The DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation promoted business development opportunities to international businesses at the 2017 SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington, D.C. from June 19th, to the 21st, 2017.
More than 3,000 people registered for the Investment Summit, including 1,200 business representatives from 64 foreign markets, according to a SelectUSA Press Release.
“This continues to be the best place for business representatives to find growth opportunities in the United States,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “The record number of attendees at this year’s event further shows that the United States is becoming an even stronger investment destination.”
The annual Investment Summit connects global business leaders with U.S. economic development teams to facilitate U.S. investment.
DCEDC Executive Director Paul Borek partnered with Intersect Illinois, the State’s public/private economic development corporation, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, ComEd as well as other Illinois economic development organizations, utilities, counties and municipalities.
SelectUSA is one of the more productive business development trade shows available. Participating international businesses are vetted in advance as having qualified U.S. investment projects.
“Unlike some trade shows, there are few tire kickers”, said DCEDC Executive Director Paul Borek. “Nearly all businesses in attendance have investment goals and projects they need to act on,” Borek added.
Housed within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, SelectUSA assists U.S. economic development organizations to compete globally for investment by providing information, a platform for international marketing, and high-level advocacy.
Upon his return to the DCEDC office, Borek immediately began following up on leads by identifying investment and development opportunities in response to prospects’ interests.
International firms play a notable role in the local, DeKalb County economy. Switzerland-based Nestlé’s regional offices and 860,000 square foot distribution center represent the fourth largest industrial facility in the DeKalb County.
Tate & Lyle’s Custom Ingredients division in Sycamore has expanded twice in less than 10 years. New international firms to DeKalb County include, Quebec, Canada-based Solotech. Which just established operations in DeKalb and Finland-based LEDiL opened its new American regional office in Sycamore.
Paul Borek is the Executive Director of the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC). DCEDC is a public/private partnership dedicated to increasing and diversifying the local economy by attracting and expanding manufacturing, industrial and research & development operations in the county.
Click Here To Submit A News Tip Or Story