The Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce has partnered with 7 other Regional Chambers to create a manufacturing directory of products that are created, manufactured, and distributed right here in the Capital Region. The directory and new website is part of a "Buy Local" campaign, designed to market local manufacturers and create awareness for the products and services that can be purchased here in the Capital Region.

The 8 Regional Partners include the Adirondack, Albany-Colonie, Columbia, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady Chambers of Commerce. The 8 chambers will also continue to meet regularly and collaborate on issues and projects that will have an impact on the Capital Region business community.

The Manufacturer's Directory includes information and links to over 220 businesses that produce products in the Capital Region. Thelist of manufacturerscan be found at www.madeinthecapitalregion.com Companies are listed by categories, some of which include: building materials, computer software, containers, machinery, medical/health and leather. The long term goal is an economic development strategy more than a member benefit.

The Chamber's hope to raise awareness of local products and the campaign will encourage residents in the area to buy products that are made and distributed locally. This will have an impact on the local ecomonies and will also cut down on shipping of products, thus having a "green" impact on the region. Statistically, for every $100 spent in a local business, $68 gets returned and reinvested in the local economy versus $43 out of $100 spent in a "chain" business.