When voting started last month for our annual Best of the Best contest, Leader Publications encouraged voters to keep one word in mind when casting ballots: local.

The votes are in, and I’m so pleased to see that an overwhelming majority took our advice.

Thanks to the support of customers throughout our communities, we are able to recognize hundreds of local business owners today.

Businesses like Shelton’s Farm Market, which took home a total of seven awards, including three golds, or Jim’s Smokin’ Café at Paris Soda Co., which earned six medals (three golds!), were recognized for not only serving our community, but engaging with our community.

With thousands of votes cast on paper and online in nearly 100 categories, we were excited to see lots of close contests, some upsets and some new businesses on the ballots.

Custom Computer Company in Niles was recognized for filling the area’s technological needs, and Iron Shoe Distillery, which just opened this spring, took home seven awards — including four gold medals.

Many longtime businesses earned recognition for continued success, too. The Marshall Shoppe in Dowagiac pulled out in front of the department stores for best women’s fashion, and the majority of voters said they would rather shop at Dowagiac’s Imperial Furniture than chain furniture stores. In Berrien County, Buchanan’s Redbud Hardware beat out the big guys for best hardware store.

Whether or not they made the top three, every business nominated is a winner in my book. We are so thankful to the countless individuals throughout the greater Michiana region who have chosen to invest in our communities, and therefore invest in us.

We see their names and logos on Little League jerseys, on signs at golf outings, on sporting event calendars and countless other sponsorship materials throughout the year. We appreciate the contributions they make to our communities each day, and are so pleased to have the opportunity to recognize them in a small way.

I am always especially pleased to see when the community rallies to support family-owned businesses, and this year’s results showed huge support for shopping local.

With just a few exceptions, gold medals in nearly every category went to businesses whose owners live here, work here and invest here. In my eyes, that means our voters deserve a gold medal, too.