Boston's Mayor Thomas Menino to Honor Inner City Companies for Business Excellence.

All seven companies are finalists for National Inner City 100 Award

BOSTON -- Today, in honor of the 10th anniversary of the Inner City 100, the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) will announce that seven Boston companies have received the 2008 Inner City 100 Award for Excellence in Urban Business and are now finalists for the National Inner City 100 list. In a ceremony at Boston City Hall, Mayor Thomas Menino and ICIC President and CEO David G. Latimore will present awards to ARGUS, City Fresh Foods, Commonwealth Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation, Dancing Deer Baking Company, Roxbury Technology, Suffolk Construction, and Tech Networks of Boston. This business recognition event is sponsored by the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

"Led by some of today's most creative entrepreneurs, the Inner City 100 has shown the nation how the advantages of inner cities, such as diverse workforces and strategic locations, can combine to create explosive growth," said David Latimore. "Their success has led to innovative investment programs, they've helped blaze a path for others, and they're providing enormous stimulus for change in their communities. We're thrilled to be celebrating the companies that bring growth to Boston."

"As Mayor of Boston, I'm proud that so many homegrown entrepreneurs are contributing to the city's sustainability and success. We're delighted that ICIC has recognized our businesses as important drivers of economic revitalization and growth," said Mayor Thomas Menino.

Founded ten years ago by ICIC and Inc. Magazine, the Inner City 100 is a program that ranks and publicizes the fastest growing inner city businesses nationwide. Over the years, the list has spotlighted thousands of thriving urban businesses serving regional, national, and international markets; generating valuable new jobs; and making an incalculable difference in their communities.

"It is a great honor to host this event with ICIC to recognize the importance of urban entrepreneurship," said John Palmieri, Director of the Boston Redevelopment Authority. "Entrepreneurs in Boston are a cornerstone of urban economic development. We are pleased to have the opportunity to recognize their successes."

Since the inception of the list, the Boston has featured prominently in the annals of the Inner City 100, with 16 companies finding a place on the national list. The national Inner City 100 list will be unveiled at the 10th Anniversary Inner City 100 Awards Dinner at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center on May 1, 2008. Over 1,000 business and civic leaders from across the country join the winners to celebrate and honor the companies and their CEOs for extraordinary growth and innovative business practices. For more information visit www.icic.org.

Event Location and Press/Photo Opportunity: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Boston City Hall

One City Hall Plaza, Eagle Room, 5th Floor

Boston, MA 02201

About the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City

The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) is a national not-for-profit organization founded in 1994 by Harvard Business School professor Michael E. Porter. ICIC's mission is to promote economic prosperity in America's inner cities through private sector engagement that leads to jobs, income and wealth creation for local residents. ICIC brings together business and civic leaders to drive innovation and action, transform thinking and accelerate inner city business growth and investment.