Our local business community is a switched on, innovative group who work hard to support our people and economy, but their efforts aren’t always given the recognition they deserve. Soon, all that will change thanks to the development of a brand new awards night.

The Ashburton District Business of the Year Awards 2022 are a new endeavour from the Council designed to celebrate excellence and give our high achieving businesses a pat on the back for their creativity and passion.

Entries will open on 1 August 2021 and businesses will have until 30 November to put themselves forward.

Running a successful business isn’t always easy, in fact it’s often a very testing environment. Consumer habits evolve, legislative requirements change, competitors joust for market share, and all of that is before we even consider the monumental challenges of covid-19.

It’s a tough landscape at times and you need your finger on the pulse to stay in the game, but when hard work and innovation shine through, the benefits businesses have for our economy are incredible.

They provide jobs, training, expertise and services, and they make living and working in our district even more attractive.

That’s why we think it’s time for our standout businesses who are excelling in their field to be acknowledged.

We already know that there are some outstanding operations and businesspeople in our community. Our district is the backbone of farming, home to mass irrigation, and is continuing to grow our manufacturing and tourism sectors.

The awards will acknowledge this sector diversity, with several categories on offer including Supreme Business Excellence and Future Business Leader, and nominations will be open to all businesses of any size within the Ashburton District.

There will be no cost to enter, and those who put their name forward for consideration will enjoy an awards gala dinner early next year where the winners will be announced.

Business awards allow companies to energise and motivate their teams, benchmark against their competitors and gain an outside perspective on their strengths and opportunities for improvements.

I hope our fantastic local businesses will be throwing their hat in the ring to showcase their achievements when the awards officially open on 1 August 2021.

Learn more about the Ashburton District Business of the Year Awards 2022 and how to enter at ashburtondc.govt.nz.

Ashburton District Council Mayor, Neil Brown, provides a fortnightly column to local newspapers. This column was featured in the Ashburton Courier on Thursday, 20 May 2021.