WEST CARLETON – The initial voting is done, and the West Carleton Business Neighbourhood Network (WCBNN) have revealed the list of nominees in the inaugural WCBNN Awards.

The West Carleton-based business networking group launched a contest on Feb. 2 to honour and award the rural community’s best businesses and volunteers. Up until yesterday (Feb. 8) the community could vote on two categories, best busines/person and outstanding volunteer. The only stipulation was the nominee must be located within the Ward 5 map.

“Great to see these awesome businesses nominated,” WCBNN co-founder Shannon Spallin released in a statement today (Feb. 9). “The nomination comments that were submitted say it all.”

While the comments weren’t made available, the nominees for the 2020 WCBNN Award for Best Business and/or Person include The Juke Joint Soul Kitchen, Crown Point Honey, The Baylicious Bakery, Syntax Strategic, The Village Station, Village Yoga and Wellness Boutique, The Cheshire Cat, Eagle Towing, March Road Pet Food and Grooming, The Heart and Soul Café and Jennifer Stewart.

A few businesses nominated by the public did not make the cut.

“While the admin team is humbled and grateful for the nominations we received, we will recuse ourselves to remove the potential for conflict of interest,” Spallin said of the network founders’ businesses.

Two West Carleton residents were nominated for the WCBNN Awards Outstanding Volunteer including Constance Bay Skate Trail creator Mike Bryant and West Carleton Food Access Centre chair Mary Braun.

If you would like to vote for either award, you can do so here: https://form.jotform.com/210385874875267

The voting period will run from Feb. 9, to Feb. 15.