The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s independent judging panel has narrowed the 2017 W. Curtis Strube Small Business Award applicants to five finalists.
One of these companies will be crowned during the annual Small Business Week luncheon on May 3:
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Askinosie Chocolate. The small-batch, award-winning chocolate factory was founded in 2006 and now sources 100 percent of its beans directly from farmers. It’s the only chocolate maker working directly with farmers on three continents, according to a chamber news release. The company was named one of the 25 Best Small Companies in America by
Forbes magazine, which reported Askinosie Chocolate annual revenues of $2 million as of January 2016.
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Computer Recycling Center. Founded in 2001, the business provides data security as well as recycling and disposal services for electronic, universal and appliance waste. According to the release, it is AAA-certified by the National Association of Information Destruction and serves individuals, small businesses and education, health care and government organizations.
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Greek Corner Screen Printing & Embroidery. The company handles screen printing, embroidery and vinyl lettering services. It opened in 1983 with the intent of catering specifically to Missouri State University Greek organizations but now provides services to companies and organizations throughout the region.
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Grooms Office Environments. A full-service commercial furniture dealer offering space planning, design, installation, inventory management and commercial flooring installation, this year marks the 40th for the business. It is also an award-winning Herman Miller dealership.
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Revel Advertising. An advertising and branding agency founded in 2010, Revel was a Small Business Award finalist last year as well. The company has won 44 American Advertising awards and one American Advertising Best of Show award, boasting a list of clients that includes MSU athletics and Mother’s Brewing Co.
“Small businesses are the backbone of the chamber of commerce and of our entire economy,” Springfield chamber President Matt Morrow said in the release. “The success of these five companies is a great example of how our economy is growing, new jobs are being created and opportunities are expanding throughout our region.”
Representatives of the finalists also will participate in a panel discussion during the chamber’s Good Morning, Springfield breakfast event April 6 at Convoy of Hope, 330 S. Patterson.
Last year’s recipient was software and app development firm Interactive Dynamics LLC.
Scored by an independent panel of judges, the release said recipients are determined by written applications with essays on company history, management philosophy, responses to challenges, innovation in product and service offerings, and contributions to the community.
