Toledo Mayor Mike Bell is back from China where he worked to promote investment in the Glass City.
These trips to China have caused some criticism but Mayor Bell is convinced becoming an international player will create jobs and fuel economic growth for decades to come.
"To do absolutely nothing you get absolutely nothing." Bell said.
Mayor Mike Bell knows to improve Toledo's economy he has to do something, and he decided that means opening Toledo to foreign investment.
He's just back from his fourth trip to China and believes he's developed relationships that will pay off for his city.
The mayor told 13abc reporter Bill Hormann, "Some of these people deal with the automobile industry, they deal with pharmaceuticals they deal with being able to ship things back and forth."
Chinese companies need a skilled workforce and ways to ship products around America.
They see Toledo as a great spot for that, but the Chinese are also looking at labor costs. So part of the mayor's work includes convincing the Chinese and local unions that both sides can benefit from new investment.
Bell said, "It's about being able to have them build their manufacturing facilities here so we can put US workers to work using their skills, but the US work in this area has to be prepared to be flexible, too."
Part of getting Chinese businesses to Toledo is working out cooperative agreements.
The mayor signed a deal with a Chinese city to work to together to create economic development between the two towns.
Mayor Bell does not want to poach jobs from another American city; he wants create new investment and jobs and knows he's not alone. The mayor insists larger cities know what he's doing, saying, "I know that internationally I'm competing against San Francisco, Chicago, New York, and now they're sitting there going, we're competing against Toledo."
Twenty business leaders from Toledo went along on this five-city, eight-day trip. They were looking for business opportunities and partnerships that could work for both countries.
These trips have already paid off with millions of dollars of Toledo property being sold to Chinese investors and Mayor Bell expects to announce new investments very soon.
His next international business trip will be to Germany, in April.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:46 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:46:40 GMT
The month of May will likely end up in the top 10 list for the driest May's on record. Despite the dry month it does not look like we are headed for a repeat performance of last year's drought and extreme
The summer forecast calls for above average rainfall for most of the Great Lakes region with near average temperatures.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:54 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:54:56 GMT
Toledo police shot and killed a man with a gun early Thursday morning. Police say officers were patrolling in the 1000 block of Page Street around 12:30 when they saw a man pointing a gun at a woman.
Toledo police shot and killed a man with a gun early Thursday morning.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:20 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:20:31 GMT
If you're in Archbold and you hear the sound of 100 harps, you're not just hearing things. The 6th annual Harp Gathering is underway May 16-19th.Denise Grupp-Verbon co-founded the festival with her husband.
If you're in Archbold and you hear the sound of 100 harps, you're not just hearing things. The 6th annual Harp Gathering is underway May 16-19th.Denise Grupp-Verbon co-founded the festival with her husband.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 09:07:37 GMT
The picture has been shared over 23,000 times on Facebook. It shows a note pinned to a car. In the note, Facebook user, Jeremy Jon, explains that he took the car owners dog to the Bowling Green Police
Police say viral photo on Facebook is a hoax. Man claimed to save a dog and then posted it on the social network to impress a girl.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:32 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:32:13 GMT
Some of Rossford's oldest school buildings need major repairs. District leaders now have five potential renovation plans, but they're looking for voter input before they move forward.
Some of Rossford's oldest school buildings need major repairs. District leaders now have five potential renovation plans, but they're looking for voter input before they move forward.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:46 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:46:40 GMT
The month of May will likely end up in the top 10 list for the driest May's on record. Despite the dry month it does not look like we are headed for a repeat performance of last year's drought and extreme
The summer forecast calls for above average rainfall for most of the Great Lakes region with near average temperatures.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:20 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:20:31 GMT
If you're in Archbold and you hear the sound of 100 harps, you're not just hearing things. The 6th annual Harp Gathering is underway May 16-19th.Denise Grupp-Verbon co-founded the festival with her husband.
If you're in Archbold and you hear the sound of 100 harps, you're not just hearing things. The 6th annual Harp Gathering is underway May 16-19th.Denise Grupp-Verbon co-founded the festival with her husband.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:11:42 GMT
The Toledo mayor's race may be a crowded affair but so far no viable Republicans. All seven announced candidates have to first file petitions and be certified by the Lucas County Board of Elections.
Toledo Mayor Mike Bell has the financial backing of Republicans and the Independent could get the party's endorsement.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 3:53 PM EDT2013-05-22 19:53:47 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio state lawmakers moved boldly Tuesday against storefront sweepstakes parlors they have come to view as illegal gambling operations, advancing separate bills effectively banning
An effective ban on Internet cafes targeted as illegal gambling operations has cleared the Ohio Legislature after more than two years of wrangling.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:32 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:32:46 GMT
LOGAN, Ohio (AP) - State officials say safety improvements are planned after a third fatal fall from a cliff recently in the Hocking's Hills region of southeastern Ohio. The Ohio Department of Natural
State officials say safety improvements are planned after a third fatal fall from a cliff recently in the Hocking's Hills region of southeastern Ohio. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says signs warning hikers not to leave marked trails are being enhanced. Rangers also have increased trail patrols and are issuing more citations to people who stray from them
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:54 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:54:56 GMT
Toledo police shot and killed a man with a gun early Thursday morning. Police say officers were patrolling in the 1000 block of Page Street around 12:30 when they saw a man pointing a gun at a woman.
Toledo police shot and killed a man with a gun early Thursday morning.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:12 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:12:46 GMT
We often report stories on the Ohio State Highway Patrol's K-9 unit. The dogs help Troopers find huge quantities of illegal drugs in our region every year. But between the big hits is a lot of hard work,
Ride along as an elite group of four legged crime fighters and their handlers take drugs off Northwest Ohio roads.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:46 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:46:40 GMT
The month of May will likely end up in the top 10 list for the driest May's on record. Despite the dry month it does not look like we are headed for a repeat performance of last year's drought and extreme
The summer forecast calls for above average rainfall for most of the Great Lakes region with near average temperatures.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:20 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:20:31 GMT
If you're in Archbold and you hear the sound of 100 harps, you're not just hearing things. The 6th annual Harp Gathering is underway May 16-19th.Denise Grupp-Verbon co-founded the festival with her husband.
If you're in Archbold and you hear the sound of 100 harps, you're not just hearing things. The 6th annual Harp Gathering is underway May 16-19th.Denise Grupp-Verbon co-founded the festival with her husband.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 09:07:37 GMT
The picture has been shared over 23,000 times on Facebook. It shows a note pinned to a car. In the note, Facebook user, Jeremy Jon, explains that he took the car owners dog to the Bowling Green Police
Police say viral photo on Facebook is a hoax. Man claimed to save a dog and then posted it on the social network to impress a girl.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:32 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:32:13 GMT
Some of Rossford's oldest school buildings need major repairs. District leaders now have five potential renovation plans, but they're looking for voter input before they move forward.
Some of Rossford's oldest school buildings need major repairs. District leaders now have five potential renovation plans, but they're looking for voter input before they move forward.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:07:04 GMT
Kassy Widman is a Woodmore High School graduate. She's been living in Moore, Oklahoma for several years with her kids and husband. Monday her world was turned upside down after an EF 5 tornado nearly
A Woodmore High School graduate loses everything in the Moore, Oklahoma tornado. Her sister tells 13abc, her twin nephews were among the survivors at Plaza Towers Elementary school where 7 children died.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:18 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:18:14 GMT
Sylvania Township Police are investigating a Missing Person case. 25-year-old Jennifer Webster was last seen Monday in Sylvania Township.Jennifer is 5'1", 150 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes. She was
Sylvania Township say a 25-year-old woman was was reported missing by her mother has been found.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:13 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:13:59 GMT
A cardboard competition was held Wednesday at the Maritime Academy of Toledo! Students were challenged to build boats made with just cardboard, duct tape and glue. Four teams put their vessels to the
A cardboard competition was held Wednesday at the Maritime Academy of Toledo! Students were challenged to build boats made with just cardboard, duct tape and glue.
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