Chamber announces finalists for 2019 Small Business Award

The Chamber is proud to announce the five finalists for the 2019 Small Business Award.

More than 70 companies were nominated for the award; finalists were determined based on written applications that include essays on company history, management philosophy, responses to challenges, innovation in product and service offerings and contributions to the community. Entries are scored by an independent panel of judges.

This year’s finalists, in alphabetical order, are:

• Air Services Heating and Cooling & All Service Plumbing, established in 1964, provides a full range of services including the repair and replacement of residential heating and air units, plumbing installation and repair/replacement, as well as indoor air quality and duct maintenance.
• The Coffee Ethic opened its doors downtown in 2007, providing specialty coffee, tea and pastries to fuel the revitalization of Springfield’s downtown while focusing on high quality, sustainability and ethically sourced products.
• ESC, Inc. Consulting Engineers offers full-service mechanical, electrical, civil and structural engineering, consulting and industrial automation services. The company has innovated over the last 30 years, adding new offerings such as 3-D laser scanning and modeling and turnkey construction services.
• Loehr Chiropractic & Acupuncture was founded in 2014 when Dr. Steven Loehr opened his first private practice. He focuses on a holistic wellness model that offers patients a full range of health services without surgery or medications, empowering them to “live naturally.”
• Mostly Serious has been providing custom web design and development, as well as digital marketing and brand strategy services, since 2010. Its clients include CoxHealth, Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Mother’s Brewing Company and Burrell Behavioral Health.

The finalists were announced during a special event hosted by the Chamber in conjunction with the efactory on March 26, and they’ll be featured again during the Chamber’s Good Morning, Springfield event on April 4 at the Drury University O’Reilly Family Event Center.

They’ll be celebrated officially during the Chamber’s Small Business Award event on May 8, which culminates with the announcement of the W. Curtis Strube Small Business Award recipient. The presenting sponsor of this year’s event is Biz417.

More than 80 percent of Chamber members are businesses with 50 or fewer employees – one of many indicators of the importance of small business to the local economy. “Small businesses have always been the backbone of the economy, and their success is critical to keeping our region healthy and vibrant,” said Chamber President Matt Morrow. “We’re proud to honor the success of these five companies, because they serve as shining examples of how enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit have made this region a great place to do business and create jobs.”