Squamish is one of 15 communities in the running for the 2013 Open for Business Awards, which recognize communities that support business through local government initiatives that align with the B.C. Small Business Accord.
The awards, which are to be announced at the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) conference today (Sept. 19) in Vancouver, are issued by the B.C. Small Business Roundtable, the group founded in 2005 to be the voice for small business in government decision-making.
This year, the roundtable received submissions from 39 communities. After those were evaluated on the basis of how they enhance small-business competitiveness and recognize the contributions of small businesses to the communities, were narrowed down to 15 finalists.
In addition to Squamish, the finalists include Central Saanich, Chiliwack, Coquitlam, Fort St. James, Kelowna, Lake Country, Langley, Peachland, Pemberton, Penticton, Pitt Meadows, Rossland, Valemount and Vernon.
Winners will each receive $10,000 to help implement initiatives that benefit small business, officials said.
