Chesterfield Honors Three Businesses

Each year, the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors honors local companies that contribute to the county’s economy and its citizens.

The intent is to give recognition to organizations that consistently uphold the principles and standards of ethical business practices and that advertise and sell with integrity, and participate consistently in community, trade associations and local programs that better our county and region.

The Board of Supervisors, and the selection committee, recognized Village Bank as the recipient of Chesterfield County’s 2007 Community Service Award. Village Bank has demonstrated its dedication and commitment to the community of Chesterfield County. Its annual golf outing last year raised more than $35,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, but it is most proud of founding “The Families of the Wounded Fund.” This fund provides financial support to family members of military servicemen and women who have been severely wounded in combat, primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Village Bank truly lives its “community” bank philosophy through its support of causes in Chesterfield County and the region. Congratulations to Village Bank and Tom Winfree, president and CEO.

Getloaded.com received the 2007 Innovation Award. The Business Innovation Award recognizes a Chesterfield County business that has created and delivered a product or service to its customers that creates a new market or enhances existing markets for the company.

Getloaded.com is the nation’s leading Internet load board and has been providing freight matching services for the transportation industry since 1999. Congratulations to Getloaded.com and Bryan Jones, president.

Lastly, BluePrint Automation Inc. was awarded the 2007 Business of the Year Award. Founded in 1987, BluePrint Automation is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacturing of end of line automatic case packaging equipment. In 2004, BluePrint Automation proudly announced the shipment of its 1000th machine from its Chesterfield County facility. BluePrint Automation continues to grow and invest in Chesterfield County and is currently in the process of a 30,000-square-foot expansion.

The company supports community service activities such as the American Cancer Society, Boy Scouts, Meals on Wheels, and Children’s Hospital, to name just a few. BluePrint values their employees and has never had a major lay off.

Congratulations to BluePrint Automation; Michael Ganacoplos, president; Martin Prakken, CEO; and Juliette Prakken, his wife.