On Jan 2, 2007, NEOTEC launched the 2007 Global Business Development Initiative (GBDI), an aggressive, integrated marketing and sales plan to attract capital investment and jobs to Northeast Ohio. In addition to attraction, the GBDI has another dimension of assisting Northeast Ohio companies with export sales development.

There was much planning and detail behind the 2007 GBDI, which resulted in fresh new approaches. NEOTEC and its members will participate in eight domestic and two international trade missions in 2007 to target companies, corporate real estate executives and site selection consultants.

Leverage is central to the 2007 GBDI as NEOTEC engages organizations such as the Mid-American Economic Development Council, International Economic Development Council, and International Institute for Regional Development. Research tools are in place to provide industry and company intelligence.

Lead or prospect generation will be provided, in part, through memberships in the World Economic Development Alliance and Site Selection Network, as well as Fast Facility, an on-line site promoted on CNN that is available to NEOTEC members to post available buildings and land.

International trade missions will be made available to Northeast Ohio companies interested in entering foreign markets. Economies of scale will enable companies to participate at reduced costs. On-site support from trade experts will be available to the companies.

The Special Purpose Foreign-Trade Zone Subzone Program will be marketed aggressively to Northeast Ohio companies under the “Bringing the Zone to You” campaign. As more and more companies sell and source globally, there is a need to educate them on this unique program that will not only streamline international operations, but save the companies money as well.

Global marketing of the Foreign-Trade Zone sites in Northeast Ohio will be initiated through a combined effort of the Ohio Foreign-Trade Zones Council and the Ohio Business Development Coalition. Foreign-Trade Zone locations are a logical entry point for foreign companies establishing operations in the U.S. Northeast Ohio’s Foreign-Trade Zone programs—NEOTEC FTZ 181 and the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority FTZ 40—rank among the highest in the country in terms of activity.

Objectives of the GBDI will be met thought the efforts of the 26 active NEOTEC member organizations, and through partnerships with the Ohio Economic Development Association, Team OHIO, the Ohio Foreign-Trade Zones Council, and the Ohio Business Development Coalition.
 

NEOTEC is a private, nonprofit regional economic development partnership of 10 Northeast Ohio counties including Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Trumbull and Wayne counties. NEOTEC provides economic development services on behalf of the Joint Office of Economic Development (JOED), which is comprised of the commissioners and county executive of the 10 member counties. In addition to administering the Foreign-Trade Zone program, NEOTEC works as a regional force to improve market access through the administration of the Northeast Ohio Logistics Network, and to promote international trade through the services of the International Trade Assistance Center (ITAC). For more information, visit NEOTEC’s Web site at www.neotec.org.