Summary

High-energy event honors hard-working business owners who create local jobs and contribute to our regional economy

Story

King County Executive Dow Constantine celebrated the importance and the accomplishments of small businesses throughout the county by presenting the third annual King County Executive's Small Business Awards at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue on Wednesday.

"Congratulations to the nominees and winners, and I applaud their entrepreneurial spirit, which is a hallmark of our regional economy," said Executive Constantine.

At a high-energy, breakfast-hour ceremony, more than 200 people from local chambers of commerce, cities, and small business organizations watched as winners were announced:

Small Business of the Year
WINNER: Keeney's Office Supply, Redmond
Finalist: Magnum Print Solutions, Seattle
Finalist: POP! Gourmet Popcorn Company, Kent

Minority Small Business of the Year
WINNER: TokuSaku Consulting, Seattle
Finalist: Greater China USA, Bellevue
Finalist: Magellan Architects, Redmond

Woman Small Business of the Year
WINNER: Equinox Business Law Group, Bellevue
Finalist: Artitudes Design, Inc., Issaquah
Finalist: LPD Engineering, Seattle

Exporting Small Business of the Year
WINNER: Pacific Valley Foods, Bellevue
Finalist: Measurement Technology NW, Seattle
Finalist: Oppenheimer Camera Products, Seattle

Green/Sustainable Small Business of the Year
WINNER: Green Canopy Homes, Seattle
Finalist: EWC Group, Inc., Tukwila
Finalist: Full Circle Environmental, Inc., Seattle

Workforce Development Small Business of the Year
WINNER: Dry Soda, Seattle
Finalist: Golden Steer Restaurant, Kent
Finalist: Ron Wright and Associates, Seattle

Rural Small Business of the Year
WINNER: Growing Things Farm, Snoqualmie APD*
Finalist: Canter-Berry Farms, Upper Green River APD*
Finalist: Fox Hollow Family Farm, near Issaquah
*=Agriculture Production District

Nominations were made from May through July. More than 100 nominees were narrowed down to three finalists in each of seven award categories. To qualify, businesses must have 50 employees or less and been in business for at least three years.

For more information, visit www.kingcounty.gov/exec/constantine/BusinessAward.aspx.