SBJ revamps 6th annual Economic Impact Awards

Beginning with the 2005 edition, July 21 at The Tower Club, new awards are designated for successful risk-takers – the Entrepreneur of the Year, forward thinkers – the Innovator of the Year and community-based groups – the Nonprofit of the Year.

Additionally, the central economic impact awards, given to area companies generating the largest volumes of revenue, payroll and employment, now focus on three categories: retail/wholesale, construction/manufacturing and service. The Lifetime Achievement in Business Award remains unchanged.

SBJ Editor Clarissa French said the changes open up competition to a wider variety of companies.

“We wanted to freshen it up but also establish some categories that were broad enough to include everybody, and we wanted to stick with the focus of the award, which was economic impact on the region,” she said.

In keeping with that economic impact focus, SBJ is doing away with the growth factor in the selection process. Rapid growth is recognized in SBJ’s two-year-old Dynamic Dozen awards, which emphasize year-to-year revenue increases.

Although this change will bring larger area companies to the forefront, small businesses will not be shut out of the process due to the new awards for entrepreneur, innovator and nonprofit.

“We have held on to those central awards and added things like entrepreneur for the new businesses, innovator for people who have incorporated change in a successful way, and nonprofit to recognize those organizations that create a tremendous economic impact in the services that they provide and the funds they disseminate,” French said.

Economic Impact Awards honorees will be announced at the July 21 ceremony. SBJ is accepting nominations through May 12.

Winners are chosen by a panel of five independent judges – a combination of former honorees and community, economic and business leaders – based on the companies’ applications. The 2005 judging panel is under selection.

The application comprises revenue, employment and payroll figures and an essay describing the company’s impact on the region.

For more information on the awards or to obtain a nomination form, call SBJ Circulation Manager Diana Weber at (417) 831-3238.