WESTLOCK — The Town of Westlock is encouraging residents to nominate their favourite businesses, to showcase during Small Business Week, Oct. 20-26.
Nominations are currently open and will close on Sept. 15.
“The purpose of Small Business Week is to celebrate the importance of small businesses in the economy,” said Town of Westlock director of planning and development, Danielle Pougher. “In Canada, the majority of the business community is actually considered a small business, that’s anything that’s under 100 employees.”
Pougher said this is the first time the town has looked for public input, and in nominating their favourite businesses in Westlock which will be featured, as part of a promotional series the town is doing during Small Business Week.
Last year the conducted a similar series, but contacted businesses directly to participate.
“This year we’re just opening that up to the public to get their feedback and input on who we should be featuring during that week,” said Pougher, noting there are no categories to nominate a business in, but is rather a general nomination.
“Depending on the (number) of nominations per business or the variety that we receive, we’ll highlight as many as we’re able to,” she said, noting the town is currently focused on economic development and supporting and retaining small businesses.
“We’re asking for some context as to why they’re being nominated but essentially, it’s an open nomination. We’re just asking for people’s favourite businesses in town,” said Pougher. “(Small businesses) really are the backbone of the local economy and they play a very important role,” said Pougher. “They employ locals, they serve other businesses and they’re very important to having a thriving, progressive local economy.”
To nominate a small business visit www.westlock.ca/p/small-business-week
