1.Succeeding as a Latino Business Owner in International Trade & Innovation October 3, 2013 Pamela Shupp, AICP, CEcD Vice President Greater Reading Economic Partnership

2. Greater Reading Economic Partnership (GREP) markets Berks County to attract business to our region and works with existing businesses to make sure they stay here and grow. Our mission is to attract, retain and grow businesses in Greater Reading. We align businesses with opportunities to help them be something greater. 2 Who is GREP and what do we do? 3. Greater Reading, PA Population: 413,000 and growing Population growth: 9.7% Diverse population: Berks County 16.4% Latino City of Reading 60% Latino o 88,000 people Over 400 companies are headquartered in Greater Reading 3 4. Greater Reading Major Companies 5. Greater Reading, PA: Internationally Owned Companies Australia Belgium Canada Denmark England France Germany Ireland Israel Japan Lebanon Mexico Netherlands Spain Sweden Turkey 5 Over 70+ companies internationally owned, representing: 6. Greater Reading is also home to many small & entrepreneurial women-owned businesses 6 7. Why Greater Reading? Over 100 million people within an overnights drive Reliable electric grid Low risk for natural disasters Good management relations Competitive wage manufacturing Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) 147 Keystone Opportunity Zones (KOZ) Convenient access to major Northeast markets 7 8. New and Expanding Companies: 8 Birdsboro Kosher Farms 9. Saucony Creek Brewing is a craft brewery that has taken off on the social media scene with products that are pre-ordered and cant be produced fast enough to meet demand. 9 10. 10 Resources 11. The World Trade Center Harrisburg serves companies in central Pennsylvania by: promoting global trade and delivering relevant educational programs, up-to-date trade information practical trade assistance research & referral services for their members and clients to help them compete and prosper in a global economy. The organization is a licensed member of the World Trade Centers Association and the regional coordinator for Pennsylvanias free export assistance services. 11 Tina Weyant , Executive Director tina@wtccentralpa.org (717) 843.1090 ext 246 12. Foreign Trade Zone 147 12 Customs duties are not paid on merchandise exported from a zone Delays in customs clearances and duty drawback are reduced or eliminated Spare parts may be stored, returned, or destroyed without duty payment 13. 13 Foreign Trade Zone 147 14. Keystone Opportunity Zones (KOZ) Over 250 acres of tax free zones - many with benefits through 2023 and in strategic locations with ease of highway access and high visibility. 14 15. 15 16. How do you keep up on all these resources? Most important is to get connected and stay connected. Get Social! LinkedIn, FB, Twitter, Pinterest, Blog, FourSquare, YouTube, Flickr Whatever way you are comfortable receiving and communicating your message you cant communicate enough! Build relationships 16 17. Websites You Need to Visit GreaterReading.com Information about general resources, support and KOZ FTZ147.com Information about Foreign Trade Zone 147 WTCCentralPA.org Information about exporting and trade assistance 17 18. Connect with Us! 18 Facebook.com/GreaterReadingEconomicPartnership Groups and Companies: Greater Reading Economic Partnership @GreaterReading Logon to: GreaterReading.com 19. We are committed to growing companies. Contact Information: GreaterReading.com (610) 376.4237 Pamela@GreaterReading.com Deb@GreaterReading.com Deb Heffner, Economic Development Coordinator Pamela J. Shupp, Vice President