The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce has named Virginia Prosthetics the 2008 Small Business of the Year.

The provider of prostheses and artificial limbs was scheduled to be recognized at the chamber's 22nd annual Small Business Awards dinner held Tuesday night at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. About 650 people were scheduled to attend.

The awards showcased the accomplishments of the small business sector, which comprises 99 percent of the area's business community.

"This year's competition was one of the toughest," said Joyce Waugh, interim chamber president. "The selection committee agonized over many outstanding companies."

Virginia Prosthetics was founded 43 years ago in Roanoke to help amputees. The company, which makes custom designed and fitted devices, is headquartered in Roanoke and serves 12 additional locations.

In the past 16 years, the company has increased its revenue by more than 400 percent, according to the chamber.

"The Small Business Awards selection committee was impressed with Virginia Prosthetics' ability to change the quality of people's lives and their commitment to ensuring the rights of their patients," Waugh said.

A committee of local businesspeople evaluates nominees in terms of increased sales, employee growth, staying power, innovation and contributions to the community.

To be eligible, companies must meet SBA small business standards and be at least 3 years old.

Previous Small Business of the Year winners include Luna Innovations (2007), Blue Ridge Medical Imaging (2006), Plastics One (2005), Virginia Furniture Market (2004), R&K Engineering (2003), Corned Beef & Company (2002) and Lanford Brothers Co. (2001).

Other award winners, by category, were:

n Small business advocate: Jim Hale, partner with the law firm of LeClairRyan.

n Construction/real estate: American Door & Glass, S.W. VA Inc., specializing in the sale, service and installation of commercial glass, window and door products.

n Manufacturing: M&W Fire Apparatus, a licensed vehicle manufacturer of stock and custom-built fire apparatus and emergency vehicles for fire and rescue organizations.

n Micro-business: 224 Design, a branding advertising and design studio.

n Technology: DaProSystems, a leader in technology solutions for the public safety sector.

n Business-to-business services: Executive Talent Search, a recruiting firm specializing in finding and placing dentists and dental staff.

n Wholesale/retail: B&D Lock Co., a locksmith business that also repairs and installs locks, and sells a full line of safes.

n Legacy Award: Cook Siding & Window Co., a windows, sunrooms, decking, awnings and siding installer for more than 50 years.

n Not-for-profit arts and culture: Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, the largest professional orchestra in Virginia west of Richmond.

n Not-for-profit health and human services: The Rescue Mission of Roanoke, offering emergency shelter, case management, residential recovery programs, meals, an on-site free clinic and educational assistance for those in crisis.