St. Lawrence–Rideau Immigration Partnership and Community Partners Announce Opening of 11th Annual Leeds Grenville Immigrant Entrepreneur Award & 2nd Annual Leeds Grenville Inclusive Employer Award

Brockville – The St. Lawrence – Rideau Immigration Partnership is pleased to announce that nominations for the Leeds and Grenville Immigrant Entrepreneur Award and Inclusive Employer Award are now open.

The Leeds and Grenville Immigrant Entrepreneur Award is back for its 11th year and is designed to celebrate and recognize the hard work, achievements, and contributions local immigrant entrepreneurs make to local communities.

Everyone is encouraged to nominate their favourite immigrant-run business. Past years have brought nominations from across Leeds and Grenville and have included everyone from restaurant owners, donkey farmers, and dentists, to IT technicians, accountants, and fitness professionals! Nominees must have been born outside of Canada, live in Leeds Grenville, and own/operate a business in Leeds Grenville to be eligible.

Paired with the Immigrant Entrepreneur Award, the Leeds and Grenville Inclusive Employer Award is back for a second year and is also open for nominations. This award was created to recognize and highlight the efforts and successes of local employers who create welcoming and inclusive workplaces and communities for immigrant employees. Any workplace with immigrant employees that operates in Leeds and Grenville is eligible.

These two awards are an incredible opportunity to showcase the unique contributions that local businesses and local immigrants are making to Leeds and Grenville communities.

Nominations for both awards are open to the public until September 12, 2025. To nominate, simply submit the name of the business or employer to the St. Lawrence – Rideau Immigration Partnership. This can be done via the Immigration Partnership’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LGimmigration), or via email/phone/text to the Immigration Partnership staff lauren@eecentre.com /613-213-4455.

Self-nominations are allowed, and judging forms will be evaluated by the judging committee in September to choose a winner. The awards will be presented at the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Bridges to Better Business Conference being held during Small Business Week in October.

The awards are a collaborative effort between members of the St. Lawrence – Rideau Immigration Partnership; the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, the Employment + Education Centre, CSE Consulting, Upper Canada District School Board Settlement Services, and the Volunteer Centre of St. Lawrence – Rideau.