(INDIANAPOLIS) - An Indianapolis-based company that provides analytical testing and research for professionals in the health care industry was honored today as the state's 2009 Small Business of the Year by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. AIT Laboratories was chosen from a field of more than 50 nominees. Other top small businesses from throughout the state as well as legislative advocates for the small business community were also recognized at the annual awards luncheon held in downtown Indianapolis.

"AIT Laboratories really stood out in several ways. Its overall business growth - in terms of both revenue and employees - was simply tremendous," offers Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar. It was also impressive to see the many and varied ways it takes care of and rewards employees for doing a good job."

Founded nearly 20 years ago by Michael A. Evans, AIT Laboratories started with five employees; today that count exceeds 200. In 2008, AIT saw its revenue grow over 100%; for the record-breaking year, employees were given nearly $3 million in bonuses. AIT also added more than 90 employees, doubled its national sales force and entered 17 new markets.

Among AIT's self-labeled "cultural initiatives": a wellness program, paid registration fees to community events, profit sharing, flexible work hours, up to $5,000 tuition reimbursement, free gym memberships and various staff picnics, barbecues and outings.

Companies recognized as finalists for Small Business of the Year were: Elwood Staffing Services, headquartered in Columbus; Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service of New Castle; MonoSol of Merrillville; Scorpion Coatings of Cloverdale; and Unified Group Services of Anderson.

Semi-finalists for the award were: Allied Specialty Precision of Mishawaka; Heraeus Electro-Nite Company of Peru; Matrix Integration of Jasper; MD Logistics of Plainfield; Roembke Manufacturing & Design of Ossian; and Simulex of West Lafayette.

"We are proud of the ongoing efforts of all the winning companies and the small business community at-large. These companies impact all of us. They contribute to many working families' income, to the prosperity of respective communities and to the entire state's economic competitiveness," Brinegar notes.

The Small Business of the Year award is open to all Hoosier companies with 250 employees or fewer.

In addition, five state legislators were given the Indiana Chamber's 2008-2009 Small Business Champion Award for their dedication to bettering Indiana's business climate for small employers. The Small Business Champions are:

• Sen. Connie Lawson (R-Danville), District #24
• Sen. Vi Simpson (D-Bloomington), District #40
• Rep. Jeb Bardon (D-Indianapolis), District #25
• Rep. Richard Dodge (R-Pleasant Lake), District #51
• Rep. Sean Eberhart (R-Shelbyville), District #57

"The efforts of these legislators helped protect the small business community from burdensome regulations and also assisted in providing avenues for success," Brinegar praises.

The Small Business Champion awards have been given annually since 1993.

The luncheon also included a keynote by the Daniels administration's Mitch Roob, Indiana's Secretary of Commerce and CEO of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, who spoke about the important role of small businesses in the state's economy.

The sponsor for the Small Business Awards Luncheon was Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

More information is available about 2009 Small Business of the Year AIT Laboratories in the November/December issue of BizVoice magazine at www.bizvoicemagazine.com.

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The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has been the state's largest broad-based business advocacy organization for over 85 years. The more than 4,900 member companies employ 800,000 Hoosier workers.