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Testimony in Support of House Bill 291 — Dr. Matthew P. vandenBerg, Ohio Wesleyan University

Summary

Testimony in support of House Bill 291, the creation of the Ohio International Trade Commission, by Dr. Matthew P. vandenBerg, President of Ohio Wesleyan University, presented to the Ohio House of Representatives Development Committee in June 2025. The testimony states that the university has educated leaders in business, government, and service for more than 180 years. It states that by establishing a dedicated International Trade Commission the bill would open new trade opportunities for Ohio businesses, and it says the university is ready to serve as a collaborative partner.

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“Testimony in Support of House Bill 291 — Dr. Matthew P. vandenBerg, Ohio Wesleyan University.” Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2025-06-11-development-testimony-testimony-10059-1c776fc3a4/, SHA-256 09bd7ef968c1528fa70b46b1a77550b690d1100e49eb3e5aacbf5ece10055b4a.

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             Testimony of Dr. Matthew P. vandenBerg, President of Ohio Wesleyan University
           In Support of House Bill 291 – Creation of the Ohio International Trade Commission
                Presented to the Ohio House of Representatives Development Committee

                                                    June 2025

Chairman Hoops, Vice Chairman Lorenz, Ranking Member Abdullahi, and esteemed members of the House
Development Committee:

Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of House Bill 291. My name is Dr. Matthew vandenBerg, and
I have the privilege of serving as President of Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio.

For more than 180 years, Ohio Wesleyan has educated leaders in business, government, and service. Today,
we are a nationally ranked liberal arts university with a growing reputation for entrepreneurship, innovation, and
global engagement. We are committed to producing graduates who are not only workforce-ready but
world-ready—and to serving as a catalyst for economic opportunity across our state.

We believe House Bill 291 is a timely and strategic investment in Ohio’s future. As our state looks to expand
exports, attract global investment, and equip workers with 21st-century skills, this legislation creates the
infrastructure to turn ambition into action.

By establishing a dedicated International Trade Commission, you will:

   ●   Open new trade opportunities for Ohio businesses.

   ●   Help small and mid-sized enterprises access global markets.

   ●   Strengthen workforce development with internationally relevant skills.

   ●   Foster collaboration among business, government, and higher education.

At Ohio Wesleyan, we are ready to serve as a collaborative partner in advancing these goals.

We already offer robust academic programs in accounting, finance, economics, international business, and
management economics. But beyond academics, Ohio Wesleyan is building one of the nation’s most
distinctive undergraduate ecosystems for founders and entrepreneurial leaders—an approach deeply aligned
with Ohio’s global economic vision.

We’re not just preparing students to work in companies—we’re preparing them to start them.

That commitment is evident in:

   ●   The Delaware Entrepreneurial Center at Ohio Wesleyan University – a first-of-its-kind business
       accelerator at a small liberal arts college and a first-of-its-kind partnership between a university, a city,
       and a county.

   ●   The U.S. Entrepreneurship Competition – Ohio’s most lucrative business plan competition and the
       second largest in the nation. In its first year alone, it awarded nearly $500,000 in investment capital to
       help six companies launch.

   ●   Kickstart Ohio – a new three-day statewide entrepreneurship conference, hosted at Ohio Wesleyan this
       fall, with five distinct program tracks to equip founders wherever they are in their journey.

   ●   The Woltemade Center for Economics, Business and Entrepreneurship – a long-standing hub for
       business learning and student research since 1985.
These initiatives—and others in development—demonstrate Ohio Wesleyan’s commitment to preparing
entrepreneurial leaders and fueling economic growth across sectors and borders.

Establishing an International Trade Commission will amplify those efforts. It will provide the coordination,
visibility, and infrastructure needed to help Ohio thrive in a fiercely competitive global economy.

House Bill 291 reflects a bold, forward-looking vision for Ohio. It sends a clear message that we are serious
about global leadership, strategic about partnerships, and committed to building a future of broad-based
prosperity.

As president of Ohio Wesleyan University, I am proud to support this legislation. We stand ready to serve as a
strong and active partner in the success of the Ohio International Trade Commission.

Respectfully,

Dr. Matthew P. vandenBerg
President
Ohio Wesleyan University

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