In this issue...

• A message from the president: A recap of 2010 and a look ahead
• NEOTEC receives global recognition for excellence in economic development
• Foreign direct investment efforts paying off for Northeast Ohio
• FTZ program simplified with new Alternative Site Framework Plan
• Ron DeBarr re-elected to NAFTZ Board of Directors
• ITAC earns statewide 2010 top performance award
• ITAC leads 2010 trade mission to the United Kingdom
• ITAC training events provide valuable exporting knowledge
• NEOTEC unveils logistics research study web site: www.neohiotransportationupdate.com
• Annual Northeast Ohio Logistics Conference and Golf Open
• Summit County Executive Russ Pry elected as chairman of JOED board
• NEOTEC board of trustees elects new officers for 2011
• Upcoming events

"...your future hasn't been written yet. No one's has. Your future is whatever you make it. So make it a good one."

 Doc Emmett Smith, "Back to the Future"

This is my favorite quote from the "Back to the Future" movie series. We at NEOTEC are in position to make the future for Northeast Ohio "a good one." We took advantage of the recession to prepare by reviewing and rebuilding our programs to align with changing global trends. This required extensive research and analysis. Any organization in this business that is "reactive" must know now how the Maytag Repair Man must have felt over the past 2 years.
     We are encouraged, however, with an increase in activity over the past several months. Other regional groups, counties and communities in Northeast Ohio also turned in a very productive performance report for business attraction and development in 2010. We see many advances in the energy sectors with forward-looking programs. There is a renewed emphasis on entrepreneurial support programs, which are beginning to take shape throughout the region. Foreign direct investment activity is moving toward pre-recession levels, which was evident in our missions to France, UK, Belgium and Germany last year. Our International Trade Assistance Center saw a 20% increase last year in the number of clients for whom we provided counseling for new and expanded export activity.
     I would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank the NEOTEC staff for their creativity and resourcefulness. I challenged them to reinvent what we do and how we deliver our services. The results have been field tested and reviewed by our peers nationally and internationally. NEOTEC received a first place award in an international competition as the best marketing strategy in "responding to globalization" by the International Economic Development Council last year (it doesn't get any better!). Our ITAC program received a top performance award as the best International Trade Assistance Center in Ohio by the Ohio Department of Development's Small Business Development Centers. Trophies are nice, but more importantly, these awards provide us with confirmation that we are indeed ready to participate in writing a good future for Northeast Ohio.
     I hope you enjoy this issue of the NEOTEC Report. And as always, please contact me anytime I can be of assistance at 1-800-793-0912 or rdebarr@neotec.org.

Ron DeBarr
President & CEO

NEOTEC receives global recognition for excellence in economic development

NEOTEC received an Excellence in Economic Development Award in 2010 for its Global Business Development Initiative from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). NEOTEC President and CEO Ron DeBarr accepted the honor on behalf of NEOTEC at an awards ceremony during the IEDC's Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio, which annually recognizes the world's best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and leaders. The award was presented in the "Responding to Globalization" category for communities with populations of greater than 500,000.

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Ron DeBarr (center) accepts the IEDC's Excellence in Economic Development Award for 2010.

Foreign direct investment efforts paying off for Northeast Ohio

As part of its Global Business Development Initiative, NEOTEC has focused on foreign direct investment (FDI) efforts through its partnership with OCO Global, an international FDI consulting firm based in Belgium.

Since establishing the OCO partnership in mid-2009, NEOTEC has been introduced to and worked with dozens of companies throughout Europe that are actively pursuing investment opportunities in the U.S. and have shown interest in Northeast Ohio. Through NEOTEC’s and OCO Global's initial efforts, more than 75 companies have been identified with strong foreign direct investment potential.  The goal for 2011 is to expand the pipeline to 125 companies that will receive consistent, ongoing messages about the advantages of Northeast Ohio as a "global business region."
      OCO has also been instrumental in NEOTEC’s effectiveness at European trade shows and trade missions, by identifying prospects and arranging pre-scheduled appointments with interested companies. “OCO has been a cornerstone of our efforts to elevate the profile of Northeast Ohio on the international stage,” said NEOTEC’s Ron DeBarr.

Foreign-Trade Zone Program simplified with new Alternative Site Framework Plan

Manufacturing and distribution companies will find it easier and quicker to apply for FTZ designation in Northeast Ohio under a new Alternative Site Framework (ASF) plan established by the Foreign-Trade Zones Board.
      “This streamlined process means that FTZ 181 will have more flexibility to attract new distribution and manufacturing operations into Northeast Ohio,” said Ron DeBarr, president and CEO of NEOTEC. “The FTZ is often an important factor for companies evaluating their global supply chain process as part of their expansion and relocation plans. By receiving FTZ status within a month or so—compared to 12 months or more previously--companies can move quickly to implement their plans and begin utilizing the benefits of the zone.”
      With approval of the ASF application expected soon, FTZ 181 will have two new sites, for a total of 26 sites and more than 5,400 acres throughout Northeast Ohio.

 Ron DeBarr re-elected to NAFTZ Board of Directors

Ron DeBarr, president and CEO of NEOTEC, was re-elected to a second two-year term on the board of directors of the National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones (NAFTZ).   The election took place at the NAFTZ’s annual business meeting held in September during its 2010 conference. DeBarr has also served as chair of the NAFTZ’s Grantee Committee since January 2008. The NAFTZ is a nonprofit trade association based in Washington, D.C., that works to promote and improve foreign-trade zones and their use, respond to the competitive needs of zone users, and connect global businesses with local communities through the FTZ program.
      “I look forward to continuing in this important capacity to help improve the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone program and promote FTZ 181,” said DeBarr.
     DeBarr has been instrumental in developing FTZ 181 in Northeast Ohio, which has experienced significant growth under his leadership and is one of the largest FTZ programs in the U.S. in total volume of merchandise received and shipped. At the state level, DeBarr demonstrated the same level of leadership, having initiated the creation of the Ohio Foreign-Trade Zones Council (OFTZC) in 2005. The OFTZC unites the state’s 10 FTZ grantees in a forum of discussion and action to address issues and promote the success of Ohio’s FTZ program.

ITAC earns statewide 2010 top performance award

The Northeast Ohio International Trade Assistance Center (ITAC), hosted by NEOTEC under the Ohio Small Business Development Center program through the Ohio Department of Development, was recently named the 2010 top performing ITAC center in the state of Ohio. The honor was presented to ITAC director Kimberly Holizna and Director of Operations John Senese by the Ohio Small Business Development Center (SBDC) during its annual conference in Columbus.
      The SBDC annual performance award is based on entries of the number of counseling hours and number of companies that have been assisted in the past year.
      As part of the Ohio SBDC program, the ITAC staff offers export counseling assistance at no cost to help small- and mid-size companies throughout Northeast Ohio pursue export opportunities. 

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Accepting the SBDC Top Performance Award for 2010 are Northeast Ohio ITAC staff members John Senese (left) and Kimberly Holizna (right).  At center is Karen Shauri, director of the Ohio SBDC.

ITAC leads 2010 trade mission to the United Kingdom

NEOTEC and ITAC, in partnership with Team NEO, led a trade mission to the United Kingdom (UK) in September 2010 to help area manufacturers develop business relationships enabling them to expand into the European market.  Participating companies are now following up on several leads obtained during the mission.  The mission included pre-arranged site and plant visits to UK companies and briefings by UK government organizations.  ITAC staff facilitated the meetings and provided experienced international trade support including market entry preparation, understanding the legal aspects of agreements, adhering to export/import regulations, and negotiating with potential partners.

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ITAC training events provide valuable exporting knowledge

ITAC hosted several training events in 2010 that provided valuable information to area businesses interested in exporting. The well-attended events focused on a variety of in-demand topics including NAFTA Compliance, International Standards, and Exporting to the United Kingdom. In addition, ITAC partnered with the Office of Senator Sherrod Brown in early December to offer a series of free basic exporting seminars within the region.  Events planned for 2011 include an international medical standards seminar, NAFTA seminar, and a compliance and documentation seminar (see Upcoming Events section below).

NEOTEC unveils Logistics Research Study web site

Have you visited www.neohiotransportationupdate.com?

In 2009, NEOTEC commissioned John Carroll University (JCU) in Cleveland to complete an independent logistics research project to identify the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of Northeast Ohio's logistics infrastructure.
      In March of 2010, the white paper that resulted from JCU’s research was transformed into a web site that showcases the region's transportation modes and their areas of strength and weakness. The web site--www.neohiotransportationupdate.com--also identifies opportunities for improving Northeast Ohio's logistics competitiveness, and initiates a call to action on the part of Northeast Ohio's logistics and management professionals and government leaders.
      JCU, a renowned university with a strong logistics curriculum, is committed to working with NEOTEC to maintain the web site with accurate information and reflect the future changes to Northeast Ohio's logistics landscape. Regular visitors to this web site will continue to be informed about the logistics issues affecting our regional economy.

Annual Northeast Ohio Logistics Conference and Golf Open

NEOTEC held its 13th annual Logistics Conference and Golf Open at Firestone Country Club on August 31, 2010. The event drew nearly 90 logistics and management professionals from around the region for a morning conference that explored the opportunities of water transportation in Northeast Ohio and how it fits into our regional logistics infrastructure. Renowned domestic and international speakers focused on river and lake transportation as well as other factors affecting the success of our regional logistics mix.

Mark your calendar!  The 14th annual Logistics Conference and Golf Open is scheduled for Tuesday, August 30, 2011.  Watch for details about the conference coming in June on the NEOTEC web site.

NEOTEC board of trustees elects new officers for 2011

NEOTEC has announced the election of officers to its board of trustees for 2011. They include:

• Chairman:  Tracy Drake, CEO of the Columbiana County Port Authority
• Vice Chairman:  Rick Hale, president and CEO of Winner Aviation at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport
  
• Treasurer:  Steve Paquette, president and CEO of the Stark Development Board
  
• Secretary:  Iris Harvey, vice president of university relations at Kent State University
  
  

Upcoming Events

• International Medical Standards Update - hosted by ITAC - March 24, 2011 - at the Embassy Suites in Independence, OH  -- REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!  FOR DETAILS AND TO REGISTER, CLICK HERE.

• NAFTA Compliance Seminar - two days, two locations!  Hosted by ITAC - April 27, 2011, in Eastlake...April 28, 2011, in North Canton.

• Compliance and Documentation Program - hosted by ITAC - May 2011

• 14th annual Northeast Ohio Logistics Conference and Golf Open at Firestone Country Club - hosted by NEOTEC - August 30, 2011

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