Peter Blodgett was named the 2017 Business Citizen Of The Year at the 14th Annual Business Excellence Awards, presented by the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce at Showplace Performance Centre last night (October 18).
Blodgett — owner of Darling Insurance with offices in Peterborough, Lakefield, Bobcaygeon, and Fenelon Falls — was recognized for his significant business and volunteer impact on the local community.
VIDEO: Peter Blodgett, 2017 Peterborough Business Citizen of the Year
There were also 24 other award recipients in 20 categories, with Kawartha Lakes Construction being recognized as Employer of the Year:
- Havelock Metal Co. (Entrepreneurial Spirit)
- R & M Smith Contracting Ltd. (Skilled Trades)
- 4th Line Theatre (Tourism)
- Publican House Brewery (Hospitality)
- Celtic Connection (Micro Business)
- Lakefield Foodland (Retail – Chain/Franchise)
- Grady’s Feet Essentials (Retail – Non-Chain/Non-Franchise)
- Andressa Lacerda of Noblegen (Newcomer Entrepreneur Of The Year)
- Avant-Garden Shop (Customer First)
- Lang Pioneer Village Museum (Local Focus)
- Chimp Treats (Innovation/Research & Development)
- Lett Architects Commercial (Development Or Renovation)
- Oldies 96.7 Radio/My Broadcasting Corp (Marketing & Promotion)
- Lansdowne Place (Environmental Practices)
- The Mane Intent Inc. (Health & Wellness)
- New Canadians Centre Peterborough (Not-For-Profit)
- Kawartha Lakes Construction (Employer Of The Year)
Also announced were 4-Under-40 Profiles recipients (Jason Chessar, Yvonne Lai, Craig Mortlock, Catia Skinner) and two Student Business Leadership Bursaries recipients (Samantha Rivers at Fleming College and Patricia Hoyt at Trent University).
The awards ceremony, previously a sit-down dinner event held at Trentwinds International Centre, moved to Showplace this year allowing more people to attend.
In all, more than 50 businesses and individuals were profiled in 20 categories, with recipients announced live on stage.
Here is the complete list of all nominees and recipients by category:
Entrepreneurial Spirit
Sponsored by Gauvreau & Associates Chartered Professional Accountants
- Farm Life Financial Planning Group
- Havelock Metal Co. – Recipient
- Publican House Brewery
Skilled Trades
Sponsored by Business Development Bank of Canada
- Fransky Mechanical
- Kawartha Lakes Construction
- R & M Smith Contracting Ltd. – Recipient
Tourism
Sponsored by BMO Financial Group
- 4th Line Theatre – Recipient
- Kawarthas Northumberland Butter Tart Tour
- Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area
Hospitality
Sponsored by Kawartha Credit Union
- Pita Pit (Lansdowne)
- Publican House Brewery – Recipient
- The Venue
Micro Business (fewer than 5 employees
Sponsored by Darling Insurance & Realty Ltd.
- Celtic Connection – Recipient
- The Mane Intent Inc.
- Sofie Andreou & Associates
Retail – Chain/Franchise
Sponsored by RBC Royal Bank
- Delta Bingo & Gaming
- Lakefield Foodland – Recipient
- Leon’s Furniture Peterborough
Retail – Non-Chain/Non-Franchise
Sponsored by The Peterborough Examiner
- Celtic Connection
- Grady’s Feet Essentials – Recipient
- Whelan’s Flooring Centre
Newcomer Entrepreneur Of The Year
Sponsored by Fleming College
- Nigina Azimova (Ariyana Middle Eastern Food)
- Andressa Lacerda (Noblegen) – Recipient
- Catia Skinner (Mega Experience)
Customer First
Sponsored by TD Bank Group
- Avant-Garden Shop – Recipient
- Brant Basics
- Locks Salon & Spa
Local Focus
Sponsored by Trent University
- BE Catering
- Lang Pioneer Village Museum– Recipient
- RMS Events
Innovation/Research & Development
Sponsored by Innovation Cluster
- Canuck Play
- Chimp Treats – Recipient
- Lucky Strike Bait Works Ltd.
Commercial Development Or Renovation
Sponsored by City of Peterborough
- Euphoria Wellness Spa
- Lakeshore Designs
- Lett Architects – Recipient
Marketing & Promotion
Sponsored by BDO Canada LLP
- Lakeshore Designs
- Mega Experience
- Oldies 96.7 Radio/My Broadcasting Corp. – Recipient
Environmental Practices
Sponsored by County of Peterborough
- Home Suite Home Transitions
- Lansdowne Place – Recipient
- Rainmaker Worldwide Inc.
Health & Wellness
Sponsored by Peterborough Regional Health Centre
- The Mane Intent Inc. – Recipient
- Pulse Physiotherapy
- Salti Yoga
Not-For-Profit
Sponsored by Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough
- Community Care Peterborough
- Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre
- New Canadians Centre Peterborough – Recipient
Employer Of The Year
Sponsored by LLF Lawyers LLP
- Business Development Bank of Canada
- Cambium
- Kawartha Lakes Construction – Recipient
4-Under-40 Profiles
Sponsored by Community Futures Peterborough
- Jason Chessar
- Yvonne Lai
- Craig Mortlock
- Catia Skinner
Student Business Leadership Bursaries
Sponsored by Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development
- Samantha Rivers – Fleming College
- Patricia Hoyt – Trent University
Business Citizen Of The Year
Sponsored by Nexicom
- Peter Blodgett