Muncie, IN – E. Roy Budd, Executive Director of Energize-ECI, Inc., will represent the economic development interests of East Central Indiana as a member of a delegation of Hoosier business leaders and elected officials on the first economic development mission to China by an Indiana Governor in more than a decade.  Mr. Budd, Governor Daniels and the delegation will also make economic development stops in Japan and attend the Japan-U.S. Midwest Conference.  This trip will mark Mr. Budd’s third trip to China and second trip to Japan in the past five years.

The delegation will depart Indiana on September 5th and return on September 16th.  Mr. Budd and the delegation will travel to China from September 6th through September 11th,

participating in meetings scheduled in Shanghai and Zhejiang, Indiana’s Chinese sister-state.  They will travel to Japan September 11th through 16th, visiting Tochigi Perfecture, Indiana’s Japanese sister-state, and attend the Japan-U.S. Midwest Conference in Tokyo.  Meetings have been scheduled with government and business leaders in both China and Japan and the Governor will host three business receptions for potential investors. 

More than 42,000 Hoosiers are employed by the more than 200 Japanese companies in the state with investments of more than $9.8 billion.  A number of these companies are located in East Central Indiana.  Governor Daniels hopes to see modest Chinese investment in the state parallel the growth of Japanese investment in the future.  Budd commented, “East Central Indiana has welcomed a number of international companies to our region because of our resources and many competitive advantages – and we plan to encourage more businesses to invest in our region.  It is important to continue building these relationships and I commend the Governor for initiating such an important trip, benefiting the residents of Indiana.  We will also have an opportunity to visit several Hoosier companies with plants in China.  As an active member of the Japan America Society of Indiana, I look forward to meeting with friends, colleagues and prospects at the Society’s conference in Tokyo.” 

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The cost of the state delegation, represented by Governor Daniels and Mitch Roob – Indiana’s Secretary of Commerce – is being covered entirely through private donations to the Indiana Economic Development Foundation and uses no tax dollars.  Mr. Budd’s

trip was paid for by Energize-ECI, Inc. and by the Energize-ECI LEDO’S Council, a group represented by the local economic development officials of the nine member counties of Energize-ECI.

Energize-ECI, Inc. is a public/private partnership providing pro-active services and programs to encourage new business investment in East Central Indiana.  Energize-ECI, Inc. acts as the primary point of contact for promoting the many advantages of operating a business in the region, collects and cultivates leads and assists individuals, site consultants and companies researching  the area.  Energize-ECI, Inc. answers inquiries regarding sites, buildings and regional information, directing leads to the appropriate local economic development groups.  Energize-ECI, Inc. provides support to: Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Jay, Madison, Randolph and Rush counties. Funding for trade missions, exhibits, marketing, programs, services and materials is provided by public and private entities throughout East Central Indiana, by foundations and grants.

Details about Energize-ECI, Inc. and information about East Central Indiana may be viewed at the comprehensive Energize-ECI, Inc. website www.energize-eci.org.  The organization may be contacted at the Energize-ECI Engagement Center, 122 E, Main St., Muncie, IN 47305 (P.O. Box 1912, Muncie, IN 47308-1912); by phone at (765) 254.1420; fax (765) 254.1450 and by email info@energize-eci.org.  Energize-ECI’s newsletters, summarizing the economic development successes of East Central Indiana, may be read or downloaded by going to the website.

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Prepared by Tom Farris / T.L. Farris & Associates

P.O. Box 2542 / Muncie, IN 47307-0542

Phone: 765.284.5313 / Fax: 765.284.5314

Email: thomaslfarris@comcast.net