Northern entrepreneurs. 'Truly inspiring'.

• Author: Ulrichsen, Heidi
• Position: NEWS

When Northern Ontario Business publisher Patricia Mills looks back on 25 years of Northern Ontario Business Awards winners, she sees businesses that are "still in operation, still creating wealth, still creating jobs in Northern Ontario."

This year's crop of winners are equally impressive, Mills said.

"There are some very interesting stories, some very interesting entrepreneurs and companies. It really is a reflection of our geography in Northern Ontario, and the struggles and the accomplishments that they have are truly inspiring," she said.

More than 500 people attended the 25th annual Northern Ontario Business Awards gala at the Caruso Club in Sudbury Sept. 27. Nine business awards were presented, along with the Union Gas post-secondary scholarship.

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J.L. Richards and Associates Inc., a Greater Sudbury-based architecture and engineering firm which also has offices in North Bay and Timmins, won the Company of the Year (51+ employees) award.

"To be recognized like this by your peers and other people up north is a really great opportunity," said George Quirion, the company's Timmins branch manager. "We just feel very proud."

HLS HARD-LINE Solutions Inc. was presented with the Company of the Year (16-50 employees) award. The Greater Sudbury-based company designs, manufactures, installs and services radio remote control systems for mining and other applications, with 40 per cent of its sales in exports.

Voyageurs' Lodge and Cookhouse of; Batchawana was selected Company of the Year (1-15 employees). Since 2003, Frank, and Gail O'Connor's entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to customer service has made their resort and restaurant a must-stop attraction on the Trans-Canada i Highway.

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Sudbury's Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) won the Judges' Choice Award. CEMI, founded in 2007, helps small businesses achieve success in projects that improve efficiency in mine (development, advance sustainability and increase safety.

"CEMI is a relatively young...