Two businesses from Swift Current accepted prestige awards Saturday night in Saskatoon at the ABEX Awards ceremony presented by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.

Black Bridge Brewery was the winner of the New Venture Award, that's awarded to a business that has been in existence for three years or less that has shown positive performance in terms of current or expected profitability, job creation and/or entry into new markets.  

The second award winner of the night from Swift Current was Standard Motors who were awarded the Community Cornerstone Award, that celebrates an enterprise that has a longstanding history within the community while showing great pride in and support for the local community.

Ryan Plewis, Partner at Standard Motors shared his thoughts on winning the award and also the process in which the winner is decided for the Community Cornerstone Award.

"It's a pretty big honor. The one thing that's different about that particular award from the rest of the awards given out at the ABEX is that it's the one award that's awarded by the community. We were nominated by Darla Lindbjerg a member of our own community. The winner of the award after they pick finalists are actually decided by a vote and that's the only award decide that way. It's a real honour to be nominated by members of your community, but more so it's really rewarding for your community to come out and support you that way," he said Sunday afternoon.

Plewis was optimistic about their chances heading into the event on Saturday evening.

"(There) was other businesses from all over Saskatchewan, we had some pretty hard competition. Quite frankly we didn't go there expecting to win, but we know the southwest is a formidable force once they get behind something, we were hoping that would be the case," Plewis told SwiftCurrentOnline.

He also added that with these two awards going to Swift Current businesses it reiterates how well the cities businesses are doing.

"The fact that two awards were given out to Swift Current businesses I think is a real testament to the business environment, in the city and in our region that we have businesses here that are being recognized on a provincial basis, not only being recognized but being award for that is pretty neat," he said.

Plewis accepted both awards as the Stenson family, owners of Black Bridge Brewery were unable to attend the Award ceremony.

Swift Current businesses combine to win two of the possible 11 awards at the year's event.