Global Migration and Vermont

 
"Cross Border" business with Canada always has been important in northern Vermont. Canada is our close neighbor, trading partner, and cultural cousin. In my law practice I work with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on a daily basis, helping companies utilize its trade and immigration benefits. As the Information Age takes root, "Global Migration" is becoming important everywhere including Vermont. Global migration refers to the movement of people and businesses around the world. New fields of law are developing to address legal issues around “global corporate migration” and “global business migration.” A Google search for these terms yields thousands of resources and service providers selling global migration services such as business start-ups and immigration services. Canada and Vermont still have a special relationship due to proximity and a relatively easy flow of people and goods across the northern border. But now Vermont businesses can communicate and engage in trade with companies all over the world. Email reduces time zones and geographic distance to minor inconveniences. I work with lawyers and clients in places like London, Russia, Hong Kong, Sweden and the Philippines almost as easily as if they were less than 2 hours away in Montreal. Now Vermont can look beyond Canada to countries around the world as a source of supplies, sales, employees and corporate transfers. Companies from around the world can look to Vermont as a potential location. How can Vermont capitalize on global migration?