Local First names LocalMotion Award nominees, December 20, 2016

By Charlsie Dewey
Grand Rapids Business Journal
549 Ottawa Ave NW Ste 201
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-1444
www.grbj.com

 

A nonprofit focused on supporting local businesses has received a record number of nominees for its annual awards event, thanks to a change in its application process.

Grand Rapids-based Local First said yesterday more than 50 organizations have been nominated for eight 2017 LocalMotion Awards.

Community members and businesses were invited to nominate their favorite local organizations, and an award committee made up of business owners and community stakeholders selected the nominees.

The record-breaking number of nominees is a result of Local First doing away with its award categories and changing its application process to make it “more inclusive.”

This year, Local First said it will award eight organizations for their “positive social, environmental and economic effects” in West Michigan.

To measure their impacts, these organizations were asked to complete the Quick Impact Assessment, which “quantifies their positive impact through business practices such as philanthropic efforts, employee satisfaction and responsible waste management.”

The assessment, created by Local First and B Lab, was re-formatted this year to be easier to complete and has resulted in record number of candidates.

Elissa Hillary, president of Local First, said the goal of the change was to let “businesses share their innovative practices with us, rather than prescribing specific award categories.”

“Since the launch of the awards six years ago, some of the most pressing issues in our community have changed,” Hillary said. “We want to recognize businesses who are addressing these needs.”

The LocalMotion Awards began in 2010 as a way to recognize local businesses and individuals for their achievements in making the community “more vibrant and resilient.”

Since then, hundreds of organizations and individuals have been nominated and dozens have been honored.

All awards will be given during the Local First Annual Meeting from 5-9 p.m. on Jan. 25 at the Goei Center in Grand Rapids, at 818 Butterworth St. SW.

Admission includes a strolling dinner and live entertainment. A cash bar and non-alcoholic beverages will be available.

Tickets are $40 pre-sale and $50 at the door.

Nominees

1-800 Dry Clean

616 Lofts

834 Design & Marketing

ACTPhotoMedia | Naturally ACT

Amber Kilpatrick

Art of the Table

Arts in Motion Studio

Balanced 4 Life Chiropractic

Becker & Sanders Quality Construction

The Bitter End Coffeehouse

Blushing Goddess Salon

BoxedGR

C2C Gallery

Cascade Chiropractic Clinic

Celebration! Cinema

Chocolates by Grimaldi

Confident Living | Confident Wear

The Cottage Bar & Restaurant

Donut Conspiracy

Doorganics

Ecobuns

Field & Fire Bakery and Café

Fish Lads

The Garden Diner and Cafe

Glamour & Grit

Gold Coast Doulas

Gordon Water Systems

Grand Rapids Natural Health

Grandview Orchards

Holland Aquatic Center

Horrock’s Market

Ideal Bodyworks

JoJo’s House of Beauty

Lightfast Café

LINC UP

LowellArts

Make Me Up Foundation

Management Business Solutions

Marie Catrib’s

Meanwhile Bar

Mixed Staffing & Recruiting

Novo Chiropractic Sports and Wellness Center

One World Diversity

The Piano Cottage

Porteen Gear

Ron Jackson Insurance Agency

Rowster Coffee

Shelly Irwin at WGVU

Sugar Mommas Bakery

The Sovengard

Tripelroot Brewery

United Bank of Michigan

Wealthy at Charles

Well Being

WYCE-88.1 FM

YT Galleria