Greater Shepparton SPC Business Excellence Awards Announce Second-Round Finalists

In 2025, business communities across various regions are navigating a landscape marked by economic uncertainty alongside strategic adaptation and resilience. The Greater Shepparton SPC Business Excellence Awards continue to highlight exceptional local businesses, promoting recognition and community engagement. In the automotive aftermarket sector, businesses are responding to ongoing economic challenges, including tariff impacts and inflation concerns, by reassessing supplier relationships and operational strategies to maintain competitiveness. Meanwhile, in Humboldt County, despite an uptick in loan delinquencies and defaults, local businesses show steady momentum, supported by updated Small Business Administration lending rules and awaiting federal programs like the EPA’s Clean Communities Investment Accelerator, which is currently paused due to legal issues. Reflecting on the importance of positive business advocacy, the legacy of Burt Cohen emphasizes the need for forthright and balanced business journalism that supports the economic lifeblood of communities. Together, these perspectives underscore how business leaders and organizations are striving to adapt and thrive amid evolving economic and policy environments.