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Montana World Trade Center – ENews

June 28, 2007 /

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June 28, 2007

1. Press Release (June 22, 2007): Governor, MT World Trade Center Announce Global Trade Certificate Program

2. Press Release: Governor’s Office of Economic Development and MT World Trade Center Team Up to Help Montana Businesses Secure International Work

3. Rehberg Secures $200,000 in Funding for Montana Manufacturing Extension Center Bio-Product Business Development

4. Montana Senators Baucus and Tester announce more than $250,000 in grants to create, save jobs (compliments of http://www.matr.net)

5. Montana Workforce Training Grant Funds Available from Commerce (compliments of http://www.matr.net)

6. The Western Transportation Institute (Montana) is looking for potential users or intermodal transportation services…please contact them today!

7. Kalispell Business Expansion & Retention (BEAR) effort receives international recognition (compliments of http://www.matr.net)

8. Featured Country: Canada (compliments of FITA newsletter)

9. FITA TRADEDOX 360 PRO STREAMLINES YOUR LETTERS OF CREDIT (compliments of FITA Newsletter)

10. HOW TO SOURCE CHINA PRODUCTS AT LOW FACTORY PRICES (compliments of FITA Newsletter)

11. Your European Business May Be Impacted (compliments of ITA Newsletter)

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1. Press Release (June 22, 2007): Governor, MT World Trade Center Announce Global Trade Certificate Program

(HELENA) – In order to expand Montana’s capacity in international trade, the Governor’s office of Economic Development and the Montana World Trade Center have started the Global Trade Certificate program. The program will train and certify individuals, businesses, and institutions in the practice of global trade.

“If Montana is to compete in the global market place, more Montanans must develop the needed skills to conduct international trade activities. The specialized skills that are required of banks, attorneys, accountants, government and business people are the target of the Global Trade Certificate Program,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer.

“This program could not come at a better time. With 20% of Montana jobs effected by global business it is necessary for intuitions and individual to educate themselves so they can further support and develop global business in Montana”, Arnie Sherman, Executive Director of the Montana World Trade Center.

The program targets Business professionals, entrepreneurs, accountants, bankers, attorneys, small businesses, including Native American businesses and communities, Economic Development Organizations, Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), Certified Regional Development Corporations (CRDC), and other organizations working with businesses and trade professionals.

The program will kick off this fall in Bozeman with additional sessions in Missoula and Butte. Topics will include:

o Tangible Benefits of Going Global
o Managing Global Markets, including:
o Criteria for Evaluating Agents, Distributors and Representatives
o Pricing Products and
o Budgeting for Export Markets
o Global Logistics (Freight) and Distribution
o International Communication and Negotiation

Industry focus includes: Banking, Finance & Money: Financing Tools & Limiting Risk, Trade Law & Policy: Export/Import Law & Trade Agreements, Global Economic Development: Utilizing private & public tools to expand globally.

All individuals who complete the program will have their name, company and contact information listed in a state directory hosted by the Governors office of Economic Development. The directory is to serve as a resource for companies and individuals seeking guidance on global trade.

The program also qualifies for continuing education credits. The State Bar Association has approved 15 CLE credit hours for the industry focus sessions. There is a total of 40 hours of CLE credits available for the certificate program.

CONTACTS: Sarah Elliott 444-9725 (Governor’s Office of Economic Development)
Nicole Hagerman 243-5856 (Montana World Trade Center

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2. Press Release: Governor’s Office of Economic Development and MT World Trade Center Team Up to Help Montana Businesses Secure International Work

(HELENA) – The Montana Environmental & Engineering Consortium (MEEC) was recently launched by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and the Montana World Trade Center to increase international business for Montana companies that are part of the environmental engineering and services business cluster. The efforts of MEEC will help create innovative and practical solutions to problems of international environmental protection and development. MEEC will work as a business unit to export Montana expertise in these fields as a way to bring new economic activity to our State.

“Montana businesses have an excellent reputation and array of capabilities in the environmental services, technology and products sector,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer. “Unfortunately, most of these are small businesses who find it difficult to secure international work because of the size and complexity of international projects. The group was formed to create business through strong personal relationships, and to bid projects that otherwise would be larger than any single Montana firm could reasonably manage.”

Arnie Sherman, Executive Director of the Montana World Trade Center, states “by combining our efforts with the Governor’s office of Economic Development we are able to provide this cluster of Montana companies a vehicle to target international projects that otherwise may not be available. Montana has a large number of very skilled companies in this field. This effort can result in increased vitality for our member companies as well for the entire state of Montana.”

About MEEC
MEEC’s is a member based organization. The mission is to promote international business opportunities for member companies through partnership, collaboration and cooperation, and to apply this unique model to natural resource, environmental, and development issues around the world. MEEC hosted and facilitated by the MWTC and GOED.

CONTACTS: Sarah Elliott 444-9725 (Governor’s Office of Economic Development)
Nicole Hagerman 243-5856 (Montana World Trade Center

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3. Rehberg Secures $200,000 in Funding for Montana Manufacturing Extension Center Bio-Product Business Development

WASHINGTON, DC (June 22, 2007) – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today secured $200,000 in funding for Montana State University’s Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC). The center will use the funds to develop a new program with a focus on assisting new Montana-based companies developing in the bio-products technology industry.

“The technology behind the bio-products industry is continuously developing new uses for raw ag materials,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Financial Services Appropriations Subcommittee. “This creates a great opportunity for the value of Montana ag products to soar as they are needed for alternative fuels, household products, and other uses. The partnership between MMEC and local businesses will be critical to advancing this industry throughout Montana.”

The goal of this program is to provide expertise to companies and start-ups in Montana that are trying to commercialize new uses for bio-products. Bio-products use farm, ranch and forest products as raw material breaking them down into base chemicals which can then potentially be used in a variety of goods including alternative fuels, lubricants, pharmaceutical, nutriceuticals, and waxes. Currently, farm products and natural resources in Montana are being sent elsewhere for value-added processing.

"The powerful and exciting thing about developing value-added bio-based products here is that they play on Montana’s inherent rural strengths, and the facilities can be small and scaled to fit the local community,” said MMEC Director Steve Holland. “Bio-products manufacturing near the source of raw materials reduces transportation costs and represents a large, clean and sustainable economic development opportunity for Montana’s agricultural and small manufacturing sectors. The additional funding will help us focus more expertise in bio-product manufacturing across the entire state and yield a higher level of success for bio-products companies and Montana."

“Providing entrepreneurs in the bio-products industry with the assistance they need to get on their feet is good for our economy,” said Rehberg. “Increasing the consumer appeal of Montana’s agricultural commodities through new and expanded markets will put more money into the pocket of Montana farmers.”

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4. Montana Senators Baucus and Tester announce more than $250,000 in grants to create, save jobs (compliments of http://www.matr.net)

June 22, 2007

More than 90 Montanans will get to keep their jobs, and more than 80 will get new ones, thanks to several grants announced today by Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester.

Small businesses and local development organizations in every corner of the Big Sky State will see the results of these grants, the Senators said. The grants were awarded by the United States Department of Agriculture as part of its Rural Development program.

Baucus and Tester announced the following grants:

* Butte – $25,000: Butte Local Development Corporation will use these funds to assist a small processing facility to expand into an exclusive hog processing market by contracting in professional services for the expansion project. The project will save 11 jobs and create 24 jobs.

* Missoula – $30,000: Montana Community Development Corporation will use funds to hire consultants to assist 7 small businesses in expanding markets and improve profitability. The project will save 69 jobs and create 29 jobs.

* Hamilton – $25,000: Ravalli County Economic Development Authority will be able to contract with testing facilities for macrofiber to receive certifications. The fibers are manufactured by a Hamilton area company, and the macrofiber mechanically increases both the strength and toughness of cement. The project will save 6 jobs and create 6 more.

* Glasgow – $1,000: Secured funds will allow Two Rivers Economic Growth to allow the nonprofit development organization to improve their website and internet communications linking small business owners in Valley County with a larger marketplace. The project will create 5-10 jobs.

* Livingston – $34,650: Farms for Families will use funds to develop new marketing opportunities for Montana Poultry Growers through the mobile processing of poultry. The project will save 15 jobs.

* Wolf Point – $51,360: The secured funds will be used for training and facilitating a tribally owned business workforce in e-commerce, marketing products online, and website development by Fort Peck Community College. The project will save 8 jobs and create 8-12 jobs.

* Bozeman – $95,000: Montana State University will use funds to instruct, train and use materials in solid waste treatment.

“Small businesses are the engine that drives our state’s economy” Baucus said. “And these dollars will make sure that the engine is running on all cylinders to keep our economy strong and create more good-paying jobs.”

“These funds are going to allow Montana businesses to better promote their quality products and it will open Montana goods and services to new markets,” said Tester, a member of the Senate Small Business Committee. “Max and I work in Washington every day to bring more good paying jobs to our state.”

Contact: Barrett Kaiser, (406) 670-0541 or Sara Kuban, (202) 224-4362

Aaron Murphy, (406) 252-0291 or Matt McKenna, (202) 224-2644
5. Montana Workforce Training Grant Funds Available from Commerce (compliments of http://www.matr.net)

June 22, 2007

Montana businesses will have a new opportunity to obtain financial support for employee training starting July 1, 2007. Approximately $4 million in Workforce Training Grant (WTG) program funds will become available July 1, from the Montana Department of Commerce.

The state-funded WTG program is also known as the primary sector training grant program and the new worker training grant program. It was designed to assist new and expanding businesses in new worker training for industry specific skills.

"Every day we’re working to create more good jobs for Montanans," said Governor Brain Schweitzer. "This program works hand in hand with our economic development efforts, by providing an opportunity for newly hired employees to obtain the necessary training and skills they need for higher paying new jobs."

At Governor Schweitzer’s request, the 60th Montana Legislature increased funding for WTG from $1.4 million annually, to nearly $4 million annually. Department of Commerce Director Anthony Preite says the confidence the Legislature showed in the program is proof that it works.

"Our Workforce Training Program is a highly effective tool for businesses and the state economy," said Anthony Preite, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. "It is a flagship economic development program, it is a moneymaker for the state budget and helps fund many other state programs."

The state funded program is targeted toward businesses creating at least one, net, new job that pays at least the current average county wage or the current average state wage, whichever is lower. That wage can include fringe benefits. New employees must work at least thirty-five hours per week year round. Program applicants must demonstrate that at least fifty percent of their sales originate outside of Montana. The maximum funding available to train a single employee is $5,000.

Since 2004, twelve WTG awards have been made and award funding has ranged from $75,000 to $1,955,000. Those awards have been leveraged with more than $73 million in business investments. More than 1,500, good paying, new jobs have been created for Montana workers. Past WTG grantees include medical treatment facilities, aeronautics-related businesses, cable/satellite television providers, a mine, a medical transcription business, a tribal computer-related enterprise and an Internet printing business.

Contact Fran Viereck, Job Training Grant Program Manager, Business Resources Division, Department of Commerce, at 406-841-2736 or [email protected] for program specific questions.

Interested applicants can find guidelines and current state and country average wage rates on the web at: http://www.mtfinanceonline.com/WorkForceGrnts.asp

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6. The Western Transportation Institute is looking for potential users of intermodal transportation services…please contact them today!

We are surveying Montana-based Economic Development Authorities as to potential users of intermodal transportation services in their areas.

We are particularly interested in potential users of intermodal containers (e.g., to export identity-preserved grains, machinery, wood products, bulk materials, etc.). The survey is part of a project recently funded by the Montana Department of Transportation studying container on flatcar and trailer on flatcar shipping opportunities in Montana.

A PDF description of the project is available at: http://www.mdt.mt.gov/research/docs/research_proj/flatcars/proposal.pdf

If you know of any companies/operations in your area that you think may be interested in accessing/using intermodal shipping services, please let us know. If you are aware of any initiatives or interest in your area to expand transportation services through rail, also please let us know. Please respond by email, or if you prefer, we can set up a time to discuss this via phone.

Thank you.

—-

Michael Cole – [email protected] — 406-556-1998 Jerry Stephens – [email protected]

Western Transportation Institute

Montana State University – Bozeman

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7. Kalispell Business Expansion & Retention (BEAR) effort receives international recognition (compliments of http://www.matr.net)

June 25, 2007

At the 2007 Business Retention and Expansion International (BREI) conference, the efforts of the Northwest Montana Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) Program received international recognition as the Outstanding Small Community BR&E Program for 2006.

The award was accepted by Gloria O’Rourke, Coordinator for Montana Economic Developers Association and the Montana BEAR Project during an awards dinner on June 7. The following morning, O’Rourke outlined the winning efforts of the BEAR team during a presentation to convention attendees. “The Northwest Montana BEAR Program exemplifies that great things can happen economically when all of the partners in a community work together to meet the needs of area businesses in a practical and timely way”, O’Rourke said.

The award-winning effort began in January 2003, when the Kalispell Area Chamber of Commerce, Flathead Workforce Center, Montana West Economic Development Agency and Flathead Valley Community College joined together to spearhead an effort to build the economy by working with local companies to help them retain their employees and identify opportunities to grow their business. These groups brought together organizations involved with economic development, workforce training and community development to develop a business retention and expansion program to support continued growth in Flathead County. After two years of planning, the BEAR program was formally launched in January 2005.

The effort now comprises a cooperative partnership of 22 economic, workforce and community development organizations and 24 individuals. While many community economic development efforts are focused on attracting new business to an area, BEAR helps identify problems and opportunities facing the existing business community, helps to prioritize options and develop activities to help local businesses thrive and thus improve the economy.

So far, team members have met with over 200 northwest Montana companies. The data obtained through an extensive survey at each establishment provides the background for program development. Those 200 companies represent more than 24 percent of the total workforce in Flathead County.

While the major thrust of the program is to assist companies with expansion and workforce retention, the team has also gained valuable insight into the challenges faced by employers in the areas of education and training. The educational members of the team used those insights to review and revamp the focus of education to better meet the needs of the business community. These efforts were recognized by the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education and resulted in a statewide business and education summit scheduled for June 27-29 in Kalispell.

In addition, this focus on Next Generation Talent resulted in a May 2006 community event featuring Rebecca Ryan that raised awareness and re-ignited the Flathead Young Professionals organization. A free brown bag luncheon also highlighted Best Practices in Employee Attraction and Retention. The team worked to improve communication, not just within the business community, but with the Kalispell City Council and its departments. The BEAR website (www.nwmontanabear.com) provides a central source for information for businesses and government.

Based upon the success of the northwest Montana program, the Montana Governor’s Office of Economic Development became involved and joined with the Montana Department of Commerce to provide the funding for the hiring of a statewide coordinator. BEAR is now in 17 Montana communities.

Laith A. Wardi, President of ExecutivePulse, Inc., of Erie, Pennsylvania, nominated the Kalispell effort for the award. According to Wardi, “The Kalispell/Flathead County BEAR Program exemplifies the very best in local economic development initiatives. Through BEAR, the folks in Kalispell are listening to the business community… understanding their concerns…and responding in an accountable and professional way. The results of this program—both for individual companies and Flathead County as a whole—are simply outstanding. The Kalispell/Flathead County BEAR Program is a best practices model for any small or rural market in North America.” ExecutivePulse provided the software that enables the BEAR program to create and maintain their extensive database.
8. Featured Country: Canada (compliments of FITA newsletter)
http://www.canadianembassy.org/business/canada-en.asp

For many U.S. companies, foreign trade means trade with Canada. Canada is the largest trading partner of the U.S., accounting for 23 percent of U.S. exports in 2005. It’s even more obvious on the other side: Canada shipped more than 84 percent of its exports to the U.S. in 2005. Actually, Canada is a promising trade partner for any business worldwide — it has an affluent, trillion-dollar economy with sound fiscal management, and a free market system. If this sounds like a country you’d like to research, a good site to visit is the Canadian Embassy in Washington ( http://www.canadianembassy.org/business/canada-en.asp ). Just click through the links at this site, and you’ll find a wealth of resources for trade, including: statistics, investment opportunities, trade leads, market reports, government contacts, travel tips, a trade calendar, the text of trade agreements, industry profiles, laws & regulations, tax information, useful links, and much more.

You’ll also find plenty of good research at the Canada Mini Portal ( http://fita.org/countries/canada.html ), a feature of the FITA Web site. The Canada Mini Portal has an overview of the country, with facts about the language, currency, climate, etc., plus more specific information about the economy, Canadian markets, taxes, labor market indicators, and tips on doing business in Canada.

Click on "Useful Links" and you’ll find a variety of sources for market research, trade leads, business directories, logistics, government contacts, travel, financing, and lots more.

The Canada Mini Portal is one of many research gateways at the FITA site. To find Mini Portals for other regions or countries, just click on "Country Profiles" from within a Mini Portal, or at the FITA home page ( http://www.fita.org ).

FITA’s Global Trade Book Store (http://fita.org/marketplace/books.php) has some excellent books about doing business in Brazil. Check out Exporting to Canada: A Guide for American Companieshttp://fita.org/marketplace/product.php?asin=1551803399, Success Secrets to Maximize Business in Canada http://fita.org/marketplace/product.php?asin=1558685421and Canada Business: The Portable Encyclopedia for Doing Business With Canada. http://fita.org/marketplace/product.php?asin=1885073135

There are 19 FITA member associations in Canada. Click here http://fita.org/members_dir.html to search the FITA Member Directory for links to their websites.
9. FITA TRADEDOX 360 PRO STREAMLINES YOUR LETTERS OF CREDIT (compliments of FITA Newsletter)

Free Automation of Letter of Credit Documentation

http://fita.org/tradev/

Anyone who does international trade understands the importance of Letters of Credit. These documents are the preferred payment and financing systems for many transactions, because they increase security and lessen risk for all parties involved. Unfortunately, many companies make mistakes in their Letter of Credit documentation, which causes banks to slow down or even stop the payment process. Now, there’s an easy and free solution to the Letter of Credit problem — FITA TradeDoX 360 Pro ( http://fita.org/tradev/ ). This new FITA sponsored software helps you streamline the trade documentation process and eliminate costly and time-consuming errors. TradeDoX’s Documentary Credit Collaboration module allows the importer and exporter to collaborate on the details of the documentary credit, which means that everything is worked out before the importer requests payment guarantees from its bank. This collaboration speeds up the payment process by delivering trade finance documents that are in line with the bank’s terms. The software is controlled and managed by you on your company’s computers, so you have complete control and security over your trade data. You can get a free copy of the TradeDoX 360 Pro software by registering at the FITA site, and it’s certainly worth a look.
10. HOW TO SOURCE CHINA PRODUCTS AT LOW FACTORY PRICES (compliments of FITA Newsletter)
Global Sources Online
http://www.globalsources.com

Global Sources – sourcing magazines
http://www.globalsources.com/mag

Sourcing wholesale from China used to be a tough job. You could get low prices – but all too often you’d also get low quality.

Things have changed. Now, Global Sources Online features thousands of pre-screened suppliers offering factory prices on top-quality products.

In addition, their industry-specific sourcing magazines provide even more qualified suppliers. Every issue includes contact details for hundreds of manufacturers – so buyers can find the right people in order to make their best deals.

"Really Useful Sites" subscribers can also receive a FREE sample copy of any of their 12 different sourcing magazines. To request a copy, click on any of the following titles:

Global Sources makes it easy to buy factory-priced products from China with greater confidence than ever before. To search thousands of suppliers, go to http://www.globalsources.com.

11. Your European Business May Be Impacted (compliments of ITA Newsletter)

Do you use chemicals in your supply chain? Do you ship those products or chemicals globally?

Do you know about REACH – Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals?

This European Union chemical management system began implementation this month and will have a dramatic impact on any company that exports chemicals, chemical mixtures or finished products containing certain chemicals to the EU.

REACH requires manufacturers to share safety information with their customers. It is essential that you understand the implications of REACH on your business, so that you can do the necessary work to ensure uninterrupted export of your products to the EU.

In conjunction with the Washington State Department of Ecology and CTED, the International Trade Alliance will present a workshop to brief you on how to prepare and lesson the impact of the new regulations.

SAVE THE DATE – August 20. More details will be released in the coming weeks, or contact Jenifer Priest at 509-459-4124 or [email protected] to pre-register.