YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The Business Journal is adding to our Brain Gain franchise with an awards program designed to recognize the region’s top workforce development initiatives and fresh new business ideas.
A call for nominations has been made for the inaugural Brain Gain Excellence Awards. Readers are encouraged to complete a brief online form at BusinessJournalDaily.com/bgexcellence to nominate businesses, community organizations or individuals in one of the two following categories:
• Workforce Development. To be awarded to a business or community organization that has impacted job creation, training and upskilling, and/or employee recruiting in a unique and positive way.
• Entrepreneurism. To be awarded to an individual or ownership group that leveraged local resources to kick-start a fresh idea into a promising business.
The deadline for nominations is Sept. 26. Self-nominations are accepted. Winners will be featured in the November and Mid-November issues, available in-print and online.
One winner in each category will be the subjects of comprehensive stories about their achievements. They also will receive a Business Journal prize pack consisting of an advertising package across our diverse news platforms and a custom, 60-second brand video produced by The Business Journal content studio.
“Since initiating the Brain Gain three years ago, we’ve seen and heard of so many positive efforts and initiatives to grow and promote career and business opportunities here at home. And while we’ve covered many of them, we felt it was time to add an awards program to shine a spotlight on the best of the best,” said Andrea Wood, The Business Journal publisher.
The Brain Gain franchise is underwritten by sponsors who understand that hiring and retaining skilled workers is a challenge for every business, and that entrepreneurship is essential for economic redevelopment.
Headline sponsors are the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition and Farmers National Bank. Coalition members include Eastern Gateway Community College, The DeBartolo Corporation, Simon Roofing, Youngstown State University, Youngstown Business Incubator, Junior Achievement of Mahoning Valley and Mahoning County Career and Technical Center.