Holcomb, Crouch to Lead International Delegations
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowState officials are looking to boost Indiana’s international economic development ties with two trade missions next week. Governor Eric Holcomb will lead a delegation to Italy while Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch will oversee a trip to Canada.
The governor, First Lady Janet Holcomb and Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger will bring a group of state employees and business owners on a three-day trip to Italy to meet with companies that currently have a presence in Indiana, as well as prospective businesses looking to expand in the U.S. Many of the companies are involved in the automotive industry.
The delegation will help celebrate the grant opening of the Dallara Academy at the company’s Italian headquarters. Dallara has a major presence in central Indiana with a facility located near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"Indiana and Italy share a rich heritage for auto racing and manufacturing," Holcomb said in a news release. "We’re proud to be home to Dallara, a premiere Italian automotive company and this trip will be an ideal opportunity to build on our shared successes by putting the pedal to the metal in our race to bring more global automotive and racing companies to our state.""
The Italy trip will take place September 19-21 and will include Hulman & Co. Chief Executive Officer Mark Miles, former IndyCar driver Sarah Fisher, and State Representative Randy Frye (R-67), chair of the Motorsports Caucus in the Indiana General Assembly, among others.
Lt. Governor Crouch will join Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler and others on a trip Sept. 16-19 to Manitoba, Canada. The group will take part in business roundtables, hold meetings with senior government and university officials, and tour various research facilities.
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. says the talks will focus on agricultural youth leadership and education, seed research and genetics, and food development.
"Manitoba is at the center of Canadian agriculture, so this trip is an excellent opportunity for us to, not only demonstrate our global leadership in the industry, but also cultivate our relationship with Canada, which can open the door to new markets," said Crouch. "We look forward to visiting this province and building on the progress made during the governor’s visits to Canada last spring."
Joining the Canadian delegation are Purdue University Director of Ag Services and Regulations John Baugh, Indiana Corn Marketing Council Board President Michael Beard, and Indiana Soybean Alliance Chairman Thomas Griffiths, among others.