Cecilia Harry Represents Region on Governor's Trade Commission to Japan

9 Oct 2015


Newsletter

Executive Director, Cecilia Harry, represented Greater Fremont and the Greater Omaha region on a recent business trip to Japan that included time with Governor Ricketts and strengthening relationships with existing investors.

Harry first traveled to the Osaka region to call on S Foods, Inc., parent company to Fremont Beef Company. The visit included meetings with top leadership to show gratitude for the recent expansion project at Fremont Beef Company (25 new jobs, over $10 million in capital investment) and to better understand the needs of the company from a strategic perspective. Leadership shared with Harry how important a solid trade agreement is for continued investment and growth in US-based facilities like Fremont Beef Company. This is an example of how important trade agreements like TPP are to existing and future investment in Fremont and Nebraska.

Harry then joined Lieutenant Governor Mike Foley’s deligation in Tokyo that included representatives from the agriculture community to promote Nebraska beef and pork products. Following that, Governor Pete Ricketts’s trade mission delegation arrived, and Harry joined that group.

“Japan is Nebraska’s largest foreign investor, and it is important that Nebraska continues to grow this relationship,” said Gov. Ricketts.  “This week’s activities have allowed us to discuss how we can build on existing relationships, and to thank some of the numerous businesses who invest in our state.”

After attending the Midwest US-Japan Trade Association’s annual conference, the trade mission focused on meetings with Japanese companies that have substantial investments inside the state, such as Marubeni, Kawasaki, and Itochu.  Marubeni acquired Gavilon in Omaha two years ago for $2.7 billion and they are one of Japan’s largest conglomerates involved in numerous industries including agricultural goods, commodities, and consumer and energy products. A Gavilon grain elevator operation is located in Fremont.