1 2 SEPTEMBER 2015

Written by Anne Lindert-Wentzell requires a proactive strategic approach to attract both business and investors in a quickly changing competitive market. A recent report by the U.S.’s National Associa- he county is located halfway tion of Counties (NACo) recognizes the important role counties play in addressing between Toronto, Ontario and economic challenges and the subsequent solutions that will lead to healthy counties TGrand Rapids, Michigan, with and healthy states and an inevitably healthy nation. a strategic location on the St. Clair River, which forms the border between Investors, too, require an analysis of strategic planning to make the best decisions about Michigan and Ontario and is part of the where the business has the best chance of survival. Considerations such as location, Waterway. access to a skilled workforce, an innovative environment and incentives are just some variables that will ultimately determine those decisions. Economic development promotion in any given region can be both chal- As a hub of international trade and commerce, St. Clair County is unique. It offers easy lenging and rewarding when success- access to markets through deep water ports in Port Huron, Marysville and Marine City ful outcomes are realized. However, it which has led to St. Clair County being known as the ‘Maritime Capital of the Great BUSINESS IN FOCUS 3

St. Clair County, Michigan has a long history of creating a thriving environment for business success, much of which can be attributed to its geographic location and efficient transportation infrastructure, which acts as an instrument to continued economic growth for the county.

Lakes’. Two major highways (the Interstates 69 and 94) and access to ’s Highway 402, beginning at the county’s twin-span Blue Water Bridge, make St. Clair County an international trade corridor between the U.S. and Canada. In fact, the county is Canada’s number one trading partner.

St. Clair County is also the number two border crossing for rail traffic as determined by value and volume. The subaqueous St. Clair International Rail Tunnel, built under the St. Clair River between Port Huron and Sarnia, Ontario, reduces transportation times between the central U.S. and Canada by negating the use of barge crossings. The Canadian National Railway utilizes the tunnel for the transportation of goods from Toronto into Michigan and Illinois and beyond into Mexico.

The St. Clair County International Airport, located near Port Huron, serves as a cargo airport and provides immigration and customs’ services. Just an hour away are two additional airports: Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan and Metro Airport.

Dan Casey, CEO of St. Clair County Economic Development Alliance, affirms that the county’s excellent transportation systems have, “made our economy a global one. We have the ability to connect to the rest of the world very easily which reduces the cost

“It’s an excellent location in North America to design, develop and produce manufactured goods of any kind.” 4 SEPTEMBER 2015

PROMOTING INTEREST ALONG THE CORRIDOR

The I-69 International Trade Corridor is globally away from working with Canadian partners as significant to St. Clair County and the state of well because our transportation assets cross the Michigan. This international and interstate Corridor border into Canada.” Casey cited a 2014 mem- extends from Texas to Michigan providing access orandum of understanding that was signed to markets in the Midwest and Canada. with the Ontario-based Southwest Economic Alliance, which is leading to collaborative efforts As part of Michigan’s Regional Prosperity Ini- to promote the greater region. tiative, St. Clair County, along with three other counties and 35 local municipalities, came Recently, an agreement was signed to extend together three years ago to create the Initiative the I-69 International Trade Corridor through- to promote economic and workforce devel- out all of Michigan. “So we’re all now, as a state, opment. “It’s a regional effort to promote our working collaboratively to market that corridor transportation assets to the rest of the world,” to the rest of the world,” he continues. “Com- says Casey. panies generally don’t look closely at borders – not if they’re global. They look at markets. We A regional board was formed to approve incen- have to make sure that we’re selling ourselves tives for companies engaged in manufacturing, against the competition… I think that’s some of logistics or warehousing that use multimodal the benefits of working collaboratively, espe- transportation in their daily business that locate cially when you think about it in terms of global or expand along the corridor. “We have not shied competition.”

to transport goods to and from markets.” from that.” Summer 2015

He also believes that the county’s strong partnership with, When one thinks of Michigan, thoughts most often turn to the Karmanos construction and access to, the Canadian market is part of its success. “A automotive industry. Although Michigan didn’t start out as a began combination of the Canadian market and access to Asian and global auto industry giant – many auto companies began in European markets through New England – by the early Fall 2015 deep water ports on the east “The county is Canada’s number 1900s, Michigan laid claim to and west coasts in Canada,” he this fame with thanks, in part, to Patient tower one trading partner.” construction begins suggests are responsible for the a little Henry Ford ingenuity. county’s success. “That helps Spring 2016 to drive trade between countries, and we benefit significantly Today, Michigan is the worldwide leader in automotive design Cancer services begin in new Karmanos Cancer Institute

Spring 2017

Patient tower occupancy

End of year 2017 McLaren Port Huron continues to invest in the Blue Water Area Cancer services Our broad campus expansion project represents the next step in providing our community with the very latest clinical full occupancy services and technology while providing greater privacy and comfort for our patients and their families. The more than $160 million construction project, the largest Fall 2018 the Blue Water area has seen in decades, includes construction of a Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and new patient tower as well as renovations throughout

Project the hospital. And, this is why McLaren Port Huron continues to be a leader in healing. completion mclaren.org/ph BUSINESS IN FOCUS 5

and production with nine global original equipment manufac- turers (OEMs) – having facilities in the state and it is headquar- ters to 93 of North America’s top 150 auto suppliers. “We’re very fortunate to have many Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive suppliers in our region that create jobs, invest money and are contribut- ing to the state and local economy,” adds Casey.

“As a state, Michigan has some of the best engineering talent in the nation.”

“Automotive clearly is a dominant industry in Michigan,” he says. “We try to take advantage of that by providing resources to support that industry as well as transportation infrastruc- ture. However, I like to think of it as the manufacturing industry because we also service the defense industry, aerospace and medical devices. In part, that is because of the ability of our workforce to make things.”

There are at least twenty-five automotive assembly plants within four hour’s drive, and the county is home to the Mid- west’s largest plastic industry cluster. “It’s an excellent location in North America to design, develop and produce manufac-

Summer 2015

Karmanos construction began

Fall 2015

Patient tower construction begins

Spring 2016

Cancer services begin in new Karmanos Cancer Institute

Spring 2017

Patient tower occupancy

End of year 2017 McLaren Port Huron continues to invest in the Blue Water Area Cancer services Our broad campus expansion project represents the next step in providing our community with the very latest clinical full occupancy services and technology while providing greater privacy and comfort for our patients and their families. The more than $160 million construction project, the largest Fall 2018 the Blue Water area has seen in decades, includes construction of a Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and new patient tower as well as renovations throughout

Project the hospital. And, this is why McLaren Port Huron continues to be a leader in healing. completion mclaren.org/ph 6 SEPTEMBER 2015

tured goods of any kind,” continues Casey. “Particularly those made out of metals and plastics.”

The two other sectors that benefit from St. Clair County’s com- bination of talent, location and resources are the defense and aerospace industries. Located just outside St. Clair County is Selfridge Air Force Base and the U.S. Army’s Tank Automotive Command (TACOM), one of the largest research and develop- ment centers in the U.S.

“A lot of our companies are here to produce products to treat metals, to cut metals [and] to design and engineer goods that are used in defense. Similarly, we have a pretty robust aero- space industry which is fuelled by some of the same needs.”

“St. Clair County offers ‘a very competitive toolbox of incentives to support projects.’”

He says that much of the Economic Development Alliance’s focus is to work with both of these industries to increase their presence in the region. “Make no mistake, the automotive industry drives our economy, but some of those same competencies really are

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Port Huron, MI 48060 True North is a St. Clair County Michigan Consulting rm assisting companies in (810) 966-8987 doing business with the Government. With our team’s 100+ years of experience, you CAGE code 5S5W0 will work with our knowledgeable advisors to mazimize your Government business www.truenorthco.com potential. True North will provide your company with the bene t of our experience in [email protected] all facets of the complex Government procurement process.

True North works closely with the Canadian Consulate and other Canadian entities to support economic growth and sustainability for Canadian corporations seeking U.S. Government contracts and U.S. companies seeking Canadian contracts. These reverse investment opportunities help both of our border communities increase jobs and investments. Our U.S. border location in St. Clair County provides an interna- Call us today to schedule a tional bridge to success for both of our communities. free, no obligation, 1-hour consultation with one of True North Services Include: our senior experts! • Government Contracting Assistance • Export Control Compliance (ITAR/EAR) • Tactical Planning • Marketing Strategy Learn about the untapped • Customized Training • Executive Representation opportunities that await • Advanced Acquisition Training • Economic Development your company! • Proposal Development • Supply Chain Management Support • Pink, Red and Gold Team Reviews • GSA Schedule Contracting Support BUSINESS IN FOCUS 7

beneficial to both the defense and aerospace industries.”

TREVELYAN HODGE The county is located on the northern tier of the metro Paper Supervisor Detroit region, has a population of over 163,000 and WE GROW access to a labor force of over one million. Every region of the country needs a skilled workforce to help propel its MORE THAN TREES. economy forward. That’s a given. The investment in human WE GROW capital is probably the single most important determinant THE of success when considering the vital interplay between LOCAL ECONOMY.

human capital and economic growth. Domtar provides more than exceptional paper products. NEARLY We provide jobs. K Nearly 9,000 of them that enrich local economies As a state, Michigan has some of the best engineering talent in 9 all over North America. NORTH AMERICAN At Domtar, we’re cultivating communities. the nation. It has the most engineers per capita which is attrib- EMPLOYEES domtar.com utable largely to the automotive industry. Its universities and colleges have developed programs to meet the demand for specialized talent, and St. Clair County benefits from a number of 8X8X8 Desert Chameleon educational institutions that graduate a highly skilled workforce. ADVS and U.S Government Project

Casey notes that the region is supported by more than 20 Tactical Armoured Patrol Vechicle colleges and universities that are located within a one hour’s (TAPV) drive. Significant research and technical universities include Textron/ Canadian Government Project Michigan State, the University of Michigan, Lawrence Techno- logical University and Kettering University. These institutions, “have significant capacity to do contracted research,” adds Port Huron, MI 48060 True North is a St. Clair County Michigan Consulting rm assisting companies in Casey. “So they really are important players, not only at the (810) 966-8987 doing business with the Government. With our team’s 100+ years of experience, you CAGE code 5S5W0 will work with our knowledgeable advisors to mazimize your Government business state level, but also at the local level in terms of their ability to www.truenorthco.com potential. True North will provide your company with the bene t of our experience in provide expertise and talent and also work with industries to [email protected] all facets of the complex Government procurement process. develop new technologies.”

True North works closely with the Canadian Consulate and other Canadian entities to support economic growth and sustainability for Canadian corporations seeking St. Clair County offers, “a very competitive toolbox of incen- U.S. Government contracts and U.S. companies seeking Canadian contracts. These tives to support projects,” Casey says. The county manages a reverse investment opportunities help both of our border communities increase jobs Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), for example, that supports company and investments. Our U.S. border location in St. Clair County provides an interna- exports in the region as well as the importing of foreign tional bridge to success for both of our communities. Call us today to schedule a goods into the market. FTZs are geographic areas adjacent free, no obligation, 1-hour to the nation’s ports of entry. Domestic and foreign goods consultation with one of True North Services Include: our senior experts! • Government Contracting Assistance • Export Control Compliance (ITAR/EAR) receive the same customs handling and are not subject to • Tactical Planning • Marketing Strategy tariffs which lowers the cost of doing business for companies Learn about the untapped • Customized Training • Executive Representation engaged in international trade. opportunities that await • Advanced Acquisition Training • Economic Development your company! • Proposal Development • Supply Chain Management Support • Pink, Red and Gold Team Reviews • GSA Schedule Contracting Support 8 SEPTEMBER 2015

“We offer the standard tax abatements; we have low-cost municipally owned land that can be made available for free to companies for projects that generate significant new employment.”

A variety of other incentives and programs are available to companies for warehousing or logistics projects. “It’s a pretty extensive toolbox of incentives that are available to us,” he says. “It’s bolstered by great talent and expertise, both at the state level and locally.” These incentives can be tailored to meet the requirements and specific needs of any company. BUSINESS IN FOCUS 9

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The county currently offers 12 industrial parks, offering plenty of opportunity for growth and expansion. Larger sections of land are currently being prepared for development. Also, St. Clair County recently received a State of Michigan SmartZone desig- nation that will be used to develop a 384-acre technology park along the I-94 corridor. I-94 is the longest Interstate and runs east to west and borders on Michigan’s south. “Our existing parks are extensive and largely full at this point,” continues Casey. “There is still some land available, but it is limited in terms of the number of acres. So we are developing the next generation of industrial and technology parks to meet future demand.” 10 SEPTEMBER 2015

A HISTORIC ICON LIVES ON

History should not be seen as an insipid recount of the past. On the contrary, history is filled with echoes of past voices hoping to strike an emotional chord in those to whom it matters. And if ships could tell their tales, the stories of the USCGC Bramble would be many.

It has found a place in the hearts of Robert B. Klingler, a Marine City, Michigan, businessman and his wife Sara. They have devoted themselves to ensuring the Bramble legend lives on – that its pages from history remain open.

The USCGC Bramble, a 180 foot buoy tender and was built between 1942 and 1944 in Duluth, to serve the U.S. Coast Guard. It was commissioned in 1944 and performed numerous noteworthy operations including navigating the in 1957. It also served as search and rescue, an aid to navigation and law enforcement.

The Bramble was decommissioned in 2003 and gifted to the Port Huron Museum. It was put up for sale after the museum could no longer operate it. This is where Robert and Sara enter Bramble’s history pages. They purchased the ship in 2013 and restored it to its former glory. “I was raised on the St. Clair River,” says Robert. “I became very much attached to ships, freighters and the coast guard,” adding that, “We purchased it to save it for antiquity.”

The Bramble is more than a ship to Robert. As he relates, “The ship is like one of our children that belongs to a huge family. The family is the coast guard.” Buying and restoring the Bramble, “is one of the most satisfying things I have done in my life,” Robert affirms. The Best Contractors. The Best Electricians. Period. The Bramble will be featured in a blockbuster movie to be released in 2016.

The city of Port Huron recently announced plans for the development of new housing along its waterfront as well as a couple of hotel projects. One such hotel project includes a twenty-acre brownfield site currently under redevelopment for a Holiday Inn Express. The land was purchased by Amerilodge Group in 2013. Amerilodge’s interest was sparked by the announcement of the construction of the now-completed, $9 million Blue Water Convention Centre. These projects are huge assets for the area, espe-

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cially relating to tourism.

“The county’s excellent transportation systems have ‘made our economy a global one.’”

“I think tourism is an important aspect to our economy,” says Casey. “We benefit significantly from day and weekend traffic from Canadians that come here to shop. We do a lot to try to welcome the Canadian shoppers and vacationing visitors to our area. That’s one of the benefits of living on a border. It really makes for a good partnership between the countries.”

Casey shares that St. Clair County is an affordable place to live and an ideal location for business. “It’s a market that people enjoy coming to because of the water and recreational assets that we have here. It’s a great place for your business because of the low costs of running those businesses in our area.”

The Best Contractors. The Best Electricians. Period.

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