Each issue of this magazine proves to be a learning experience for me. I hope it is for you, also.
    This time around I learned a lot about our local companies that export. One of the more interesting things I learned was that despite a couple of decades of this country being in a global economy, there are just a few local resources to help business owners determine if exporting is right for them.
    The United States Department of Commerce is still the go-to agency. The agency has a staff of three people who divide up the state. The trio’s goal is to work with business owners to get them started exporting or to help them with exporting problems.
    And the Small Business Development Center covers a five-county area in Michiana and its staff is willing to act as a liaison to other resources.
    Over in St. Joseph County the Chamber of Commerce has a World Trade Council that is made up of people involved in international trade. They occasionally offer workshops and act as resources to business owners who seek them out.
    One of the more interesting products being made in Elkhart County is the thermochamber for the MailDefender. The MailDefender is used to decontaminate mail that may be laced with biological weapons or diseases. Writer Sheila Selman tells us in this issue about that product.
    Also in this issue is a story about a mechanic who converts vehicles to electric power. He is one of many local business owners who are leading us into the use of future technology.
   
    — Roger Schneider, editor