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.