Tuesday, June 30, 2015

UNITED STATES SBA MAKES STOP IN CHICAGO................ATTN: BUSINESSES: ITPC IS COMING TO MCHENRY AND WANTS TO DO BUSINESS WITH YOU......THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, AND SUGGESTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!


United States Small Business Administration Coming to Chicago!!!!

A large part of economic development is establishing partnerships and the United States Small Business Administration is an important partner and a direct link between businesses, economic development and the public sector.  I had the opportunity a couple of months ago to sit down with Stephen Konkle, Stephen.konkle@sba.gov (312-886-4208), Economic Development Specialist at the Illinois District Office of the United States Small Business Administration in Chicago, to discuss some of the programs and resources the U.S. Small Business Administration offers. 

I highly recommend you to visit their website, https://www.sba.gov/, to learn how they can assist you. For example did you know the U.S. Small Business Administration facilitates several different types of loan programs?  They can assist in the facilitation of a loan with a third party lender; the Small Business Administration can also help with guaranteeing a bond or locating venture capital assistance.  If you have any questions I encourage you to contact Stephen Konkle directly or you can always contact me and I would be happy to assist.
 
An opportunity for businesses to take immediate advantage of is the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Road Tour which highlights ways in which businesses can take advantage of technology-related funding through the Small Business Technology Transfer Programs.  Businesses will have an opportunity to sit down with managers from numerous governmental agencies.  See flyer below. The event will be held on July 14, 2015 in Chicago.  You can register by visiting: SBIRROADTOURCHICAGO.EVENTBRITE.COM.
 

 
Indonesian Trade Promotion Center
 
I mentioned in a past post that I had begun a relationship with the Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) and attended an event at their headquarters in Chicago.
 
The Vision and Mission as stated on their website http://www.itpcchicago.com/:
 
 
 “To boost Indonesian non-oil and gas export development to the United States through market penetration, information dissemination, trade inquiry services, expanding the business contacts between Indonesian exporters and US importers and active participation in various trade exhibitions in the US.”
 
I am very pleased to announce The Indonesian Trade Promotion Center, in partnership with the City of McHenry and the McHenry County College Shah Center will be hosting a business/manufacturing matchmaking event at the McHenry County College Shah Center, 4100 Shamrock Lane McHenry, IL on August 12, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.  The purpose of the event is for manufacturers to learn how to do business with Indonesia, whether importing or exporting, currently doing business with Indonesia or want to break into the Indonesian market this event is for you.  The following video provides a brief snapshot of why you may want to start doing business with Indonesia:  https://youtu.be/KxPM2eEpk5Q.  If you have any of the following questions make plans to attend this event:
 
·        What are Indonesia’s primary exports?
·        What imports are companies in Indonesia seeking?
·        How can I do business with Indonesia if I am not currently doing so?
·        What specific steps do I need to take?
·       Does Indonesia host any trade expositions for companies seeking to break into the Indonesian market?  
·       Are there special requirements related to importing/exporting related to businesses doing business with Indonesia?  
·        Who do I contact?
 
The ITPC is also tasked with enhancing investment in Indonesia, and the ITPC in Chicago collaborates with the Indonesian office in New York  to disseminate, facilitate and provide assistance to potential investors in the United States. Included as part of these services the ITPC also provides businesses matchmaking services which allows potential companies seeking to export products from the United States to determine potential companies in Indonesia which may be interested in purchasing these products.
 
Please plan on attending this event!   McHenry County College Shah Center, 4100 Shamrock Lane McHenry, IL 60050 on August 12, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. 
 
I can attest based on my experiences to date with the ITPC Indonesia is very interested in cultivating relationships with McHenry businesses.  At an event I attended in Chicago an Indonesian filmmaker, through the eyes of Indonesian people, highlighted the impact and importance of coffee (Indonesia is the third largest producer of coffee in the world) to the country, people, culture, history as well as the economy.  I had the opportunity to speak with the Indonesian Consul General about all Indonesia has to offer and conversely what McHenry has to offer Indonesia. 
 

A presentation by the ITPC including:  Consul General Mr. Andriana Supandy; Consul for Economic Affairs Mr. Alberd Pardede and Director of ITPC Chicago Mr. Wijayanto will answer all of your questions.  The Honorable Susan E. Low, Mayor of the City of McHenry and Dr. Tony Miska, Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs McHenry County College, will kick-off the event on August 12. 
 
I want to thank McHenry County College for partnering with City of McHenry and hosting this event!!!  They are a great partner and this event would not be possible without their assistance.  If you have ever contemplated doing business with Indonesia and haven’t taken the next step this event is for you.  Invitations will be sent out electronically in the next week.  If you have any questions in the interim please feel free to contact me.  Some of Indonesia's major imports and exports are listed below.  For a complete list, along with specific dollar amounts associated with these and percentage share of each from 2012-2014 please contact me.
 
 
Major Export Commodities from the United States to Indonesia
 
·        Aircraft, Spacecraft, And Parts Thereof
·       Vehicles; other than Railway or Tramway Rolling Stock and Parts and Accessories Thereof
·       Electrical Machinery and Equipment and Parts Thereof; Sound Recorders and Reproducers; Television Recorders and Reproducers, Parts and Accessories
·       Plastics and Articles Thereof
·       Oil Seeds and Oleaginous Fruits; Miscellaneous Grains, Seeds and Fruits; Industrial or Medicinal Plants; Straw and Fodder
·        Nuclear Reactors, Boilers, Machinery and Mechanical Appliances; Parts Thereof
·        Residues and Waste from the Food Industries; Prepared Animal Feed
·        Iron and Steel
 
Major Import Commodities from Indonesia to the United States
 
·        Articles of Apparel and Clothing, Accessories, Knitted or Croheted
·        Rubber and Articles Thereof
·        Footwear, Gaiters and the like; Parts of such Articles
·        Coffee, Tea, Mate an Spices
·        Paper and Paperboard; Articles of Paper Pulp, Paper or Paperboard
·        Cocoa and Cocoa Preparations
·        Aluminum and Articles Thereof
·        Wood and Articles of Wood; Wood Charcoal
·       Edible Preparations of Meat, Fish, Crustaceans, Molluscs Or Other Aquatic Invertebrates
·        Toys, Games And Sports Equipment; Parts and Accessories Thereof
 
The ITPC is also seeking opportunities to visit and tour businesses in McHenry while they are here.  If you are interested please contact me as soon as possible.  Economic development is all about establishing and sustaining productive relationships and the event on August 12, 2015 at the McHenry County College Shah Center, 4100 Shamrock Lane in the City of McHenry, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. is a great way to begin a long-term relationship with the country of Indonesia as well as an opportunity to sample some of the world’s greatest coffee!!!!!!

Thank You for Your Continued Input and Inquiries
 
I want to thank all of you who have called, sent e-mails or stopped in the City of McHenry Municipal Center and sought information on economic development and what the City is doing to attract, retain and encourage business expansion.  I thoroughly enjoy these conversations because it provides me an opportunity to engage in a discussion about economic development; some of the strategies the City employs to fill the vacant building but most importantly it’s the beginning of a relationship I can establish and follow-up with someone who may have an interest in a particular area or is potentially seeking an opportunity to get involved. 
 
I stated in past posts of the value of establishing and maintaining relationships and will continue doing so in the future due to the inherent value of a holistic economic development effort.  I welcome your questions, concerns and suggestions particularly if you’ve read an article or visit a place and say why not do this or that in the City of McHenry.  I am 100% in support of utilizing ideas other communities have employed to further the City of McHenry’s economic development efforts.  Every time I visit a new place, whether it is with my family or somewhere I attend an event or conference I am always taking pictures and writing things down and continually thinking of ways how this  or that may be utilized, done or replicated in the City of McHenry. 
 
One such idea was presented to me at a recent retail convention I attended out of state, which lead to a relationship I formed with an economic development professional in the Quad Cities who said that’s an interesting concept and by the way in the Quad Cities I know they’ve done this in the past….
 
I am  going to present this idea and discuss in more detail in a future post but let’s just say it’s something anyone can do and will assist in the City’s overall economic development efforts and many of you already do this...to be continued...
 
Economic development is a community-wide effort and at the end of the day the entire community and everyone who is part of it benefits!!!  Please continue to provide feedback, submit questions, suggestions and/or comments!!!!!!!!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Coming in future blog posts: 
     
    ·       What factors do non-retail businesses consider when thinking about relocating?
    ·        International Council of Shopping Centers Conference 2015
    ·        How do brick and mortar businesses remain competitive with on-line businesses?
    ·        Chicago Metro Metal Consortium..
    ·        What are Class A, B and C spaces?
    ·        Franchising?  What is it?  What companies offer it and what challenges are associated with attracting a retailer which operates exclusively using franchising?
    ·        Future trends in economic development:  “market segmentation;“ “pop-up” stores; “placemaking/third places”
    ·        Challenges associated with economic development…
     
 
Douglas P. Martin

Director of Economic Development

City of McHenry

333 S Green Street

McHenry, IL 60050

815.363.2110 (d)

815.363.2173 (f)

815.790.4752 (c)





@McHenryIL

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