The shortlist has been announced for the hotly-contested 2011 Powys Business Awards, with Welshpool companies in line for honours.
Entries have doubled since last year’s awards and the winners will be announced at a black-tie dinner held in Newtown at Theatr Hafren on September 27.
The shortlist:
Small business (sponsored by Turner Peachey, Chartered Accountants) – Plant i, Machynlleth; Gloversure, Welshpool; and Skye Instruments, Llandrindod Wells.
Training (sponsored by Coleg Powys) – Cantref, Brecon; Traditional Building Co, Llanigon; and Broadcrown, Newtown.
Start Up (sponsored by County Times) – Select Security, Crickhowell; The Knighton Hotel, Knighton; SkyEnergy, Four Crosses; and Checkers, Montgomery.
Leadership (sponsored by Leadership & Management Wales) – Tim Gudgeon of Ontrac, Newtown; Victoria Humpherston of Abbey Cwm Hir, Llandrindod Wells; and Andrew Barker of Mangar International, Presteigne.
Young Entrepreneur (sponsored by Cambrian News and Brecon and Radnor Express) – Active 8, Newtown; Gloversure, Welshpool; and Select Security, Crickhowell.
Growth (sponsored by Finance Wales) – Plant i, Machynlleth; Cellpath, Newtown; Brecon Pharmaceuticals, Hay-on-Wye; and Castalum, Welshpool.
Tourism (sponsored by Tourism Partnership Mid Wales) – The Metropole, Llandrindod Wells; Cross Foxes, Dolgellau; Gwesty Cymru, Aberystwyth; and Cantref, Brecon.
Manufacturing (sponsored by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group) – Welsh Oak Frame, Caersws; Caerbont Automotive, Abercrave; and Makefast, Newtown.
Social/Charity (sponsored by Mid-Wales Housing Association Ltd) – Barnadoes, Newtown; Beacons Creative, Brecon; and Family Crisis Centre, Newtown.
There will also be an overall Business of the Year award, sponsored by Powys County Council, which will be given to one of the category winners. And there will be a Judges' Award, sponsored by Themes Restaurant.
The awards celebrate excellence in business in the county and bring recognition in the local and regional business communities.