When CenterState CEO and its partners launched the CenterState Metropolitan Export Initiative, regional exports were a little more than $6 billion; today they have grown to almost $7 billion. While this growth is encouraging evidence of progress, we continue to find new ways to realize our region’s true export potential. This is why I am excited to share with you the launch of two new initiatives that will support business growth and advance our joint global trade and investment strategy to grow our regional economy.

The first is the development of a foreign direct investment plan for the region. Syracuse is just one of six metros selected by the Brookings Institution and JPMorgan Chase to develop a regional plan to attract and leverage foreign direct investment. This work builds on the existing regional export plan, developed as part of the Global Cities Initiative, a joint project of the Brookings Institution and JPMorgan Chase, by advancing a second core component of the region’s global engagement and investment strategy. Others metros selected include Atlanta, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Des Moines, and the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson metro in South Carolina. 

Also, JPMorgan Chase awarded CenterState CEO a $40,000 grant to establish an Export Catalyst Pilot Program, targeting middle market businesses in the region. Through the program, up to six companies that have a globally competitive product but lack experience or capacity for international sales, will be matched with export specialists to provide market identification and assessment, entry requirements and buyer identification services. Through mentoring and one-on-one skills training, company staff will gain the knowledge and experience they need to continue to grow internationally. Our goal is to create a permanent program following the pilot to ensure continued growth for middle-market companies in the area.

These and other export consultation and assistance services are available to you as we continue to strengthen the region’s global connections and competitiveness. Businesses interested in leveraging global opportunities should reach out to Steven King, executive director of the Central New York International Business Alliance, at (315) 470-1800 or email: sking@cnyiba.net. 

Robert M. (Rob) Simpson is president and CEO of CenterState CEO, the primary economic-development organization for Central New York. This editorial is drawn and edited from the “CEO Focus” email newsletter the organization sent to members on June 5.