INDIANAPOLIS (March 19, 2018) – Governor Eric J. Holcomb will depart on a three-day economic development trade mission to Canada next week, where he will work to build relationships with one of Indiana’s largest economic partners.
“As we work to take Indiana’s business climate to the next level, we are targeting strategic national and international markets that will be essential partners in developing new innovations and creating jobs for Hoosiers,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Canada is not only our closest neighbor, but one of our strongest allies in foreign direct investment and trade. I look forward to building Indiana’s relationships in Canada and to pursuing economic opportunities that will help shape the future of our state.”
Indiana is home to more than 70 Canadian businesses, including global companies like CN Railway, Dorel Juvenile Group, KIK Custom Products and Magna Powertrain. Together, these businesses provide more than 15,600 jobs for Hoosiers, accounting for 8 percent of all Indiana jobs supported by foreign-owned businesses. Indiana and Canada also share close connections through maritime transportation in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region, with each territory’s ports serving as critical gateways for North America.
Joined by Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger, First Lady Janet Holcomb, Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson and Ports of Indiana CEO Rich Cooper, the Governor will meet with federal and provincial government officials, business executives and industry leadership in Ontario and Québec to strengthen existing economic ties and to market Indiana to potential investors.
Monday, March 25
In Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, Gov. Holcomb will meet with Canadian and U.S. government officials, including Scott Brison, the Member of Parliament for Kings-Hants and President of the Treasury Board, and U.S. Ambassador to Canada Kelly Craft. The Governor and the U.S. Embassy will also co-host a business roundtable, convening executives of Indiana businesses with operations in Canada, Canadian businesses with operations in Indiana, and Canadian businesses interested in investing in the U.S.
Tuesday, March 26
Gov. Holcomb and members of the Indiana delegation will travel to Toronto to meet with Kathleen Wynne, the Premier of Ontario, and discuss opportunities for economic collaboration between Indiana and Ontario. The delegation will also tour Toronto’s MaRs Discovery District, which is a public-private partnership dedicated to commercializing research and growing innovation in engineering, science, technology and life sciences.
Wednesday, March 27
In the morning, the Governor and the delegation will meet with government officials, including Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, and participate in several business and industry-focused roundtable discussions. The delegation will join the Counseil Des Relations Internationales de Montreal (CORIM) to discuss opportunities to grow the state’s international economy, the Federation of Chamber of Commerces Québec to discuss economic partnership opportunities, and Québec government officials and aerospace industry leaders to propel growth and innovation within the sector.
In addition, the Indiana delegation will meet with maritime leadership at the Port of Montreal and visit FedNav, which is Canada’s largest dry-bulk shipping company and the parent company for the general cargo terminal operator at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor.
More information on economic and trade ties between Indiana and Canada is available here.
This marks Gov. Holcomb’s fourth economic development trade mission as governor, following strategic trips to Europe, Japan and India last year. The cost of the state delegation is being paid through private donations to the Indiana Economic Development Foundation.
About IEDC
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) leads the state of Indiana’s economic development efforts, helping businesses launch, grow and locate in the state. Governed by a 15-member board chaired by Governor Eric J. Holcomb, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, innovation and entrepreneurship resources, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
