Kent-based Pacific Metallurgical, Inc. specializes in heat treatment of various metals and was one of about two dozen small businesses in King County honored this week for creating local jobs and contributing to the regional economy.
It's connection to Enumclaw is a strong one as Pacific Metallurgical President Cathy Fallen-Mathews was also instrumental in making this past Thursday's STEM Expo a successful event in informing students and families about the importance of mastering STEM skills before entering the workforce.
King County Executive Dow Constantine said during the second annual King County Executive's Small Business Awards at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue on Wednesday, “Every day, small business owners work long hours in a fiercely competitive environment to create value for their customers, provide jobs for their employees, give back to their community, and earn a living for their families. That’s why it so important to me that we recognize and support the entrepreneurial spirit, the creativity, and the diversity of small businesses throughout our county.”
At a high-energy, breakfast-hour ceremony, 230 people from local chambers of commerce, cities, and small business organizations watched as winners were announced:
Small Business of the Year
WINNER: Easy Street Records | Seattle
Finalist: Kenmore Camera | Kenmore
Finalist: Trophy Cupcakes and Party | Seattle – Bellevue
Minority Small Business of the Year
WINNER: General Microsystems Inc. | Bellevue
Finalist: Idea Entity Corporation | Bellevue
Finalist: Nesby Associates | Renton
Woman Small Business of the Year
WINNER: Seattle Chocolates | Tukwila
Finalist: Dynamic Language | Seattle
Finalist: Global Resource Group | Bellevue
Exporting Small Business of the Year
WINNER: Enprecis | Seattle
Finalist: Pacific Metallurgical | Kent
Finalist: TransNET Inc. | Issaquah
Green/Sustainable Small Business of the Year
WINNER: MicroEnergy Credits | Seattle
Finalist: Natural and Built Environments | Kirkland
Finalist: Model Remodel | Seattle
Workforce Development Small Business of the Year
WINNER: Kona Kai Coffee Company | Kent
Finalist: Thinkspace | Redmond
Finalist: Thrive | Seattle
Rural Small Business of the Year
WINNER: The Root Connection | Sammamish APD*
Finalist: Jubilee Biodynamic Farm Inc. | Snoqualmie APD*
Finalist: Mosby Farms | Upper Green APD*
*Agriculture Production District
Nominations were made by local jurisdictions and business organizations from July through September, and the 130 King County businesses that were nominated were narrowed down to three finalists in each category before today’s awards ceremony. Businesses had to have 50 employees or less and have been in business for at least three years to qualify for the seven award categories.
In the first of these awards in 2011, Enumclaw's Rockridge Orchards and Cidery took home the nod for Rural Small Business of the Year.
For more information, visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/exec/constantine/BusinessAward.aspx
