Contacts:

Tom Farris – 765.254.0116
tfarris@energize-eci.org

Roy Budd – 765.254.1420
info@energize-eci.org

Muncie, IN – E. Roy Budd, Executive Director of Energize-ECI, Inc., was part of a team from Ball State University participating in a two-week educational, business relations and economic development trip to Turkey. “We visited eight cities in Turkey, meeting with local and regional educational and government officials, business leaders and representatives of Chambers of Commerce. We also visited eleven universities and high schools, meeting with school officials. Turkey is the 6th largest economy is Europe and the 2nd most robust economy, behind Germany. Turkey has more demand for a university education that capacity, so the primary educational focus of the trip was to initiate possible partnerships between Ball State University and Turkish institutions, plus to recruit top high school students in Turkey to attend Ball State’s growing international program here in Muncie. We must embrace that education itself is economic development, plus education advances economic development. We visited Isparta, Muncie’s sister city – and they are interested in discussing possible collaborations with our community,” commented Mr. Budd.

Turkey is slightly larger than the state of Texas, with an area of 301,382 square miles. It shares land borders with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Iran, Iraq and Syria. The country is strategically situated since it controls the Turkish Straits, comprised of the Bosphorus, the Seal of Marmara, and the Dardanelles, which connect the Black Sea to the Aegean on the west coast. Turkey has 5,238 miles of shoreline. Ankara is the capital of Turkey. Istanbul is the only city in the world which is simultaneously located on two continents (Europe and Asia). The city has also been a important center of commerce and trade for both major land and sea routes.

According to Mr. Budd, “Modern Turkey is a free market economy oriented to Western markets. While the private sector continues to be a powerful engine of economic growth, the government has significant involvement in essential sectors such as communication, banking and transport. Modern industry and commerce play the majority role in the economy, although traditional village agriculture and crafts are still nurtured. Turkish business leaders are very interested in opportunities in the U.S. and especially East Central Indiana, thanks to our trip. We are working with several companies interested considering our area for logistics and distribution centers, because of our centralized U.S. location and excellent highway system. We hope to interest Turkish manufacturers and other companies to consider our area for plant facilities and U.S. or regional headquarters.”

Budd added, “Turkey’s economic profile is multi-dimensional in nature. Tourism has a significant economic impact, while textiles and clothing are the most important manufacturing industries and make up the largest percentage of Turkish exports, along with foodstuffs, metal components and transportation equipment.. Other important industries include iron, steel, cement, mining, electronics, petroleum, lumber, construction, paper, chemicals, and automotive. The private commerce sector is controlled by a number of large holding companies, which are owned by some of Turkey’s most prominent families. These businesses have an interest in increasing market share and growing throughout the world. We would like for them to invest right here in East Central Indiana. Energize-ECI, Inc. is planning to send a regional delegation to Turkey this autu8mn, then bring a Turkish delegation to Indiana next spring – to be able to demonstrate the friendliness of our state and the economic advantages of locating in our region. In addition to East Central Indiana, this effort may include economic development officials from Indianapolis and Fort Wayne – promoting an I-69 international corridor. We will also explore opportunities for area businesses to export products to Turkey.”