Slow start to new West Coast business awards scheme

The West Coast business sector has been backward in coming forward for the inaugural Leading Light Business Excellence Awards.
The Coast has 3842 businesses employing 15,130 staff, but the Leading Lights Awards will be the first time their successes have been acknowledged, unlike every other region in New Zealand where business awards are an annual event.
Business excellence in six categories will be celebrated at a black tie dinner, on July 8 at Shantytown, with TV presenter Mark Sainsbury as the master of ceremonies. The Development West Coast initiative has proved popular with sponsors, but so far has not managed to attract a single nomination or application in any of the six categories:
 Small-medium enterprise in the service retail sector.
 Primary producer.
 Construction, engineering, and manufacturing.
 Tourism.
 Community-charity.
 Health and safety.
 Supernova (overall winner).
Awards co-ordinator Julie Kissell said today the lack of entries at this stage was not a concern because applications did not close until May 9.
Development West Coast is
stumping up $25,000 as the lead sponsor, the Greymouth Star is supplying $10,000 as the platinum sponsor, and there are three $5000 gold sponsors and five $2000 silver sponsors.