Twelve Tarrant County businesses, including a shooting range, a pharmacy and a luxury car dealer, have been named finalists for the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce's annual small-business awards.
Finalists were chosen from a field of 94 nominees and 38 applicants in four categories. Factors considered by the judges included business growth and performance, sound business strategies and practices, customer service strategies, business challenges, unique and innovative approaches, and community involvement.The finalists, by category:Emerging Businesses: Peloton Land Solutions, civil engineering and land development services; Shoot Smart, an indoor shooting range and training center; and WORN for Peace, an online retailer of hand-knitted accessories made by war refugees.1-10 employees: Path to Wellness Chiropractic; Red Productions, a video production company; and Village Homes, builder of homes from $150,000 to $1 million.11-50 employees: Composite Cooling Solutions, maker of custom-built cooling towers; Perrone Pharmacy/PerroneRX, retail pharmacy and long-term care; and Texas Jet, executive terminal for private aircraft.51-150 employees: Mac Churchill Acura; Multatech Engineering, architectural and engineering services; the Landscape Partners, commercial landscape maintenance."The continued diversity of industries represented by 2012's accomplished finalists speaks volumes as to the positive implications toward Tarrant County's economy for years to come," said Jeff Meisner, founder/CEO of Skyline DFW Exhibits and chairman of the Chamber's Small Business Council.The business owners and representatives will be honored at a chamber after-hours event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel in downtown Fort Worth. The awards, sponsored by Community Bank, will be presented at a reception before Mayor Betsy Price's State of the City address March 5.Hospital anniversaryOn Wednesday, Grand Prairie's Texas General Hospital, which opened without the financial backing of a big health system or corporation, marks its first year in operation.The hospital, founded by Dr. Hasan Hashmi and his son, Suleman, has seen more than 7,000 patients and has about 175 employees, said administrator Cherie Newman. It expects to expand its emergency services next month, a move that could add 100 more workers.The facility, at 2709 Hospital Blvd., east of Texas 360 and just south of East Abram Street, also followed a road less traveled to certification. Rather than using the Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits most U.S. health facilities, Texas General was accredited by Det Norske Veritas Healthcare, a Norwegian organization.Cherie Newman, the hospital's administrator, said DNV's review was "very different" than the Joint Commission, which she had worked with at previous hospitals. "I feel we've been through boot camp together," Newman said of the months-long process.Texas General received its DNV accreditation Aug. 1, the same day it got its Medicare certification from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Before that, the hospital could not bill Medicare, the federal health program for seniors that typically accounts for at least a third of U.S. hospital revenue.Sandra Baker, 817-390-7727sabaker@star-telegram.comJim Fuquay, 817-390-7552jfuquay@star-telegram.comBarry Shlachter, 817-390-7718barry@star-telegram.comHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
