The Newnan-Coweta Chamber has named its top 10 finalists and the four Honorable Mention award winners for the 2015 Small Business of the Year Awards presented by SouthTowne Motors and UBS Financial Services, Inc.
The judges graded each applicant in six categories: Revenue Growth, Growth Strategy, Uniqueness, Industry Longevity, Community Involvement and Chamber Involvement.
Finalists are: Advanced Technology Logistics, Bubbles & Brushes Art Studio, Crezent Managed Marketing, FutureStaff, Georgia Pain and Spine Care, Headley Construction, LifePlan Financial Advisors, Paramount Hospitality Management, Prime Time Eventz, and The Newnan Centre.
The 2015 Honorable Mention Award Winners are: 92.5 The Bear, Atlanta Range & Ordnance, Leaf and Bean Newnan, and Reese Services.
The top 10 finalists were interviewed by the judges Aug. 5 at the Newnan-Coweta Chamber. Adding the interview scores to the application scores, the judges then determined three category winners: The Entrepreneur Category (1-5 Employees), The Growth Category (6-19 Employees), the Employer Category (20-99 Employees) and the SouthTowne Motors and UBS Financial Services, Inc. Small Business of the Year Award Overall Winner.
Results will be announced at the Small Business of the Year Awards Aug. 27 at 5 p.m. during an awards ceremony with a celebration reception to follow at the Newnan Centre, 1515 Lower Fayetteville Road, Newnan. Tickets for the event are $20 for members, $50 for non-members, and are available at the Newnan-Coweta Chamber or online at newnancowetachamber.org or by calling 770.253.2270.
The Small Business of the Year Awards presented by SouthTowne Motors and UBS Financial Services, Inc. are part of a full afternoon of activities including a Success Showcase at 3 p.m., a Portraits of Prosperity Panel at 4 p.m., the announcement of the awards with special guest U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland at 5 p.m., and a Celebration Reception at 6 p.m. The Celebration Reception is sponsored by 2012 Employer Category Small Business of the Year Winner Contemporary Catering. Additionally, Showcase Sponsors for the event include: Aflac, Amazing Smiles, PC, Batteries Plus Bulbs, CowetaTV.com, Crezent Managed Marketing, Hammond Services, Inc., Heritage Automotive, Homestead Hospice, K A Oldham Design, Inc., Nissan of Newnan, Newnan Utilities, NuLink, Piedmont Healthcare, and West Georgia Roofing.
Small business is big business in Coweta County and nationwide. Nearly 97 percent of all businesses employ fewer than 100 employees, and these establishments account for 54 percent of the workforce. Small business accounts for two-thirds of job growth. Introducing this segment of awards is a testament that small businesses are key contributors to a growing and prosperous economy.