RubberBuzz || Akron Unleashed: Akron: The World Tour

11.18.2005

Akron: The World Tour

Big Don P. is out on a whirlwind tour of the world. First stop: France for some world mayors' council thing. Then it's off to Shanghai to try and drum up some interest in Akron.

Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic leaves for France today for an international mayors' conference, then heads to China to explore economic development opportunities.

He'll spend most of his time at the Factory Automation Asia 2005 Trade Show in Shanghai, with side trips to Beijing and Chongqing.[...]

In June, Plusquellic completed his one-year term as president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which will pay for the Eurocities portion of his trip. The China visit for Akron officials will be on the city's dime and is expected to cost $22,000.

The Shanghai show is produced by the same people who put on the Hanover Trade Fair in Germany, where Akron has successfully fished for business relocation to Akron and Summit County.

Akron offers a highly skilled work force and a dense web of fabrication, tool, machine and plastic injection shops that appeals to manufacturers.

Greater Akron Chamber records show that the region has attracted 23 foreign investments since 1994, bringing six firms to Akron and 17 to the region and creating more than 500 jobs in the area, according to the city.

I got to admit, I don't the city using city money to try to get some new money in the city. It does seem weird that they're not trying to help home grown businesses succeed, but hey, it's a start.

The BJ :: Akron mayor heads overseas

(joe :: Akron: The World Tour)

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