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
