(INDIANAPOLIS) — Maintaining a vibrant downtown and high quality of life - while also growing and planning for the future - is a balancing act that is often difficult to achieve. Noblesville’s success in this effort, among others, has helped it earn recognition as the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s 2008 Community of the Year.

Noblesville, which saw its population increase from less than 30,000 in 2000 to nearly 40,000 people five years later with the numbers still on the rise, put together an aggressive plan to supplement its residential growth. An unprecedented 3,600-acre-plus Corporate Campus combines industrial and commercial development - leading to a more diverse tax base and providing job opportunities for community residents - with additional housing opportunities.

Stores in the new Hamilton Town Center, operated by Simon Properties, have experienced record success since opening their doors in late 2007 and early this year. In addition to the ongoing Corporate Campus development, growth is taking place throughout the community, including in the Noblesville Business Park and Cumberland Pointe Marketplace.

While expansion takes place in many directions, both the city and business communities have continued to emphasize the vitality of downtown. Longtime professional and retail operations have been joined by a variety of newcomers, with all benefiting from city funding devoted to marketing and infrastructure improvements. Downtown continues to thrive, epitomizing the small town character the community has embraced throughout its history.

“Noblesville is a shining example of dedicated city and business leaders working together to preserve their past and enhance their future,” states Andre Lacy, 2008 chairman of the Indiana Chamber board of directors. “We’re pleased to recognize a city that has aggressively pursued new opportunities, while not forgetting its heritage and its people who have made the successes possible.”

The Community of the Year award will be officially presented during the Indiana Chamber’s 19th Annual Awards Dinner on November 6. More than 1,200 business, political and community leaders will attend the event at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. The 2008 Business Leader of the Year and Government Leader of the Year recipients will be announced at that time.

Former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich will deliver the keynote presentation, looking at our country’s future just two days after the pivotal national and state elections. Limited seating is available. Tables of 10 are $2,250 for gold seating, $1,650 for silver seating and $1,200 for standard seating. Individual tickets are $120 each or $49 for a full-time student. The reception begins at 5:00 p.m. and dinner is at 6:30 p.m. Reservations can be made at (800) 824-6885 or on our web site by clicking here.

Media interested in covering the event should contact Rebecca Patrick at (317) 264-6897.

Past Community of the Year recipients:

2007: Anderson

2006: Evansville

2005: LaPorte

2004: Muncie

2003: Warsaw

2002: Marion

2001: Greater Lafayette

2000: Jeffersonville

1999: Fort Wayne

1998: Rochester

1997: Batesville

1996: Elkhart

1995: Indianapolis

1994: Kendallville

1993: St. Joseph County

1992: Columbus

1991: Muncie

1990: Bluffton

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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.