SANDFORD’S Bush Music Festival, Flowering Gum Studios and the Dartmoor General Store are among an impressive list of finalists in the Glenelg Shire 2022 Business and Tourism Awards.

The awards include 11 business and tourism categories and two individual award categories, with two finalists vying for the coveted title in each category.

All business finalists are also eligible to secure the overall coveted title of the ACE Radio 2022 Business of the Year.

The Dartmoor General Store boasts two nods in the list of finalists, the store itself lining up with Mac’s Hotel in the Business Innovation category, while the store’s Brooke Ropitini is nominated for the Employee of the Year award.

Flowering Gum Studio is nominated in the Health and Wellbeing Award section, while Sandford’s Bush Festival is a finalist in the Tourism Festival, Event, Attraction or Service Award category.

Glenelg Shire Mayor Cr Anita Rank said the interest in the nomination process had been “fantastic”.

“We were thrilled to receive so many quality nominations for this year’s Business and Tourism Awards,” she said.

“After the difficulty of the past two years upon our local business sector, it was great to see so many businesses entering and sharing their recent achievements and milestones despite the many challenges they faced.

“We really do have such a resilient and innovative local business community and we couldn’t be prouder to recognise their successes as part of this Awards Program.

“It was also wonderful to see finalists representing all corners of the Shire – there are nominees from Dartmoor, Sandford, Cape Bridgewater and Tyrendarra to name a few, which highlight our diverse range of businesses and events.

“I congratulate all of our finalists and wish them all their best for their upcoming interviews.

“I look forward to seeing who will take home the title of Business of the Year at the Gala Awards evening in May.”

The Casterton News and sister publication, Portland Observer, are proud sponsors of the awards and CN editor, Kristy McDonald said she was excited to see local names among the list of finalists, once again.

“Our local businesses have weathered the storm of the Covid-19 pandemic, adapting to the operating conditions and restrictions thrown at them, to ensure they can continue to provide their outstanding brands of home-grown service to the community,” Ms McDonald said.

Finalists were interviewed last week by a panel of independent judges from the Small Business Mentoring Services (SBMS), who will determine a winner in each category, as well as the overall Business of the Year winner.

Finalists also received a free one-on-one mentoring session with SBMS to seek guidance on any aspect of their business, to assist with future growth and planning.

The winners of each category and the top prize of 2022 ACE Radio Business of the Year will be announced at the Gala Awards night on Saturday, 7 May at the Portland Golf Club.