This 'Best of' contest looks like best yet

When the Best of North Idaho winners are announced in North Idaho Business Journal two months from now, rest assured: These businesses really will be the best.

At least, they will be according to thousands of people who are voting.

Earlier this week, 115,109 ballots had been cast in the 2016 Best of North Idaho competition. That includes 996 write-ins; it does not include another 488 pending write-ins that still are being assessed.

For a little bit of perspective, last year’s Best of North Idaho attracted 38,000 votes. In other words, this year’s competition has already drawn nearly three times the number of votes, and there’s still two weeks of voting left.

Because Best of North Idaho is an annual people’s choice event, the more votes cast, ostensibly, the more credible the results. Registered voters can select their favorite local businesses in some 170 subcategories, ranging from car wash to community visionary. Voters can select as many or as few subcategories as they wish.

As of Monday morning, 7,256 registered users had cast ballots, meaning those voters are averaging about 15 subcategories each. For a little more perspective, 9,296 voters cast ballots throughout Kootenai County on city council and fire district elections last November. Best of North Idaho 2016 is almost certain to surpass that.

We’ve just provided you with a whole lot of numbers to assimilate, but you can wipe the chalkboard clean and remember only this. For the most accurate and informative Best of North Idaho contest possible, please consider supporting your favorite local businesses to deal with. Your patronage in this poll means more than warm fuzzies to them. Marketing campaigns are built around being named Best of North Idaho because businesses know that brand is a magnet for new customers. By voting, you can help the best businesses grow and prosper even more, and give their competitors a blueprint for success. Having a thriving, competitive business community is good for all of us. It strengthens the tax base, offers greater variety and quality of goods and services for consumers, and boosts the job market.

To vote, go to: http://cdapress.secondstreetapp.com/l/Best-of-2016/Ballot