Downtown Cary business Frantz Automotive took home top honors as the 2008 Small Business of the Year at a Cary Chamber of Commerce luncheon held Thursday, May 15.

The luncheon — held at noon at Cary’s Embassy Suites — honored the small-business community in several other categories, including Innovation, Community Service and Employer of the Year.

Small businesses represent “what is best about our community,” said Delancy Carroll with the chamber before the start of the awards presentation.

“This is one of the few times I think I was speechless,” owner Don Frantz said after accepting the Small Business of the Year award for Frantz Automotive.

Frantz, also a Cary Town Council member, credited his employees for making the Chatham Street business, which has been there 20-plus years, successful.

Frantz’s business won out because of its combined performance in four areas — overall success, community service, innovation and work environment.

Educated Design & Development Inc. took home the chamber’s Innovation award.

The 20-year-old business manufactures product-safety equipment, including a hand-held impact hammer they designed for NASA in 2007.

NASA used the hammer to test the strength of shuttle wings.

“Cary’s just a phenomenal city,” Bill Bisenius said after accepting the award for the business that he started with his brother Dave Bisenius and copartner Roger Smith.

The award will help give the company — which sells its wares all over the world — more local visibility. Atlantic Tire & Service was awarded the chamber’s distinction for Community Service.

Judges recognized Atlantic for community service efforts such as donating tools to Cary Middle School and participating in several other charities.

“Because of you we’re able to give so much back to the community,” said Atlantic owner Anthony Blackman, who accepted the award.

After the awards ceremony Blackman said his mother — who owned a small craft store in Sanford — had been the one who inspired him through example to stay involved in the community.

The Employer of the Year award went to Corporate Facility Services for its employee-friendly programs such as offering paid time off for volunteering.

President Tim Wilson accepted the award fpr the construction facility management company.

"We have done a lot to promote better benefits and community involvement," Wilson said after the awards ceremony.

Cedar Fork Elementary took home the award for Entrepreneurial Award in Education, given out to a public or private school that best utilizes business practices.

Cedar Fork won the award because of a program the school has started called Girl Power, which is a wellness course targeting fifth-grade girls.

Cedar Fork Assistant Principal Parry Graham accepted the award on the school’s behalf.

The Charitable Partners Award — an award to a nonprofit in Cary — went to Christian Community in Action, which operates the Dorcas Thrift shop and has other assistance programs to help low-income families.

“[Nonprofits] are an essential part of who we are,” presenter Wayne Loots said of the importance of nonprofits in Cary before presenting the award.

Christian Community In Action, begun in 1968, is committed “To provide any resident of the service area who meets the necessary criteria with emergency assistance for their essential human needs, including, but not limited to, shelter, fuel, utilities, clothing and food,” according to the organization’s Web site.