Justin L. Mack

justin.mack@Indystar.com

The effort to establish a World Trade Center in the Circle City has just taken a major step forward.

Officials announced Thursday that the World Trade Centers Association has approved a bid to reserve the exclusive rights to establish a World Trade Center in Indianapolis. The approval signifies the start of a lengthy application process for local leaders to establish the organization in the city.

According to a news release, Hoosier businesses and trade associations hope to use the World Trade Centers Association network to connect with companies globally.

“Over the next several months, our organization will work with Hoosier business leaders, trade associations and both state and local elected officials to develop a World Trade Center proposal for Indianapolis,” former Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said in a statement.

In January, Zoeller announced his role as chairman of the potential World Trade Center in Indianapolis. Working with him is former Marion County clerk Doris Anne Sadler, who is overseeing the Indianapolis bid as the organization’s president, and former Indiana Office of Management and Budget official Travis Spotts, who is serving as executive director.

“We are grateful to have this vote of confidence by the WTCA‘s governing body, and I am proud to say we are well on our way to securing the necessary funding and infrastructure to support WTC Indianapolis," Zoeller said.

EQUAL PAY: Salesforce spends $6M to help close gender and racial wage gap

NOT SO SPLENDA: Carmel-based Splenda names Applebee's, IHOP in knockoff lawsuit

Indianapolis is the fourth largest U.S. metropolitan area currently without a World Trade Center designation, according to the news release.

Indianapolis Mayor Joseph Hogsett said in a statement that Indy is growing as a global business hub, and Thursday's announcement is the latest example of that growth.

"Our city’s workforce continues to grow, and access to this trade network will increase our ability to connect with new partners and grow the economy,” Hogsett said. “It is my hope that Indianapolis undergoes a successful application process so that our community might soon benefit from working with the global WTCA network.”

Scott Ferguson, CEO of the World Trade Centers Association, said there are 60 World Trade Centers across North America, and that Indianapolis would be "a most welcome addition."

"We are looking forward to receiving their full application soon," he said.

Founded in 1969 and headquartered in New York City, the World Trade Centers Association is a nonprofit organization with more than 320 member organizations in 90 countries, according to the news release. The goal is to create an “international ecosystem” of reciprocal global connections, commercial properties and integrated trade services under the World Trade Center brand.

Call IndyStar reporter Justin L. Mack at (317) 444-6138. Follow him on Twitter: @justinlmack.