Fifteen Vancouver-based businesses will be recognized at the Vancouver Business Journal’s 2007 Southwest Washington Business Growth Awards. A winner in each category will be named at the May awards dinner.
Start-up of the Year
Big Al’s Inc., at 16615 S.E. 18th St. Big Al’s is a multi-purpose entertainment facility, with bowling, billiards, an arcade and sports bar and grill.
World Premier Realty Group Inc., 13115 N.E. Fourth St., Suite 100. World Premier has 40 real estate agents working in offices in Vancouver, Portland and Lincoln City, Ore.
Kazoodles, 575 W. Eighth St., is a downtown business specializing in "kid-powered toys."
Fastest Growing
One to Five Years
U.S. Funding Group, 14300 S.E. First St. U.S. Funding Group continues to grow quickly, with 12 branch offices and about 500 loan officers.
Barrett Business Services Inc., 8100 N.E. Parkway Drive, Suite 200. Provides staffing services and professional employers services.
Techjet Imaging, 12613 N.E. 95th St., D-100. Techjet is a premier large format digital inkjet producer.
Fastest Growing
Six to 10 years
Bank of Clark County, 1400 Washington St., Suite 200. Along with its parent company, Clark County Bancorp., Bank of Clark County has achieved record earnings.
nLight Corp., 5408 N.E. 88th St., Building E. nLight’s mission is to be a leading supplier of high-powered laser diodes.
Miller Nash LLP, 500 E. Broadway, Suite 400. The law firm focuses on Northwest businesses and clients, with offices in Vancouver, Portland, Seattle and Central Oregon.
Fastest Growing
More than 10 Years
Riverview Communty Bank, 900 Washington St., Suite 900. The company posted record profits in the year that ended in March 2006, as fee income increased 36 percent over the prior fiscal year.
Columbia Machine Inc., 107 Grand Blvd. With customers in more than 100 countries, Columbia Machine is a leading manufacturer of concrete products equipment.
Planning Solutions Inc., 1601 Broadway St, is a multi-disciplined development services company, including architecture, land-use planning and landscape architecture.
Innovator of the Year
New Tradition Homes, 11815 N.E. 113th St., Suite 100. One of the largest homebuilding companies in Clark County, New Tradition Homes leads in sustainable design and energy efficient homes.
Instructional Technologies Inc., 14511 N.E. 13th Ave. Instructional Technologies helps commercial driver license holders by offering a computer-based safety training program.
Infinity Internet, 1101 S.E. Tech Center Dr., Suite 150, is a regional provider of data and Internet access solutions.
The awards will be held on Thursday, May 10 at the Hilton Vancouver Hotel and Convention Center, 301 W. Sixth St. Finalists’ exhibits begin at 5 p.m. and dinner is at 7 p.m. Cost is $75, with advance registration. Tables of 10 are $700. For information, call 360-695-2442.
—Sam Bennett
