Aurora Electric, Jamaica, N.Y., recently came in fifth in Inc magazine's 2002 Inner City 100, an annual ranking of the fastest-growing businesses based in some of America's poorest urban neighborhoods. More than 4,250 companies from 191 cities were nominated for the list.
Nominees were ranked based on the percentage increase in their gross revenues between 1997 and 2001. In that time, Aurora Electric has experienced a whopping 2,055% increase in sales. Last year's sales figures topped $5 million for this nine-year-old company that provides data communication and electrical installation and maintenance.
Aurora's CEO Veronica Rose, who was featured in CEE News' May cover story, “Wiring Women, was quoted extensively in the May issue of Inc. magazine. Noting that potential customers almost always ask her about her personal history, Rose said, “I'm a novelty. I'm 6 ft tall, I have long blonde hair, and I can tell you what size turbine you need.”
The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City and Inc Magazine are calling for entries for the fifth anniversary Inner City 100. For information, go to http://www.icic.org.