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 recently.

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

Kirkland-based Natural and Built Environments was named a finalist for the Green/Sustainable Small Business of the Year. The other finalist in that category was Model Remodel of Seattle and the winner was MicroEnergy Credits of Seattle.

“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.”

Nominations were made by local jurisdictions and business organizations from July through September, and the 130 King County businesses that were nominated were narrowed down to three finalists in each category before today’s awards ceremony. Businesses had to have 50 employees or less and have been in business for at least three years to qualify for the seven award categories.

For more information, visit www.kingcounty.gov/exec/constantine/BusinessAward.aspx