In an effort to expand buy local campaigns beyond retail, eight area chambers of commerce have joined forces to publish a directory of manufacturers that they hope will help keep local industry strong.
The directory will be made available in print and online at www.madeinthecapitalregion.com. In about 60 days, print copies will be distributed to government agencies, educational institutions and major employers in each county. The chambers absorbed the cost of compiling and producing the directory collectively.
The premiere listing includes 220 companies that produce items from building materials to carpeting. The print edition of the directory is 14 pages.
`It might surprise you just how much is made here in the Capital Region,` said Vice President of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce Greg Dixon at the directory’s unveiling on Tuesday, Sept. 1, in Colonie.
`To the best of our knowledge, this type of project has never been put together in this area before,` Dixon continued.
The Web site, which is live now and accessible by the public, provides contact information and Web links to companies sorted by category. There is also a search function.
`It gives people a tool to get through to them in a streamlined way,` said Saratoga County Chamber President Joseph Dalton.
If local businesses, schools and municipalities can buy directly from local manufacturers, the region stands to benefit through increased demand at those companies and the subsequent job creation and career stabilization, Dalton continued.
`The thing we’re hoping to do is create greater output from the manufacturers in the area,` he said. ` This is another effort in ‘buy local’ that the chambers have been promoting for years.`
In past months and years, many chambers have released local business directories online and in print to draw consumer attention to area businesses.
The eight chambers participating in the manufacturing directory program are Adirondack, Albany-Colonie, Columbia, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady.
The chambers have been having regular meetings since last fall to communicate on possible collaborative efforts since last fall. In the special election for the 20th Congressional District, the group was able to provide questionnaires answered by both candidates to their members, and secure a promise from now-Congressman Scott Murphy to meet with the chambers to talk about small business in the area.
The chambers also collaborate in energy-saving consortiums and training programs.
`We have worked together on many initiatives,` said Schenectady County Chamber of Commerce President Charles Steiner.
That spirit of cooperation is not likely to stop anytime soon, said chamber officials. Future efforts might involve making it easier for those moving to the Capital District to find work by creating Web sites for job listings based on `job zones.`
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