The semi-finalists for the 14th annual Small Business B.C. Awards have been announced and nine local companies are in the running.

乌鸦传媒� Rambow Mechanical Ltd. 乌鸦传媒� Best Apprentice Training

乌鸦传媒� Yeti Farm Creative (Bensay Innovative Inc.) 乌鸦传媒� Best Company

乌鸦传媒� Infuse I.T. | VinStream 乌鸦传媒� Best Concept

乌鸦传媒� Mint Magazine 乌鸦传媒� Best Concept

乌鸦传媒� Vertical Edge Window Cleaning 乌鸦传媒� Best Concept

乌鸦传媒� Central Kitchen - Bar 乌鸦传媒� Best Employer

乌鸦传媒� Mazu 乌鸦传媒� Best Innovation

乌鸦传媒� Two Hat Security 乌鸦传媒� Best Innovation

乌鸦传媒� Lifeblood Marketing 乌鸦传媒� Best Marketer

The awards, given out each year by Small Business BC, which bills itself as the province乌鸦传媒檚 premier resource for entrepreneurs, and by the Insurance Bureau of Canada, recognize the top businesses in B.C. with fewer than 50 employees.

Nominated by British Columbians, the 10 semi-finalists in 10 categories came from a total of 699 nominees this year located in 72 communities.

The semi-finalists now have to convince a panel of judges why they deserve to be in the final five in each category come Jan. 23, when the winners will be announced in Vancouver.

Recipients of Small Business BC Awards get $1,500 in cash, a one-year, all-access pass to Small Business BC education, resources and experts and a one-on-one business mentorship with notable advisers from the award sponsors.

乌鸦传媒淪mall businesses account for 98 per cent of all businesses in B.C. They drive the economy and create jobs for British Columbians,乌鸦传媒� said Coralee Oakes, the province乌鸦传媒檚 small business minister.

乌鸦传媒淎ll the top 10 semi-finalists for the Small Business BC Awards should be proud that their communities voted them into the top spots.乌鸦传媒�