Local firm recognized as one of America’s fastest-growing inner-city companies Madeline Slay Architecture on ICIC 2009 Inner City 100 list SAN ANTONIO (June 1, 2009) – Local architectural firm Madeline Anz Slay Architecture, PLLC has been named to the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) 2009 Inner City 100 list. Listed as number 33, Slay Architecture is located in the city of Balcones Heights within the City of San Antonio and was chosen for its innovative practices and sustained growth – the predominant traits of the 2009 Inner City 100. The ranking identifies the 100 fastest-growing businesses in inner city communities nationwide. Only seven Texas companies made the list. “To have been named to the ICIC 2009 100 List is a great honor,” said Madeline Anz Slay, president of Slay Architecture. “Our team has worked very hard to meet our client’s needs since I founded the company nine years ago. We look forward to continued growth and client satisfaction.” Now in its 11th year, the Inner City 100 list provides unmatched original data on the fastest growing inner-city businesses in the U.S. For the 2009 list, more than 5,000 nominations were received. The 2009 Inner City 100 winners grew at a compound annual growth rate of 40 percent and an average rate of 324 percent between 2003 and 2007. Slay Architecture employs 14 full-time staff and currently is working on more than $20 million in projects. “We are delighted to celebrate businesses like Slay Architecture that are playing a critical role in revitalizing distressed urban communities throughout America,” said Michael Porter, founder and CEO of ICIC. “By creating jobs, income, and wealth for local residents, these high-growth businesses are vivid proof that the most effective way to address economic inequality in America is to equip every community to prosper in the market system. Inner City 100 companies also provide a window into the future where all companies will need to learn to address diverse customers and mobilize diverse workforces.” Slay chose to locate Slay Architecture in the City of Balcones Heights because of the City’s commitment to its community, the low crime rate, the low cost of real estate and access to workforce. “Balcones Heights is centrally located between downtown and the South Texas Medical Center, two of the region’s biggest business areas,” said Slay. “I chose to live in Balcones Heights for the same reasons I chose to establish my business here – location. I’m close to everything.” Incorporated in 1948, the unique suburb of 3,000 residents is located at the intersection of Loop 410 and I-10. Considered one of the smallest cities in the area, the pear-shaped city of .7 square miles boasts easy accessibility to all parts of Bexar County within a reasonable time. Fast becoming a mecca for new businesses, Balcones Heights is home to several businesses including the Bijou Theatre, the largest Super Target in the Southwest, TexSan Heart Hospital and Dave & Busters to name a few. Balcones Heights is also home to the largest VIA Park & Ride facility located next to the mall. Currently, MadelineSlay, as the Chair of Balconces Heights Planning and Zoning Commision, is working with the City of Balcones Heights to create a refurbished urban corridor on Fredericksburg Road that runs from Loop 410 south Balcones Heights Raod.. The firm’s most recent projects include a new senior center in Boerne, the San Antonio College new Academic Complex, new municipal complex for the City of Garden Ridge and planned communities and other multiple developments in Laredo to name a few. Past projects include Pasion Restaurant, Ancira Jeep Dealership, Zachry Middle School Library, Las Canteras Medical Office Park in Laredo and King William District Walker Restoration, among many others. The ICIC list is proof of concept that doing business in an inner city area holds a distinct competitive advantage. ICIC has been studying the economic condition of the largest 100 American cities for more than a decade and is working to revitalize inner cities across the country. To qualify for the Inner City 100 list, companies were required to have at least 51 percent of their operations located in an economically distressed urban area; have at least 10 full-time employees; and have a five-year operating sales history that includes at least $200,000 in revenues in the first year of consideration, an increase in year five sales over year four sales, and fifth-year sales of at least $1 million. For the 2009 list, ICIC looked at total revenue growth from 2003 to 2007, and the specific rankings were based on these growth rates. An economically distressed urban area is defined by ICIC as having a 50 percent higher unemployment level, 50 percent higher poverty level, and 50 percent lower median income than the metropolitan statistical area. # # # About MAS Architecture Founded in 2000, MAS Architecture is a full service architectural firm with a second office in Laredo, Texas. Slay Architecture continues to thrive, providing full architectural design and project management services, including additional services that provide support to its clients ensuring their projects and businesses are successful. Slay Architecture’s success rate is due to its personalized service and concern for the ultimate success of the project for its client’s business model. Madeline and her team are committed to providing quality design and service throughout all phases of each project, recognizing the client’s individual needs. Madeline Slay maintains 100 percent ownership in the firm which is certified as a Woman Owned Business Enterprise, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Historically Underutilized Business and Small Business Enterprise. 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. Media Contact Media Contact Leanne Davis Julia Ely Dublin & Associates ICIC 210-227-0221 ext. 255 617-292-2383 ldavis@dublinandassociates.com jely@icic.org
