State's global appeal touted at conference
10/16/2007
HUNTINGTON -- Although domestic companies might have a negative perception about West Virginia's viability as a player in the relocation and investment game, the international market remains wide open.
That was the message relayed Monday at the Pullman Plaza Hotel, where more than 90 attendees from all areas of the state's business sector met for the West Virginia Economic Development Council's fall conference, hosted by the Huntington Area Development Council.
"It's a customer people are surprised about," said HADCO president Gerry McDonald, referring to international companies looking to relocate or open facilities in the United States. "Internationally, West Virginia has no image."
Sven Gerzer, the director of the West Virginia European office, said the state has taken that blank slate during the past eight years and painted the state in a positive light, building relationships and giving companies reasons to consider West Virginia for their business.
"More and more companies are looking to invest in the U.S., and they don't just look at New York and Florida and California," he said.
The conference, which continues until noon today, also spent a good bit of time addressing international law and banking, as well as how to meet the needs and desires of companies who show interest. In essence, said Steve Spence, executive director for the state's development office, the overseas courting has paid off, and West Virginia is now a player in the international market.
"We have companies in the state looking at us every week," Spence said. "Of course, they're looking at other states, but we're in the competition."
The key to gaining favor, he continued, is listening to them, finding out what their needs are and seeing how West Virginia can help.
"When companies come and see what we have, they are surprised," he said.
Hollie Hubbert, project manager for West Virginia's Development Office in Asia Pacific, gave perspective to the conference Monday afternoon when she relived the six-year fight to get Hino Motors to bring a factory to the state.
The deal was officially announced June 25 for the company to open an assembly plant in Williamstown, but it only came after getting turned down in 2002, keeping in contact until 2006, then submitting at least three site plans in November 2006 when Toyota's Japan office announced it would expand its production into the U.S.
Hubbert said the Williamstown site was almost exactly what Hino Motors was looking for, although some minor issues had to be worked out. However, she said the key to getting Hino to commit to West Virginia was the constant attention to detail, maintaining a good working relationship and always pushing the incentives of coming to West Virginia.
Locally, McDonald said HADCO officials hope they are on track to bring another international company to the area. He said HADCO has access to $20 million to finance expansion, helping some companies get off the ground for the first time, and assisting others in expansion.
"With the resources and infrastructure we have, I think we're where we want to be," McDonald said.
Spence added that the state's international business relationships already have a solid foundation, with more than 20,000 West Virginians currently employed by foreign companies. And, he said, the state also brings in about $3.2 billion in exports.
"People think all the jobs are going to China, but this is an opportunity to bring jobs here," Spence said. "We know more prospects are coming to West Virginia. Part of (this conference) is training us to be ready when they come."
