Press release: FloridaWest EDA and Summit Bank honored four local businesses that were named in Inc. Magazine’s 2015 list of the 5,000 fastest- growing private companies in the nation during an evening reception at Seville Quarter’s Heritage Hall.
Community and business leaders, including Florida State Rep. Clay Ingram and CEO of FloridaWest EDA, Scott Luth, honored Footbridge Media, Pensacola Apothecary, IMS ExpertServices, and AppRiver.
Considered to be one of the most prestigious entrepreneurial lists, Inc. 5000 has been one of the premier print publication lists for business owners and entrepreneurs for more than 30 years. Today, the list is a distinguished editorial award given to qualified businesses in an effort to help celebrate innovation, entrepreneurial leaders and business success in communities around the nation.
“These four awardees rank among the who’s who of growth companies in the nation and highlight the best of what the Greater Pensacola Region has to offer,†said FloridaWest EDA Director of Entrepreneurial Development Kelly Reeser. “We are very proud of what each company has accomplished and contributes to our local economy.â€
In aggregate, the awardees account for 361 jobs and over $116 million for our local economy. Named to the list for the ninth consecutive year, IMS ExpertServices ranked No. 3,772 on the list and saw a three-year growth rate of 81 percent according to the magazine. Gulf Breeze- based AppRiver, also a nine-year recipient, was ranked No. 4,057 on the list and saw a sales growth of nearly 75 percent. First-year recipient, Footbridge Media, ranked No. 2,555 out of 5,000 and posted a three-year growth rate of 144 percent. Ranked No. 2,914, PensacolaApothecary grew 121 percent at the end of 2014.