5 Memphis companies make national top 100 list
Firms recognized for high growth in metro areas with poverty
Five Memphis companies have made a national list of the fastest-growing companies in under-resourced communities.
The Inner City 100 list, compiled annually by the Boston-based Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, recognizes businesses with substantial growth in metro areas with concentrated poverty. This year’s honorees were picked based on job creation and revenue growth from 2015-19, according to the organization.
The five Memphis businesses featured on the list are:
h nemarc Professional Services Inc., a staffing services company h ER2, an electronics recycling firm h AHA Mechanical Contractors, a contracting firm specializing in heating, air conditioning and plumbing
h Medford Roofing Inc., a commercial roofing contractor focused on energy-efficient roofing
h Karen Adams Designs, which offers customizable stationery and office supplies and home décor.
The COVID-19 pandemic was taken into account in the creation of the list.
“ICIC conducted an in-depth survey of winners — gathering information on the companies’ estimated 2020 end-ofyear revenue versus 2019, estimated 2020 end-of-year employment versus 2019, and information on a company leader’s approach to leading through the COVID-19 crisis,” the group said in a statement announcing the winners.
“Each winner shared stories of how they had to pivot due to the pandemic, from transitioning manufacturing centers to produce PPE, to learning how to sell virtually for the first time, to even holding free office hours with tech experts on a weekly basis — countless examples of innovation, grit, and resilience.”
CEO Steve Grossman called the businesses “forces of economic opportunity, optimism and transformation in their communities.”
“Especially during this incredibly challenging time, as small business owners reckon with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, these pioneering entrepreneurs have demonstrated a deep commitment to and passion for their local communities,” he said in a statement.
The Top 100 businesses were announced at the nonprofit’s virtual annual conference.
Corinne Kennedy covers business, economic development, soccer and COVID-19’S impact on hospitals for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached via email at Corinne.kennedy@commercialappeal.com or at 901-297-3245.