Cuban Chamber of Commerce opens first Michigan office in Troy

The Cuban Chamber of Commerce has opened its first Michigan office in Troy.

Dana McAllister, the Chamber's executive director, said her goal is for Michigan to be a lead exporter to Cuba.

The chamber also has offices in Washington D.C and Miami. The Troy office will be the chamber's headquarters.

“I want Michigan companies to gain a competitive advantage over other states racing to get their company’s products and services into the Cuban Market,” said McAllister, a Michigan native who oversees all three offices.

The chamber has a number of services that will help Michigan companies find business partners in Cuba, such as a bilingual staff, seminars and planned trade missions to Cuba.

The chamber and Automotive Alley will host “The New Frontier, Doing Business in Cuba,” a breakfast seminar, on Aug. 6. McAllister said she expects 70 people to attend.

According to the chamber, there are 241 Cuban-born residents in Oakland County and more than 2,400 in Michigan. More than 9,800 Michigan residents claim Cuban ancestry, according to data the chamber compiled from the U.S. Census.

The Michigan office is located at 900 Wilshire Drive, suite 202.

For more details visit www.CubanCC.org.

And in a semi-related story, Crain's reports on one businessman's efforts to restore one of Cuba's top tourist attractions. Read "State firm has novel role in saving Hemingway's legacy in Cuba."