The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce held the 36th Manitoba Business Awards on Friday night at Winnipeg’s Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre and three Westman businesses and one organization with strong local connections have come away with among the most coveted of the evening’s hardware.
Neepawa’s Farmery Estate Brewery was a double-winner, first being named Outstanding Small Business before later being honoured with the distinction of Business of the Year. Founded in 2012, Farmery grows barley and hops used in its assortment of beverages in its Neepawa-area farm and brews at its facility within the town. For more of a look into Farmery, an eBrandon photo gallery taken on a tour this past summer can be seen here
Brandon-based Atom Jet Group won the Outstanding Long-Term Achievement Award. The company, founded in 1962, manufactures agricultural and industrial products through its Brandon-based entities of Atom Jet Industries and Glendale Industries.
Local real estate firm Century 21 Westman Realty had also been among the three nominees for Outstanding Long-Term Achievement.
The region was particularly well-represented in the Startup of the Year category, which was won by Glenboro’s Prairie Fava Ltd. Prairie Fava is a seller of Fava bean ingredients founded by Hailey Jefferies and former Brandon Wheat King Cale Jefferies.
Also nominated for Startup of the Year was Ion Coating of Brandon. In the category of Outstanding Social Enterprise/Not for Profit, Winnipeg-based Bear Clan Patrol were honoured. Bear Clan’s organization includes a Brandon Bear Clan Patrol in specializing as a community-based solution to crime prevention.
Also on the evening, Winker’s Elias Wordwork took home Outstanding Large Business, Clear Concepts of Winnipeg was named Outstanding Medium Business and Actionmarguerite earned the Return to Work Award.
Manitoba Chambers of Commerce is the umbrella organization representing Manitoba's Chambers of Commerce and more than 10,000 businesses and community leaders. The full list of the year's awards nominees can be read at https://mbchamber.mb.ca/2019/09/manitoba-chambers-of-commerce-announces-finalists-in-the-36th-manitoba-business-awards/