KENT, Ohio -- The Northeast Ohio Trade & Economic Consortium has announced the opening of a regional International Trade Assistance Center to offer export-counseling assistance to small businesses in Northeast Ohio. The ITAC office, which will be located within NEOTEC's offices on the Kent State University campus, was made possible through a grant awarded to NEOTEC by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Ohio Department of Development's Small Business Development Center program. ITAC will provide the service in partnership with the local SBDC offices, area colleges and universities, and the Chambers of Commerce throughout the NEOTEC region. The service area will include NEOTEC member counties-Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage, Stark, Summit and Trumbull-as well as Wayne and Medina counties. "This ITAC office will be a valuable business resource for our region," said Ron DeBarr, executive director of NEOTEC. "It will serve as the first point of contact for information, resources, referrals and counseling for new-to-export small businesses. NEOTEC is pleased to form this partnership with the Small Business Administration and the Ohio Department of Development to make this much-needed service available to the Northeast Ohio business community." The ITAC office will provide export-counseling assistance at no cost to small businesses who are interested in developing an international market and to existing exporters looking to expand markets. In addition, the office will provide expanded services including training, market research services, export business plan development and exports financial packaging. "Companies looking to expand their export sales may need training to bring their staff up to speed, and the ITAC office will be able to provide these and many other services," DeBarr said. Tanya Dvorak will serve as director of the new ITAC office. DeBarr said Dvorak brings many years of international trade experience to the position. She is experienced in Foreign-Trade Zone administration, international logistics and trade operations. She also served in an enforcement capacity with the former U.S. Customs Service, and has knowledge of Customs law, regulations and enforcement procedures. "I'm excited to serve in this capacity with ITAC and to play a role in facilitating the economic growth of our region," Dvorak said. "Our mission is to provide a continuing source of business services, information and advocacy to area businesses." Web site: www.neotec.org. "