Eastern U.P. collaborates with Michigan State University on trade, exports

Michigan's proximity to Canada opens a lot of doors for import-export trade, and a recent collaboration with Michigan State University economic developers is helping the eastern U.P. take advantage of those opportunities.

The Eastern Upper Peninsula Regional Planning and Development Commission is one of two regional partnerships MSU announced in Michigan; the other is the East Michigan Council of Governments, which covers the Saginaw region.

The partnerships were formed based on increasing exports in economically depressed regions of Michigan, and are funded by a $179,000 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

Under the new program, small and mid-sized companies in the eastern U.P. will work with MSU's Center for Community and Economic Development to find new overseas markets for their products and services, particularly in Ontario and other Canadian provinces.

"To be successful in the global economy, small and medium companies must take advantage of lucrative export markets," says J. D. Snyder, project director for the center. "In working with our regional partners, we will help companies in their regions to start or expand their exporting."

The project will include five workshops in the area over the next 18 months to help businesses enter export markets, or expand current exporting. It's all part of the National Export Initiative, which aims to double U.S. exports by the end of 2014.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: J.D. Snyder, MSU Center for Community and Economic Development