The Springfield Business Journal recently announced its 2012 Economic Impact Award Finalists. Among the announcements made: the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield was chosen by an independent panel of judges to receive Springfield Business Journal’s 2012 “Business Advocate of the Year” Award. The award is one of several that will be presented at the annual Economic Impact Awards banquet, set for July 19 at Ramada Oasis Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone Ave.
Other 2012 Economic Impact Awards and finalists announced include:
- Robert Spence, president of Evangel University Since 1974: Lifetime Achievement in Business
- Jim Morris Cos.: Philanthropic Business of the Year
Economic Impact honors also will be announced in four categories. Finalists, in alphabetical order, are:
- Complete Electrical Solutions LLC, Emery Sapp & Sons Inc. and Phoenix Home Care Inc., in the Knights category for companies in business locally for one to five years;
- Everything Kitchens LLC, HealthcareFirst Inc. and Olsson Associates Inc., in the Bishops category for companies in business locally for six to 15 years;
- Corporate Business Systems, Marlin Network Inc. and Warren Davis Properties, in the Rooks category for companies in business locally for 16 to 29 years; and
- Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc., CoxHealth and Missouri State University in the Kings category for companies in business locally for 30 or more years.
The HBA of Greater Springfield is the chief advocate for the residential construction industry in the ten counties it serves. Association advocacy takes place on the municipal, county, state, and federal levels, and can be categorized into four parts:
Regulatory advocacy includes working with regulatory staff (within the bureaucracy) for positive change.
Legislative advocacy includes working with elected officials to change, defeat or adopt laws or ordinances that are more favorable to the industry.
Political advocacy consists of effectively advocating in the electoral process to help elect similarly-minded officials to public office. It can include campaign contributions, volunteer efforts, campaign management, etc.
Legal advocacy is when an unfavorable or abusive law or enforcement method must be challenged in court via lawsuit.
The Economic Impact Awards celebration and banquet begins at 5:30 p.m. July 19. Tickets are $65 apiece, available at SBJ.net/eia.