7/31/2019 3040 Lrcc Focus July 2012

1/16

1

Greater Lansing

Goes Global

Focus.July.2012

Greater Lansing, like all o Michigan and much o the country, is in the midsto an economic transormation. For many decades, our region could counton the powerhouse trio o General Motors, state government and MichiganState University to serve as the engines o a strong economy. Though allthree institutions remain at the core o our regions success, the decade-longeconomic downturn and the shiting nature o the world economy have made

it clear that in order to realize growth in the 21st century, Greater Lansing mustbecome more competitive in its ability to attract jobs and investment in newindustry sectors.

Greater Lansing is already enjoying considerable growth in the creation ohigh-paying jobs that are part o the knowledge-based economy, with theregions thriving insurance industry the most notable example. The regionis also building an impressive technology sector, and we have seen thetransormation o many traditional manuacturers who have successullyadapted new technologies and product lines into their operations.

There is another industry sector that may be the real sleeping giant on thehorizon or our region. Ater several years o quietly building the necessaryinrastructure or success, Greater Lansing appears poised or a signicantspurt o jobs and investment in the area o international trade and globallogistics.

The business community as a whole is recognizing the opportunities thatare available and the revenue growth they can achieve through expandingin global markets, said Brent Case, LRCCs vice president o internationalbusiness services.

The region has had its share o success stories in international trade. Neogen,which manuactures ood saety products, does business in 120 countries.Emergent BioSolutions, Spartan Motors, and Bekum America Products areamong some o the other larger players in the international arena.

What has changed in recent years has been the entry o many new businessesinto the global marketplace, many o them small or medium sized companies,

who have been helped along as a result o the vision o several communityleaders who strategically developed a comprehensive international and globallogistics development program.

The cornerstone o the regions international program was the decision by theCapital Region Airport Authority to pursue U.S. Port o Entry status, which was

received in January 2008. The name Port Lansing refects this designation.In June o that year, a U.S Customs Inspection Station was established atthe airport.

To promote increased international commerce in and around the CapitalRegion International Airport, The Lansing Regional Chamber o Commerce andthe Airport Authority jointly sought and were awarded a Foreign Trade Zone(FTZ) designation in 2009 by the U.S. Commerce Department. The trade zoneincludes 840 acres o property near the airport. The FTZ allows goods to bedelivered there duty ree-with reduced, deerred or eliminated customs ees,

which provides a competitive advantage to companies doing business withinthe trade zone. Since Port Lansing and the FTZ came on line, considerabletime has been spent building a network o organizations needed to support thegrowth, including reight orwarders, custom brokers, importers and exporters,international trucking companies, railroads and reight consolidators.

All o the moving parts are coming together on schedule, said Robert Selig,executive director o the Capital Region Airport Authority. Its a real bright utureor our region.

It has been very rewarding over the last three years to see a shared visioncome together as we have been building the oundation, said LRCC presidentand CEO Tim Daman.

The rst international shipments o products moved through Port Lansing inthe all o 2011. Several companies now recognize the benets o the moreecient services o Port Lansing as opposed to larger ports in Chicago andDetroit, where typical delays in processing goods can prove costly. AmongPort Lansings early customers are Redmer Strategic Products, Executive Fanand Air Lit Company. Customer reviews o the Port Lansing experience havebeen overwhelmingly positive.

Our import and export strategies through Port Lansing have been a big reasonor our growth, said Larry Finney o Air Lit, a truck suspension manuacturer

that exports to 33 countries, imports rom several others, and recently added150 jobs and an additional 20,000-square-eet o manuacturing space inDelta Township.

continued on page 7

Weve developed a solid program and are well

positioned to leverage our central location to

become a logistics hub for the upper Midwest and

Canada.

Port Lansing began receiving international shipments in the all o 2011

7/31/2019 3040 Lrcc Focus July 2012

2/16

2

Tim DamanPresident and CEO

Lansing Regional

Chamber of Commerce

I m fdt tt wit

pts tii t

w ti, tt w

wi sss d

i wi s t wt

i itti siss d

istis s st.

As this months cover story in FOCUS details, the Greater Lansing region

is poised or signicant growth in the international trade arena, and in our

strategic eorts to position our region as a hub or global logistics.

As a ront line participant in the development o our regions emerginginternational program, I can tell you that much o our success is due to

the collaborative eorts o many regional partners including Capital Region

International Airport, LEAP, Mid-Michigan Global Business Club, Prima

Civitas and the Lansing Regional Chamber o Commerce. Each o these

organizations have played an important role in building an increased

global presence.

It has been a particular privilege or the Chamber to partner with the Airport

in developing Port Lansing and the Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) No. 275.

It has been an equal privilege to partner with the MSU Global BusinessClub in providing educational orums that have been building awareness

o the potential that international markets have or many businesses,

and encouraging more companies to explore, enter and expand global

marketing eorts.

The results to date are encouraging. Many small-to-medium sized

companies in our region are enjoying great success as a result o our

regions strategic international eorts, including Air Lit Company, Bekum

America Products and Executive Fan. Were just getting started and I know

there are many more success stories on the horizon.

The logical question or our region when it comes to our international

program is whats next? There are several next steps that will help our

region enjoy more success in international markets.

First, the STEP Program, in which the Chamber serves as the host

organization or the 18-county Central Michigan region, has grant money

available or companies seeking to expand international markets. I

encourage your organization to investigate whether you qualiy or a STEP

grant, and take advantage o this terric opportunity.

Michigan State University and the Michigan Economic Development

Corporation are nalizing a study that will help our region identiy the

best sectors and countries that we should target or international growth.

The ndings o that study will help companies more eectively tailor their

international strategy.

Finally, we need to determine how we as a region can leverage the

signicant resources that are in place to help us attract and grow supply

chain related businesses so we will be able to ully realize our potential as

a global logistics hub.I am condent that with all o our partners continuing to work collaboratively,

that we will be successul and our region will see urther growth in

international business and global logistics as a result.

A MessageFrom The President

Focus.July.2012

Building a Global Logistics Hub

The Power of Partnerships2012

Board o Directors

OfcersCHAIR OF THE BOARD

Nancy McKeagueMichigan Hospital Association

PAST CHAIRRon Simon

Auto-Owners Insurance

CHAIR ELECTPaula Cunningham

Capitol National Bank

LEGAL COUNSELJeff Hicks

Hicks & Mullett, PLLC

TREASURERJeff Fineis

Andrews Hooper and Pavlik

PRESIDENTTim Daman

Lansing Regional Chamber

Diision DirectorsINTL BUSINESS SERvICES

Jean SchtokalFoster, Swift, Collins and Smith, P.C.

GOvERNmENT RELATIONSKevin McKinneyMcKinney & Associates

mARKETING & COmmUNICATIONJoe Ford

Netvantage Marketing

mEmBERSHIP SERvICESDeb Muchmore

Marketing Resource Group

At-Large

FocusEDITOR

Ross Woodstock

PRINTING

Spartan Printing, Inc.

mAILINGHot Prospects Direct

David BakerFarm Bureau Insurance

Melanie BergeronTwo Men & A Truck

Lon BohannonNeogen

Leslie BroganComcast

John BrownJackson National Life Insurance

Mark BurnhamMichigan State University

Patrick DeanDean Transportation

Pat GillespieGillespie Group

Bill KimbleC2AE

Sean KirkEmergent BioSolutions

J. Peter LarkLansing Board of Water and Light

Dave MulderMeijer, Inc.

Steve ReynoldsAccident Fund Insurance Co.

Tim SalisburyPNC Bank

Jason SandersFifth Third Bank

Heather Shawa-DeCookDemmer Corporation

Dennis SwanSparrow Health Systems

Bob TreziseLEAP, Inc.

Ryan VartoogianSpartan Internet Consulting

Blue Cross Blue Shield ...................... ............... BC

C2Ae ....................................................................5

CAMW ..................................................................9

Dean Black Car ..................... ....................... ... BC

Granger ...............................................................3

M3 Group ............................................................6

MSUFCU ...............................................................9

PHP .....................................................................15

Sparrow........................................................10, 13

Adertisers

7/31/2019 3040 Lrcc Focus July 2012

3/16

3

News &Events

Focus.July.2012

Eent cost is coplientary or these enhanced ebership leels:Bronze Gold Silver Platinum

Tuesday, July 10MeMber MIxer, 5 7 p.m.,XIAO China Grille & Lounge, 3415 E. Saginaw St.,Lansing, 48912. $10 member, $30 non-member.Includes hors doeuvres.

Tuesday, July 11 MIchIgan STeP exPorTWorkShoP 1: hoW To InveSTIgaTe & SelecToverSeaS MarkeTS, 8:30 11:30 a.m., Lansing

Regional Chamber o Commerce Insurance Capi-tal Board Room, 500 E. Michigan Ave., Ste. 200,Lansing, MI 48912. $25 or each session/$40 orboth workshops. This seminar introduces users toresources available or research, ocusing on glo-balEDGE and other ree and low-cost resourcesaccessible to businesspersons. Participants willdesign their own market selection tools based on

the companys product and individual needs. CallBrent Case at 517.886.3716 or more inorma-tion.

Tuesday, July 18 Pure MIchIgan STePexPorT WorkShoP 2: creaTIng a MarkeT

enTry STraTegy, 8:30 11:30 a.m., LansingRegional Chamber o Commerce Insurance Capi-tal Board Room, 500 E. Michigan Ave., Ste. 200,Lansing, MI 48912. $25 or each session/$40 orboth workshops. Dierent modes o market entry

will be discussed, with separate considerations orshort, medium, and long-term export strategies.We will utilize the market selection tool created inthe morning seminar. A laptop or the interactiveportion o the workshop will be benecial, althoughnot required. Call Brent Case at 517.886.3716 ormore inormation.

Government Relations Committees are in

recess during July and August; meetings

will resume in September.

Tuesday, augusT 14 MeMber MIxer, 5 7p.m., Location to be announced. $10 member,$30 non-member.

Tuesday, augusT 21lanSIng oPen, 10 a.m.

shotgun start at the Eagle Eye Gol Course, 15500S. Chandler Rd., Bath. Enjoy the summer weatherand network at the premier Greater Lansing goltournament. Pre-registration is required. Pric-ing is $200 per person or $750 or a oursome.Player package includes greens ee & cart, playergit, beverage tickets, lunch and dinner. To reserveyour place, please contact Michelle Rahl at 853-6457 or mrahl@lansingchamber.org. A variety osponsorship levels are currently available or the

Lansing Open. Thank you to our 2012 sponsors:Auto-Owners Insurance, Farm Bureau Insurance,Foster Swit Collins & Smith, P.C., PNC, Blue CrossBlue Shield.

Government Relations Committees are in

recess during July and August; meetings

will resume in September.

Tuesday, August 21Eagle Eye Golf CourseRegistration: 8:30 a.m.

Shotgun Start: 10:00 a.m.

$200 Chamber members$245 non-members$750 Foursome

Registration andSponsorship info

517-853-6457www.lansingchamber.org

COLLECTING TOMORROWS ENERGY

WWW.GRANGERNET.COM

Granger is a leader in landfll

gas-to-energy programs in the

state, creating the frstenergy-producing landfll in

Michigan in 1985.

7/31/2019 3040 Lrcc Focus July 2012

4/164

WelcomeNew Members

Focus.July.2012

3T Commniction, Inc.

160-302 Arbor Glen Dr.East Lansing, MI 48823 (517)

974-1675www.bitterrivals.com

Bfor Proprt Rtortion

3421 James Phillips Dr.Okemos, MI 48864(734) 855-5596www.belor.com

Bonton Fir n

sft srvic

1031 Northcrest Rd.Lansing, MI 48906(517) 316-9911

www.boyntonre.com

Coopr n PrtnrContin

271 Woodland Pass, Ste. 215,East Lansing, MI 48823

(517) 333-3321www.cooperandpartners.com

drft Ho

12449 S. US -27DeWitt, MI 48820(517) 669-5206

dewittdrathouse.com

gRuPO PROdeNsa

1715 Beal Ave.Lansing, MI 48910(616) 450-6925

www.prodensa.com.mx

ITC Hoin Corportion

201 Townsend Ave., Ste. 900Lansing, MI 48933(517) 487-4844

www.itctransco.com

Opn door Minitr of

donton lnin215 Capitol Ave.

Lansing, MI 48933(517) 485-9477

www.gbgm-umc.org/opendoorlansing

QickTch CPa, PC

126 State St.Mason, MI 48854(517) 333-3900

www.quicktechcpas.com

Rn spirit

2110 Hamilton Rd.Okemos, MI 48864(517) 580-4734

www.renewedspiritspa.com

Rot Tx srvic

815 E. Edgewood Blvd.Lansing, MI 48911(517) 515-5115

sprior gror spp Inc.5711 Enterprise Dr.Lansing, MI 48911(517) 332-2663

Suit and tie: gone.Overbearing boss: gone.Really good health plan:not going anywhere.

Get exceptional value with small business health coverage

rom the Blues

Healthy BlueLivingSM

A revolutionary HMO product that rewards your employeesor adopting healthier liestyles.

Simply BlueSMA PPO product, with over 120,000 members in just a year, that oersemployees a comprehensive health plan at a competitive price.

Healthy employees are good or businessAnd by oering frst-rate coverage thatyou and your employees can aord,your business can thrive.

Learn more today.Call 517-487-6340 or visitMIBeneftAdvisor.com/LansingChamber.

Your Chamber

Exclusively Endorses

R004525

Please remember to use the member login portion of the Chamber website to keep

your contact information up-to-date. This will ensure that you receive all Chamber

communications in a timely manner. Contact us at 517.487.6340 if you have

any questions or are not receiving our communications.

ChamberMilestones

Wed like to oer a special salute to

these great organizations that reached

milestone anniversaries as Chamber

members this month. Thank you or your

continued support through the years!

W. D. Guerre &

Associates55 Years

PTD Technology30 Years

Wickens

Development

Corporation30 Years

Chief Okemos

Council BSA25 Years

Lansing

Courtyard by

Marriott25 Years

Lansing

Entertainment &

Public Facilities

Authority25 Years

Big Brothers Big

Sisters20 Years

McKinney &

Associates20 Years

Public Policy

Associates, Inc.20 Years

DK Security &

Investigations15 Years

HBC Contracting15 Years

Hampton Inn &

Suites10 Years

Champion

Chrysler

Jeep Dodge5 Years

Hungry Howies

Pizza5 Years

Leap, Inc.

(Lansing

Economic Area

Partnership)5 Years

Metalist

International,

Inc.5 Years

7/31/2019 3040 Lrcc Focus July 2012

5/16

5

Thank YouRenewing Members

Focus.July.2012

Alerus Retirement Solutions

Alliance Obstetrics &Gynecology

Arnouts Insurance Agency, Inc.

Art Crat Display, Inc.

Best Western Plus o Lansing

Big Apple Bagels

Brogan, Reed, Van Gorder& Associates/Ohio National

FinancialBrookeld Shell, Inc.

Candlewood Suites At TheHenry Center Complex

Conlin TravelCurrie Allstate Insurance Agency

Dietz Pool East, Inc.

Duckett Brothers Distributing

Dykema Gossett

East Lansing MarriottEl Khuraeh Shrine

Executive Committee, (The)Fith Third Bank

Fountain o Wellness

Gilead Healing MinistriesGood Fruit, LLC

Gravity Works Design &Development

H&R Block

Health ManagementAssociates, Inc.

Hot Prospects Direct, Inc.

HRU-Technical ResourcesIntegrated Stealth Technology

It Works Global

John E. Green CompanyKeystone Millbrook

Lansing Community CollegeFoundation & Alumni Assoc

Lansing School District

Liquid Web, Inc.

Michigan Specialty InsuranceAgency, Inc.

Michigan State UniversityMoore Plumbing Shop, Inc.

MSU Federal Credit Union

Niowave Inc.Northwestern Mutual Financial

Network

Oakwood ConstructionCompany

Paychex

Presidents Council, StateUniversities o Michigan

St. Vincent Catholic CharitiesSylvan Learning Center

The Apothecary Shop

The James B. Henry Center ForExecutive Development

The Markerboard People Inc.

Tire Factory Inc.

Traverse City Leasing, Inc.

US Postal Service-City o EastLansing

Williams Auto World

Abbott Road Mini StorageAccess BIDCO, L.L.C.

Accident Fund InsuranceCompany o America

Adams Outdoor Advertising

AMBS Call Center

Americhem Sales CorporationApplied Imaging

Arnouts Insurance Agency, Inc.

Axson North America, Inc.

Baker College o Owosso

Benedict Auto BodyBig Brothers Big Sisters

Blohm Creative Partners

BMC-Business MachinesCompany

Bualo Wild Wings

Cameron Tool CorporationCapital Area Health Alliance

Capital Area Humane SocietyCapital Area Transportation

Authority (CATA)

Capital Area United Way

Capitol Discount &Second Hand Store, Inc.

Care ConnectionsCentury 21 Looking Glass, Inc.Champion Chrysler Jeep Dodge

Chie Okemos Council BSA

Cristo Rey Community Center

Culligan Water Conditioning oLansing

Dakkota Integrated Systems,LLC

Dan Henry Distributing Co.

DeWitt Area Chamber oCommerce

DK Security & Investigations

Duplain Church o Christ

EmploymentGroup, Inc.Erickson Learning Center

Farmco Distributing Inc.

Flagstar Bank

Foster, Swit, Collins & Smith,P.C.

Gatehouse Suites - EastLansingGrand Ledge Opera House

Great Lakes Comnet, Inc.

Great Lakes Engineering Group,LLC

Great Lakes PediatricAssociates

Great Lakes Treatment Corp.Hammond Farms Landscape

Supply

Hampton Inn & Suites

Haslett Public Schools

HBC Contracting

Health Care Association o MIHighlands Cooperative

Association

Hungry Howies Pizza

Impression 5 Science Center

Lake Lansing Road Mobil

Service, Inc.Lansing Courtyard by MarriottLansing Entertainment & Public

Facilities Authority

Lansing Lugnuts

Lansing Ophthalmology, P.C.

League o Michigan Bicyclists

Leap, Inc. (Lansing EconomicArea Partnership)

Logicalis

McCardel Restoration, LLC

McKinney & Associates

Metalist International, Inc.

Michigan Certied DevelopmentCorporation

Michigan Forest ProductsCouncil

Michigan Health & HospitalAssociation

Michigan Nonprot AssociationMichigan State UniversityAthletics Department

Mid-Michigan MechanicalContractors Association

NAI Mid-Michigan VlahakisCommercial

Neogen Corporation

P.I. Engineering

Pines Healthcare Center

PM Environmental, Inc.Popovich, Susan, Ph.D.

Principal Financial Group

PTD Technology

Public Policy Associates, Inc.Rathbun Agency, Inc., (The)

Simmon Insurance Agency

Studio Intrigue Architects, LLC

TDS Metrocom

TechSmith Corporation

The Moulton TeamThrun Law Firm, P.C.

Tim Hortons

Valley Estates Mobile HomeCommunity

Volunteer EnergyW. D. Guerre & Associates

WELCO, Ltd.

Wickens DevelopmentCorporation

WLNS TV 6

WSYM - Fox 47Young Chevrolet Cadillac

ReNewINg MeMBeRs FOR JuNe

ReNewINg MeMBeRs FOR July

Meeting Architectural and Engineering

Challenges with Integrity and Innovation

LANSING

GAYLORDGRAND RAPIDS

ESCANABA

www.c2ae.com I 866.454.3923

7/31/2019 3040 Lrcc Focus July 2012

6/16

6

InternationalBusiness

Brazil a Promising Trade Market for Greater Lansing

Focus.July.2012

A Michigan delegation that recently conducted

a trade mission to Brazil returned home with

enthusiasm about the potential or Michigan

businesses to signicantly increase their presence

in the rapidly growing South American country.

It was a real eye-opener, said Brent Case, vice

president o international business services or the

Lansing Regional Chamber o Commerce.

Case joined the Michigan trade mission in May,

which was led by Automation Alley, an economic

development organization in Oakland County. The

group met with business leaders in Brazil, and

had an opportunity to make specic connections

or Michigan businesses, including several in the

Greater Lansing region.

Brazil was the second astest growing US export

market in the past decade, behind only China. TheBrazilian economy is rapidly growing, and with

pre salt oil reserves recently ound o the coast,

the country is positioned to be one o the top ve

oil producers in the world. Brazil is importingtechnology and expertise related to oil drilling,rening and multiple other orms o energy. Solarand wind energy are rapidly growing in NorthernBrazil. Brazil has been criticized or its complextax laws which some view as an impediment orinternational trade, but Case says those obstaclescan be overcome.

Its not as daunting as it is made out to be, saidCase. I you have a compelling product they

want, you can have a rewarding experience.

Brazil is the second astest growing market orU.S. exports.

Brazil constructed a new stadium to host the 2014World Cup and will also host the Summer OlympicGames in 2016. The country is investing heavily in

inrastructure upgrades to prepare.

Brent Case (LRCC and Port Lansing), Ed Morgan(sales representative and distributor helping Michi-gan businesses in Brazil) and Dr. Noel Nevshehir

(Automation Alley), who helped coordinate theBrazilian trade trip

614 Seymour Ave. Lansing, MI 48933

517 203 3333 | www.m3group.biz

advertising | marketing | public relations | product placement | aha moments

7/31/2019 3040 Lrcc Focus July 2012

7/16

7

The Lansing Regional Chamber o Commerce(LRCC) has added two networking receptions inBeijing and Shanghai to their schedule o eventsor their trip to China this all. The China venture

will be October 16-25, and is intended to provide

members exposure to the culture and market oChina and to numerous business opportunities.

The receptions will provide opportunities or LRCCmembers to meet with their Chinese counterpartsto learn about Chinese markets and what theyhave to oer. These events will also help regionalleaders build international relationships that willaid business expansion and uture ventures.

The Lansing to China discovery tour will includevisiting the historic cities o Beijing, Suzhou andShanghai. Members will also get the chance to seetop tourist destinations such as the Great Wall oChina, The Forbidden City, Temple o the Heavens,

Tiananmen Square and many actories to seehow some Chinese cultural products are made.They will also be able to experience authenticChinese cuisine, and explore global business andnetworking opportunities.

The cost o the trip or double occupancy ispriced at $2,388 and includes airare rom LAX,hotel accommodations, 17 meals, and tours.

InternationalBusiness

Focus.July.2012

Lansing Regional Chamber Adds Two Business Networking Opportunities in

Shanghai and Beijing for October China Trip

Greater Lansing Goes Globalfrom page 1

Several other building blocks have helpedbolster international eorts in the past ew years,including critical inrastructure construction

around the airports industrial park, and the stateo Michigans NEXT Michigan designation, whichencourages economic development around theairport through special incentives to qualiedbusinesses utilizing multi-modal logistics. Themost recent development was the decisionby the Airport Authority Board to construct a48,000-square-oot warehouse or FTZ users anduture cargo development.

The Airport Authority stepped up on the part o theregion to get us over the hump, said Selig. The

warehouse provides a place or people to literallyget into business.

The regions international trade program receiveda considerable boost last all when the LansingRegional Chamber o Commerce was named asone o our organizations in Michigan to help leada statewide initiative designed to help Michiganbusinesses signicantly increase exports. The

Michigan Economic Development Corporationlaunched the eorts called Pure Michigan STEP(State Trade & Export Promotion). LRCC overseesan 18-county region in administering the program,

which provides grants to qualied organizations

seeking entry and expansion into oreign markets.

Bekum America Products o Williamston was the

rst company in the Greater Lansing region to

receive a STEP grant, which help oset a trip toone o the worlds largest plastics shows in India,

a move Bekum ocials expect will help them

break into a major new global market.

The grant application process assisted Bekum

with developing a solid plan with clear goals or

Bekum to realize and enjoy success in the India

marketplace, said Bekums chie operating ocer

Steve London.

Several organizations are coordinating their eortsto capitalize on the growth potential in international

trade. LRCC is leading a local contingent on a trip

to China in October. Case recently returned rom

a trade mission in Brazil, where he made several

contacts on behal o local companies. Prima

Civitas led a recent trade mission to Turkey, which

included ocials rom LEAP.

Everyone involved seems to agree that the

Greater Lansing region has signicant growthopportunities in the international arena. However,

Selig cautions that in order to realize our ull

potential, business and government leaders need

a cultural shit in thinking.

We really havent adopted global logistics and

international trade as an economic developmentpriority, said Selig. Global logistics can be

a very aggressive growth industry in terms o

jobs, economic development and expanding

our tax base.

Daman says the inrastructure that regional

partners have put in place plus the regions ideal

geographic location near major reeways, rail and

air are a recipe or success.

Weve developed a solid program and are well

positioned to leverage our central location to

become a logistics hub or the upper Midwest and

Canada, said Daman.

Bekum Americas COO Steve London (l) receiveshis companys STEP grant check rom Brent Case.

The Chamber has arranged to have multipleinternational business experts talk with travelersabout doing business in China, as well as pre-travel cultural training sessions available rom 7CLingo.

The LRCC currently has 23 conrmed membersregistered or the trip. Members who are interestedshould visit lansingchamber.org or moreinormation and to register. The deadline to registerand to submit ull payment is August 16, 2012.

7/31/2019 3040 Lrcc Focus July 2012

8/16

8

Regionalism

Focus.July.2012

A comprehensive research report on government

spending in the Greater Lansing region represents

the rst attempt to quantiy and benchmark the cost

and value o government services in the tri-countyarea. Results o The Lansing-East Lansing Metro

Region Fiscal Scorecard were rst presented at the

Lansing Regional Chamber Economic Club orum

on regionalism on May 10.

This data is only a starting point o what the region

should be doing relative to benchmarking over

time, said Dr. Eric Scorsone, who led the team o

researchers rom Michigan State University.

The MSU report tackles several related questions,

including how does the region compare to other

similar regions in terms o the cost o government

services, and do local governments spend more

or less compared to other governments. The report

also addresses the relative competitiveness o the

region in terms o the ability to attract and retain

businesses, specically as it relates to the cost and

quality o government services.

Those questions are critical in an era o regional

and global economic competitiveness, said Tim

Daman president and CEO o the Lansing Regional

Chamber o Commerce (LRCC). The cost and

eectiveness o governmentservices are a major considerationor businesses consideringinvesting in a community.

The reports ndings show thatGreater Lansing ranked third outo ve regions to which it wascompared in total expendituresper capita. The region was closeto Canton, Ohio and higher thanOgden, Utah and Grand Rapids,Michigan. More importantly, whenresearchers calculated the regionsoperating decit ratio (total

expenditures minus total revenues/total revenues) it was determinedthat local government in GreaterLansing has an operating decit,

which researchers say indicatespotential problems in short termscal health.

More worrisome in the short termis the act that several large local

governments in the region arerunning operating decits, saysthe report. I not addressed, theseoperating decits may threaten theeconomic and scal health o theentire region.

In comparing governmentspending by category, GreaterLansing has relatively highcosts in general services and inpublic saety. Specically, GreaterLansing governments spend$429 per Capita on public saety,

while Grand Rapids is spendingjust $214 per Capita.

Thats a real eye-opener, said Daman. Thenumbers dont address service quality and othervariables, however we as a region should be askingourselves, why is there this wide o a dierence

between two regions just one hour apart?

The Chamber, LEAP, MSU President Lou AnnaSimon and local business leaders have beenmeeting or more than a year in hopes o

developing a vision or more regional approaches

within the local governmental structure. The MSU

benchmarking study has given the group a starting

point or urther discussion. The group plans to

conduct research in which they will be asking local

citizens and business leaders about their attitudestowards various approaches to operating and

structuring local government in the region. Results

o that research are expected in the all.

The Cost of Local Government

Greater Lansings Fiscal Scorecard

ei Ss d t tm ss tt

dtd t fs mi std: Tis

dt is stti pit wt t i

sd di ti t mi

tim.

T gt lsi d i i t sts

mt sis d pi st. gmts spd

$429 p cpit pi st, wi i gd rpids spdi is

$214 p cpit.

gmt i t gt lsi i s mid pti

dfit wi ss sid m tt t mi d fs

t t ti i.

7/31/2019 3040 Lrcc Focus July 2012

9/16

9

Regionalism

A consultant retained to study the possibilities or combining re services amongsix area units o government calls increased collaboration an attractive option

but recommends a multi-phased approach to increase regional cooperationo the re departments.

The Shared Public Services Initiativestudy was conducted by the accountingrm o Plante Moran, which studied re operations in the cities o Lansing andEast Lansing and the townships o Delhi, Delta, Lansing and Meridian. Thereport was nanced by a grant rom the Michigan Municipal League, and withadditional unding rom the Lansing Regional Chamber o Commerce, LEAP andthe participating municipalities.

The Plante Moran report concluded that the current state o the Michigan

economy and the current operational challenges experienced by each o the redepartments suggest that increased collaboration would be a good idea. Thereport also concludes that ultimately ull consolidation should be considered.

The Plante Moran team supported a multi-phased approach to increase regionalcooperation o the re departments, which would include; increased collaborationto improve service levels and decrease costs to each community (Phases 1 and2), and eventually weighing the merits o combining departments into a single,larger department (phases 3 and 4).

The communities have

the unique opportunity towork together to provideenhanced coverage tothe entire geography, andstabilize the re departmentspersonnel and operationsto provide improved serviceor all project participants,concluded the report. Sharedservices, such as automatic

mutual aid, typically resultin improved response times,improved services, andbetter utilization o resourcesbased on experience withother communities that haveimplemented them.

The report concludes thatthe long-term savings

potential rom re departmentconsolidation is estimatedto be up to 20 percent orapproximately $7 millionannually.

Consultant Recommends Phased

Approach to Regional Fire

Consolidation

Federally insuredby the NCUA

517-333-2365 800-678-4968

www.msufcu.org/business

* Business loans are currently available to Michigan-based businesses only.

MSUFCU Business Term Loans can be customized to tyour needs. With options that include xed or variablerates, exible term lengths, and credit limits up to $5million, you can get the money you need on the termsthat best suit your business.

MSUFCUs Business Term Loans ofer:

Credit limits up to $5,000,000 Principal and interest payments

No application fees or prepayment penalties

24/7 remote account access

Apply for your Business Term Loan today.

Money on Your Terms

7/31/2019 3040 Lrcc Focus July 2012

10/16

10

InternationalBusiness

Focus.July.2012

Sparrow Health Classic

Special thanksto all those whomade the Sparrow

Health Classic anoutstanding success.Your support is aninvestment in thehealth of our region.

Visit sparrowfoundation.org/

healthclassic for a complete

list of sponsors, a photo

gallery from this years event

and information on the 2012

Sparrow Health Classic.

19th Hole Sponsor

Milliman

Cart SponsorAuto-Owners Insurance Company

Lunch SponsorAgfa Healthcare

Flag SponsorsKitch Drutchas Wagner Valitutti & Sherbrook

ProAssurance Companies

Beverage Cart SponsorCaddis Development Group/Demmer

Gold SponsorsClient Financial Services

Data Strategy

Dewpoint

Foresight GroupLansing Sanitary Supply, Inc.

Regency Insurance Group

Driving Range SponsorDaudlin, DeBeaupre & Company

Putting Contest SponsorTri-Star Trust Bank

Hole-In-One Sponsor

Okemos Auto Collection

Silver SponsorsAccident Fund Holdings

Advomas

Cardinal Health

Center for Business Innovation

Centurion Medical Products

Coretek Services

Coverys/MHA Insurance Company

Drinker, Biddle & Reath, LLPDykema

Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith PC

GlobalCare

W.L. Gore

John E. Green Company

Gunthorpe Plumbing & Heating

Hitachi Data Systems

Kaufman Hall & Associates

Logicalis/Cisco Systems

Michigan Association of Nurse

Anesthetists

Pro-Tech Cabling Systems, Inc.

LJ Ross Associates, Inc.

Skytron

Symantec Corporation

Dennis & Kathy Swan

The Trizetto Group

And many other wonderful friends!

Presenting Sponsor

SEI InvestmentsPlatinum Sponsor

Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance Company

7/31/2019 3040 Lrcc Focus July 2012

11/16

11

MembersOn The Move

Focus.July.2012

PEOPLE NEWS

g lmsi with Stt Fm Iscmp has recently been awarded with theNational Quality Award or Lie and Annuitiesor the 15th consecutive year. The National

Association o Insurance and Financial Advisors(NAIFA) recognizes agents whose persistencyrecords indicate competence and dedication to

the insurance industry and their clients.

c cstti has presented Ji hidwith the John M. Clark Service Award. The awardis presented annually to the Clark employee whodemonstrates exceptional work ethic, service,and dedication on behal o the company and itscustomers.

TWo Men anD a Truck,a home and businessmoving company, ispleased to announce threeemployee promotions atthe Lansing ranchise.r Witz waspromoted to operationscoordinator, b bsi

was promoted to move consultant and Tisltz has been hired as a move consultant.

T cti gp was ortunate to have sevenindividuals qualiy or a national sales conventionhosted by Securian Financial Services, including;

S Ds, Mik anron, r lis,l b, Did nis, ki Smpstt, and

ri Diz.

TWo Men anD a Truck, the largest ranchisedmoving company in the U.S., is pleased toannounce the addition o ve new employeesat its corporate headquarters. k rs now

leads franchise developmentas franchise development

director -- a new position

for the company. Sharon

goodman was named

accounting support specialist.Jm nt is thenew operations eldtrainer. c a

joins the Customer Care team as customer carespecialist. lids Si is the new trainingand development specialist.

rd Ji, vicepresident o planning,estimating and businessdevelopment, retired romClark Construction onJune 29 ater more than

21 years o outstandingservice in variouspositions at Clark.

MIt d cw

reMax r esttPssis on GrandRiver would like toannounce the additiono new sta members

at their oce: rcim as a buyers

agent, c cmp as a transaction coordinatorand c am as marketing manager.

T gt lsibsiss Mt isexcited to welcome asMs as their new specialevents coordinator.

Ji hid is st wd m

J c c cstti.

r Witz

Tis ltz

b bsi

S Ds

k rs

r lis

r cim

Jm nt

Did nis

c cmp

c a

ri Diz

Mi ads

S gdm

ki Smpstt

c am

as Ms

lids Si

rd Ji

7/31/2019 3040 Lrcc Focus July 2012

12/16

12

MembersOn The Move

Focus.July.2012

c2ae, a ull-servicearchitectural, engineeringand planning design rmheadquartered in Lansing,has announced thepromotion oTi l toits leadership team as thedirector o marketing andcommunications.

MSuFcu awarded r Mi and bittirm, two spring 2012 Michigan StateUniversity graduates, with $3,200 proessionalmakeovers in its Grad Makeover Contest. Contestentrants submitted personal essays about whyMSUFCU should select them to win proessionalmakeovers, along with their photographs and listso accomplishments and community involvementactivities.

Pti Sp, senior vice presidentmarketing olaFcu, represented Michigan at the White HouseBusiness Council in Washington D.C. on June 1,2012. The topic was Creating Jobs and SpurringEconomic Growth.

COMPANY NEWS

c cstti cmp achieved yetanother saety milestone on Friday, June 15, asthe company reached the milestone o havinggone three million worker hours without lost timedue to injury. The historic saety accomplishmenthas covered all Clark Construction projects since2001, and underscores the companys reputationas a national leader in workplace saety.

T cti gprecently made a

commitment to support the Ciudad de los NinosOrphanage in Matamoros, Mexico. Employeesgenerously contributed donations and othersupport to help make a positive impact or thechildren at the orphanage.

him Mi Swtz d c llPreceived an Elite award rom the MichiganBusiness & Proessional Association (MBPA).

The announcement was made at a recent eventin the Grand Rapids area honoring the law rmsLansing and Kalamazoo oces among the WestMichigan 101 Best and Brightest Companies toWork For.

Tms M. c lw S held its springcommencement on Sunday, May 20 at the BreslinCenter in East Lansing, Mich. During the ceremony,school ocials honored studentam ad,

who died suddenly in December. Andalorowould have received her Juris Doctor during theceremony. Her mother, Beverly Andaloro, andbrother, Mykel, were presented Ambers diplomaposthumously.

As part o its ongoing Movers Who Care initiative,TWo Men anD a Truck o Lansing recentlydonated its manpower, time and trucks to theLansing Regional Sister Cities Commissionanon-prot based organization with the goalo connecting Lansing to the rest o the worldthrough a global citizen diplomacy network.Movers rom TWO MEN AND A TRUCK helpedtransport donated vital medical equipmentincluding incubators, maternity delivery tablesand a variety o other hospital equipmentto beshipped overseas to a medical clinic in Baut,Cameroon in Arica.

The National Weather Service designated

Mlgt lsias Michigans rst

storm-ready hospital, making it one o ewerthan 10 hospitals nationwide so honored. Thedesignation means the hospital is uniquelyprepared to protect and continue serving patientsduring times o severe weather.

Pm received two NISH National Awardsor its outstanding perormance and supportto the AbilityOne Program, and or creating

employment opportunities or people withsignicant disabilities. Peckham receivedthe Perormance Excellence in GovernmentContracts and Perormance Excellence in QualityWork Environment awards at the NISH Annual

National Training and Achievement Conerence inIndianapolis, Indiana in May.

Waverly High School 2012 graduate, AnnaKaiser, was awarded the ourth annual laFcuWrite to Educate essay contest scholarshipduring a ceremony held at the Capital AreaHumane Society on Wednesday, May 30. Kaiserreceived a $2,500 scholarship to be used or hereducation at Lansing Community College duringthe next two years.Spw ht Sstm has become the rsthealth system in Michigan and one o the rst vein the nation to be selected as a member o theprestigious Mayo Clinic Care Network. This ormalcollaboration will mean that Sparrow physicianshave direct access to the latest Mayor Clinicexpertise and clinical care resources to help careor their patients.

Ti l

Mms t TWo Men anD a Truck tm

d sppis dd cm i ai.

a kis (t) is ssip

m t laFcu tm.

Send your news

to Michelle

Rahl at mrahl@

lansingchamber.org

7/31/2019 3040 Lrcc Focus July 2012

13/16

13

Sparrow is proud to be

Michigans rst member

of the prestigious Mayo

Clinic Care Network.

Sparrow is the rst health system in Michigan andone of the rst ve in the nation to be selected to

be a member of the prestigious Mayo Clinic Care

Network.

Through this collaboration, Sparrow physicians

will have access to the latest Mayo Clinic

expertise and clinical care resources to help carefor our Patients.

By working together, Sparrow and Mayo Clinic

look to build new and innovative ways to provide

the best possible care for mid-Michigan.

Read more about how Sparrow is transforming

healthcare in mid-Michigan by visiting

ourfuture.sparrow.org

7/31/2019 3040 Lrcc Focus July 2012

14/16

14

MembershipServices

Focus.July.2012

Lansing Open Set for August 21 at Eagle Eye

Chamber Welcomes New Executives

Registration and sponsorships are now availableor the annual Lansing Open, one o the premiergol events o the year.

Lansing Open

Tuesday, August 21

Eagle Eye Golf CourseRegistration: 8:30 a.m.

Shotgun Start: 10:00 a.m.

The cost to participate in the Lansing Open is$200 or Chamber members,$245 or non-members, and $750 or a oursome. Pricingincludes green ees, cart, player git, lunch,dinner, and beverage tickets. Sponsorship levelsexist to match a variety o budgets. Sponsorship

inormation, registration options and much moreare available at www.lansingchamber.org, or bycontacting Michelle Rahl at 517.853.6457 ormrahl@lansingchamber.org.

The Lansing Regional Chamber o Commerce recently welcomed ve new

executive level proessionals to the Mid-Michigan area at the 2012 Executive

Welcome, held on May 24. More than 100 Chamber members joined in the

event to welcome the new executives, including:

y cm c, Interim Superintendent, Lansing School District.

Raised in Latin America, Canul brings a rich world-view to her 36 years o

work in education as a teacher, school principal, director o curriculum and

assessment and a consultant or low-perorming schools. Most recently,Canul served as director o implementation or FirstSchool, an Early Childhood

research and direct practice collaborative between Michigan State University

and the University o North Carolina.

l czd, CPA, CEO & President, Delta Dental o Michigan. Czelada

serves as president and chie operating ocer o Delta Dental o Michigan,

Ohio, and Indiana, as well as its parent organization. Prior to assuming this

responsibility, Czelada served as executive vice president, chie nancial

ocer and chie inormation ocer or the Delta Dental companies.

Mii Fiis, President, CEO & Co-Founder, Force by Design. Since 2008,Filkins has overseen the international consulting rm Force by Design, Inc.,

as it grew rom a small San Francisco startup to a power player in the

salesorce.com industry. With over 15 years in the IT industry, Filkins has

completed more than 150 Force.com and salesorce.com projects, garnering

Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Administrator and Developer certications along

the way.

T Fi, Plant Manager, GM Lansing Regional Operations. Francavil la

has been a General Motors employee or 32 years. He was brought to Lansing

ater a our year overseas assignment in which he was launching the Astra

hatchback in Gliwice, Poland and the Astra Sports Tourer in Ellesmere Port,

UK. He also served as assistant plant manager in Detroit-Hamtramck and

Flint, where he became plant manager beore heading overseas.

ri Wit, President & CEO, McLaren-Greater Lansing. Wright brings more

than 30 years o hospital leadership experience to McLaren-Greater Lansing,

including nearly 15 years as a CEO. Prior to joining McLaren, Wright served

as CEO or Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital, a 223-bed acility in La

Grange, Ill. Throughout his career, Wright also served as senior vice presidento Gordon Hospital in Calhoun, Ga., president and CEO o Keweenaw Memorial

Medical Center in Laurium, Mich., and several leadership roles at medical

acilities in the metro Chicago area.

2012 eti Wm, -: Tim Dm (lrcc), Mii Fiis (F

Dsi, I.), ri Wit (Ml-gt lsi), l czd (Dt

Dt), y cm c (lsi S Distit) d T Fi

(g Mts).

7/31/2019 3040 Lrcc Focus July 2012

15/16

15

T cm tm is sti wit t fi w tft, -: M MDd,

h va, Mi r, bi r, M St, Ss hs, c-

ti eis, Mt hw, d D vt.

ntwd uisit-Ds

gdt S fis t

t i ti t

pi ti w lsi

mps, td t 1600

att rd. i est lsi,(-): D. kit Ptt, Psi-

dt, lis Fii, D d

Pt gispi, pjt d-

p.

ChamberIn Action

Grub Crawl 2012

Cut the Ribbon!When you choose PHP, you choose more than a leading

health plan in customer satisfaction you also choose

more flexible benefits, an extensive network of doctorsand a better partner for your health. Better for you.

Better for your business. For 30 years, weve been

the plan of choice. PlanOfChoice.com

Your workspace

suits yourbusiness.

Your

health planshould too.

An affiliate of Sparrow.

Great June weather and an energetic crowd o several hundred enjoyed un,

ood and networking at the 2nd annual Grub Crawl, held June 13 at theEastwood Towne Center.

A special thanks to the participating restaurants that provided the scrumptioushors doeuvres and beverages that made the evening a huge success:

P.F.ChangsChinaBistro

Max&Ermas

CladdaghIrishPub

MitchellsFishMarket

ChestersNuts

PancherosMexicanGrill

ChapbookCaf(SchulersBooks)

McAlistersDeli

GreatLakesOliveOilCo.

TonySaccosCoalOvenPizza(TheHeightsatEastwood)

7/31/2019 3040 Lrcc Focus July 2012

16/16

Black Car Service!

Mid-Michigans Premier

Dean Black Car provides a safe,

professional and comfortable

environment to get where you

need to go in style. Whether

traveling to the airport, a business

meeting or a special event,

Dean Black Car can take you there.

Call us today to book your next trip

or visit us atDeanBlackCar.com

1-800-282-3326 | DeanBlackCar.com

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDLANSING, MI

PERMIT NO. 622

The Stadium District

500 East Michigan Avenue, Suite 200

Lansing, MI 48912

Ph. 517.487.6340

lansingchamber.orgAddress Correction Requested