Residents from across Ararat Rural City are invited to vote for their favourite businesses in the People’s Choice category of the Eastern Grampians Business Awards.

Applications for the Eastern Grampians Business Awards closed last week, with all businesses entered eligible to win the People’s Choice award.

Ararat CEO Dr Tim Harrison said the business awards aimed to highlight excellence in a sector that brings much economic activity and growth to the region.

“One of the categories in the new-look awards is the People’s Choice, which gives residents a chance to vote for the businesses they love,” he said.

“This is a great opportunity for you to show your support for some of our wonderful businesses that are doing great things.”

Businesses you can vote for in the People’s Choice category are: Acacia Caravan Park, AF Gasons, Allstyle Business Solutions, Ararat Commercial Laundry, Ararat Physiotherapy and Health, Dynamic Dance Studio, Fred & Bets Café, Green Hill Lake Development, Grampians Growmaster, Hotondo Homes, JWard Lunatic Asylum, Mountainside Wines, One Bite at a Time, ONE Office National, Perennial Pasture Systems, Pomonal Estate, PureVibe Hire, Sarah’s Kitchen / Forager’s Café, SkinCo., SubRosa and Three Blooms Florist.

To vote in the People’s Choice category, click here. Voting closes on November 15.

Dr Harrison said it was great to see the Eastern Grampians Business Awards attract a healthy number of applications across five categories: agribusiness, retail, professional services, tourism and hospitality, and innovation and technology.

The East Grampians Business Awards follow on from the now-defunct Grampians Pyrenees Business Awards that date back to 1999. The awards provide businesses in the Ararat municipality the opportunity to grow, develop and further enhance their business.

Award finalists will be visited onsite by an independent panel of judges to gain a better understanding of their processes and operations. The awards program will culminate in the presentation of awards to winners at a special gala dinner function on Thursday 5 December at the Ararat Town Hall.