September/October 2007 | Trade and Industry Development

September/October 2007

Trade & Industry Development Magazine

Manufacturing has been an important component of the U.S. economy for decades, but global competition has changed the face of manufacturing throughout the country. Now, more than ever, companies are faced with complex decisions about where to maintain operations, where to downsize and where to expand, along with the most difficult element of evaluating the labor force. Our “Feature” articles give tremendous insight into evaluating your labor force and tax credits and incentives for manufacturers.
 
There is also an article on ports and an article on FTZs that you’ll find most interesting.  “Industry Outlook” highlights two industry associations: NAM and NMMI. The area “Spotlights” include Alabama, Kansas, Tennessee and Utah. They provide additional information to influence your next site location decision.
 
We, at Trade & Industry Development, hope the articles included in this issue will give you valuable information to proceed with plans that will help grow your company to the heights in which you envision. As always, if further information is needed, the economic developers and consultants participating in this issue will be glad to assist you.

In this issue

Case Study - Southern Idaho:

BY: Andrea Johnson

You could spend hours jammed in traffic, or you could get to where you need to go in just a few minutes, any time of the day.   You could spend tens of thousands of dollars on utilities and workers’ compensation, or you could spend just a fraction of that and invest your money elsewhere.   You could spend days, weeks and even months mired in bureaucracy as you attempt to move a project forward, or you could instantly reach government officials eager to move you full speed ahead.  You could embroil yourself in legal red tape and lawsuits, or you could do business on a handshake.   You could spend your days languishing in a concrete jungle or you could immerseyourself in small-town charm and abundant natural beauty.   You could do business in any metropolitan area where work devours life, or you could do business in Southern Idaho --- where life and work blend in exquisite harmony that’s reflected in productivity, opportunity and profits.   That’s what motivated Patsy and Buck Bland to not only... more....