JPMorgan Chase announced its support for the Metro Phoenix Export Alliance (MPEXA) through $150,000 in philanthropic backing to be administered by the Partnership for Economic Innovation (PEI). As an affiliate of PEI, MPEXA will use the funds to continue programs such as Export Explore – which awards grants and provides resources to small and medium size businesses in metro Phoenix to export their goods and services and expand their global footprint – and work with its partners to market the region as a location of choice for global investment.
“We are proud to partner with Partnership for Economic Innovation to build the capacity of businesses in the Phoenix metro area to export as well as to enhance the region’s ability to attract international investment,” said Noreen Bishop Hill, J.P. Morgan Private Bank Market Manager for the Desert Southwest Market, which includes Arizona. “This effort will help grow our economy and create substantive jobs for years to come.”
The announcement was made at the Export Explore panel event, which was part of a multi-day educational program that includes Export 101 workshops and a pitch competition, where up to six businesses will be selected to receive grant awards. In addition to the nearly $25,000 in grants, other in-kind services will be provided by MPEXA members UPS, Snell & Wilmer, Spencer Fane and Miller Proctor Law.
The event included a panel that was moderated by Hank Marshall, executive officer for the city of Phoenix, and panelists included Ligia McClean, manager for international strategic partnerships for The Boeing Company, Daniel Gaines, director for the US Commercial Service in Phoenix, Martha Media with 21st Century Vitamins, and Keith Jackson with EyeTech Digital Systems, Inc. the winner of last year’s Export Explore pitch competition.
“The MPEXA Export Explore program has been a tremendous resource to companies in the Greater Phoenix region as they discover how they can expand their business goods and services outside of the market,” said Chris Camacho, chair of MPEXA and President and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. “We are living in a global market, and the number of companies that have signed up to be part of the export workshops and pitch competitions shows there is an appetite for growth.”
To learn more about MPEXA, or the Export Explore program, visit mpexa.org. You can follow MPEXA on Twitter at Twitter.com/MetroPhxExport.
About the Partnership for Economic Innovation
The Partnership for Economic Innovation (PEI) is a passionate collective of community, business and opinion leaders, dedicated to the mission of fulfilling the economic opportunities of Greater Phoenix. The intent of PEI is to present a vision, identify opportunities for action, and guide resources for producing real solutions. The success of PEI is measured by the advancement of our economic presence, beyond being a more competitive region and toward being recognized as a world-class economy. For more information about PEI, visit www.azpei.org. Follow PEI on Twitter at Twitter.com/PEIPhx.
About MPEXA
Through participation in the Global Cities Initiative: A Joint Project of Brookings and JPMorgan Chase, Greater Phoenix developed an Export Plan to increase exports. The Metro Phoenix Export Alliance (MPEXA), a program of the Partnership for Economic Innovation, was formed to oversee and support the implementation of this plan. MPEXA is a public-private partnership consisting of C-level executives and university experts along with key regional and state leaders. MPEXA is an affiliate of the Partnership for Economic Innovation. For more information, please visit www.mpexa.com.
