1. Facilitating Business INVESTMENT IN The United States
Prepared for the Southern Economic Development Council Annual Conference
August 1, 2016
Keida Ackerman
Senior International Investment Specialist
SelectUSA | International Trade Administration
Desk (202) | Mobile (202) |
We deliver results
SelectUSA has directly assisted with attracting $22.5 billion in client-verified investments to the USA!!

2. Agenda What is SelectUSA? What does SelectUSA do? How do we help EDOs?
What (Data) Tools do we use?
How do I recruit FDI?
What criteria drive FDI projects?
What events do you organize?

3. What is SelectUSA?
SelectUSA’s mission is to promote and facilitate global business investment (a.k.a. Foreign Direct Investment, FDI)
in the United States
We are the single point of contact – housed at the U.S. Department of Commerce – at the national level for international companies to invest in the United States. “
The United States reaffirms our open investment policy, a commitment to treat all investors in a fair and equitable manner under the law.”
President Barack Obama
June 20, 2011

4. What does SelectUSA do?
SelectUSA serves two primary clients: foreign investors and U.S. economic development organizations (EDOs). We help investors to understand the U.S. market to support investment and business decisions. We help EDOs to think about incorporating FDI into economic development strategies
Information, Research & Counseling on business investment in the United States and developing an FDI strategy
In-Market Investment Promotion for EDOs to market their locations to targeted investor audiences (Road Shows + Single Location Promotions, SLPs)
Ombudsman Assistance* to assist with questions or concerns about U.S. federal rules and regulations
Advocacy* to promote the United States in international competition (1 U.S. locations versus at least 1 non-U.S. location)
Additional Services: retention/expansion of current FDI projects, forming partnerships with local universities, leveraging our domestic contacts, developing information-rich websites
About Statebook.

5. How do we help EDOs?
We help EDOs to understand the contribution FDI can make to local economies. We provide insight into FDI trends and patterns. We assist with developing FDI attraction strategies or updating current plans. We explain the needs of investors. We organize in-market promotion programs
Facilitated Investment Missions (a.k.a. Road Shows)
FCS-led program providing multiple participating EDOs a suite of fee-base services
Single Location Promotions (SLPs)
Custom events for single EDOs. Led by FCS posts.
Ex 1. SelectUSA brief new leadership at state EDO on the contribution of FDI to economic development strategies, reviewed a draft FDI attraction strategy
Ex 2. SelectUSA spoke at a state’s annual conference for economic developers
Ex 3. SelectUSA provided Advocacy assistance to a U.S. location vying for an investment project with a foreign country. The company selected the U.S. location
Ex 4. SelectUSA provided matchmaking services to EDOs attending a leading manufacturing trade show, connecting them to potential investors
About Statebook.

6. What (Data) Tools do we use?
Description
URL
Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
Promotes better understanding of U.S. economy via timely, relevant, accurate economic accounts data. A leading statistical agency. Data covers FDI into USA.
State Business Incentives Database (C2ER)
Database created by Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). Encompasses 2,000 programs from all 50 states, DC, federal agencies. Gives economic developers, business development finance professionals, and economic researchers one-stop resource for searching and comparing state incentive programs.
Cluster Mapping
National economic initiative that provides over 50 million open data records on industry clusters and regional business environments in the United States to promote economic growth and national competitiveness. Project led by Harvard Business School with U.S. Department of Commerce.
StateBook
Subscription-based database supplies data relevant to site selection decisions . Data points include: demographics, taxes, education levels, average wages, utility costs, quality-of-life (museums, golf courses)
U.N. Conference on Trade + Development (UNCTAD)
UN body responsible for dealing with development issues, esp. international trade . Statistics cover international/bilateral FDI data
fDi Markets
Subscription-based database provides comprehensive data on cross-border greenfield investments, covering all countries and sectors..
Assess Costs Everywhere
Database provides manufacturers with top reasons for investing/sourcing in USA. With its analytic framework, links to public and private resources, and case studies, ACE available to help businesses assess total costs more accurately and enable informed decision-making.

7. NEW!! SelectUSA Stats Tool
SelectUSA Stats is a FDI Data Visualization Tool
Interactive Dashboards
Public Data
Free Online Tool
FDI Data Includes
Stock / Flow
Jobs / Exports / R&D
& more!
Contains FDI Data by…
Year(s)
Source Market(s)
Destination State(s)

8. How do I recruit FDI? Ask the Right Questions!
What are your assets?
What comparative advantages exist relative to your neighbors?
What global companies are in your region? Do you have a relationship and understand their needs?
Have you analyzed where investment/exports come from and go to?
What assets are in place to attract and retain global companies?
Have you mapped gaps in the local supply chain?
What are the “Top 10” reasons to invest in your location?
Can you recap the fundamental elements to do business in your location?
Deliver Outstanding Customer Service/Investor Care
Deliver quick response time to inquiries (including from SelectUSA)
Create standardized framework for managing cases
Establish metrics to track clients, successes, improvement
Open communication with decision makers at state/local levels
Be prepared/willing to hand-hold investor throughout process

9. What criteria drive FDI projects?
Business Needs dominate due diligence reviews
Proximity to Customers/Consumers
Proximity to Suppliers
Access to skilled workforce
Operating Costs
Energy prices
Utilities
Inputs (raw materials/components)
Logistics (supply chains, ports, modal centers)
Taxes (Federal > State/Local)
Rule of Law (Predictability + Stability)
Incentives (“icing on the FDI cake”)
Core FDI Criteria:
Building the FDI “Cake”
Business-Friendly Atmosphere
Tone from the Top (Governor’s Office)
All Resources Working Together
Prompt, responsive, attentive customer service
Streamlined (seamless) treatment of permits, requirements, regulations
Public sector + private sector champions
Business-Friendly/Rational Policies + Legislation + Regulations
Local content requirements?
Tax reforms/provisions that disadvantage U.S. subsidiaries?
Burdensome environmental obligations?
Higher tax rates, vs neighbors?
Unions / right to work
Employer/Employee rights + responsibilities
One-Stop Shopping
Attractive, persuasive, data-driven Informational + Promotional Materials

10. What events do you organize?
Past Events
December 1-4 Brazil Road Show
February 1-5 Japan Road Show
February 24 US-Turkey Investment Summit
April Hannover Messe (U.S. Partner Country)
May French-American Business Week
June SelectUSA Investment Summit
Future Events
Sept. 9 Trade Winds: Latin America (SelectUSA Seminar) (Chile)
Sept Taiwan Road Show (4 cities)
Winter 2016 SelectUSA Seminar (Montreal)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 2 Brazil Road Show (3 cities)
February Toronto Auto Show (SelectUSA seminar)
March 2017 India Road Show (cities TBD)
Visit for details

11. 2016 SelectUSA Investment Summit
WASHINGTON, DC | JUNE 19-21, 2016
2,500+ participants from 70 international markets
600+ EDO representatives
147,000 total tracked, on-site interactions
President Obama
8 Cabinet Secretaries, 4 Governors
2017 Summit: June at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, Maryland