In this issue...

• A Message from the President
• NEOTEC Sets International Business Attraction Strategy in Motion
• Global Rapid Response Team in Place to Assist Foreign Companies in the Location Process
• NEOTEC’s Global Business Development Initiative Wins Statewide Marketing Award
• NEOTEC’s Ron DeBarr Elected to NAFTZ Board of Directors
• ITAC Program – Area Companies Benefit from Training and Export Assistance
• Transportation Logistics Whitepaper Completed; Results Presented at Annual NEOTEC Logistics Conference
• NEOTEC Welcomes New Board Members
• NEOTEC Launches New Website
• Calendar of Events

After 18 months of research, strategic planning and forming key partnerships, the NEOTEC Global Business Development Initiative has finally taken flight.

You will read more about it in this report, but to summarize, NEOTEC has officially launched a very unique International Business Development strategy to position Northeast Ohio to compete in today’s global economy.  The initiative is structured with two clear objectives: to attract foreign investment to Northeast Ohio and create export markets for companies in the region.  We will maximize our efforts and investment by traveling both sides of the “global highway.” Plans are now underway for a major trade mission to Birmingham, UK, in June 2010.  More information to come.

Phase I of the strategy targets the European Union, for the simple fact that over 60% of foreign investment in to the U.S. comes from just seven countries in the EU…a logical first step.  As the program matures, other markets such as Asia and Latin America will be brought into focus.

An important aspect of the Global Business Development Initiative is the creation of the Global Rapid Response Team.  I would like to personally thank the 28 professionals from different business disciplines who are providing their time and talent to support this important global economic development initiative.

Enjoy the rest of the NEOTEC Report. As always, your feedback is appreciated. I am available for comment, questions or suggestions at rdebarr@neotec.org.

Ron DeBarr
President & CEO – NEOTEC
330-672-4080

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In April 2009, NEOTEC established a European office through a partnership with OCO Global, an international consultancy firm based in Belfast, Ireland, that is the leading foreign-direct investment specialist in Europe.  The formal launch of the strategy took place in June 2009 at the Sheraton Suites in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.  From there, the OCO Global project managers from the Brussels, Belgium, office toured the Northeast Ohio region.  They departed for Brussels with an extremely positive view of the region, and a world-class economic development process that is built on teamwork and cooperation.

Through this partnership, NEOTEC will identify priority source markets and sectors in Europe, develop a database of prospects with U.S. expansion plans, and identify qualified leads in order to secure investment in Northeast Ohio. “Having representation in Europe will give us direct opportunities to deliver our message about the many advantages that Northeast Ohio has to offer the foreign investor,” said NEOTEC president and CEO Ron DeBarr.

The OCO partnership is part of NEOTEC’s Global Business Development Initiative, a program designed to facilitate economic growth in the region through a combination of export development and foreign direct investment attraction. “We will deploy a 'surgical approach' of business attraction referred to as 'proposition-based marketing,'” said DeBarr.
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As part of its Global Business Development Initiative, NEOTEC collaborated with its member organizations and regional partners to establish the Global Rapid Response Team, a dedicated team of professionals who have volunteered their expertise in various areas of international business in order to assist foreign companies in the location process.  The team is now in place and can be readily deployed to address any issues presented by international firms seeking to invest and locate in Northeast Ohio.  Areas of expertise include:
     • International Law
     • International Finance
     • Global Logistics
     • Culture
     • Manufacturing
     • Utilities
     • Healthcare/Medical
     • Workforce Development
     • Information Technology
     • International Accounting & Tax
     • Export Development
     • Import Compliance
     • Education
     • Federal and State international trade programs

Although the ink was barely dry on the Global Business Development strategy when it was submitted as an entry in a statewide marketing plan competition earlier this year, NEOTEC was honored by the Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) with a Best Marketing Campaign Award.  Competing with regional and large economic development organizations from across the state, NEOTEC received the first-place award for its Global Business Development Initiative. “This is perhaps the most comprehensive marketing initiative in the country to attract foreign direct investment,” said Nate Green, president of the OEDA and Economic Development Director of the Pickaway Progress Partnership.
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Ron DeBarr, president and CEO of NEOTEC, was recently elected to a 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 annual conference in Dallas.  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.

     “After showing excellent leadership as chair of the Grantee Committee, Ron was the perfect candidate to serve in this capacity on the NAFTZ board,” said Will Berry, president of the NAFTZ. “We expect him to be a great asset in continuing to build on the success of the FTZ program and helping to increase the global competitiveness of U.S. companies, and impacting trade legislation” Berry said.  

     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.
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The low value of the dollar against foreign currencies has generated more demand for American products.  The staff at the International Trade Assistance Center (ITAC) has been extremely active as a result.

For the ITAC FY ending September 2009, ITAC conducted 12 training events/seminars attended by almost 600 attendees, provided export counseling for 81 companies resulting in $2 million in additional sales (from 5 of 81 companies reporting), and helped companies save more than $500,000 in cost avoidance.  Some recent client comments:

• "ITAC has assisted us in making our business grow, and educated us in new areas. The strength of our company during this recession has remained stable."
• "We cannot thank you enough for all of the guidance and extraordinarily prompt service that your organization has provided to us.  You are all well informed professionals with a wealth of experience and knowledge.  We are so very grateful for your guidance and advice.  We know that we avoided some commonly made mistakes thanks to your tutelage."

At NEOTEC’s annual Logistics Conference and Golf Open held September 1 at Firestone Country Club, more than 110 logistics and management professionals heard a presentation by John Carroll University researchers who were commissioned by NEOTEC to complete a whitepaper on transportation logistics in Northeast Ohio.  The presentation highlighted the results of the whitepaper, which included the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of Northeast Ohio’s logistics infrastructure.

The annual conference also featured nationally renowned speakers discussing emerging trade and transportation logistics opportunities and what is currently happening in the international supply chain.

Have you visited www.neotec.org lately? If you have, you’ve seen a totally new look and found a lot more of what you’re looking for, as NEOTEC launched a newly redesigned website this past summer.  The website's enhanced format is easy to navigate and provides a substantial amount of new and updated information to assist your company with vital business support services and regional economic development initiatives.  The website focuses on NEOTEC’s four core services—Foreign-Trade Zone 181, the International Trade Assistance Center, the Northeast Ohio Logistics Network, and the Global Business Development Initiative—but also provides important resources and links to related websites.

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