[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 3, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 51440]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20413]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Foreign-Trade Zones Board

Docket 47-2008


Foreign-Trade Zone 189 Kent/Ottawa/Muskegon Counties, Michigan, 
Application for Subzone, Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (Footwear and 
Apparel Distribution)

    An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board 
(the Board) by the Kent-Ottawa-Muskegon Foreign Trade Zone Authority, 
grantee of FTZ 189, requesting special-purpose subzone status for the 
footwear and apparel distribution facilities of Wolverine World Wide, 
Inc. (Wolverine), located in Rockford, Cedar Springs and Howard City, 
Michigan. The application was submitted pursuant to the provisions of 
the Foreign-Trade Zones Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a-81u), and the 
regulations of the Board (15 CFR part 400). It was formally filed on 
August 25, 2008.
    The proposed subzone would include Wolverine's facilities at 3 
sites located within the Grand Rapids, Michigan port of entry area: 
Site 1 (265 acres) - 9341 Courtland Drive, in Rockford; Site 2 (19 
acres) - 660 West Street S NE, in Cedar Springs; and, Site 3 (26 acres) 
- 214 East Washburn Street, in Howard City. Site 1 is owned by 
Wolverine while sites 2 and 3 are leased. The facilities are used for 
warehousing and distribution of both foreign-origin and domestic 
footwear, apparel and gear for both the U.S. market and export. The 
application states that all textile and apparel products classified 
under Textile Import Quota categories would be admitted to the proposed 
subzone under domestic (duty-paid) status (19 CFR Sec. 146.41). FTZ 
procedures would be used to help support Wolverine's Michigan-based 
import and distribution activity.
    FTZ procedures would exempt Wolverine from Customs duty payments on 
foreign products that are re-exported. On domestic sales, duty payments 
would be deferred until the foreign merchandise is shipped from the 
facilities and entered for consumption. The company would also realize 
significant logistical benefits related to the use of direct delivery 
and weekly customs entry procedures. The application indicates that the 
savings from the use of FTZ procedures would help improve the company's 
international competitiveness and help facilitate the company's plans 
to grow their export market.
    In accordance with the Board's regulations, Christopher Kemp of the 
FTZ staff is designated examiner to investigate the application and 
report to the Board.
    Public comment is invited from interested parties. Submissions 
(original and 3 copies) shall be addressed to the Board's Executive 
Secretary at the address below. The closing period for their receipt is 
November 3, 2008. Rebuttal comments in response to material submitted 
during the foregoing period may be submitted during the subsequent 15-
day period (to November 17, 2008).
    A copy of the application and accompanying exhibits will be 
available at each of the following addresses: U.S. Department of 
Commerce Export Assistance Center, 401 West Fulton Street, Suite 349C, 
Grand Rapids, MI 49504; and, Office of the Executive Secretary, 
Foreign-Trade Zones Board, Room 2111, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 
Constitution Ave, NW, Washington, D.C. 20230. For further information 
contact Christopher Kemp at [email protected] or (202) 482-
0862.

    Dated: August 25, 2008.
Andrew McGilvray,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-20413 Filed 9-2-08; 8:45 am]
Billing Code: 3510-DS-S