MetroSouth Biz Expo Wednesday

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Brockton businesses will be highlighted for their perseverance, entrepreneurship and contributions to the city by the MetroSouth Chamber of Commerce, Brockton City Council and a coalition of business associations in honor of National Small Business Week.
Four businesses: Sunset Cafe, Executive Cuts, Waitt Funeral Home and Dwyer's Glass are the recipients of the first "Brockton--Let's Get Down To Business" recognition award initiated by Ward 2 City Councilor Thomas Monahan and modeled after a similar program in the City of Lawrence.
In a prepared statement, Monahan said afer seeing the recognition program in Lawrence and hearing from businesses how difficult it is to survive in a struggling city during the tax rate classification hearing in the winter, it would be a good idea to highlight more of Brockton's success stories.
"It hit home with me that many of these businesses are the employers of our residents and the contributors to various community groups and they don't even get a pat on the back," Monahan said. "The businesses being recognized through this program are examples of why one should bring their business to Brockton. They are the biggest cheerleaders of the city. The more businesses we bring in, the fewer burdens it has on our taxpayers," he said.
The four businesses received a certificate of accomplishment from the City Council and Mayor Linda Balzotti last Monday.
On Wednesday, May 18 MetroSouth Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Small Business Expo and Awards Luncheon from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
The free Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to Noon and is free to all.
The luncheon includes a presentation by Stephen Michon, vice-president of FutureWorks where he leads strategic planning for regional economic development. (Pictured at right)
Among the projects he has directed are the Fellowship for Regional Sustainable Development, the City of Portland economic development strategy, the Talent Dividend Network and an evaluation of small business lending strategies in Maine.
Michon is expected to tackle two major questions:
1) How does Brockton and the Metro South region compete on the global stage?
2) How do these trends impact your small business and what can your business do about it?
The luncheon will also feature the announcement of the Small Business of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year awards.
Nominations for Small Business of the Year include:
Beaver Woodworking Supplies, Brockton;
Apothecare South Shore, Inc. Brockton;
Mia Regazza Restaurant, Abington;
Elie Baking Corp, Brockton;
The Mockingbird Restaurant, East Bridgewater;
Nominations for Entrepreneur of the Year include:
Cake in a Box, Bridgewater;
Hungry Coyote, Brockton;
Belle Epoque Café & Bakery, Brockton;
McGuiggan's Pub, Whitman.
For more information about the expo and luncheon visit the MetroSouth Chamber's website.