Bill Owens

More than 50 business owners, economic developers, transportation and trade specialists and other members of the business community gathered at the Holiday Inn Plattsburgh for a cross-border business conference organized and led by Congressman Bill Owens today. The event, “Doing Business Across the U.S.-Canadian Border,” highlighted opportunities for local entrepreneurs to tap into new markets, expand their foreign sales, and grow their businesses.  

“Our close proximity with Canada means that export opportunities are already close at hand for many local companies,” said Owens. “Through this event today we intended to focus our region on a variety of worldwide export opportunities including cross border supply chain development and to connect local business owners with resources that can help them grow through exports. This kind of local business growth contributes to the creation of good jobs and investment in the region, and the quality of life for residents in many North Country communities.”

Over 550,000 New York jobs depend on trade with Canada, New York’s largest export market.  The trade in goods between New York and Canada was $33.8 billion in 2013.   

The event included a practical panel discussion with successful local leaders in business and trade as well as a discussion about U.S.-Canadian economic relations between Congressman Owens and the U.S. Consul General in Montreal, Ms. Nina Maria Fite. The panel included Mr. Robert DeCamp, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Consulting at Deringer Logistics of Champlain, NY; Mr. Manna Doyle, General Manager of Tulmar Manufacturing Inc. of Ogdensburg; Ms. Kathryn Bamberger, International Trade and Investment Specialist for Empire State Development; and Mr. Scott Schwartz, President of Hill Electric Supply of Glens Falls.

Rep. Owens led a similar event at SUNY Adirondack in Glens Falls earlier this year.

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