Maryland Chamber Announces Small
Business of the Year Award Winners

Baltimore, MD (June 16, 2006) - The Maryland Chamber of Commerce today awarded its annual Small Business of the Year Awards during its Celebration of Small Business event at the Wyndham Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel. The awards program is designed to recognize the dedication, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit displayed by small businesses in Maryland.

In all, there were 34 companies nominated. The judging panel for the awards program was comprised of representatives of Maryland's business media, including the Baltimore Business Journal, Washington Smart CEO magazine, the Baltimore Examiner, Maryland Public Television, and Corridor Inc. Criteria upon which the nominees were judged include business and income growth, innovation, community involvement, excellence in industry and more. This year’s winners are:

Small Business of the Year – 1-5 Employees
Colosseum Gym & Personal Training

For the past 13 years, Colosseum has helped thousands of residents get into better shape. Located in Columbia, this firm currently serves more than 900 members, half of whom meet with a personal trainer two to three times a week. Grossing annual revenues of more than one million dollars, Colosseum has balanced a customer service relationship with each client and a unique and innovative compensation package for its trainers. A full time physical therapist is on site, and nutritional counseling is made available to its members. Nominated by the Howard County Chamber, Colosseum actively participates in a wide variety of community activities including Howard High School, the ARC of Howard County, Hospice, Rotary, Relay for Life and Cystic Fibrosis.

Small Business of the Year – 6-50 Employees
HarVest Bank of Maryland

Founded in late 2003, HarVest Bank prides itself on being the only locally owned and operated, full-service commercial bank in the I-270 corridor. Since its founding, the bank’s message of “Bringing Maryland Banking Back Home” has led to a 41 percent increase in loans, 53 percent increase in deposits, and 41 percent increase in assets in the first three months of this year. The Bank offers eCorp Business online banking services, provides access to 32,000 free ATMs nationwide on the Allpoint network, and FDIC insurance for up to $25 million in deposits, well beyond the traditional limitation. Its commitment to the community has also been impressive. Working closely with local and the state chambers of commerce, HarVest Bank of Maryland has also supported the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the BSO at Strathmore Hall, Friends of the Library for Montgomery County, and the National Philharmonic. The bank was named the Montgomery County Small Business Leader of the Year in 2005.

Small Business of the Year – 51-200 Employees
Correct RX Pharmacy Services

Based in Linthicum, Correct RX Pharmacy is a full service institutional pharmacy that focuses on the correctional and senior care market. While it is a Maryland-owned and operated business, its pharmacy services are provided to over 100 correctional facilities in 23 states. In 2005, sales increased by 67 percent over 2004. What’s even more impressive, total gross profits increased by 162 percent. Correct Rx has been recognized by Baltimore Smart CEO magazine for the second year in a row as one of Baltimore’s Future 50 Corporations. Correct Rx was also identified by the Baltimore Business Journal as being the fourth largest woman-owned business in Maryland. Growing in three years from a staff of 12 to one with 75 employees, Correct Rx is actively involved with the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, the University of Baltimore Entrepreneurship Advisory Board, the Alzheimer’s Association, and many other organizations.

Partner in Business Award: (Non-Profits Only)
The College of Southern Maryland

The College of Southern Maryland set out not only to provide certificates and associate degrees to area residents, but has expanded access to bachelor degree programs; workforce development and training; corporate consulting; and leadership development. It has garnered the support of 154 individuals who provide real workforce perspectives to curriculum development and offerings. Southern Maryland employers give CSM a 95 percent satisfaction rating with its graduates’ knowledge of job skills. The college has partnerships with the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, the Naval Surface Weapons facility in Indian Head, and the three local chambers of commerce and economic development boards. It is completing the third year of a grant from the National Science Foundation to increase the local availability of highly qualified technicians. Three locations provided telecommuting opportunities for 135 workers who represent 34 federal agencies and 8 private firms last year. Its Small Business Development Center worked with more than 400 clients, offering more than 40 training classes and is on target to become one of two regions in the state as a preferred resource for veterans.

About the Maryland Chamber
The Maryland Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit coalition of 850 businesses who employ more than 340,000 people in the state. Its mission is to maximize opportunities for its members to grow and prosper. For more information about the Chamber, visit its website, www.mdchamber.org or call (410) 269-0642 or (301) 261-2858.

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