A growing number of businesses are starting to realize the benefits of exporting using a Foreign Trade Zone, but more could expand their businesses this way if they gave it a try.
That's why there will be a morning program focused on exporting industrial and agricultural products from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 23 in the Allegan County Human Services Building at 3255 122nd Avenue.
The event, a partnership with Allegan County Development and
BC CAL KAL Inland Port Development Corporation and Foreign Trade Zone 43, is open to the public.
The Foreign Trade Zone was established under the Foreign Trade Act of 1934, adopted to keep the U.S. manufacturers on a level playing field with foreign competition, says Jan Frantz, executive director of BC CAL KAL Inland Port Development Corporation. It helps business owners deal with the expense of duty on imported or exported goods.
Speakers invited to the upcoming event will share their expertise in growing export and import business. They also will spell out, through data and statistics, the importance of exports in West Michigan when it comes to jobs creation.
At the event, business owners can learn the language they need to navigate Foreign Trade Zone programs, get information on funding available for those who use the trade zone, and ways businesses can be competitive in a global market.
Access to federal funds made available through the
Michigan Economic Development Corporation will be discussed.
For the first time, the program will offer information for agricultural businesses. Experts can help local businesses "put all the pieces together to export agricultural products competitively," Frantz says.
Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Jan Frantz, BC CAL KAL Foreign Trade Zone
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