You asked if public and private organizations in Connecticut and other states brand and market products made in their respective states.

An online survey found that at least 30 organizations in 24 states run programs that brand and market products made in their respective states. Most do so by developing a brand name or image symbolizing the state's culture or heritage and applying it to products made in the state. This technique helps buyers distinguish these products from those made elsewhere.

The programs vary based on the type of organization running them, the range of services they provide, and the types of products they brand and market. At least 15 for profit businesses in 14 states sell exclusively state-made products online or at special stores, such as The Connecticut Store in Waterbury. Businesses in four states use both methods.

Economic development and state arts agencies in nine states help market and promote state-made products. Some developed logos symbolizing the state's heritage. For example, the Alaska economic development agency's branding emblem depicts a mother bear and her cub. The emblem is available for a fee to any Alaskan business that makes most of its products in the state.

The Kentucky Craft Marketing Program also uses an emblem to brand products, but offers it only to artisans and crafters whose work meets the program's quality standards. Run by the state's art agency, the program also helps artists and crafters develop their business and marketing skills.

Nonprofit organizations in five states market and promote state products. The Connecticut Guild concentrates on marketing while the others also sell products or provide technical assistance. For example, GROW Nebraska provides an online product directory, holds seminars and workshops, and arranges cooperative ads. New Hampshire Made distributes its member directory to wholesalers and government buyers and operates stores on I-95 showcasing New Hampshire goods.

Attachment 1 is a table summarizing the states' branding programs.

At least 15 businesses in 14 states market and sell products exclusively made in their respective states. Most (10), such as The Made in Connecticut Store, operate one or more stores showcasing a wide variety of arts, crafts, gourmet foods, and other state-made products. Four of these also sell their products online; four, including the Massachusetts Bay Company, do so exclusively. The stores in New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Washington mainly offer fine arts and crafts.

At least nine states market and promote state-made products, five through their economic development agencies and four through their state arts agencies. The economic development agencies market most types of state-made products while the arts agencies focus on fine arts and crafts. Some of arts agencies also help artisans and crafters develop marketing and other business skills.

For example, Maine's Economic and Community Development Department markets Maine products through its website, kiosks in state buildings, and monthly newsletter. The website provides a link to the marketing program's homepage, which provides a link to a searchable database on individual businesses and their products. Maine businesses can enter their profiles, business logos, and product descriptions into the database without charge.

The Kentucky Arts Council's Craft Marketing Program serves beginning and established crafters. It helps the former develop the skills they need to run a business and market their crafts through annual weekend workshops, technical reviews, and individual counseling. It also includes their crafts in a registry marketed to craft suppliers, show and fair organizers, and other special interest groups.

The program also helps career craft professionals market their work to wider national and international markets, but it limits this service to professionals whose work meets its quality standards. Such professionals may display the program's internationally recognized “Kentucky Crafted” logo and qualify for business loans from the state's finance authority. Their work is also displayed on the council's web site.

Nonprofit organizations in five states help member businesses sell and market state-made products.

● The Made in Connecticut Guild markets its members' products through its website and promotes them at the Eastern States Exposition, the Connecticut Expo, and other events. It also helps them develop their own websites.

● Buy Idaho maintains an annual advertising directory, provides “Buy Idaho” logos, and sponsors trade shows.

● GROW Nebraska provides similar services in addition to holding workshops on developing and marketing products, providing reduced rate cooperative advertising, and maintaining a searchable database of members' catalogues.

● New Hampshire Made operates two stores on I-95 where it sells members' products.

● Wyoming First maintains an online business directory and allows members to display the “Bucking Horse and Rider” logo on their products.

JR:ts