MIDC celebrates 25 years of promoting partnerships between Maryland and Israel

The Maryland/Israel Development Center (MIDC), a public-private partnership of the Maryland Department of Commerce and Israel’s Ministry of Economy and Trade will celebrate its 25th anniversary on May 7th at the Baltimore Museum of Industry.

Founded by Baltimore native Marvin Schapiro, who passed away in 2002, MIDC has utilized a partnership with the Maryland Department of Commerce to effectively connect Maryland and Israeli companies to promote economic prosperity in Israel and in Maryland.

Barry Bogage, Executive Director of MIDC and Pikesville native, says the organization began with the goal to create jobs and has since transformed into an economic matchmaker between the community he calls home and Israeli businesses interested in Maryland.

“For business development, the MIDC takes the lead on promoting Maryland to Israeli companies,” Bogage said. “Then when companies come, we bring in Maryland Commerce to help with their vast array of resources.”

Bogage, who will be honored at the anniversary celebration for his service to the nonprofit since day one, said MIDC’s biggest victory has been during the Hogan administration.

“Bringing the North American headquarters of Elta Systems to Maryland has been one of our biggest successes,” Bogage said. “Elta is one of Israel’s largest defense companies, specializing in developing radar systems. During Governor Hogan’s trade mission to Israel in 2016, he announced Elta would be tripling its size and moving to a larger facility in Annapolis Junction.”

Over the past 25 years, MIDC has helped both Maryland and Israel in establishing themselves as leading global hubs of technology. In the future, they hope to begin a Maryland/Israel Binational Accelerator to bring Israeli entrepreneurs to Maryland each year for development training and entry into the U.S. market. MIDC’s work has been as rewarding for Bogage as it has been for the state.

“My entire career has been in Maryland economic development,” Bogage said. “The MIDC has been a wonderful opportunity to work throughout Maryland and in the international arena.”

For more information about MIDC, visit marylandisrael.org.

The post MIDC celebrates 25 years of promoting partnerships between Maryland and Israel appeared first on MDBIZNews.

from https://mdbiznews.commerce.maryland.gov/2017/05/midc-celebrates-25-years-promoting-partnerships-maryland-israel/