Burns once said: ‘I honestly think it’s better to be a failure at something you love than to be a success at something you hate.’
“There may have been some bumps in the road, but these individuals can hold their heads high and be proud of the fact that regardless of the obstacle, they have succeeded in providing the best possible service for the public.”
Kellert said the recipients have earned these accolades and as a new business-owner himself, “you inspire me and encourage me in my own endeavours.”
Finally, as the president of the Westlock Chamber of Commerce, he said he was proud of each recipient and looked forward to the partnerships “we will continue to build in the future.”
“I think it was well-put by the Honourable Ken Kowalski that this is a great area and a great province,” he said.
The gala will be hosted at the Westlock and District Community Hall. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and tickets are $35 per person or $340 for a table of 10.
