The highly anticipated Powys Business Awards, organized by the Mid Wales Manufacturing Group (MWMG) and sponsored by the Powys County Times, have introduced two new categories for this year's event.

The addition of the Sole Trader Award and the Excellence in Sustainability Award aims to highlight the contributions of sole traders and organizations committed to sustainable practices in Powys.

The Sole Trader Award recognizes the exceptional efforts of individuals who are independently developing their businesses or concepts. Powys boasts a significant number of sole traders, with over 12,000 individuals contributing to the local economy. This award provides a platform for these entrepreneurs to showcase their achievements and celebrate their resilience and innovation.

The Excellence in Sustainability Award, sponsored by the Welsh Government, acknowledges the importance of sustainable practices in building a low carbon, low waste, and environmentally conscious future.

This category is open to all Powys organizations that have taken significant strides towards sustainability and are leading the way in their respective industries. The award aligns with the Welsh Government's commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and emphasizes the crucial role that businesses play in driving sustainability efforts.

Councillor David Selby, Powys County Council's Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, expressed his enthusiasm for recognizing the diverse and thriving business community in the region. He emphasized the council's commitment to a Stronger, Fairer, Greener agenda and its collaboration with Ceredigion Council to implement the Mid Wales Regional Investment Plan.

Councillor Selby highlighted the significance of the Excellence in Sustainability Award in helping Mid Wales meet the Welsh Government's emissions reduction targets. "To be on track for net zero by 2050, Mid Wales needs to reduce emissions from its energy system by 55% by 2035," he stated. He further noted the energy modeling outlined in the Mid Wales Energy Plan, which aims to achieve a 48% reduction in commercial and industrial emissions and a 54% reduction in road transport emissions.

The Powys County Council is dedicated to creating better job opportunities and increasing earnings in the region. The Mid Wales Regional Skills Partnership has recently launched a comprehensive three-year employability and skills action plan, developed in close collaboration with local businesses. This plan emphasizes the importance of aligning the learning system with the region's skill requirements to foster a thriving workforce. The council has appointed a new post-14 education lead tasked with improving links with businesses to develop apprenticeships and relevant courses.

The Powys Business Awards encompass a total of 13 categories, including the prestigious Powys Business of the Year Award, which is open to companies, organizations, social enterprises, and charities. The winners of each category will be considered for the overall Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Powys County Council. Additionally, the judging panel retains the discretion to present a Judges Special Award to recognize exceptional achievements by individuals or businesses that may not have won a specific category.

The entry deadline for the awards is Sunday, July 30. The awards presentation ceremony is scheduled to take place on Friday, October 20, at The Hafren in Newtown. Businesses interested in participating can complete the entry forms online or download them from the official Powys Business Awards website: https://www.powysbusinessawards.co.uk.

Since its inception in 2009, the Powys Business Awards have provided a remarkable platform for businesses of all sizes, social enterprises, and charities in Powys to showcase their accomplishments. The awards highlight the exceptional standards and outstanding contributions made by the local business community, as independently judged by industry experts.

Ceri Stephens, Group Manager at MWMG, emphasized the significance of the Powys Business Awards in raising the profile of participating businesses. She commented, "The Powys Business Awards provide a fantastic platform for businesses to raise their profile. Those who enter the awards are independently judged on their excellent standards."

With the addition of the Sole Trader Award and the Excellence in Sustainability Award, this year's Powys Business Awards are expected to recognize the entrepreneurial spirit and sustainable practices that contribute to the economic and environmental prosperity of Powys.