(INDIANAPOLIS) - Companies setting the standard with their workplace practices were honored this evening before a record crowd at the Indiana Roof Ballroom as the Indiana Chamber unveiled rankings for the 70 companies from throughout the state that made the 2009 Best Places to Work in Indiana list (which was released March 2).

Performance Services, a design-build engineering and construction firm, topped the small to medium-sized employer category while construction management company Shiel Sexton grabbed first place among large employers.  For both Indianapolis-based businesses, this marked the first time in the top spot.

The 2009 Best Places to Work in Indiana program was presented by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and in partnership with Ready Indiana.  It honors the top companies in the state, as determined through employer reports and comprehensive employee surveys.  Winners were 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 were eligible to participate if at least 25 full-time employees are in Indiana.

The Best Companies Group, which handled the selection process, oversees similar programs in 19 other states.

"Each company on this list understands how important it is for the success of a business to have a culture that respects and values employees," states Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar.  "These businesses demonstrated that in a variety of ways - from fostering open communication and teamwork to providing training opportunities and more unique job benefits."

More information about the Best Places to Work companies is available via a special section of the May/June issue of the Indiana Chamber's BizVoice® magazine, a statewide publication released tonight and accessible online at www.bizvoicemagazine.com.

At the dinner, representatives from all designated companies were presented with Best Place to Work awards of excellence. In addition to the BizVoice® magazine feature, honorees were also recognized through the statewide media resources of Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick.  Other program partners are the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and the Indiana Youth Institute.

All companies that participated in the 2009 Best Places to Work programreceive 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.  For more information on the Indiana Chamber's Best Places to Work program, go to www.bestplacestoworkIN.com. Companies can sign up to be notified by e-mail when application details for the fifth annual competition are announced this summer.

Companies ranked in all four years of the Best Places to Work in Indiana program: Ash Brokerage Corporation (Fort Wayne); Bowen Engineering Corporation (Indianapolis); Columbus Regional Hospital; Crowe Horwath (Indianapolis); Edward Jones (multiple locations); Fort Wayne Metals Research Products Corporation; Goshen Health System; Katz, Sapper & Miller (Indianapolis); KPMG LLP (Indianapolis); Safety Management Group (Indianapolis); and VMS (Indianapolis).

Program sponsors for 2009, in addition to Anthem and Ready Indiana, are Ball State University, Crowe Horwath, Horseshoe Casino, Image Air Charter, M & I Bank, Mussett Nicholas & Associates, Nucor Steel, Roche Diagnostics, Saint Clair Press, Tilson HR and Trilogy Health Services, LLC.

The full list of the 2009 Best Places to Work in Indiana companies by ranking:

Large Companies (250 or more employees)

Small to Medium-sized Companies (25-249 employees)

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.