Chamber names finalists for small-business award

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce has chosen five finalists in the running for the 2013 W. Curtis Strube Small Business Award.

Launched in 1992, the award is scored by an independent panel of judges based on written applications covering company history, business or management philosophy, response to challenges, innovative products or services, and community contributions, according to news release.

The 2013 finalists are:

• 417 Magazine, a 22-employee company led by Publisher Gary Whitaker that has more than 120,000 readers in southwest Missouri;
• Connell Insurance Inc., which has 31 employees under the leadership of President Tim Connell and provides a range of personal and commercial coverage;
• Everything Kitchens LLC, a 25-employee kitchenware and appliance supplier led by founder and CEO Emily Church;
• J. Howard Fisk Limousines Inc., a 25-employee individual and group transportation company led by President J. Howard Fisk; and
• Midwest Metro, a 31-employee firm under Vice President Charles Nelson that provides preservation and real estate-owned services.

The award is presented by the chamber's Small Business Council. The winner is slated to be announced during a May 8 ceremony, the release said.

The 2012 winner was Rick's Automotive Inc.