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(INDIANAPOLIS) – JPMorgan Chase & Co. has made a two-year $220,000 grant to the Indy Chamber to support its global initiatives. This grant is a major boost to the Chamber’s Accelerate Indy regional economic development strategy, which includes ‘Global Indy’ plans. The Global Indy initiative works to raise the region’s profile in global commerce by convening partners to support international business, growing exports, and attracting more foreign investment.
The funding reflects the long-term commitment of JPMorgan Chase to the economic vitality of Indianapolis and support of the Indy Chamber, as well as its wider focus on strengthening the U.S. position in the global economy. JPMorgan Chase is a partner with the Brookings Institution in the Global Cities Initiative (GCI), a program helping regional leaders build more internationally-engaged metropolitan areas.
The Indy Chamber led regional participation in GCI, launching the resulting Metro Indianapolis Global Trade and Investment Strategy in 2016. Further development and implementation of the Strategy is guided by the Chamber’s Global Indy Council, which is led by Al Smith, Jr., the Indiana chairman for JPMorgan Chase.
“JPMorgan Chase has been a proud partner in the Indy Chamber’s development of Accelerate Indy and the Global Indy strategy. Building a strong, sustainable regional economy means connecting beyond the region, and seizing opportunities around the world,” said Smith. “We’re pleased to continue our financial support for making these plans a reality.”
“JPMorgan Chase has been an invaluable partner in our Global Indy programs, and we appreciate their continued confidence and financial commitment to these crucial priorities,” said Maureen Krauss, the Indy Chamber’s Chief Economic Development Officer. “Without Al Smith’s personal leadership, Chase’s engagement in our region, and the company’s national interest in projects like the Global Cities Initiative, ‘Accelerate Indy’ would not have as many global growth opportunities for our businesses and communities.”
One Global Indy program funded by JPMorgan Chase is the Chamber’s ‘GoGlobal’ Export Acceleration Grants, which help mid-market companies launch or expand export efforts with competitively-awarded matching funds up to $5,000. Since mid-2016, the Chamber has awarded 13 GoGlobal Grants totaling nearly $63,000 to regional manufacturers, health and life sciences companies and high-tech firms. The organization awarded four grants in January – to Arcamed, C.H. Ellis, Jeco Plastic Products, and Stage Ninja – and is evaluating a new round of grant applications over the next several weeks.
“Thanks to Chase, we’re creating success stories – and case studies of strategies that work – for other mid-sized companies with untapped export potential across the region,” Krauss noted.
“Strong metro regions are the building blocks of a thriving national economy,” said Owen Washburn, Vice President of Global Philanthropy at JPMorgan Chase, and a former Senior Policy Analyst at Brookings’ Metropolitan Policy Program. “Our support of the Indy Chamber as it prepares local businesses to compete abroad, helps strengthen the region and creates opportunities for businesses and individuals.”
