The Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce and its business sponsors concluded Small Business Month activities and celebrations recognizing a number of outstanding successful achievements among its small business members. The top honor – Small Business of the Year, was awarded to Christina and Jerry Barfield, B&M Construction, Inc. at the 2009 Small Business Banquet held at Benvenue Country Club on June 25.

B&M Construction was selected as this year's Small Business of the Year based on staying power, employee growth, innovation, increased sales volume, and community involvement. Founded in 1998 in the owners' basement with only a 5-man crew and one man's dedication to providing quality residential roofing services in the area – this company quickly became a premier service provider. After several expansions during the early years, the last four years have positioned B&M Construction as the "company on the move" as they reached their 10th anniversary in business. Today Christina and Jerry Barfield's roofing business operates out of a 55,000 square foot facility on North Church Street, offering commercial and residential roof replacements featuring all types and styles of metal roofs, ventilation solutions to lower energy costs, waterproofing solutions, monthly maintenance and inspection programs, and repair services. The team at B&M Construction has enjoyed a number of awards and prominent distinctions within their industry, and are active supporters and sponsors in the community.

Premier Sponsor

The Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce, along with longtime partner and Premier Sponsor Southern Bank, will hold its annual Small Business Month Awards Banquet on Thursday, June 25, 2009 at Benvenue Country Club in recognition of the contributions of small business and their accomplishments in driving our economy. The program begins at 6:00 p.m.

Susan Gravely

During the month of June a number of activities are held and are designed to showcase business accomplishments through plant tours, seminars and a webinar tailored to small business. Small Business Month is highlighted by the Annual Awards Banquet on June 25, 2009, as The Chamber, along with the past 2008 Award winners, honor recipients of the Small Business Person of the Year; Minority Small Business Person of the Year; Small Business Woman of the Year; Rookie of the Year, Downtown Small Business of the Year and the Family Owned (Legacy) Small Business of the Year Award.

The 2009 Awards Banquet will welcome home Rocky Mount native Susan Gravely as keynote speaker. In 1983 while on vacation in Italy, Mrs. Lee Gravely and her daughters, Frances and Susan, admired the dishes on which lunch was served in a hotel on the Amalfi coast. Avid collectors of ceramic dinnerware, they knew instantly that the hand painted plates, decorated with colorful, playful animals, were unusually fine. They learned the name of the ceramicist, visited his factory – saw more stunning designs, studied the process and returned home with samples, offering to become his wholesaler in the United States. Today the company founded by the three women—VIETRI, Inc. in Hillsborough, North Carolina—is a leading wholesaler of Italian ceramics. The business has shown a profit every year, and during its first decade sales surged 40 percent or more each year.