Small-biz award winners announced

Recognizing the hard work done by small-business owners, the Waterbury Regional Chamber named the winners of its Harold Webster Smith Awards on Tuesday.

John Bale Book Co. of Waterbury won Entrepreneur of the Year, Darter Specialties of Cheshire won the Small Business of the Year award, and Donham Craft Inc. of Naugatuck won Manufacturer of the Year.

John Bale Book has been in business for the past 13 years. Starting from a 400-square-foot space that sold only used books, the company has grown to one of the largest Internet and brick-and-mortar bookstores in New England. Owners Dan Gaeta and Edith Reynolds have 60,000 books online and for sale at their Grand Street shop. The couple purchased their present four-story location three years ago to house both online and walk-in trades. This past year they added a coffee bar to enhance customer experience.

Owned and operated by Alice and Guy Darter, Darter has been in operation for over 15 years. The company offers screens, printing, embroidery and laser engraving services as well as signs and banners. It currently holds a five-year state contract for screen printing, embroidery and promotional products.

Established in 1963, metal finishing manufacturer Donham Craft Inc. is owned and operated by David Niven.

The Harold Webster Smith Awards were established to honor the legacy of Harold Webster Smith, founder of Webster Bank, who supported and helped nurture small-business development within the Greater Waterbury region.

Award recipients, nominated by business leaders in the community and selected by the chamber, will be honored during the Harold Webster Smith Awards Breakfast on Jan. 19 at the Villa Rosa.

Admission is $30 for members. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the chamber at (203) 757-0701.

What are people saying about mortgages today:

Rates on 30-year mortgages edged down last week to a seven-month low. Mortgage-giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 6.3 percent, down slightly from 6.31 percent two weeks ago. It put rates at the lowest level since they were at 6.24 percent the first week of March.

Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Territorial Savings Bank and Wells Fargo Home Mortgages all cut their 30-year mortgage rates to 5.75 percent this week.

Most people think of a mortgage as a means to an end. After all, you buy a house, not a home loan. But a mortgage is much more than the path to homeownership. It is a financial instrument that must be managed, just like any other financial investment.