Duane Hicks
West End Motors was named Business of the Year (16+ employees) at the 14th-annual Bell Business Awards on Saturday night at the Adventure Inn here.
The Business of the Year (1-15 employees) award went to The UPS Store.
Meanwhile, Blair and Donna Lowey (Lowey’s Greenhouse) were honoured as Entrepreneurs of the Year while Ken and Laurie Pentney (Spruce Greek Golf Course) were named the Small Business Trainer of the Year.
Jennifer Krag (Moss Yoga & Barnswallow Photography) was named Business Woman of the Year.
Boston Pizza was saluted with the Customer Service (Business) award, with the Customer Service (Individual) award going to Judy Webster (RBC).
Town of Fort Frances treasurer Laurie Witherspoon was named Employee of the Year while Jack Hedman (Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters) was honoured as the Tony Beyak Memorial Volunteer of the Year.
The Safety Award (Business/Individual) went to Rainy River District Victim Services, with the Accessibility Award going to Betty-Anne MacKintosh (Supervised Access Program).
A special award this year was the 100th Anniversary Economic Development Award, sponsored by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp.
Meant to honour an organization that has shown dedication towards the growth of economic development in Rainy River District, the award was presented to the Rainy River Future Development Corp.
This year’s gala drew a total of 56 nominees, a couple of which were nominated in more than one category.
Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce president Harold Wilson emceed the evening while John McEvoy, regional manager of field services for event sponsor Bell Aliant, greeted attendees.
The “Fort Harmonies” entertained the crowd with some fun songs, including an ABBA medley.
There also was a prime rib dinner and a silent auction featuring items donated by local businesses.
