Small businesses employ 50 percent of the U.S. workforce.   The Chamber understands the importance of small business to our economy, and honors their efforts each year. The Hampton Roads Chamber, in partnership with the Small Business Development Center of Hampton Roads (SBDC), held its 30^th annual Small Business of the Year Awards luncheon on Wednesday, May 21 at the Marriott Chesapeake.  Nearly 300 people attended the event, which coincided with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week.