Politics & Government

Renton's Paula's Choice, Lightel Technologies Recognized At Small Business Awards

With small business creating two-thirds of the new jobs in the region, Executive honors those helping economic recovery and getting people back to work.

Two of Renton's small businesses competed among 125 others in this year's inaugural . One emerged as winner of its category, and the other a finalist.

Paula's Choice, Inc. won Exporting Small Business of the Year and Lightel Technologies, Inc. emerged as a finalist for Small Business of the Year.
 
King County Executive Dow Constantine honored the small businesses throughout the county and the role they play in the local economy by presenting the first annual King County Executive's Small Business Awards at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue on Wednesday, Oct. 12.
 
Nearly 250 people from local chambers of commerce, city government, and small business organizations attended the awards ceremony.

The winners and finalist are:
 
Small Business of the Year
WINNER: Molly Moon’s Handmade Ice Cream - Seattle
Finalist: Trophy Cupcakes and Party - Seattle
Finalist: Lightel Technologies, Inc. - Renton
 
Minority Small Business of the Year
WINNER: Triple XXX Rootbeer - Issaquah
Finalist: Chameleon Technologies, Inc. - Kirkland
Finalist: General Microsystems, Inc. - Bellevue
 
Woman Small Business of the Year
WINNER: PRR Inc. - Seattle
Finalist: JTS Manage Services - Seattle
Finalist: Ombrella Inc. - Kirkland
 
Exporting Small Business of the Year
WINNER: Paula's Choice, Inc. - Renton
Finalist: Pascal International - Bellevue
Finalist: Trans-NET Inc. - Issaquah
 
Green/Sustainable 
Small Business of the Year
WINNER: General Biodiesel - Seattle
Finalist: Eco Cartridge Store - Kirkland
Finalist: WorldCNG - Kent
 
Workforce Development 
Small Business of the Year
WINNER: Seidelhuber Iron and Bronze Works - Seattle
Finalist: Lin & Associates, Inc. - Seattle
Finalist: Schemata Workshop, Inc. - Seattle
 
Rural Small Business of the Year
Winner: Rockridge Orchards & Cidery - Enumclaw
Finalist: Jubilee Biodynamic Farm Inc. - Carnation
Finalist: Olympic Nursery - Woodinville
 
Nominations were made by local jurisdictions and business organizations from July through September, and the 125 King County businesses that were nominated were narrowed down to three finalists in each category before today’s awards ceremony. Businesses had to have 50 employees or less and have been in business for at least three years to qualify for the seven award categories.

*Editor's Note:  Information for this report was provided by the King County Executive.


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