(Cracking the Code with Greg Kozera - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

Americans can find a lot to complain about. Just watch any news channel.

The reality is, we are very well off. We have abundant food; economical, dependable energy; a high standard of living; a stable government; internal and external safety and security compared to most countries; personal liberty; and economic opportunity. We now have the cleanest air and water of my entire life.

Many of these benefits we take for granted. Earlier this year, we did a Zoom call with a Ukrainian company who was in their bomb shelter. They don’t know if their factory will be standing tomorrow. It makes some of our business challenges in the U.S. seem small by comparison.

The U.S. isn’t perfect. We have crime, drug problems and many other challenges. One of our main challenges is to deal with policies that can negatively impact our blessings, like an open border or an energy policy that restricts energy production, raises costs and potentially puts people’s lives at risk by creating brownouts and blackouts. Imagine what it would be like during this current heat wave without air conditioning, a refrigerator or ice.

The U.S. and the Shale Crescent USA region have a lot to be thankful for. Working with foreign companies, we learn why companies are interested in expanding here. Here are some of the top reasons we hear from foreign investors about why they want to be in the U.S.:

1) They are looking for economical, dependable energy. They have experienced the impact of high energy costs and shortages. They know what happens after dark and when the wind doesn’t blow. Natural gas prices around the world are eight to 10 times higher than our region. Even at those prices, there is no guarantee natural gas will be available. Natural gas is primarily an industrial fuel. Natural gas liquids provide the molecules for most of the products we use every day. Modern health care is made possible by natural gas for PPE, medical equipment and things like plastic tubing for IVs. A large European company told us, “We care about the planet. If we can’t make a profit, we are out of business. Our carbon footprint is zero. Then people don’t have the essential products we make.”

2) Having a stable government and surety of regulations. One African CEO told us, “In America, even if you don’t like a regulation, you know what you need to do to comply. Our regulations are determined by the individual regulator and how much you pay them. If the regulator is changed, our regulations can change overnight. In America, you have recourse.” Having patents and being able to protect intellectual property is critical and isn’t possible in many countries. In my corporate life, if we sold products to China, it was our old products. There is no way to stop copying and reverse engineering.

3) Safety and security. Wars and riots destroy stores and factories and kill people. We have a strong police force, a military and courts to protect us. We are far from the Middle East, Russia and China. In countries where the government is overthrown, there is chaos. An industry or even a factory can be nationalized and the investment lost.

4) Foreign investors like our large market. The U.S. has one of the largest markets in the world for all types of products. Companies want to expand to the U.S. so they can be more competitive with companies here. Having even a very small part of a large market is very lucrative. Manufacturing products in the U.S., with U.S. energy, then selling them to U.S. consumers reduces shipping time and lowers cost. Attacks by pirates, Middle East conflicts and shipping through the Suez Canal are avoided.

5) They like our personal liberty, economic opportunity and standard of living. People want to come here to live.

Next week, Shale Crescent USA with Jobs Ohio, the West Virginia Development Office and Team Pennsylvania head back to Washington, D.C., for SelectUSA. The SelectUSA conference and exhibition is sponsored by the U.S. Commercial Services, which is part of the Commerce Department, to encourage foreign investment in the U.S. All 50 states and U.S. territories like Guam and Puerto Rico attend and have exhibit space. Shale Crescent USA presented in 2021 and first exhibited in 2022.

Over 5,000 attendees are expected this year, a new record. Last year, Shale Crescent had a dozen meetings set up with companies interested in learning about our region’s opportunities prior to the event. We convinced a number of prospects to consider expanding to our region. Shale Crescent USA President Nathan Lord and I were so busy, lunch was wolfing down a couple of sliders in the five minutes between meetings. I have been exhibiting at events for over 40 years and have never been so busy as last year’s SelectUSA. Lynnda took care of our exhibit booth while Nathan and I did meetings with companies.

We share all of our leads with the three states who can then put together economic development packages. Shale Crescent USA stays involved and helps prospective companies by connecting them to potential suppliers and even possible customers. A number of the companies we met at SelectUSA and worked with are now in the process of expanding to Shale Crescent USA.

For this year’s event, we have over 30 meetings set up, almost triple the number of meetings from last year. We expanded our booth staff and are communicating with Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia prior to the event. Our biggest competition will come from North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Working together as a region, I believe we can create a competitive advantage.

Foreign companies can see advantages U.S. companies and people overlook or don’t appreciate. Direct foreign investment creates high-wage jobs for people in our region. Americans have a lot to be thankful for and to protect. We can create a bright future for our children.

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Greg Kozera, gkozera@shalecrescentusa.com, is the director of marketing for Shale Crescent USA. He is a professional engineer with a Masters in Environmental Engineering and over 40 years experience in the energy industry. Greg is a leadership expert, high school soccer coach, professional speaker, author of four books and many published articles.