King County Executive Dow Constantine celebrated the importance and the accomplishments of small businesses throughout the county by presenting the second annual King County Executive’s Small Business Awards at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue on Wednesday.

“Every day, small business owners work long hours in a fiercely competitive environment to create value for their customers, provide jobs for their employees, give back to their community, and earn a living for their families,” said Executive Constantine to those in attendance. “That’s why it so important to me that we recognize and support the entrepreneurial spirit, the creativity, and the diversity of small businesses throughout our county.”

At a high-energy, breakfast-hour ceremony, 230 people from local chambers of commerce, cities, and small business organizations watched as winners were announced:

Small Business of the Year

WINNER: Easy Street Records | Seattle

Finalist: Kenmore Camera | Kenmore

Finalist: Trophy Cupcakes and Party | Seattle – Bellevue

Minority Small Business of the Year

WINNER: General Microsystems Inc. | Bellevue

Finalist: Idea Entity Corporation | Bellevue

Finalist: Nesby Associates | Renton

Woman Small Business of the Year

WINNER: Seattle Chocolates | Tukwila

Finalist: Dynamic Language | Seattle

Finalist: Global Resource Group | Bellevue

Exporting Small Business of the Year

WINNER: Enprecis | Seattle

Finalist: Pacific Metallurgical | Kent

Finalist: TransNET Inc. | Issaquah

Green/Sustainable Small Business of the Year

WINNER: MicroEnergy Credits | Seattle

Finalist: Natural and Built Environments | Kirkland

Finalist: Model Remodel | Seattle

Workforce Development Small Business of the Year

WINNER: Kona Kai Coffee Company | Kent

Finalist: Thinkspace | Redmond

Finalist: Thrive | Seattle

Rural Small Business of the Year

WINNER: The Root Connection | Sammamish APD*

Finalist: Jubilee Biodynamic Farm Inc. | Snoqualmie APD*

Finalist: Mosby Farms | Upper Green APD*