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As baseline criteria, only legal businesses headquartered in Brooklyn making one or more physical products will be considered. From there, the points-based system will evaluate a range of manufacturing activities, taking into account criteria such as share of total employees located in Brooklyn, location of product assembly, where design and development takes place, and other important factors.

Interested businesses can apply by completing an online application, which can be found on the Chamber's website. An independent advisory board, consisting of Brooklyn-based manufacturing stakeholders, will review applications on a quarterly basis. There will be a $50 one-time fee for non-members, and $25 fee for member businesses. The fee will be waived for those who choose to apply at Brooklyn Eats, which will take place on Friday, June 27 at 630 Flushing Avenue.

 "Brooklyn is a growing brand that the whole world wants to get in on, from Dutch coffee shops, to Swedish vodka companies, to Midwestern parents choosing baby names," said Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President Carlo A. Scissura. "Brooklyn stands for authentic local craftsmanship, and when you see the Brooklyn Made label, you know that's what you are getting. There are a lot of pretenders, and we want to make sure we protect the real deal makers who are getting it done here in the coolest city on the planet."

"Brooklyn's history and its future are tied to our manufacturing and industrial sectors. The Brooklyn Made program recognizes the responsibility we have to protect our businesses from imposters trying to capitalize on the honest efforts of those who have contributed to Brooklyn's culture and economy," said Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Denise Arbesu. "It's wonderful that Brooklyn has been recognized as such a leader in innovation and creativity. No doubt, the entire Brooklyn brand has become hot and desirable. The Brooklyn Made label is a great way for our consumers to identify products that are made here and for all of Brooklyn to be proud of what we are producing."

The Brooklyn Made program was made possible in large part to a team of NYU Wagner students as part of their capstone program. Their full report is available on the Chamber's website at www.ibrooklyn.com.

 "The 'Brooklyn Made' certification program exemplifies the impact of the NYU Wagner Capstone program," said Sherry Glied, Dean of New York University's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. "In this case, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce approached us to help create an official certification program that producers could use to promote themselves as authentically 'Made in Brooklyn.' A team of NYU Wagner students developed a solution that benefits communities across Brooklyn and NYC as a whole."

 Chamber Member Gaia DiLoreto served as an advisor on Brooklyn Made throughout the process. As the owner of By Brooklyn, Located at 261 Smith Street, DiLoreto sells only Brooklyn-made products.

 "The mission of By Brooklyn is to promote and protect the Brooklyn brand so I'm excited that the Chamber of Commerce is taking that effort to the next level," said DiLoreto, "I will encourage all of my vendors to submit for Brooklyn Made certification and I will look for it from future vendors as well." 

 Ed Mafoud of Damascus Bakeries, located at 50 Gold Street, is one of the 90 food and beverage makers taking part in Brooklyn Eats this Friday and was a recipient of one of the Chamber's inaugural Made in Brooklyn awards at its annual meeting last year.

 "There are 84 years of Brooklyn cruising through our veins.  My grandfather started Damascus Bakery in 1930 in Brooklyn because he believed in Brooklyn and the promise of the Present and the Future," said Mafoud.  "My Brother David and I hold the same passion for Brooklyn today as well as tomorrow!"

 "Navigating government and private sector procurement processes can be daunting, but securing these contracts can be huge for any business," said Chamber President Carlo A. Scissura. "Contracts mean a stable source of income, increased visibility, and for many small businesses it means instant legitimacy. Brooklyn Connects is all about making sure Brooklyn's businesses are out in front when it comes to making the winning bid."

 "We are committed to giving our members the access they need to increase awareness, make connections, and grow their business," said Denise Arbesu, Senior Vice President at Citibank and Chamber Board of Directors Chair. "Brooklyn Connects is another tool in our toolbox to keep Brooklyn's businesses thriving."

 "Brooklyn Connects levels the playing field for businesses of all sizes and provides an enormous boost for those looking to establish themselves by securing a contract," said Renee V. McClure, National Grid Manager of Community and Customer Management and co-Chair of the Chamber's WMBE Committee. "By launching this initiative, the Chamber is giving many companies, which include MWBE and veteran owned businesses, the tools they need to take their business to the next level."

 "By emphasizing assistance to women and minority owned businesses through Brooklyn Connects, the Chamber of Commerce is helping to create opportunity for a population that has been historically underrepresented when it comes to awarding government contracts," said Juliet Lewis, Con Edison Manager of Public Affairs and co-Chair of the Chamber's WMBE Committee. "The Chamber is committed to helping ensure businesses in the contracting world are as diverse and talented as Brooklyn."

 The Chamber ran a similar program by the same name for several years. The new incarnation has been re-tooled and will conduct targeted outreach to industry-specific businesses in the Chamber's membership.

 Assistance to members includes one-on-one technical assistance, a searchable database of city, state and federal procurement opportunities, events and workshops, and a referral network.

 The Chamber, which operates the Brooklyn Business Solutions Center on behalf of the City's Department of Small Business Services, will also be able to connect members with the help they need navigating the MWBE certification process and assistance with securing contract-based financing.

 "Brooklyn Connects is an opportunity not just for our members, but for every business out there who is putting a contract out to bid," said Scissura. "I encourage all businesses to leverage the Chamber's unique position and let us know when you need a vendor. With over 1,600 members, we can make the referral you need to get the job done right."

 Members can access Brooklyn connects through the Chamber's website: www.ibrooklyn.com.