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MEDC Offers Export Assistance In Grand Rapids, Novi

LANSING -- Michigan small businesses, companies with fewer than 500 employees, are invited to explore export opportunities at two Global Access Exporter Forums taking place in Grand Rapids and Novi Nov. 17 and 18.

Gov. Rick Snyder will give remarks at the Novi forum and Fred P. Hochberg, chairman and president of the Export-Import Bank of the United States will give presentations at both events. The forums are presented by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, Huntington Bank, PNC Bank, Chase and Export-Import Bank.

"Export sales help diversify companies' customer bases, provide longer term stability and can support higher paying jobs," MEDC president and CEO Michael A. Finney said. "These workshops are designed  for Michigan companies, to introduce them to the ins and outs of global trade and how to leverage these opportunities to improve their bottom line."

The forums will provide companies with details on qualifying for export assistance, new export financing incentives and available resources for export-related activities.

There also will be panel discussions and break-out sessions designed for businesses with all levels of experience in exporting.

The Grand Rapids forum will take place on Thursday, Nov. 17 from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at the Eberhard Center at Grand Valley State University. The cost to attend is $15. To register, visit http://www.gvsu.edu/vagtc/training-events.htm.

The Novi forum will take place on Friday, Nov. 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Baronette Renaissance Hotel. The cost to attend is $25 and includes lunch. For more information or to register, visit www.regonline.com/exportforum.

The Export-Import Bank of the United States is an independent federal agency that helps create and maintain U.S. jobs by filling gaps in private export financing at no cost to American taxpayers. The bank is a self-sustaining agency that receives no net appropriation from the U.S. Congress and charges interest and fees to fund its transactions.

The MEDC is a public-private partnership serving as the state's marketing arm and lead agency for business, talent and jobs, focuses on helping grow Michigan's economy. For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit:  www.MichiganAdvantage.org.

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