Finalists named for chamber's Small Business Award

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce this morning unveiled five finalists for its annual W. Curtis Strube Small Business Award.

The companies, which range in industry from audio-video and health care advocacy to manufacturing, architecture and craft beer, were in attendance at the chamber's Good Morning, Springfield! event at Springfield Sign's East Kearney Street headquarters, according to a news release.

The finalists, in alphabetical order, are:
• Audio Acoustics, an audio and video equipment and services business that was founded in 1968;
• Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks, which has provided over $7 million in financial assistance to breast cancer patients and their families since 2000;
• Cabinet Concepts by Design, a company that opened in 2007 and designs, manufactures, delivers and installs custom cabinets and closets in the residential sector;
• H Design Group LLC, an architecture firm started in 2000 and licensed in 13 states; and
• Hold Fast Brewing, a downtown brewery in a former fire station, which debuted in 2019.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our region’s economic strength and growth,” chamber President Matt Morrow said in the release. “The stories that these five organizations tell about how they give back are great examples of their commitment to the vitality of our community.”

The winner is scheduled to be announced at a May 4 chamber ceremony at Oasis Hotel & Convention Center, according to the release. Curtis Marshall, CEO and co-founder of Tie & Timber Beer Co., is slated to give a keynote address at the event.

Honorees are selected based on written applications reviewed by an independent panel of judges comprising previous recipients, local business experts and volunteers of the chamber’s Small Business Council. The council was founded by the late Curtis Strube, a former director at Drury University’s Breech School of Business Administration. The 31st annual Small Business Award is given in his honor.

Last year, Harmony House won the award, according to past reporting. The nonprofit provides shelter and support services to domestic violence survivors.