(INDIANAPOLIS) — The Indiana Chamber is seeking the top small business in the state for its annual competition naming the “Small Business of the Year.” The honor is given to a Hoosier company that demonstrates best practices in business sustainability and growth, commitment to employees and a track record of community involvement.

The 2009 award is open to all Hoosier companies with 250 employees or fewer. Out-of-state parent companies are eligible to participate if at least 25 full-time employees are in Indiana. Nominations can come from an outside source or by self-nomination.

The application deadline is Friday, December 19.

Nomination forms are available online at www.indianachamber.com/awardsprograms. Required information includes: name of business, contact information, brief history of business (including sales figures, product/service, efficiencies, etc.), impact on community, why the company merits such an award, plus any additional supporting material.

Submit entries to: Amy Elifritz, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, 115 W. Washington St., Suite 850 South, Indianapolis, IN 46204 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For more information about the nomination process, contact Cam Carter at (317) 264-6892 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Finalists will be honored and the “Small Business of the Year” announced at an awards luncheon on Wednesday, February 18, 2009, held at the Indiana Chamber conference center in downtown Indianapolis. Also at the luncheon, the Chamber’s 2008-09 “Small Business Champion” awards will be given to state legislators who demonstrated their dedication to bettering Indiana’s business climate for small employers.

Last year, Indianapolis-based POLARIS Laboratories beat more than 50 nominees to be named the “2008 Small Business of the Year.” In addition, award finalists from across the state were honored for their achievements.

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The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has been the state’s largest broad-based business advocacy organization for 86 years.  The more than 4,800 member companies employ 800,000 Hoosier workers.