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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
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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
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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 [email protected]. 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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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dtd t fs mi std: Tis
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$429 p cpit pi st, wi i gd rpids spdi is
$214 p cpit.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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Send your news
to Michelle
Rahl at mrahl@
lansingchamber.org
7/31/2019 3040 Lrcc Focus July 2012
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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
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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 [email protected].
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).
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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)
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Black Car Service!
Mid-Michigans Premier
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professional and comfortable
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Call us today to book your next trip
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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