Tucson Metro Chamber Announces Copper Cactus Award Finalists

The Tucson Metro Chamber’s annual Copper Cactus Awards, presented by Wells Fargo, will celebrate Southern Arizona’s outstanding small businesses in a virtual event this year. The event will showcase accomplishments from the following small businesses within categories such as company culture, workforce development, growth, leadership, and more. Two new categories include the very timely innovation in remote working as well as startup of the year. Award categories:·         

Arizona Complete Health Workforce Development & Education

Nominees were judged on workforce training, advancing, promoting people from within; or providing special job-training or exploration opportunities for individuals with special needs.·         

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Best Place to Work

Nominees were judged on their work environment and the morale of their employees.·         

CopperPoint Small Business Leader of the Year

Nominees were judged on productivity in relation to sales, creativity and innovation in the workplace and their activity in the community.·         

Cox Business Growth

Nominees were judged on their gross revenue, employee growth and compensation expenditure growth.·         

Nextrio Innovation in Remote Working

Nominees were judged based on their creative use of innovative processes or products during the pandemic.·         

Tech Parks Arizona Start Up of the Year

Nominees demonstrate a high level of entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, perseverance, innovation, creativity and determination.·         

Tucson Electric Power Social Impact 

Nonprofit nominees were judged on their exceptional leadership, culture, innovation and growth. Approximately 150 nominations were submitted by members of Southern Arizona’s community in support of locally owned small businesses and charitable nonprofits. “This year’s finalists represent such diversity in industry,” said Amber Smith, President & CEO of the Tucson Metro Chamber. “It’s an honor for all of us at the Tucson Metro Chamber to recognize our region’s small businesses every year at the Wells Fargo presented Copper Cactus Awards.” A panel of 13 independent judges reviewed and scored the applications and the highest scores in each category were selected as finalists. There will be nine winners in all as two categories have more than one winner based on the size of the business or annual revenue.   

2020 Tucson Metro Chamber Copper Cactus Awards Finalists include: Arizona Complete Health’s Workforce Development & Education

Habitat for Humanity Tucson 
San Miguel High School
Workforce Readiness–SHRM-GT 

Tech Parks Arizona’s Start Up of the Year

Emagine Solutions Technology
Nanopec
Reglagene 

Tucson Electric Power’s Social ImpactWith revenue up to $2MM

ASU Office of Community Health, Engagement, and Resiliency
Community Investment Corporation
SARSEF

With revenue between $2MM to $5MM

Boys & Girls Club of Tucson
Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl
Women’s Foundation of Southern Arizona 

Nextrio’s Innovation in Remote Working

Darling Geomatics
Foundation for Creative Broadcasting
UCP of Southern Arizona/Workability 

Cox’s Business Growth

Crain and Co.
FORSarchitecture + interiors
Sunshield Products 

Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Best Place to WorkWith 3 to 50 employees

Onyx Creative
Ooroo Auto
Snell & Wilmer

With 51 to 200 employees

Chasse Building Team
Focus Hospitality
West Press

CopperPoint’s Small Business Leader of the Year 

Bradley Lloyd from Lloyd Construction Company
Dr. Eric Cornidez from Pain Institute of Southern Arizona
Grant Anderson from Paragon Space Development Corporation 

The Tucson Metro Chamber Copper Cactus Awards are presented by Wells Fargo and co-sponsored by Casino Del Sol Resort, Arizona Complete Health and Cox Media. 

The awards will be presented virtually on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.  Tickets can be purchased at TucsonChamber.org/CopperCactus. 

“Wells Fargo is proud to be the title sponsor for this event. Philanthropy, community support, and small business development and support are among our core values. We have a long history supporting local communities, especially during challenging times,” said Region Bank President, John Gibson. “Despite a year of challenges and change, the one thing that hasn’t changed is the powerful commitment these companies have made in our communities. While we can’t have the in-person interaction, a virtual event can create new opportunities. The ‘digital world’ creates a lasting footprint, and this is a great opportunity for these business impact stories to have an even greater reach. Congratulations to all the finalists!”