The largest online referral network for small businesses, Alignable.com, has announced the results of its monthlong North American search for local business leaders who’ve gone above and beyond to help peers during the Covid crisis. The network is honoring Bob Sprague, publisher of YourArlington.com since 2006, the 2021 Alignable Local Business Person of the Year.

Alignable amassed more than 86,000 votes and recommendations about hometown business heroes. This is the third year Alignable has hosted this contest and the participation levels for 2021’s competition topped 2020’s by 800 percent.

Covid support

At a time where at least two-thirds of small businesses have regularly reported suffering negative effects of Covid issues, it’s clear with this outpouring of support just how much small-business owners wanted to recognize the extraordinary efforts of their peers.

“To see so many business owners celebrate their peers was awesome -- 60 votes landed every minute at the height of the contest,” said Eric Groves, Alignable’s co-founder and CEO. “This frenetic level of participation is a testament to the strength of the business relationships forged and reinforced over the past year.”

Alignable’s 2021 Local Business Person of the Year contest ran from Jan. 6 to Feb. 5. Alignable invited its more than 6 million members to vote for their favorite peers.  In all, 2,962 local business people emerged victorious across North America, after tallying more than 61,000 votes and reviewing more than 25,000 recommendations .

“The Arlington community means a great deal to me,” Sprague said in a Feb. 16 news release of the town where has lived since 1989 .He said that his ongoing reporting about the pandemic since March 2020 has helped keep all informed.

Venkat Krishnamurthy, Alignable’s co-founder and president, said in the release:“We hope the popularity of this year’s contest will lead to even greater awareness and business success for 2021’s winners. We've already heard from some members that the surge in networking, referrals, and recommendations that occurred during 2021’s contest got them off to a stronger start this year.”

About YourArlington

The website of news and opinion is independently owned and operated. Its owner is a former former editor at The Boston Globe, Boston Herald and Arlington Advocate. He continues to reach out to community for help in reporting and to reflect local opinions. Reach him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. YourArlington has been an Alignable member since 2015.

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This news announcement was published Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021.