Microenterprise Development

            The Midwest region of the United States continues to be the industrial center of the United States. Though a large number of fortune 500 corporations are based in the Midwest, the real vitality of the region’s economic growth stems from the emergence and nurturing of the small and medium size companies. The diversity of the manufactured goods, agricultural products and services in the Midwest range from privately-owned machine shops to multinational joint ventures in heavy industry; from family-owned farms to high tech agricultural research and development firms; from individual shop owners to the world’s largest retailers. 

            Heartland International recognizes the importance of a free and open market to the strengthening of democratic institution. To this end Heartland International has developed the following training programs:  

·        “Privatization and Deregulation”, a three-week program for political officials and entrepreneurs from Mozambique focusing on the impact of privatization and deregulation, the development business incubators, and the community-based investment programs;  

·        “Business for Russia”, a multifaceted training program that includes business placements, relevant seminars and educational site visits;

·        “Basics of Exporting”, a six-part seminar series for the international business staff of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs;  

·        “Partnership with Thailand”, an economic development project with the City of Chicago’s Department of Economic Development designed to promote trade and investment among small and medium size companies and their counterparts in Thailand;  

·        UnItrex/Chicago, a data base of public and private sector resources for small and medium size companies seeking to enter international markets.