From the Editor: Economic Impact Awards finalists raise the business bar

“Since the beginning of our publication, we have recognized that as Springfield’s and southwest Missouri’s economy grew, so would our business,” said SBJ Publisher and President Dianne Elizabeth Osis. “When we began celebrating Economic Impact Awards, it was to signal to the business and professional communities that the Springfield Business Journal is here to do what we do because they are successful.”

This year, SBJ is recognizing the banking and architecture industries, as well as innovators, entrepreneurs and charitable organizations.

For categories except entrepreneur and innovator, companies were required to disclose revenues and/or budget information to our judges (read more about the independent judges’ panel here) and some finalists have also permitted us to list those numbers in this publication.

But we think that after reading the stories of this year’s finalist companies, you’ll agree that all are making an impact on the local economy, whether that be as a for-profit venture or in the nonprofit sector.

You also can read more here about the 2007 Lifetime Achievement in Business honoree, Jim Anderson, president of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Presentation of this award, which recognizes a local individual’s accomplishments and community contributions over a significant number of years, is the highlight of the annual Economic Impact Awards Banquet, slated for July 26 in the White River Room at Bass Pro Shops. Past Lifetime Achievement recipients are John Q. Hammons, Jack Stack, Ralph Manley, Charlie O’Reilly, Larry Wallis, Edwin C. Rice Jr. and Tom Finnie.

In years past, we selected lifetime honorees by receiving their nominations and asking them to fill out applications, keeping the recipient’s name under wraps until the event.

This year, we decided to revamp the process for Lifetime Achievement in Business, making it a complete surprise to the recipient. We solicited and accepted nominations, but instead of asking those people to fill out applications, SBJ’s editorial department conducted research, putting together information about each nominee and providing it to the judges. During his interview for this publication, Anderson let us know that our plan worked: He was completely surprised to be named the recipient of the award.

“Jim’s encouragement has been important in the development of our business, and I know for a fact that he’s made all the difference for other small businesses,” Osis said. “He’s made it the chamber’s mission to support small business.”

Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of our Lifetime Achievement in Business honoree, all of the companies recognized as part of the 2007 Economic Impact Awards and SBJ’s 27th anniversary.[[In-content Ad]]