Local businesses enjoyed a night on the town for the Okotoks Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence awards Wednesday night.

The awards showcased the hardwork put in by local businesses, with Bowmark Paving taking home the award of Business of the Year.

Sean McArthur, owner of Bowmark Paving, it's hard to beleive how the business has grown since its humble beginnings.

"It's absolutely amazing to be recognized in this," he says. "We've been in the town so long, now 35-36 years we're celebrating. Started with 3 employees and now we're close to 95."

McArthur took the business over from his father Bob years ago and says he's grateful for the lessons he's taught him.

"There was a lot of difficult years it went through taking over from dad. He set up such a great business and he gave all us boys a great ethic of what to do and it's just continuing on."

Other award winners from the evening include:

Cactus Club Salon and Spa: Environmental Business of the Year and Employee Relations Award

Cobs Bread: Business Leadership Award

Elizabeth Street Pet Hospital: Sustomer Service for a Business Award

Misty and Wendy Shingoose at Image Hair Design: Customer Service for an Individual Award

Solve Marketing: New Business of the Year Award

Natural High: Social Profit Award

Expressions: Small Business of the Year.

A year lease on a new 2015 Honda Civic Sport from Okotoks Honda was given away at the event with Verna Thomas from Bibles for Missions holding the keys. Thomas retired last week.