The City of Sydney is looking for the best of the best in small and medium businesses and is now calling for nominations for the 2008 City of Sydney Business Awards.Small and medium businesses have contributed to the City’s 50 per cent growth in economic activity over the past decade and helped secure employment for more than 210,000 workers.

“With more than 20,000 small and medium businesses operating in the Local Government Area, the City of Sydney is committed to supporting businesses on their road to becoming successful and sustainable enterprises,” said Lord Mayor Clover Moore.

Recent economic data shows strong growth has been matched by strong demand from residents for local options when it comes to shopping.

In Redfern, 73 per cent of people surveyed at the end of 2007 said they shopped locally, with residents enjoying the convenience as well as the friendliness of local shop keepers.

“The City of Sydney is working to improve our retail precincts, with upgrades including Glebe Point Road, Oxford Street, Harris Street, Stanley Street and Redfern Street to help small and medium businesses thrive,” Ms Moore added. “We want to celebrate the contribution that small and medium businesses make to our city, not only commercially, but also socially and culturally.”

Businesses will be able to nominate in one of the 23 categories with winners in all categories to go into the running for Business of the Year Award.

This year also sees the creation of the Lord Mayor’s Sustainability Award, selected from all finalists, for the business that demonstrates leadership, sustainable growth and sustainable business practices.

“We recognises that small and medium businesses want to address their environmental responsibilities. The new Lord Mayor’s Sustainability Award, our greenleaders program as well as Sustainable Sydney 2030 are some of the ways we are working with businesses to improve their work and our city,” Ms Moore said.

This year will see a focus on sustainability with the City of Sydney Business Awards Gala Dinner a carbon neutral event, reducing its impact wherever possible, using GreenPower accredited renewable energy from EnergyAustralia, as well as monitoring and offsetting any emissions through audit partner Carbon Planet.

Public voting will open June 27 and winners will be announced at the City of Sydney Business Awards Gala Dinner on August 27.

Businesses wanting to nominate for awards should visit the website at: www.sydneybusinessawards.com.au.

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