Fort Collins, Colo. – May 24, 2018 – The Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the winners of its 2018 Small Business of the Year Awards. The winner for the small category (1-10 employees) is RJ’s AMAZING Entertainment, LLC; winner for the medium category (11-50 employees) is Colorado Iron & Metal, Inc.; winner for the large category (51-200 employees) is Neuworks Mechanical, Inc.; and winner for the New Kid on the Block category (business in operation for less than three years) is Elevate Chiropractic.
Winners were honored at the 2018 Small Business of the Year Award Breakfast event on May 24, 2018 at the Drake Centre. The event attracted more than 200 people and included a keynote presentation from Wynne Odell, founder and CEO of Odell Brewing Company, headquartered in Fort Collins.
“Small businesses are a big deal in Fort Collins and embody the entrepreneurial and community-centered culture that fuel our city’s economy,” said David May, CEO and President of the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce. “It is with great pleasure that we recognize these top businesses and say thank you for their commitment to the community.”
Winner of the small category, RJ’s AMAZING Entertainment, LLC, is one of the top entertainment companies in northern Colorado, providing a variety of activities, including outdoor and indoor games, face painting, airbrush tattoos and more. Rina Jean Bindi established her company on the principle of providing the best quality “fun for everyone.” They employ specially trained entertainers, who have perfected their craft to captivate every child, whether it is a special birthday, a corporate event, community event or a holiday.
Taking home the honors for the medium category is Colorado Iron & Metal, Inc. In 1995, Kent Garvin, purchased Nelson Metals, and changed the name to Colorado Iron & Metal. In the early years CIM was a three-person operation selling new steel, fabrication, shredding paper, and recycling metal. In 2014, Kent Garvin sold the business to his two nephews, Dan Garvin and Marty Garvin. Today CIM has nearly 20 employees and operates all along the front range with locations in Fort Collins, Longmont, Loveland and focuses on scrap metal recycling.
Large category winner, Neuworks Mechanical, is a locally owned mechanical contractor that focuses on new commercial plumbing and HVAC. They are passionate about innovation, quality and sustainability and place high value on employees, customers and community. Neuworks Mechanical is an active member of the Larimer County Workforce Development Board and is involved in the community through ClimateWise, Drive Electric NOCO, Northern Colorado Prospers, Geometry in Construction and more.
Elevate Chiropractic, New Kid on the Block winner, is a full-service chiropractic center, specializing in gentle and specific care for all ages and demographics. By focusing on advanced, neurologically based spine and nervous system care, they help practice members achieve maximum health and quality of life. Elevate Chiropractic has integrated itself into the Fort Collins community by organizing and donating turkeys for a Thanksgiving drive for the past three years, feeding over 80 families. In addition, they partnered with the Nappie Project to provide more than 6,000 diapers for families in need and look forward to hosting their 2nd annual Abilities 5K raising funds and awareness for people with disabilities.
More than 40 small businesses were nominated, and 12 finalists were selected including: BG Automotive, Craig Vollmer Photography, Jennifer Richardson Insurance Agency, Inc, RJ’s AMAZING Entertainment, LLC, Coan, Payton & Payne, LLC, Colorado Iron & Metal, INC, IPS (Independent Plumbing Solutions, Inc.), Keller Williams Realty Northern Colorado, Neuworks Mechanical, Inc, Crafted Leadership, LLC, Elevate Chiropractic and Music City Hot Chicken.
Businesses were judged on community involvement and stewardship, commitment to good business practices, overall business growth and innovation, and workplace culture and employee relations. To receive an award, the business must be a member of the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce at the time the award is presented.
Special thanks to the Small Business of the Year Award sponsors:
Silver Sponsors: Elevations Credit Union, Kaiser Permanente and Leapin’ Lizard Labels
Bronze Sponsors: Adams Bank & Trust, Blue Federal Credit Union, Total Facility Care, Comcast Business Services, Hewlett Packard Enterprises and Williamson & Co., P.C.
Table Sponsor: Raw Urth Designs
Event Sponsors: KRFC 88.9, Mantooth Marketing Company, AlphaGraphics and Sign-A-Rama
About the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce
The Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce is the leading membership-based organization in northern Colorado, dedicated to helping businesses succeed. Investing in the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce puts members in contact with more than 1,200 business owners and managers in the market. For more than 100 years, the Fort Collins Area Chamber has influenced efforts to maintain and grow the business community in Fort Collins. For more information about the Chamber call (970) 482-3746 or visit www.FortCollinsChamber.com.