Opinion: SBJ's Economic Impact Awards evolve, expand

In July, we will introduce Springfield to SBJ’s new and improved Economic Impact Awards, with expanded opportunities for participation by firms of every size and type.

In the past, we have each year presented five Economic Impact Awards for businesses and the Lifetime Achievement in Business Award for an outstanding individual. This year, we are adding something different.

Previously the Economic Impact Awards were presented to honorees in five categories that changed from year to year. Starting this year, the Economic Impact Awards will have three permanent categories – retail, manufacturing and service. There will be three finalists in each of these categories and three Economic Impact Award recipients.

In addition to these signature awards, we are creating three new awards that will broaden our program: Innovator of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, and Nonprofit of the Year. Three finalists and one recipient will be named for each of these new awards.

Qualifications, judging

• The Economic Impact Awards are open to all businesses located in SBJ’s coverage area, which generally covers a 50-mile radius of Springfield. Nominees will be judged on revenue, number of employees, size of payroll and contributions to the community above and beyond dollars and employment.

• Innovator of the Year is open to all companies in the SBJ coverage area. Nominees will be judged on the innovation developed; its originality; its impact on the nominee’s business or industry and the regional economy; and an essay detailing challenges met and mastered.

• Entrepreneur of the Year is open to all companies started in the last two years within the SBJ coverage area. Nominees will be judged on their revenue, employment, payroll and an essay detailing challenges met and mastered since startup.

• Nonprofit of the Year is open to any nonprofit entity in the SBJ coverage area, and nominees will be judged on dollars raised locally, dollars expended locally, number of people served or assisted, and an essay detailing the nonprofit’s impact on the community.

• The Lifetime Achievement in Business Award is open to any businessperson in the SBJ coverage area, and nominees will be judged according to the nominee’s lifelong achievements in and contributions to the Springfield area business community.

Nomination forms for all of these categories will be available by Feb. 21. Call our offices at (417) 831-3238 to receive a form.

The Economic Impact Awards nomination deadline is May 12. The deadline to submit applications is May 26. An independent panel will judge nominations.

The event will be held July 21 at the Tower Club.

Clarissa French is the editor of Springfield Business Journal.