Washington, DC -- Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today congratulated the Northern Adirondack Trading Co-operative on being recognized as one of the most innovative projects in the world. The Co-operative is one of only four finalists from across the globe in the running for the World Chamber of Commerce's "Best Unconventional Project" Award.

"It is an extraordinary and well deserved honor that the Northern Adirondack Trading Co-operative has been chosen as one of only four finalists from across the globe for the World Chamber of Commerce's "Best Unconventional Project" award," Senator Clinton said. "Not only are our local companies doing business on the world stage, they are now getting global recognition for their efforts."

"This is an incredible initiative that I am proud to be a part of and I am so pleased that it is being recognized in this way. Congratulations and thanks to Karen St Hilaire and all the Project's partners. This nomination is a testament to the true initiative, drive and talent of everyone involved in the project and the entrepreneurs of the North Country," Senator Clinton said.

The Northern Adirondack Trading Co-operative (NATC) project is the brain child of North Country Chamber of Commerce Director Karen St. Hilaire and Senator Clinton. The other finalists in the "Most Unconventional Project" category are from Nepal, New Zealand and Turkey.

"We are thrilled to have been selected as one of the most innovative projects in the world, and to have the opportunity to present our project, (known locally as the e-Bay project), to the judges from around the globe," said Karen St. Hilaire, Chamber Executive Director. "This is an honor for our chamber and our partners, Senator Clinton, Hewlett Packard, HSBC bank, Rural Opportunities, Inc., Clarkson University, SCORE, Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and eBay. Because of these combined efforts we have created a model for small business to grow by entering the world of e-commerce," she added.

The Northern Adirondack Trading Cooperative was formed in the fall of 2003, and 37 businesses, artisans and crafts people have participated in the project so far. Over $500,000 in sales have been added to the bottom line of the participating businesses and 14 new people have been hired in St. Lawrence County as a result of these increased sales. Another 30 businesses are expected to participate in the fall with classes held locally and in the Adirondack region.

Following NATC's tremendous success, Senator Clinton launched the "Finger Lakes Trading Co-operative," (FLTC) in New York's Finger Lakes region and recently announced that the Northern Adirondack Trading Co-operative (NATC) would be expanded to include Paul Smith's College. Senator Clinton has also helped connect the partners in the Northern Adirondack Trading Co-operative with the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce as they put a program in place for women and minority businesses.

According to the World Chamber contest organizers, next month's contest is the second edition of the World Chambers Competition which was initiated as a means of giving international recognition to the most innovative projects undertaken by local, regional and national chambers of commerce from around the world. Through the Competition, organizers said the World Chambers Congress "wishes to encourage chamber excellence and dynamism while fostering information exchange and business development."

Projects can fall into one of four categories: Best Small Business Project; Best Chambers Management and Financing Project; Best Information Technology Project (including Internet); and Best Unconventional Project.

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