TRURO, N.S. – A young, budding Truro businessman is the recipient of an award recognizing a new, growing enterprise.
“It is my greatest pleasure to present this inaugural Legacy Award on behalf of the Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce and its membership to Mitchell Johnston of 360 Bin Cleaning,” executive director Sherry Martell said, during the chamber’s annual Small Business Awards ceremony on Wednesday.
The company, which Johnston started about six weeks ago, offers a mobile cleaning service for compost bins and commercial dumpsters.
The event’s audience of about 115 people heard the vision for a new Legacy Award was based on the chamber’s desire to provide assistance to a start-up company.
“It’s truly an honour, honestly. Just to be here and get an award. It’s going to do great things for my business,” Johnston said, following award presentations.
In addition to a cash prize of $2,500, the award comes with a chamber membership and in-kind mentorship support from other experienced businesses. Along with added products and services, it is valued at more than $9,000.
Chamber president Alex Stevenson said the organization has been attempting to recognize the diversity of businesses throughout the community and Johnston is precisely the type of young entrepreneur it wants to promote.
“A couple of the key areas that the chamber is focusing on is the youth sector and youthful entrepreneurs,” he said. “And we’re seeing that develop and that’s bringing a real, new flavour, I think, to the business community in this region. And we’re excited about that.”
The other area the chamber is trying to focus on is agriculture, Stevenson said, “because that is such a key sector in this region as well.”
To that end, Truro Agromart in Upper Onslow was recognized with the chamber’s Agricultural/Agri food Award.
Overall, Stevenson said, the selection of this year’s recipients was especially challenging.
“On behalf of the chamber, the businesses that received awards today are truly deserving,” he said. “The decisions were difficult because the quality of applicants was really fantastic. And I think it speaks to our business community here in Truro and Colchester.”
Other award recipients (in no particular order) were:
New Small Business of the Year - YOKA Sushi
Small Business Achievement - S. Sorenson Electric Ltd.
Small Business Innovation - Tobias Portraiture
Export Achievement - My HOME Apparel
Excellence in Community Development - The Nook & Cranny
Small Business Growth - Berry’s Furniture
