NEW ALBANY — There is a reason why the Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce has hosted the annual business awards for 18 straight years.

“It’s important to celebrate businesses in the community and the accomplishments they have made,” said Steve Stemler, Chamber chairman of the board.

With that said, the luncheon, titled “Where the Stars of Business Shine” kicked off at Northside Christian Church in New Albany Thursday afternoon.

And the stars were definitely shining bright.

Awards were presented in four categories, and the competition was fierce as a team of judges went through the nomination forms before picking the winners.

“This gets tougher and tougher, with the quality of applications and nominees,” Chamber President Greg Fitzloff said.

The following are lists of the categories and winners:

• Business of the Year with less than 25 employees — ACR Computer Resources Inc., Carl and Amy Romines.

Located along Market Street in New Albany, ACR has been in business since 1994. The company has designed personal computer and Web-based custom tracking systems and reporting tools needed to help businesses grow.

Company President Amy Romines said it was “very humbling” to be nominated and honored by her peers.

“There were a lot of very talented people up for this award,” she said.

She also said that her company has been successful because of the employees.

“No one person can do it,” she said. “You have to combine the skills of others.”

One of ACR’s most notable success stories was designing the warehouse management system for Marengo Warehouse and Distribution Center, which assisted the Federal Emergency Management Agency in feeding Hurricane Katrina and Rita victims.

• Business of the Year with more than 25 employees — Key Electronics, Inc., A. Thomas Hardy.

Key Electronics, Inc. has 150 employees and has grown 82 percent since 2004. In 2005, the company built a new facility at 2533 Centennial Blvd. in Jeffersonville.

The company traces its origin back to Key Communications, which was founded by Charles and Phyllis Garmon in New Albany in 1976. The business has also expanded services and is now a complete product assembly, testing and logistics site as well as a circuit board assembly plant.

“What sets us apart from competitors is that we are a manufacturing service business,” owner A. Thomas Hardy said.

• Professional of the Year — Ronald F. Barnes, certified public accountant, McCauley, Nicolas & Co.

Barnes joined McCauley, Nicolas & Co. in 1972 and became partner in 1980. Since he joined the company, Barnes said it has grown to nine partners and 50 staff members.

He said he was honored to be recognized as the professional of the year.

“I fee like I need to break this in thirds,” Barnes said referring to his competitors, Jerri Quillman of Floyd Memorial Hospital and Health Services and Silver Creek business teacher Jennifer Glaser.

“The one thing that has really helped me over my career is strong family support and great partners to work with. They have a huge impact on what you can do.”

• Rising Star of the Year — Wellstone Regional Hospital, Patrick T. Hammer.

Hammer quit his job and went looking for a dream. In just two years, his dream has become one of the most successful and fastest-growing businesses in Southern Indiana.

Hammer bought the old Charter hospital in Jeffersonville, remodeled it, and opened Wellstone in 2003. Now the 100-bed facility — which offers full-service psychiatric care — is full and provides 24-hour care.

“It’s taken hundreds of people to make this a reality,” he said holding his award. “We are now 100 percent occupied and looking to expand.”

Wellstone is the only private mental care center in Southern Indiana. Hammer said there isn’t another private facility of the type within 100 miles of Wellstone.

Finalists

Business of the Year — Less than 25 employees:

Robert Youell of Best One Giant Tire Inc. Jeffersonville; Amy Romines of ACR Computer Resources Inc., New Albany; and Jill Schimpff of Schimpff Confectionery, Jeffersonville.

Business of the Year — 25 or more employees:

Rick, Jerry, Brian, TJ Koetter of Koetter Woodworking Inc., Borden; Michael Neumann of Service Net Solutions LLC, Jeffersonville; and A. Thomas Hardy of Key Electronics Inc., Jeffersonville

Professional of the Year:

Ron Barnes of McCauley Nicolas and Company LLC, CPA, Jeffersonville; Jerri Quillman of Floyd Memorial Hospital and Health Services, New Albany; and Jennifer Glaser of Silver Creek High School, Sellersburg.

Rising Star:

Business less than five years old: Jim and Kim Baker of Baker Commercial Group, Jeffersonville; Patrick Hammer of Wellstone Regional Hospital, Jeffersonville; and Dave Rayburn of Titon Energy, Floyds Knobs.