SHERBROOKE – Following a very successful debut in 2012, CEDEC is preparing to launch the “Love Your Local Business Contest”, in keeping with its efforts to promote small businesses in Quebec and highlight their economic contributions and impact on communities.

In 2012, over 140 businesses participated. Combined, they collected over 31,000 votes and the ‘Love Your Local Business contest’ website registered more than 126,000 hits. This year, CEDEC would like to see this number grow even higher, increasing the impact on Quebec businesses and heightening their visibility in the province and beyond.

“Quebec’s small businesses play an extremely important role in our economy,” said Stacey Dakin, Operations Manager at CEDEC, who officially launched the 2013 contest. “The 310,000 small and medium-sized enterprises make up 97% of all businesses in Quebec. They employ over half of our province’s workforce. But they need visibility and support to grow, which is what the ‘Love Your Local Business Contest’ is all about.”

The ‘Love Your Local Business Contest’ will begin with a one-month registration period throughout September, during which time tools will be offered to help businesses develop creative and dynamic entries. Voting opens October 1 and will stay open until October 31,2013, and the race will be on for businesses to gather the most votes. The top five vote-getters will be scrutinized by a jury, which will select one business to receive the Grand Prize: a 30-second television commercial which will air on CBC Television.

Natalie Gore, Owner/Founder of Bailey Blu Pet Boutique in Montreal and last year’s winner of the contest, benefited from the Grand Prize, a commercial that aired on CBC Television in December and January.

“We really had to work hard to get out there in our community and ask our friends, family, customers, suppliers, even our bank tellers, to vote for us,” said Gore. “I learned so much from this contest like the importance of community to the growth of my business and the importance of having a solid on-line presence.”

CEDEC is lining up additional sponsors and supporters who will be announced on www.cedec.ca and through a social media campaign starting this summer. //In addition to the ‘Love Your Local Business Contest’, CEDEC’s Small Business Support Network works year-round to host learning opportunities, workshops, and networking events, and provides direct links to partners with specific expertise to help develop their businesses.

Becoming an official member of CEDEC’s Small Business Support Network (free), the company will benefit from discounted rates on business training, and access to CEDEC’s partners and service providers. Business owners across Quebec can become members by registering at www.cedec.ca/sbsn.

About CEDEC

CEDEC is a leading partner and driving force for community economic development and employability. A volunteer-driven organization, CEDEC sparks economic innovation in building forward-looking, prosperous and confident communities across Quebec through sharing expertise, knowledge and building partnerships. CEDEC is funded by the Government of Canada's Enabling Fund.