Economic development seldom occurs without entrepreneurs trying to build or grow a business, so the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce took the time at its annual Holiday Breakfast Club Wednesday morning to give awards for the companies that have done the most building.

The Silver Hammer awards, as they are called, were among a number of different awards the Chamber bestowed on Valley companies and individuals, but they are perhaps the most poignant in light of the economic times.

"Several years ago the Chamber introduced the Silver Hammer award to recognize significant construction and renovation projects, and these projects getting awards today have been completed over the past year," said Patrick Charmel, president of Griffin Hospital, who was the emcee for the event, held at the Oronoque Country Club in Stratford.

Lex Products, a Shelton-based manufacturer of portable power distribution systems, received the Silver Hammer for relocating from three separate facilities in Stamford. Dr. Energy Saver, a new Seymour-based company with a business that includes a nationwide home energy efficiency franchise operation, received one of the Silver Hammer plaques for its huge headquarters operation in the Silvermine Industry Park. The Haynes Group, also based in Seymour, received the Silver Hammer for building a big facility there for Bethwood Suzuki Music School, formerly of Woodbridge.

The recipients spoke briefly after receiving their Silver Hammer plaques.

"I just wanted to say we're delighted to become a part of the Valley community," said Bob Luther, Chief Executive Officer at Lex, whose clients include the U.S. Marine Corps.

The company completed a 56,000 square-foot renovation at Progress Drive in Shelton in October, and Charmel pointed out that is spectacular in these economic times.

"This is one of the fastest growing companies in Fairfield County," Charmel said of Lex Products.

Seymour got more than its share of attention. The Silvermine Industrial Park got the spotlight.

Dr. Energy Saver, for example, has a 50,000 square-foot headquarters in the industrial park. One of the company's co-owners talked about the work it does.

"Dr. Energy Saver helps people save money and energy at home, for a greater rate of return. We can do a home energy evaluation to see if your home is energy efficient," said Larry Janesky, a partner in the new nationwide franchise venture.

The industrial park is also home now to the Bethwood Suzuki Music School, which Tom Haynes, co-owner of the Haynes Group, said was an achievement because the school had been in Woodbridge more than 20 years.

"We had to convince them to come up to the Valley. They were a little hesitant, because they thought they could lose some business. But their parking lot is packed every afternoon. They are a phenomenal tenant," Haynes said.

A number of awards were given to companies and individuals of special merit. State Sen. Dan Debicella, R-Shelton, received the Leadership in Government Award.  

OPEL Solar Inc., a provider of solar energy solutions based in Shelton, received the 2010 Innovation Award.

Dworken Hillman LaMorte & Sterczala, PC of Shelton received a 20th Anniversary Salute.

The School Business Partnership Award went to the Shelton High School Student Spaceflight Experiment Program, which will send an experiment designed by local students on the final U.S. space shuttle mission early next year.

Carol Pendagast of F.W. Serra, Inc. in Shelton won the award for Volunteer of the Year.

Dan Onofrio of Rita's Water Ice took the award for Young Emerging Professional of the Year.

To learn more about the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce visit them on the Web at www.greatervalleychamber.com.