Executive Council
October 30, 2015

Province Boasts Dynamic Entrepreneurial Community

Premier Congratulates Newfoundland and Labrador Women Entrepreneurs

The Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE) held its annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards gala last night. For the past 18 years, NLOWE has recognized women whose successful businesses contribute to the provincial economy and their communities. The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, spoke at the event.

"As a government, we value our partnership with NLOWE as we understand the importance of advancing opportunities for women entrepreneurs. We continuously work with NLOWE to advance women-owned businesses. Our government is proud that we have an organization like NLOWE to provide strong supports for new and established women entrepreneurs through a wide range of services and I congratulate all nominees and winners of this year's Entrepreneur of the Year Awards."
- The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

This year's winners included:

• Newfoundland and Labrador Credit Union Start-Up Award - Andrea Irene Rowe, AiroLandscape Design
• Community Impact Award (sponsored by Hebron Project) - Sarah Short, ActiveLifePhysiotherapy and Wellness
• Scotiabank Innovation Award - Sarah Bennett, Summer Services LTD (UC Baby and A NewBeginning Massage Therapy)
• Visionary Award (sponsored by Cox and Palmer) - Katie Hayes, Bonavista Social Club
• Export Award (sponsored by Export Development Canada) - Cindy Roma and Sydney Ryan,Telelink
• College of the North Atlantic Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Award - Jodi Basha, IslandOrthotics
• RBC Royal Bank Entrepreneurial Excellence Award - Dallas Mercer, DMC Consulting
• Corporation of the Year Award - Emera Newfoundland and Labrador

NLOWE recently received $176,000 from the Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development's Business Development Support Fund which will assist with NLOWE's ability to increase export and supplier diversity, support women entrepreneurs in taking a targeted approach to growing their markets though export, while also leveraging supplier diversity to increase market access.

Since 1997, NLOWE's Entrepreneur of the Year Awards has recognized women whose successful businesses contribute to the provincial economy and their communities.

QUICK FACTS:

• The Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE) held its annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards gala last night, October 29, 2015.
• Since 1997, NLOWE has recognized women whose successful businesses contribute to the provincial economy and their communities.
• Information on NLOWE and its program can be found by visiting: //www.nlowe.org/

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Media contacts:

Heather MacLean Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3581 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca

Donna Ivey Special Assistant, Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3551 donnaivey@gov.nl.ca

2015 10 30                              4:10 p.m.