Belinda Johns, Straight Lines Design & Marketing, was nominated as young entrepreneur of 2017.

Flavourtech Griffith,  was nominated for the employer of choice award. 

Blooms the Chemist, Griffith and De Bortoli Wines, Bilbul were nominated for the excellence in sustainability award. 

The Murray-Riverina Business Awards celebrate and recognise business excellence in the Murray-Riverina region, including Wagga Wagga, Griffith, Albury and the surrounding areas.

“As a small business owner, this is my first entry into any awards, and just to be selected as a finalist is really rewarding,” Belinda Johns said. 

“I couldn’t have achieved this without the support of my family and friends, but most importantly, the support from our very wonderful clients – most which are local Griffith businesses”.

“My business is ten years old this year… I never would have though that moving back to Griffith from Canberra would allow me to create a career and a business in design and marketing, that I am really proud of”. 

Belinda Johns says Griffith’s economy is booming at the moment, and now is a great time to invest here. Paul Smith of Flavourtech, Lindsay Gullifer of De Bortoli Wines and Danielle McInally of Blooms the Chemist all concur.

But the four of them agree attracting and retaining skilled staff to the MIA is a big challenge they still face.

“A lot of people see Griffith as being so far away, and not as attractive to live in as the big cities. But they don’t realise the benefits. It’s nice not having to spend two hours in traffic as you do in Sydney.”

Paul Smith agrees, “there’s so much good about Griffith people don’t know about. I can play golf here for $20. Where in Sydney can you do that?”

Mr Smith said another challenge for prospective employees is finding a place to live, with rental vacancies below one per cent.