Northern Ontario Business Awards hails regional leaders.

• Position: SAULT STE. MARIE

Nothern Ontario Business Awards is hailing this year's winners in Sault Ste. Marie, with host mayor John Rowswell and Patricia Mills, publisher of Northern Ontario Business.

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The spirit, leadership and creativity of the North's great companies and entrepreneurs will be recognized at the 23rd annual gala event, Oct. 8, at the Great Northern Hotel and Conference Centre.

For more than two decades, NOBA has given awards to 190 Northern Ontario companies and individuals for contributing to the economic wealth of the North.

The awards are a high-profile, televised event showing extraordinary success stories across the North. The event location rotates among the five major cities in the region and regularly attracts more than 400 attendees.

"NOBA's success is largely due to due incredible enthusiasm of the Northern business community," says Michael Atkins, President of Northern Ontario Business." Each year, a vital spirit fills the room when friends and colleagues from throughout the vast region."

The winners' stories are commemorated in a special awards souvenir magazine and on video for broadcast on television regionally.

"This year more than ever the North needs to focus on and learn from the best among us," says Mills. "As we navigate through this economic downturn, the NOBA winners can help us through this transition through their examples of success and their stories of optimism."

Awards are given out for Company of the...