Front + Centre Volume 1, Edition 4

fronttCentreCBICC INSIGHT INTO THE ISSUES, INDIVIDUALS, AND ACTIVITIES THAT ARE SHAPING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN CENTRE COUNTY

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in this issueJUNE 2014 | VOLUME 1, EDITION 4

1 AtDC‘fly-in,’CBICCtoutseconomicimportanceoffederalresearchfunding

2 TechCelerator@StateCollegeBootCampgraduatesnextwaveofentrepreneurs

3 CBICC,statearepartnersintheefforttoattractnewbusinessopportunities

4 CBICCGatewayGroupmovingforwardwithambitiousagendatoattract/retainyoungprofessionals

4 EconomicDevelopmentsinBrief

6 CBICCinAction

CouncilforGrowth(PA,NJ,DE);DaytonDevelopmentCoalition(OH);andtheMetroAtlanta(GA),GreaterBostonandGreaterPittsburgchambersofcommerce.Coalitionmembersmetwithkeyplayersinthecongressionalbudgetprocess.

“DuringourmeetingswithCongressionalrepresentatives,wefoundbroadsupportfortheimportanceoffederalresearchfundingandtheneedforpredictable,sustainedfunding,”saidLesleyKistner,CBICCCommunicationsDirector,whorepresentedtheCBICCattheDCfly-in.“Butthereisalotofworkthatneedstobedonetoensurethatlong-termresearchfundingincreasesinthefederalbudget.Thisiscriticaltomaximizingresearchinvestmentsinordertoadvanceoureconomyandglobalcompetitiveness.”

ThecoalitionwillcontinuetomobilizesupportamongHouseandSenate

At DC ‘fly-in,’ CBICC touts economic importance of federal research funding

TheCBICCandothermembersofthenational“BusinessforFederalResearchFunding”coalitionattendedadayofCongressionalmeetingsinWashington,DConMonday,June9tobuildsupportforstrongresearchfundinggrowthinthefederalbudget.Thecoalitionispushingforsustainedresearchfundinggrowthacrossseveralareasofthebudget,includingthoserelatedtotheNationalInstitutesofHealth,theNationalScienceFoundation,NASA,andthedepartmentsofAgriculture,Defense,EnergyandHomelandSecurity.

InadditiontotheCBICC,thedelegationincludedrepresentativesfromtheCEO

CBICC Mission

One of the largest chambers/economic development organizations in Pennsylvania, the Chamber of Business

& Industry of Centre County is the unified voice of businesses of all sizes and industry

sectors in Centre County. The CBICC’s mission is to promote the well-being and growth of commerce and industry, while

striving to maintain a high quality of life for those who live, work and do business in

Centre County.

Publisher Vern Squier

President/CEO, Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County

Writer Lesley Kistner

Communications Director [email protected]

CBICC Communications Director Lesley Kistner and representatives from Pennsylania and nation-wide chambers of commerce stressed the importance of federal research funding at a series of Congressional meetings in the nation’s Capital.

Federal and all other research funding to Penn State provides an important economic boost to the Commonwealth, having direct and indirect impacts of approximately $2 billion annually in such forms as new technologies, job creation and retention, and state and local tax revenues.SOURCE: 2009 PSU-sponsored report

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JUNE 2014 | VOLUME 1, EDITION 4

membersintheweeksandmonthsahead,aswellasinthe114thCongress,inordertosecuresustainedresearchfundinggrowthacrossseveralareasofthefederalbudget.Thecoalitionwillalsocontinueeducationandoutreacheffortsdesignedtoraiseawarenessaboutthesignificantreturnoninvestmentthatresultsfromfederalresearchdollars.

TheCBICCisengagedintheinitiativebecauseoftheimportanceoffederalresearchfundingtothelocal,stateandnationaleconomyandthenation’soverallglobalcompetitiveness.TheChamberhasalonghistoryofassistingbusinessesthatareseekingtotransitionandthathavetransitionedPennStateresearchintocommercialsuccess.

More information about the Business for Federal Research Funding coalition is availablehere.

Trans-Cell Conversion Technology Dr. Gong Chen

Trans-Cell’stechnologywillprovidearevolutioninbrainrepairforpatientssufferingfrombraininjury,stroke,Alzheimer’s,ParkinsonDiseaseandotherneurologicaldissolventbyamethodofrepairingglialscaringcausedbyinjurytothebrainorillness.Currently,nomethodofrepairexists.Thisprocesscouldbelife-changingfortreatmentofmillionsofpeople.

Thecompanyhasapatentpendingandhasconductedclinicaltestresearchonanimals.Itisworkingtowardapre-clinicaltrialonhumans,whichwilltake5yearsto8yearstocomplete.“Bigpharma”hasexpressedinterestinpartneringwithTrans-Cell.Dr.Chen’slabcurrentlyhas20employeeswithneedtohireadditionalemployees.

IVF Cell Technology Todd Waybright

Thecompanyisdevelopinganinvitrofertilization(IVF)todecreasethenumberofdairycowsdeemedinfertile.Cowsthathavedifficultyinconceivingthroughartificialinseminationarecostlytofarmersbecausetheyaren’tmilkproducingandasaresult,needtobereplacedintheherd.VeterinariansdealingincattlewillmarketWaybrights’embryos.Theembryoshiscompanydevelopsarenotan“elite”embryousedtoproduceageneticallysuperiorlineofdairycow;theywillsolvetheproblemofinfertility.

VentureInvestmentForumandBenFranklinTransformationBusinessServiceNetwork.

Duringthe10-weekBootCampprogram–achangefromthepreviouseight-weekformat–participatingcompaniesmettogetherforjointmentoring,aswellasindividualmentoringsessionswithpartnersoftheTechCelerator@StateCollege.Morethan500hoursofmentoringserviceswereprovided.

Attheconclusionoftheprogram,thecompaniespitchedtheirideastoapanelofjudges,whichincludedCBICCEntrepreneurshipCommitteeChairmanToddErdley,presidentandCEOofVideon.Intheaudienceweregraduatesofpreviousbootcamps,representativesfromthepartnersoftheTechCeleratorandCBICCBoardmembers,inadditiontomembersofthecommunity.

Attheendofthepresentations,twocompanieswereselectedtoevenlyshareinthe$10,000fundingprize--Trans-CellConversionTechnologyandIVFCellTechnology,nowanaffiliateCBICCbusinessincubatormember.

ThesixcompaniesthatwentthroughtheBootCampprogramwere:

TechCelerator@StateCollege Boot Camp graduates next wave of entrepreneurs

OnJune10,anotherBenFranklinTechCelerator@StateCollegeBootCampconcluded,withsixnewstart-upcompaniespresentinginformationabouttheirtechnologiesandservicesinhopesofwinning$10,000inseedmoneyfortheirpotentialbusinessventures.

TheCBICC/CCIDCisapartnerintheTechCelerator,alongwithBenFranklinTechnologyPartners,InnovationParkatPennState,PennStateOfficeofTechnologyManagement,PennStateSmallBusinessDevelopmentCenter,

TechCelerator@StateCollege Boot Camp Participants

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AcreBooks – Sel Edor & Stephen Thor

Theconceptistoprovideservicestoself-publishingauthors,fromtheuseofeditingsoftwaretocoverdesignandmarketingassistancewithsocialmedia,pressreleases,bookinglistings,etc.

Penergy Solutions – Keppy Arnoldsen and Jennifer Breimhurst

Thecompanyisdevelopinganaerobicdigestersforuseonsmallfarmstohandletheproblemofwastemanagementfromanimals,andisproducingbyproductsof“Digesttea”andcomposttobeusedforimprovingsoilcontentandanimalbedding.

ArgentumCidalElectrics – Thomas Fuller

Argentumwillmanufactureantimicrobialpeelandsticktapeswithbatteriesforuseincarefacilities,particularlyhospitals’intensivecareunitswhereHAIinfectionsarecostlytotreatandsometimefatal.TheyengagedwithUMPC,GeisingerHealthSystemandMountNittanyHealthtodeterminethevalue,bothincostandtimesavings,forthemtousetheirapplication,primarilyonbedrails,wherevisitorsareconstantlytouching.Theycurrentlyhavesevenissuedpatentsandninependingpatents.

Leafy – Amin Afzal

Leafyisawatercontentsensorappliedtoaplanttodeterminetheamountofwaterintheplant.Thecurrentmethodsusedforirrigationsystemsteststhewatercontentofthesoil,whichwhileimportant,doesn’tactuallyaddressplantneeds.Usingtheleafsensorplacedonplantsthroughoutafieldwillreducethecostofirrigationandprovidebetterperformanceofcrops.BecauseofCalifornia’sdroughtconditionsandthevolumeoffoodproduced,itwillbeaninitialteststate.AdditionalinfieldtestingwillbeconductedduringJuly2014;commercialsalesareprojecttobegin

February2016.

A case study in economic development CBICC, state are partners in the effort to attract new business opportunities

InitsroleasastateDepartmentofCommunityandEconomicDevelopmentPREPpartner,theCBICC/CCIDCworkscloselywiththeGovernor’sActionTeamandOfficeofInternationalBusinessDevelopmentintheongoingworktobringnewbusinessopportunitiestoPennsylvaniagenerallyandtoCentreCountyspecifically.

Muchofthisworktakesplacequietly,behindthescenes.Atanygiventime,theCBICC/CCIDCmayreceiveprojectrequeststhroughGATorOIBDfromclientsseekingPennsylvanialocationstoconductbusiness.

“Inmostcases,wedonotknowtheoutcomeoftheprojectunlesswearefortunateenoughtomakethe‘short’list,”Residessaid,notingthattypically,notmorethanthreetofivelocationsmovetoa“short”list.

Ifasecondrequestisreceived,itasksformorespecific,detailedinformationabouttheproperty/facilityandthelocalcommunity.

“Tocontinuetobeaviablelocation,itisextremelyimportanttoprovidetherequiredinformationwithintheirtimeline,”Residessaid.

Ifasecondrequestisreceived,itasksformorespecific,detailedinformationabouttheproperty/facilityandthelocalcommunity.

“Tocontinuetobeaviablelocation,itisextremelyimportanttoprovidetherequiredinformationwithintheirtimeline,”Residessaid.

Ifthesecondrequestforinformationwarrantsit,thesiteselectorschedulesacommunity/sitetour.Atthispoint,theirjobistoeliminatesites,furtherreducingthelistofsitesthatultimatelywillbetouredbytheclientthemselves.

OIBDworkswithinternationalcompaniesseekingapresenceinPennsylvaniawhoarewillingtomakeafinancialinvestmentinandcreatejobswithintheCommonwealth.Theirrequestsarealsoconfidential,with

WhentheCBICC/CCIDCreceivesaninquiryfromthestate,theconfidentialrequestsareverybasic,includingonly“needtoknow”informationaboutbuildingandlandsiterequirementsrequiredbytheclient.GATassignsprojectnamesunrelatedtothebusinesstoavoidanypotentialidentification,asanonymityisoftencrucialtoaprojectsuccessfullymovingforward.

“Ourroleistosubmitdetailedinformationaboutavailableproperties/sitesinthecountybestfittingtherequirementsandtoprovidedemographicinformationaboutCentreCounty,”saidMaryResides,CBICC/CCIDCEconomicDevelopmentSpecialist.

Residessaidtheturnaroundtimetosubmitpotentiallocationsisveryshort,typicallyoneortwodays.

Theconfidentialnatureoftherequestsmeansthateconomicdevelopmentorganizations–eventhestateattimes–aren’tawareiftheyarecompetingregionally,statewideornationallyforapotentialbusiness.ThesiteselectorsthatcontacttheGovernor’sActionTeammayalsobecontactingotherstateswiththesamerequestiftheclientisn’tdeterminedtolocateinPennsylvania.

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thestartoftheircareers

• Creatingabrandidentitydesignedtopromotethevalueofyoungprofessionalsandtheirimportancetotheworkforceandthecommunity

AprojectupdatenightwillbeheldWednesday,Sept.17.

Formoreinformation,[email protected].

CheckouttheGatewayGroup’sactivitiesonFacebookatFacebook.com/CBICCgateway.

Economic Developments in Brief

CBICC welcomes new companies to business incubator

TheCBICCrecentlywelcomedtwonewcompaniesandonenewaffiliatemembertotheTechnologyCenterincubatoratInnovationPark.FormeraffiliatemembercompaniesColumnTekandAtoptixarenowfull-timeincubatortenants.Atoptix,LLCisdevelopingapatentedopticaltechnologythatreplacesbenchtopspectroscopyequipmentwithaminiaturized,hand-helddevice.ColumnTekisinvolvedintheresearch,developmentandmanufacturerofliquidchromatography.IVFCellTechnologyisthenewestaffiliatemember.FoundedbyToddWaybright,thecompanyisdevelopinganinvitrofertilization(IVF)todecreasethenumberofdairycowsdeemedinfertile.WaybrightisarecentgraduateoftheTechCelerator@

shortresponsetimes,andtheyaresharedstatewide.OIBDprojectsarealsonamedtoprotecttheclient,althoughattimes,theclient’scountryisknown.

Whenitcomestorequestsforinformationfromthestate,timeisoftheessence.

CBICCPresidentandCEOVernSquierstressedthatforthisreason,cooperationandassistancefrompropertyownersandtheirrepresentativesisvital,aswellashavingacurrentinventoryofprospectivelocations.

“Therealityisthatwemightnotknowwhetherweareonasiteselector’sshortlist.Weneedtobeready.”

CBICC Gateway Group moving forward with ambitious agenda to attract/retain young professionals

TheCBICC’syoungprofessionalsGatewayGroupismovingforwardwithanambitiousagendadesignedto

attractandretainyoungprofessionalsinCentreCountyandprepareitsmemberstobeeffectivecommunityleadersmotivatedtoparticipateinbothlocalandregionalcommerce,whilefosteringimportantconnectionsbetweenyoungprofessionals,establishedcommunityleadersandorganizationsthroughoutthecounty.

Duringa“ProjectPitchNight”eventheldJune18atNewLeaf,membersofthegrouppresentedinformationonseveralprojectsthegrouphasplannedin2014,puttingoutthecallforinvolvementfromotheryoungprofessionals.

TheGatewayGroupiscurrently:

• PlanningaCentreCountyJobFairforyoungprofessionals

• Producingacommunityassetmapthatidentifiesresourcesofimportancetoyoungprofessionals

• Identifyingcommunityengagementopportunities

• Establishingamentorshipprogramthatconnectsestablishedbusinesspeoplewithmenandwomenat

Highlights from the Gateway Group’s “Project Pitch Night”

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impactoftheirtechnologicalinnovation,howtheysupportedfederalresearchanddevelopmentneeds,andtheirabilitytoincreasecommercializationoffederalresearch.

ActuatedMedicalPresidentandCEOMaureenMulvihillsaidhercompanyishelpingSBIRachieveitsmissionbycommercializinginnovationsandcreatingjobs.

“BothourTubeClearandGentleSharpproductlinesdemonstratethatthisprogramtrulyworks.TheTibbettsAwardreflectsthatsuccessandweappreciateSBA’srecognitionofourteam’shardworkanddedication,”shesaid.

Videon CEO awarded Governor’s ImPAct Award

ToddErdley,presidentandCEOofCBICC3B33SupportPartnerVideon-Central,receivedthe2014Governor’sImPActAwardforEntrepreneurship.Erdley,whochairstheCBICC’sEntrepreneurshipCommittee,wasnominatedbytheChamber.TheawardsaredesignedtocelebratethecompaniesandindividualswhoareinvestinginPennsylvaniaandcreatingjobs.

StateCollegebootcamp.

‘Make it in America’ initiative launches new website

InDecember2013,theSEDA-CouncilofGovernments,theCenterforDirectInvestmentandTeamPennsylvaniaFoundation,alongwithnumerousprogrampartners–includingtheCBICC/CCIDC–announcedanewpartnershipinitiativeisdesignedtoattractinternationalinvestmenttotheCommonwealth’sruralcounties,thosecomprisingthe“T”region.Oneearlygoaloftheinitiativewasthelaunchofanewwebsite,www.corepaglobal.org.ThelaunchofthewebsitewasscheduledtocoincidewiththestartoftheWorldForumforForeignDirectInvestmentinPhiladelphiaonJune16-18.Themulti-yearinitiativeispartiallyfundedbyafederal“MakeitinAmerica”grant.Only10grantswereawardednationwidebytheObamaadministration,ruralPennsylvaniabeingoneofthoserecipientsat$1.8million.

Actuated Medical receives SBA’s prestigious Tibbetts Award

TheU.S.SmallBusinessAdministrationselectedBellefonte-basedActuatedMedicalasa2014TibbettsAwardwinner.TheSBApresentsthesenationalawardstocompaniesthatexemplifytheverybestoftheSmallBusinessInnovationResearchprogram.CBICCmemberActuatedMedicalwasoneof25winnersthatattendedaWhiteHouseawardsprogram.TheawardisnamedforRolandTibbetts,acknowledgedasthefatheroftheSBIRprogram.Winnersareselectedbyapanelofjudgesbasedontheeconomic

Funding available for Energy Development Authority Grants and Loans

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionannouncedthatthePennsylvaniaEnergyDevelopmentAuthoritywillofferanestimated$12.5millioningrantsandloansforalternativeandrenewableenergyprojects,alongwithprojectsdeployingtechnologiessuchassolarenergy,wind,hydropowerandbiomass.Fundingisalsoavailableforcleanalternativefuels,alternativeenergymanufacturingandalternativeenergyresearch.Thoseeligibletoapplyincludenonprofitcorporations;Pennsylvaniaschools,collegesanduniversities;anyPennsylvaniamunicipality,andpublicorprivatecorporations,partnerships,limitedliabilitycompanies,associationsandotherlegalbusinessentities.FundedactivitiesmustbeconductedentirelyinPennsylvaniaandbeincompliancewithapplicablelaws.Applicationsaredueby4p.m.Friday,Aug.15andmustbesubmittedonlineusingthestate’seGrantssystem–www.grants.dcnr.state.pa.us.Grantswillbeawardedinthefall.

Paul Brown accepts the IMPACT Award on behalf of Videon President Todd Erdley

Roger Bagwell, Actuated Medical Director of Research and Development and Maureen Mulvihill, Actuated Medical President and CEO, at the White House awards ceremony

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Grant to help develop employer-driven training program

TheCCIDCisapartneroftheCentralPAWorkforceInvestmentBoardandCentralPREPRegion-awardedgrantfundingtobeusedindevelopmentofanemployer-driventrainingprogram.ThisisastatewideinitiativethroughthestateLabor&IndustryDepartment’sRe-employmentFund.Ofthe$4.05milliongrantedto10stateregions,theCentralregionwasawarded$450,000.Plansforthedeploymentoftheinitiativeareunderway.

American-Ireland Business Forum

CBICCmemberbusinessesinterestedinexploringnewbusinessinvestmentopportunitieswithIrelandorstrengtheningexistingrelationshipsareinvitedtoparticipateintheupcomingAmerican-IrishBusinessForum:GlobalBusinessConferenceonTradeandEnterprisebetweenPennsylvaniaandIreland.TheforumwillbeheldThursday,Aug.28andFriday,Aug.29inDublinCastle,Ireland,inadvanceofthe“CrokeParkClassic”betweenPennStateUniversityandCentralFloridaUniversityonSaturday,Aug.30.TheforumisbeingorganizedbyTheRhiannonGroup,withsupportoftheIrishConsulateinNewYork,andinpartnershipwiththestateDepartmentofCommunityandEconomicDevelopment.Additionalinformationisavailableontheforumwebsite,www.aibusinessforum.com.

CBICC in Action

Centre County business community welcomes PSU President Eric J. Barron

Morethan170businessandcommunityleadershelpedtowelcomePennStatePresidentDr.EricJ.BarronbacktoCentreCountyandPennStateatasspecialCBICCmembershipluncheononJune26attheNittanyLionInn.TheCBICC-memberexclusiveluncheonprovidedanopportunityforthebusinesscommunitytoreinforceitsgoalofathrivingprivatesectorthatcanstandarminarmwiththeexcellentacademicandresearch

institutionthatisPennState.PresidentBarronspokeabouthisfocusasuniversitypresident,andansweredquestionsfromattendees.Barronoutlinedanumberofinitiativeshebelieveswouldhelptheuniversity–workingwithpartnerorganizations–growthelocaleconomy.TheeventwassponsoredbyMountNittanyHealth.TheCentreDailyTimes’coverageofPresidentBarron’sremarksisavailablehere.

Chamber Day brings CBICC, statewide local chambers to Harrisburg for important policy discussions

OfficialsandbusinesspeoplefromtheChamberofBusiness&IndustryofCentreCountyand29otherstatewidelocalandregionalchambersofcommerceparticipatedinChamberDayattheStateCapitolonTuesday,June10.

OrganizedbythePAAssociationofChamberProfessionalsandthe

PennsylvaniaChamberofBusinessandIndustry,theannualeventbringstogetherlocalchamberleadersandstatepolicymakersfordiscussionsaboutissuesofimportancetotheCommonwealth’sjobcreators.

“It’sincrediblyimportantforPennsylvania’schamberprofessionalstoheardirectlyfromthestate’stoppolicymakersonissuesthatimpactjobgrowthandthebusinesscommunity,”saidCBICCPresidentandCEOVernSquier,chairmanofPACP.Squierdeliveredopeningremarksattheevent,whichwasalsoattendedbyCBICCCommunicationsDirectorLesleyKistner.

“WeallmaintainakeenfocusonensuringemployersviewPennsylvania–particularlyourspecificcommunities–asawelcominghomeforbusiness,”Squieradded.“ChamberDayprovidesuswithinsightonprioritymattersandenablesustoofferinputonhowtobeststrengthenthestate’sbusinessclimate.”

Duringtheevent,chamberofcommerceofficialsheardfromandaskedquestionsofGov.TomCorbett,whoservedaskeynoteluncheonspeaker;SenateMajorityLeaderDominicPileggi,

Highlights from the luncheon welcoming PSU President Dr. Eric J. Barron

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Ted McDowellSenior Vice President, AmeriServ Bank

Chairman of the Board

Bill JosephSenior Vice President, First National Bank

Vice Chairman of the Board

Vern SquierPresident / CEO

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R-Chester;HouseMajorityLeaderMikeTurzai,R-Allegheny;PABudgetSecretaryCharlesZogby;PARevenueSecretaryDanMeuser;andPALaborandIndustrySecretaryJulieHearthway.

Inaddition,periodicnetworkingbreaksenabledchamberleaderstoconverseandshareideaswithcolleaguesfromaroundthestateonmattersuniquetothechamberprofession.

White House Regional Affairs Forum encourages small business to enter export market

OnJune4,CBICCEconomicSpecialistMaryResidesandCommunicationsDirectorLesleyKistnerattendedtheWhiteHouseRuralCouncilMadeinAmericaRuralAmericaRegionalForuminCanonsburg.Theforumfocusedonhelpingruralfirmsunderstandwaystogrowtheirbusinessesbyfindingnewcustomersoverseasorsellingmoretotheirexistinginternationalcustomers.KeynotespeakerwasTomVilsack,Secretary,U.S.DepartmentofAgriculture,whospokeofpositioningruralAmericaforSuccessin

Need Exporting Assistance?

Checkoutthesehelpfulresources:

Export-ImportBankoftheUnitedStates,www.exim.gov

PAOfficeofInternationalBusinessDevelopment,www.newpa.com

U.S.CommercialService,www.trade.gov

www.seda-cog.org/export

www.exportingpa.org

www.export.gov

Meet with Pa.’s trade reps:

TheCentral PA International Trade ConferenceisscheduledforFriday, Sept. 19 in State College.ThisisanexcellentopportunitytositdownindividuallywiththeCommonwealth’snetworkof22AuthorizedTradeRepresentativestodiscussyourstrategies,opportunities,andpotentialinmorethan70differentmarkets.Thiseventisidealforbothnew-to-exportcompaniesandseasonedexporters.Markyourcalendarandstaytunedforfurtherdetails.

HIghlights from Chamber Day at the Capitol in Harrisburg

the21stcentury.AttractingdirectforeigninvestmentisoneareaoffocusfortheChamberthroughitsworkwithSEDA-COGandthe“MakeitinAmerica”initiative.

US Agriculture Secretary Tom VilsackObserver-Reporter photo

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Front + Centre Volume 1, Edition 4