More than 100 foreign investors are coming to Toledo. They'll be here for the 5 Lakes Global Economic Forum next week. It's a chance to showcase the region to people interested in everything from commercial real estate to new manufacturing operations.
Most of the investors are coming from china, but there are others from Japan, Europe and the united Arab emirates. The forum will focus on selling the region to these investors but it will also help educate them about doing business in the united states.
About 200 international investors will spend several days in Toledo, they begin arriving on Monday. Sarah Zimmerman is the vice president of north America for 5 lakes global, "these are people who have been vetted as far as their potential as investors and they care enough to take time out of their lives to travel here and pay for the trip. This represents an amazing opportunity for Toledo."
the investors will do everything from touring potential sites and existing local businesses to learning about doing business in America. Paul Zito is the vice president of international development for the regional growth partnership. He says there are three simple goals, "more investment in commercial real estate, so we'll be showing them all the available buildings and land. Secondly we want to show them new manufacturing opportunities and finally we want more publicity around the world promoting Toledo as a great place to do business."
Zito says the investors traveling to Toledo are involved in a variety of industries, "we've got a number of sectors represented there are lots in the automotive sector, some in renewable energy, logistics, bio-tech."
Zimmerman says Toledo has a lot to offer the investors, "The cost of living, logistics, advanced manufacturing, the wonderful workforce, great educational institutions, a welcoming community and great people."
But Zito and Zimmerman point out that next week's forum is just the start of the process,"The general rule of thumb when it comes to direct, foreign investment is 12-18 months after the first point of contact. If we have ten really good leads and out of those 10 leads we get three deals signed that will be a big success for us."
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:36:19 GMT
Police are still searching for the suspects that shot and killed James "Jimmy" Safadi in his Waterville home early Saturday morning. About 6 a.m. Saturday, detectives say the three suspects described as
Police are still searching for the suspects that shot and killed James "Jimmy" Safadi in his Waterville home early Saturday morning.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:31 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:31:31 GMT
Northbound Route 23 was shut down on Sunday evening after a semi truck overturned.Part of the road was shut down as the crash scene was cleared. Several cars were involved in the accident, and there were
Northbound Route 23 was shut down on Sunday evening after a semi truck overturned.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:18 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:18:27 GMT
The Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters released its 2013 award winners on Sunday.13abc was honored with five AP awards.1st Place - Best Producer: Shelly Gorringe1st Place - Outstanding Sports Operation1st
The Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters released its 2013 award winners on Sunday. 13abc was honored with five AP awards.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:42 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:42:35 GMT
On Monday, we'll likely climb to 88 degrees. If we reach 88 on Monday, it would become our warmest day since August 31st, when we reached 93 degrees. Monday's record high is 92 degrees, from May 20th of 1962.
On Monday, we'll likely climb to 88 degrees. If we reach 88 on Monday, it would become our warmest day since August 31st, when we reached 93 degrees. Monday's record high is 92 degrees, from May 20th of 1962.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:05 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:05:59 GMT
Owens Community College graduated more than 50 students Sunday who earned their GEDs.The students celebrated receiving their high school equivalence diplomas.Several students served as keynote speakers.
Owens Community College graduated more than 50 students Sunday who earned their GEDs.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:08:35 GMT
EDMOND, Okla. (AP) - A powerful storm system rumbled through the Plains and upper Midwest on Sunday, spawning tornadoes that damaged homes and buildings near Oklahoma City and put the Tulsa area on high-alert. There
A powerful storm system rumbled through the Plains and upper Midwest on Sunday, spawning tornadoes that damaged homes and buildings near Oklahoma City and put the Tulsa area on high-alert.
Sunday, May 19 2013 11:25 PM EDT2013-05-20 03:25:15 GMT
Another day, another domination for Taylor Swift: She was the red hot winner at the Billboard Music Awards. Swift won eight awards, including top artist and top Billboard 200 album for "Red." She told
Another day, another domination for Taylor Swift: She was the red hot winner at the Billboard Music Awards.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:36:19 GMT
Police are still searching for the suspects that shot and killed James "Jimmy" Safadi in his Waterville home early Saturday morning. About 6 a.m. Saturday, detectives say the three suspects described as
Police are still searching for the suspects that shot and killed James "Jimmy" Safadi in his Waterville home early Saturday morning.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:31 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:31:31 GMT
Northbound Route 23 was shut down on Sunday evening after a semi truck overturned.Part of the road was shut down as the crash scene was cleared. Several cars were involved in the accident, and there were
Northbound Route 23 was shut down on Sunday evening after a semi truck overturned.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:56:32 GMT
DAMASCUS, Va. (AP) - Authorities believe the driver who plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a Virginia mountain town parade suffered from a medical condition and did not cause the crash intentionally,
Authorities believe the driver who plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a Virginia mountain town parade suffered from a medical condition and did not cause the crash intentionally.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:52 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:52:38 GMT
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) - Police in a northeast Ohio community report a number of black bear sightings. Police in Liberty Township near Youngstown say they have received several calls regarding bears in
Police in Liberty Township near Youngstown say they have received several calls regarding bears in the area in recent days.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:42 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:42:35 GMT
On Monday, we'll likely climb to 88 degrees. If we reach 88 on Monday, it would become our warmest day since August 31st, when we reached 93 degrees. Monday's record high is 92 degrees, from May 20th of 1962.
On Monday, we'll likely climb to 88 degrees. If we reach 88 on Monday, it would become our warmest day since August 31st, when we reached 93 degrees. Monday's record high is 92 degrees, from May 20th of 1962.
The Historic Church of Saint Patrick honored law enforcement officers Sunday morning at the 4th annual Blue Mass. It included bag pies and a candle display.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:18 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:18:27 GMT
The Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters released its 2013 award winners on Sunday.13abc was honored with five AP awards.1st Place - Best Producer: Shelly Gorringe1st Place - Outstanding Sports Operation1st
The Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters released its 2013 award winners on Sunday. 13abc was honored with five AP awards.
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:53 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:53:46 GMT
WASHINGTON (AP) - A top White House adviser insisted Sunday that President Barack Obama learned the Internal Revenue Service had targeted tea party groups only "when it came out in the news" while Republicans
A top White House adviser insisted Sunday that President Barack Obama learned the Internal Revenue Service had targeted tea party groups only "when it came out in the news."