COBB COUNTY - Twenty-five local businesses were honored as finalists in the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce's 2010 Small Business of the Year competition Monday morning, with Sundial Plumbing Services taking home the coveted award.

The award, in its 28th year, was given at the Chamber's monthly First Monday Breakfast at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest before 350 local business and government leaders.

With 61 employees, the Marietta-based plumbing company was founded in 1999 by the father-daughter team of Jack and Mitzi Smith. Sundial provides residential and commercial plumbing services, including repairs, remodels and new installation projects.

The company is certified by Green Plumbers, USA, a national training and accreditation program that focuses on environmental initiatives. The company often uses new, environmentally friendly plumbing techniques and products with its services, and encourages employees to become involved in the community outside of work. In 2009, the company donated 1,000 hours and tens of thousands of dollars in volunteerism and donations to local organizations.

Although the economic downturn has affected the company just like others businesses, Mitzi Smith said Sundial made a promise to its employees that no one would be laid off - a promise the company has kept.

The company is now eligible to compete in the state small business of the year competition.

"Thank you so much for believing in us. There will be lots of happy plumbers," Mitzi Smith said, after accepting the award for her company. "And thank you to my dad for believing in me and giving me a chance. It is hard to run a small business and have time to build strategy, so I'm honored."

Prime Power Services CEO Addie Mathes, who presented the award with Drew Tonsmeire, Kennesaw State University Small Business Development Center area director, said an independent panel of business owners used judging criteria set by the United States Small Business Association when choosing the winner. Sundial was chosen from a list of 25 finalists.

The other 24 finalists included: Beaumont Products, Inc.; Blue Sky Exhibits, LLC; BlueWave Computing LLC; Casteel Heating and Cooling, Inc.; CCA and B, LLC; Deluxe Athletics; EPIC Response, LLC; Ezekiel IPM; Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP; Fulfillment Strategies International, Inc.; Global Technology Connection, Inc.; HighGrove Partners LLC; The Investigative Accounting Group, LLC; LOUD Security Systems, Inc.; MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service; Mopdog Creative + Strategy; Puckett EMS; R.F. Knox Company, Inc.; The Service Fort, LLC; Signature HealthCARE of Marietta; Solar Velocity, LLC; Unique Cleaning Service, Inc.; and Valuation Management Group.

Regional Sales Manager Eric Moran of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the award's co-sponsor, said: "When you think of small businesses, they are the backbone of this county and this country. This award delivers the message that what you do matters, and in this economy, that speaks volumes."

The next First Monday Breakfast will be conducted on July 12, when Cobb Sheriff Neil Warren will be the guest speaker and the 2010 Leadership Cobb graduates will be honored.