Regional Chamber Pursues Leads at Montreal Convention

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Sarah Boyarko, vice president of economic development, North America, met with Canadian site consultant CBRE Group Inc. while in Montreal for this month’s annual convention of the  international Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

During meetings with CBRE representatives, Boyarko discussed the potential for joint ventures with Mahoning Valley companies, expansion opportunities and the possibility of exporting local products into Canadian markets, the chamber reports.

CBRE has offices in 44 nations.

The chamber pursued several economic development leads during an invitation-only, site consultant forum that was part of the convention. While nearly 1,000 executives attended the convention, Boyarko was among approximately 20 invited to the site selection forum, the chamber said.

Boyarko also met with three companies considering investment in the Valley, including one company “the chamber has consistently targeted as part of its economic development efforts over the past 20 years,” the chamber said.

The 10 site consultants Boyarko networked with are among the most prolific in the world. They include Site Selection Group, Jones Lang LaSalle, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, and Cushman & Wakefield.

Jones Lang LaSalle has 230 offices in more than 80 countries. Newmark Grubb Knight Frank operates more than 300 offices on six continents.

“These firms have been contemplating investment in the Valley for quite a long time and we hope that my visit to their facilities in Montreal will solidify their decision to invest in the Youngstown-Warren area,” Boyarko said.

During the conference, Boyarko also attended roundtables surrounding best practices in regional workforce talent, automotive and aerospace, international attraction, distribution and logistics, and food processing.

SOURCE: Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber.

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