In early April, Sen. Debbie Stabenow joined other officials from the region to announce the establishment of the International Trade Center of Mid-Michigan (ITC). Led by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, 11 organizations (including GLBM publisher Chris Holman) worked for nearly a year to launch the ITC for the benefit of businesses in the region and state.

Now that we are beyond the media hype, what impact can be expected from the ITC?  Similar to President Obama’s National Export Initiative discussed in last month’s issue, it’s not difficult to get behind any effort that helps U.S. businesses expand into foreign markets, increases domestic investment in equipment and facilities, and creates and retains U.S. jobs. That’s exactly what the ITC is about: helping businesses understand the benefits of going global, providing education and training regarding international business, and connecting companies to resources in the area that are experts in the many aspects of global commerce—all moving toward the goal of increasing economic prosperity for our region and state.

It’s worth repeating that 11 organizations from the region, both private and public entities, collaborated to establish the ITC. This team effort demonstrates that the ITC’s mission of increasing the level of global commerce in the region transcends politics and territorialism. The three primary components of the ITC include education, service and global logistics, to be provided by ITC staff and partner organizations.

ITC founding organizations:

• Capital Region Airport Authority (CRAA)

• City of Lansing Economic Development Corporation (LEDC)

• City of East Lansing Economic Development Corporation (ELEDC)

• Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC

• The Greater Lansing Business Monthly (GLBM)

• Greater Lansing United Nations Association (GLUNA)

• Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP)

• Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC)

• Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA)

• Michigan State University’s International Business Center (MSU-IBC)

• U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Grand Rapids (USEAC)

The best way to illustrate the value in this setting will be to provide examples and case studies of regional companies that have already started working with the ITC and are beginning to reap the benefits.

In previous issues, readers have been informed about some local companies that have already been involved in global commerce, such as Plas-Labs, Bee Inspired and Sunrise SRL, and who continue to operate and grow internationally. The ITC and our partners are assisting these and several other companies that readers will be hearing about in future issues.

The U.S. Commercial Service, Michigan State University and private service providers address issues such as export assistance, import/export compliance, market research, identification of potential foreign distributors, logistics coordination, foreign trade zones, legal issues and land mines to avoid when working with foreign entities—and the list goes on.

Each company has different needs and it takes an in-depth conversation to understand what each company’s goals, capacity, financial stability and priorities are before the ITC can assist or connect businesses with partner organizations. The ITC will remain actively involved with each client to ensure the services required are being provided to achieve their global business goals.

An additional aspect of the ITC that may not yet be well known is foreign direct investment (FDI). In simple terms, FDI is when foreign companies want to open operations in our region. Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) is leading FDI efforts and is staffed to assist with such projects. To avoid confusion and have a single point of contact, the ITC will process all inquiries, assess the client needs and connect clients with LEAP for FDI opportunities, just as we would connect companies with our other partners as appropriate.

The region will begin to hear much more about the ITC as the organization develops, effectively delivers valuable services and assists client companies to increase their level of global commerce. The LRCC continues to work with Port Lansing to move more freight and air cargo through the port at a competitive price and more quickly and conveniently than clearing customs through the neighboring metros.

For more information on the International Trade Center of Mid-Michigan or to make an appointment to take your company global, visit www.lansingchamber.org. If you’d like to share your story about going global with GLBM readers, call 517-853-6464.

		Brent Case is the director of Foreign Trade Zone No. 275 and international market development at the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. In this role, Case works with the Capital Region Airport Authority to increase the amount of global commerce being conducted in the Greater Lansing area.