Grab your paintbrushes, your garden clippers and trowels. Roll up your sleeves and get your gardening gloves on!

A new contest this spring offers businesses and commercial real estate owners an opportunity to spruce up their exteriors, participate in a friendly competition, and have a chance to win prizes, publicity, and bragging rights.

Sponsored by several Crowsnest Pass businesses, the goal behind the contest is for businesses to create an attractive and welcoming entrance that shows community pride and conveys to customers they care about them. In much the same way that curb appeal works for residential homes, an inviting exterior is a welcoming tool to bring business to your door.

The Beautiful Business Contest is open to all businesses and commercial real estate owners of all sizes in Crowsnest Pass. There are four categories to compete in:

* Small business - less than 10 employees

* Medium business - between 10 and 20 employees

* Large business - more than 20 employees

* Non or not for profits

In addition, there are four prices within each of these categories - first, second, third, and overall most improved.

Organizers of the contest said there are many ways to beautify your business and no limits as to what you can do. Some ideas include power-washing your building, making necessary repairs, putting a fresh coat of paint on, trimming bushes, planting flowers or container baskets, providing attractive outdoor seating or new signage, and even painting a mural on your door. The sky's the limit!

To kick-off the first annual Beautiful Business contest, sponsors will award one business with a free makeover.

All businesses are eligible to enter by submitting a photo of their makeover subject along with a brief (two-paragraph) write-up on why their business deserves a free makeover. The makeover prize is valued at about $250 and includes plants, gardenware and up to a day's free labour to tidy up the area.

All entrants are invited to attend an awards event where the winners will be announced and presented with plaques for display. The contest also includes free publicity for your business in local newspapers, municipal website, Chamber of Commerce newsletter and most importantly, bragging rights!

During the contest, special pricing on materials for beautification projects is available at Border Building, Summit Home Hardware and SpringBreak Garden Centre.

To enter the contest, email springbreakgardencentre@telus.net or register in person at SpringBreak Garden Centre, 1506 East Hillcrest Drive.

To win in the "Most Improved" category, a recent photo (taken in 2012) is required.

Deadline to enter the Beautiful Business Contest is June 30. Deadline to enter "Win a Free Makeover" is May 31.

Judging will take place in July and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in September.

Beautiful Business Contest is sponsored by the Ag Society, Border Building, Crowsnest Pass Chamber of Commerce, Crowsnest Pass Community Futures, the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, Crowsnest Pass Promoter, Pass Herald, SpringBreak Garden Centre, and Summit Home Hardware.