| Press Release |
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| Oct. 15, 2009 |
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Governor Kulongoski announces business mission to Europe
Governor to meet with Daimler AG, Vestas, FEI and KLM executives
(Salem) – Governor Ted Kulongoski today announced a business development mission to Europe next week as part of his focus on retaining and creating jobs for Oregon. On this mission, the Governor will meet with key businesses that currently employ Oregonians and contribute millions of dollars to Oregon’s economy.
The purpose of the meetings is to strengthen the state's relationship with these important employers during this period of economic uncertainty so as to retain the existing jobs and work to eventually create more opportunities for growth and expansion.
“We have been told that this is going to be a slow recovery, making it even more important that we work to fortify and grow our relationships with the businesses that are presently part of Oregon’s economy,” Governor Kulongoski said. “Every day businesses make tough decisions about where they locate and create jobs. I am going to reassure them that they have a strong partner in Oregon to help weather this difficult time."
The Governor’s itinerary includes a meeting in Stuttgart, Germany with Daimler AG executives to personally thank the company for their ongoing commitment to operating in Oregon. Daimler AG recently announced that the 650 manufacturing jobs at Freightliner in Portland will not be let go in June as originally anticipated. Additionally, knowing the Governor’s commitment to creating a network of electric vehicle charging stations in Oregon, Daimler AG will provide a briefing of the company’s work in fuel cell and electric vehicle technology.
The Governor will travel to Denmark to visit Vestas, a wind energy company that chose Portland, Oregon as its U.S. headquarters in 2002 and announced an expansion in 2008. Attracting renewable energy companies like Vestas, and encouraging them to remain and grow in Oregon, is part of the Governor’s efforts to create green jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Vestas currently employs over 500 people in Oregon, and is working on plans to consolidate office space and expand its Portland headquarters. The Governor will have the opportunity to see first hand Vestas’ research and development work, test center and be briefed on the company’s supply chain need in North America.
Another important employer in Oregon is FEI, a high-tech company headquartered in Hillsboro that makes tools for researchers, developers and manufacturers that do work in nanotechnology. These tools very much support other industries important to Oregon such as the semiconductor industry. The company currently employs 350 Oregonians.
FEI divides its research and development work in Oregon, The Netherlands and the Czech Republic. The Governor will meet with executives and employees in Eindhoven, The Netherlands that partner with Oregonians on a daily basis.
The Governor also will be meeting with executives of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. KLM has cooperative service agreements with Delta, Continental, and Northwest Airlines, offering service that is an important link for business travel between Portland International Airport and Europe. Operated by Northwest Airlines, KLM offers nonstop service from Portland to Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
The Governor will be accompanied by members of his staff, the Oregon Business Development Department and the Oregon Department of Energy. Also joining him for portions of the business trip will be Bill Wyatt, the director of the Port of Portland.
The Governor will depart on October 21 and return October 29.
Contacts:
Anna Richter Taylor, 503-378-6169
Rem Nivens, 503-378-6496
Jillian Schoene, 503-378-5040
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