IC100 Companies: Innergizing Their Cities

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We know that small businesses drive inner city economic growth. From mom and pop shops, to manufacturing firms, inner city companies employ local residents, invest in community programs, and add value to their neighborhoods. This is why ICIC has been honoring the fastest growing inner city firms for the past 13 years.  

And we’re at it again!

After months of outreach and applicant review, we have identified the 100 fastest growing inner city companies. The 14^th Annual Inner City 100 list will be published in Fortune magazine this spring. The list is comprised of 59 new firms in an array of industries: ranging from organic food manufacturing and distribution, online pet moving services to a NYC-based microbrewery. The diversity of companies is matched by diversity in location—this year’s list includes businesses from every corner of the United States.  Through sound business practices, every member of the 2012 Inner City 100 grew at rates that defied national trends.

The award allows Inner City 100 winners to take part in a full day of management education at Harvard Business School, with presentations by Boston University and Babson College, among others. The final unveiling of the list will occur on May 9, 2012 at the Inner City 100 Symposium and Awards dinner. For the first year in the program’s history, you will be able to join this dynamic group at a discounted rate:  To find out more about the event, access our agenda and register today.

In the meantime, we wanted to provide a glimpse of some of our Inner City 100 winners. We hope that you’re as stoked for these companies as we are:

Bevilacqua Research Corporation provides knowledge management and scientific support for the Department of Defense and NASA. Part of the company’s success comes from investing in employees rather than chasing profits. To beat competitors' benefits' structures, the President added incentives for employees such as a computer loan program and tuition assistance. In fact, employees can now take a paid humanitarian assistance leave for up to 40 hours to join their church, local Red Cross or other organization providing support to people in times of crisis or need.

Accurate Autobody is an automotive collision repair company out of Nashville, Tennessee located right by the Tennessee Titan's stadium. Founded in 2004 by current CEO John Hughes, they pride themselves on state of the art equipment and a reliable product.

Specialists in on-line lead generation, Neutron Interactive has carved out a niche in the higher education marketplace.  Originally the firm specialized in recruiting students to truck driving schools.  With that niche endangered in the wake of the 2008 recession, the firm turned lemons into lemonade and broadened its focus.

BY Alex Rodriguez on February 13th, 2012

TAGS: ic100 | jobs | cities | small business | business