(INDIANAPOLIS) — Applications are now being accepted for the state’s annual competition naming the “Best Places to Work in Indiana.” In its fourth year, this Indiana Chamber of Commerce program honors the top companies in the state as determined through employer reports and comprehensive employee surveys.

The 2009 winners will be selected from two categories: small to medium-sized companies of between 25 and 249 employees, and large-sized companies consisting of 250 or more employees. (Out-of-state parent companies are eligible to participate if at least 25 full-time employees are in Indiana.)

The application deadline is Friday, December 5.

The Best Companies Group, which has overseen similar programs in other states, is responsible for the selection process. The basis for this initiative is Fortune magazine’s noted “100 Best Companies to Work for in America.”

“Indiana has so many outstanding employers that understand the importance of providing a positive work environment. The Best Places to Work program allows us to honor those deserving businesses that make company culture a priority,” states Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar. “As more and more companies participate each year, the prestige of being named a Best Place continues to rise.”

All companies participating in the program will receive an in-depth evaluation identifying strengths and weaknesses according to their employees. In turn, this report can be used in developing or enhancing employee retention and recruitment programs.

The top Hoosier companies will be honored on Tuesday, May 5, 2009, at the Best Places to Work Awards dinner at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis. Winners will also be recognized via a special supplement to the Indiana Chamber’s bimonthly BizVoice® magazine and through Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick – both of which reach statewide audiences.

Program partners with the Chamber are Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, the Indiana Youth Institute and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

Best Places to Work in Indiana is presented in partnership with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Additional sponsors are Mussett Nicholas + Associates, Tilson HR and Ball State University. Sponsorship opportunities for the program are available. Please contact Jim Wagner at (317) 264-6876.

For more information on the Indiana Chamber’s Best Places to Work program or to register to participate, go to www.bestplacestoworkIN.com or call the Best Companies Group at (877) 455-2159.

Taking top “Best Places to Work in Indiana” honors for 2008 were repeat winners Schmidt Associates, a full-service architectural company in downtown Indianapolis, and Edwards Jones, the country’s largest investment firm that has 356 Indiana branch offices.

###

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.