International business is thriving in Greater Lansing and the game is about to move to the next stage thanks to significant developments at the local, state and federal levels.

Locally, the Capital Region Airport Authority and Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) have been working collectively to implement an international business strategy since 2008. Port Lansing is Michigan’s newest inland port-of-entry that provides direct international flights to Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. Having customs and border protection (CBP) in Lansing with a state-of-the-art Federal Inspection Station (FIS) is a very convenient alternative to Detroit Metro Airport and O’Hare International Airport.

Furthermore, the FIS was a key factor in attracting Sun Country Airlines to Lansing for the seasonal international service. The resulting partnership with Sun Country also led to new service to Washington, D.C., Minneapolis and other destinations. Be assured my coworkers at the Airport Authority continually work with Sun Country and other airlines to secure additional destinations.

With CBP officers at Port Lansing, international freight can be received and cleared through the bonded warehouse and foreign trade zone facilities. In late August, Port Lansing cleared three full container loads (FCLs) for two different area businesses—coming from China and Vietnam. This was a significant milestone as it demonstrated that Port Lansing is a practical alternative to other crowded freight hubs, including Detroit and Chicago. Businesses can have imports delivered quickly and conveniently through Port Lansing, and work with local CBP officers to save time, money and headaches.

In 2009, the Obama Administration launched the National Export Initiative with plans to double U.S. exports in five years. In April 2010, The International Trade Center (ITC) of Mid-Michigan was established to be the single point of contact for companies interested in starting or expanding their global business efforts. The ITC was a result of 11 public and private organizations working together to increase the visibility of international trade and emphasize the impact global commerce has on the Greater Lansing economy.

Recently, the Snyder Administration tapped the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to focus on exports and implement a multi-million dollar federal grant from the Small Business Administration (SBA).

This federal and state funded program will provide incentives and assistance for Michigan companies to start and/or increase exports. Called the Regional Export Network (REN), the initiative has key metrics and aggressive goals that include helping companies make that difficult first export, research and enter new global markets, and increase export volumes. Funding for the program will leverage public and private expertise and resources to provide assistance on multiple fronts:

• Training for companies interested in exports, but with little or no experience

• Creation of an export roadmap for companies that have demonstrated the capability to export

• Reimbursement to qualified companies for specific export activities—up to 50 percent

• Five full-time international trade development managers, stationed at four host locations around the state, and one assigned to support agriculture exports

The LRCC has been selected to host MEDC’s Regional Export Network for the central Michigan region. One of MEDC’s international trade development managers is assigned to LRCC to serve the 19-county area that runs from Jackson to Clare County, the thumb area and the I-69 corridor, all the way to Port Huron/St. Clair County. Port Lansing is prepared to provide customs and global logistics services to this expanded service area.

Companies that have been involved in global commerce recognize the value a global strategy adds to the bottom line. The culmination of public and private assets, resources and expertise, all moving in the same direction to help Michigan businesses grow globally, make now the perfect time to get off the sidelines and get into the international trading game. Visit www.lansingchamber.org to learn more about REN and other international resources.

		Brent Case is vice president of international business services 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.