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Cranbrook has some of the lowest taxes in B.C.

Open for Business Awards Finalists: Cranbrook and Kimberley

Cranbrook and Kimberley are two of three Open for Business Awards Finalists in the medium community category

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The winners will be announced February 23, 2018 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Small Business BC and the Province of British Columbia have announced their Open for Business Awards Finalists. Cranbrook and Kimberley are two of three cities up for an award in the medium-sized community category, along with Salmon Arm.

Launched in 2011, the Open for Business Awards is an annual initiative to celebrate communities that have worked to create a more welcoming small business environment.

“This year’s finalists have demonstrated new and innovated ways of supporting small businesses and good jobs for British Columbians by improving services and reducing regulatory burden in their communities,” said Bruce Ralston, BC Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology.

Out of 31 communities nominated, there are nine total finalists. For this year, the nomination period ran October 1 to November 30, 2017. Communities were then asked to present a case study on one of their initiatives, delivered in the last three years, to help show the judges what makes their community the best. There are four categories in the Open for Business Awards, and the medium community category recognizes communities with 5,000 to 25,000 residents. Cranbrook and Kimberley have a combined total of 27,472.

The winners, which will be announced at the Small Business BC Awards Gala in Vancouver on February 23, 2018, will receive the use of a professionally produced Open for Business Award video, showcasing how the community has created a business-friendly environment. With more than 600 industry executives, small business owners, government officials and media, the awards gala is a prestigious event that helps the winners gain extensive media exposure and peer recognition.

“We are very happy to partner with the Province to deliver the Open for Business Awards and bring to the forefront communities that deserve to be recognized for their support of small business,” said George Hunter, CEO of Small Business BC. “It’s important to recognize not only the small businesses of B.C., but also the local governments who support them and create space for them to flourish. Being able to present the Open for Business Awards at the Small Business Awards Gala creates a unique opportunity to celebrate small businesses and the communities they thrive in.”

As finalists, Cranbrook and Kimberley have already been celebrated for efforts to support local small business on Small Business B.C.’s website:

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For more information on the Open for Business Awards and the full list of finalists, visit www.sbbcawards.ca/open-for-business.