COVENTRY – Commerce Chenango honored six local businesses for their contributions to the Chenango County community at their 2009 Annual Salute to Small Business Dinner, held Tuesday night at the Silo Restaurant in Coventry.

Those recognized were this year’s recipients of the Small Business Gems, Entrepreneur of the Year, Small Business Manufacturer of the Year and Small Business of the Year awards.

“This is a great celebration tonight,” said Commerce Chenango Chairman Bruce Erath, who said it was businesses like those being honored that make this area a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.

“Chenango County is very fortunate to have many small businesses that help to drive our economy and make this a place we are all proud to live and work,” said Maureen Carpenter, President and CEO of Commerce Chenango.

2009 Small Business Gems

Carpenter’s organization selects three such businesses each year to receive the prestigious Small Business Gem award. This year, the honor was awarded to Dr. Lawrence Rosenblum of Central Diagnostic Imaging, Dave Cirello of Fred’s Inn and Jeff Webster of White House Cabinet Shop.

“These Gems manage their organizations with pride and achieve success in different ways,” explained Carpenter. “They contribute to our economy in a quiet way, but are valuable to what makes our county special.

Each of these Gems has something unique, which sets them apart and makes them highly prized in the community, the chamber executive said. In the case of the night’s first award recipient, it is their commitment to patient care, their professionalism and their use of leading edge technology which makes the difference, according to Carpenter.

“When you enter Central Diagnostic Imaging in Norwich, you are immediately struck by how different it is from any other medical facility you have ever been in,” she said.

Founded in 1985, as a mobile CT service, the practice has transformed and grown throughout its 24-year history into an independent medical imaging center offering an array of radiology services.

“Despite the challenging healthcare environment, partners Dr. Rosenblum and Dr. Janet Martin and Operations Manager Leslie Dopkeen, have emphasized the importance of respect to patients, and prompt, courteous and professional service,” Carpenter said.

The second Small Business Gem was awarded to Fred’s Inn and accepted by Dave Cirello.

Carpenter commended the Cirello family on their innovation and success since they purchased the restaurant in 1977.

“Through the years, the Cirellos have continued to expand their services as well as their lodging capabilities,” Carpenter said. At both Fred’s Inn and their new establishment, Park Place, “they continue to maintain the customer service aspect of everything they do and believe that every little thing makes a difference.”

“I would really like to thank everyone who supported us throughout the years,” said Cirello, who works alongside his father Chick in the family business. “On behalf of Fred’s, thank you.”

Jeff Webster accepted the Small Business Gem award on behalf of the White House Cabinet Shop. The family-owned business, located in Sherburne, has been designing and fabricating custom woodwork and furnishings for more than 30 years. Founded by Bruce Webster, his two sons now “continue the family tradition,” Carpenter said.

Their use of quality woods, modern finishing techniques and attention to detail has led to many satisfied customers, according to the chamber executive, who added that the company’s growth over the years is largely attributed to word-of-mouth marketing.

One of those satisfied customers is Amy Hurta of NBT Bank, for whom the Websters renovated a 150-year old house in Hamilton.

“It isn’t easy making an addition to a house built in the mid-1800s look like it’s always been there, but that’s exactly what Jeff, Mike, Kyle and Josh did,” Hurta said. “... (They) were able to seamlessly blend old with new so that friends question where the older portions of the house end and the new ones begin.”

And the Sammy goes to ...

“Our Entrepreneur of the Year award was created to recognize the strong entrepreneurial spirit in Chenango County,” Carpenter explained. The annual award was first created to honor Sam Golden, founder of Golden Artist Colors. The plaque awarded to each year’s recipient features a likeness of Golden.