Finding out what the people think

Sixty-five businesses are in the running for this year’s Casey Cardinia Business Awards.
A total of 94 applications were received for the awards, which are now in their fourth year.
City of Casey economic development manager David Wilkinson said 28 businesses had applied for two categories while a further 47 businesses had been nominated for the people’s choice award bringing the total number of applicants and nominees to 141.
Mr Wilkinson said he was pleased by the number of new businesses that were engaging with the awards for the first time.
“Twenty-eight businesses are new nominees. That means there are a healthy number of brand new businesses applying for the awards,” Mr Wilkinson said.
He also welcomed the strong interest in the people’s choice award, which attracted close to 4500 votes.
“The surprisingly strong interest in the people’s choice award means there is interest being generated at a community level in the whole awards program.”
At a business awards sponsors’ meeting on Tuesday, Mr Wilkinson announced a three-year extention of the business partnership program between the two councils, which includes the annual business awards.
“We have extended the partnership for another three years, but I suspect it will go on a lot longer than that,” Mr Wilkinson said.
“A Casey Cardinia regional approach is much better for business than the two councils working separately.”
The award finalists will be announced at a business breakfast on Wednesday 6 September.
Winners will be announced at a gala dinner on Friday 27 October.