Sep. 18--Sensing that Savannah's manufacturing sector will spur the local economic recovery, the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce announced Thursday its intention to "enhance and reinvigorate" its Manufacturers' Council.

"Despite the difficult economy, we're coming out of it because we all stuck together," Diana Morrison, chamber chairwoman, told approximately 150 local manufacturing representatives at the 2009 Manufacturers Appreciation Breakfast at the Savannah Civic Center.

The Manufacturers' Council was founded in 1995 to give local manufacturers a louder voice on issues affecting them. But the council has stagnated with the economic downturn, prompting the chamber to push for more involvement.

"With the economy the way it's been, it's safe to say manufacturers have been doing more with less," said Trip Tollison, the chamber's COO and the point man for manufacturers' council planning. "They are spending more time within their gates than out and about. It's been in neutral, and it's time to get it back into gear."

The manufacturing sector is vital to the local economy, said Rick Winger, president of the Savannah Economic Development Authority. Manufacturers lack the visibility of other local business leaders, like bankers and lawyers, by the nature of their industries.

That underscores the importance of a strong Manufacturers' Council.

"People take manufacturers for granted," Winger said. "But for a community like ours, manufacturers are vital because of their stability. They bring so much to the economy through production, wages, suppliers and for the most part, they are around for a long time."

Three local companies -- Gulfstream Aerospace, INTERCAT-Savannah and Stage Front Presentation Systems -- received awards during Thursday's ceremony. The chamber also recognized 23 companies celebrating 10-year anniversaries in Savannah.

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