Trade Association Looking for Partner

The World Trade Center Assn. of Orange County, faced with the loss of a federal grant and a rent hike, is seeking a partner to help it continue its services.

The organization, part of a nonprofit franchise system that includes more than 300 offices worldwide, supports foreign trade through educational programs and other assistance to local businesses.

But the $2.6-million federal grant that the center received in 1995 has not been renewed, and so it must find some other funding source to continue operations.

“We’re a lot different than the folks in Long Beach,” said association President Michael Granat. “We don’t have a port and some other facilities that some other trade centers do. We have to rely on support from the community.”

Granat said he is speaking with other organizations about joining forces, and he hopes to make an announcement soon. But he foresees many changes in the way the center operates, including deriving more income from consulting work rather than relying solely on membership dues.

Though he is disappointed in the loss of the federal funds, Granat said that international-trade services are still needed in the county. He predicts strong demand for the support the organization provides through its membership in the worldwide network.

“We’ll use the strength of the network and the context we have in these markets and the expertise of our staff [to] go out in the community and help businesses grow,” he said. “When so much of the business in your community comes from international business, you have to find a way to continue that effort.”

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Patrice Apodaca covers economic issues for The Times. She can be reached at (714) 966-5979 and at patrice.apodaca@latimes.com