Automation Alley Establishes New Center in Support of International Business Opportunities

TROY, Mich., March 29 -- Automation Alley today announced the formation of the Automation Alley International Business Center (AAIBC). The AAIBC will primarily assist small- to mid-sized foreign companies and international government entities interested in establishing businesses in Southeast Michigan.

The AAIBC will provide a full range of free support, from arranging meetings with government officials, regional economic development agencies, attorneys and CPAs, to coordinating pre-arranged company and factory visits, and providing regional demographic information. Additionally, the AAIBC will offer administrative support free of charge, including office space, meeting rooms, access to computers and other business machines, video conferencing, as well as phone and answering service. Additional discounted services will include car rental assistance and hotel or apartment lodging.

"The establishment of the AAIBC is an important step in furthering Southeast Michigan's ability to expand its economic base," said Ken Rogers, executive director, Automation Alley. "The AAIBC offers a one-stop shop to foreign businesses and government entities, making it easy and attractive to do business in Southeast Michigan."

"Automation Alley has comprehensive knowledge regarding the needs of foreign companies and government bodies," said M. Dujon Johnson, director of the AAIBC and assistant director of the Automation Alley Export Center. "The formation of the AAIBC is a natural step in putting this knowledge to a broader use that will offer long-term benefits to the region."

AAIBC services will be available for a two-week period while company or government representatives explore establishing a business location in the region. The AAIBC will be located at the Automation Alley headquarters in Troy. Interested parties can contact the AAIBC at (248) 457-3280 for more information.

About Automation Alley

Automation Alley is Southeast Michigan's regional technology cluster, attracting the creators and consumers of diverse technologies from a variety of industries around the world. The Automation Alley Consortium is a membership of technologically diverse, progressive business, governmental and educational visionaries working in concert to attract world-class talent and businesses to Southeast Michigan. For more information, visit http://www.automationalley.com/ . For membership information, contact 1-800-427-5100.