King County Executive presents first-ever countywide 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

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

At a high-energy, breakfast-hour ceremony, nearly 250 people from local chambers of commerce, cities, and small business organizations watched as winners were announced:

Small Business of the Year
WINNER: Molly Moon's Homemade 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.