Spirit of Business Awards Handed Out

Despite poor economic news, many businesses have a reason to celebrate. They have won the Spirit of Business Award from the Pacific Coast Business Times.Nine awards were handed out at the Fess Parker’s Doubletree Hotel.The Business Times and the Los Angeles District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration conceived the Spirit of Small Business in 2003 to recognize the accomplishments of small businesses. Winners are chosen based on demonstration of sustainable enterprise (especially overcoming hardship or other obstacles), industry leadership and community awareness. Companies should have less than 100 employees.The winners were:East Ventura County: ECA Medical InstrumentsWest Ventura County: Aurora Casting South Santa Barbara: C’est Cheese North Santa Barbara: The Hitching Post Restaurant San Luis Obispo: TekTegrity Green: JetAir Technology Minority-owned: Enviroscaping Woman-owned: Royal RidingExporter of the Year: CMC Rescue Equipment Senior Reporter John Palminteri has the story.