Greetings from London. My name is Chip Wood and I am the Vice President of
Economic Development and Community Relations for Duke Energy. I've been working
in Cincinnati for about three years after spending 19 years with Duke in the
Carolinas.
Duke Energy is dedicated to expanding the regional economy -
increasing the number of jobs here and growing the number of companies. Quite
frankly, when the region wins on these fronts, Duke wins as well - by increasing
the number of potential customers in our service territory. But we also see
significant benefits in growing the economy because a healthy region is a
growing region and our company certainly wants to be part of a healthy
region.
We undertake our economic development efforts in conjunction with
the Cincinnati USA Partnership - the regional economic development effort lead
by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. This is my third international business
development trip with the Partnership. I am travelling throughout the United
Kingdom with Doug Moormann, the Chamber's Vice President for Economic
Development and leader of the Partnership; Neil Hensley, the Partnership's
Senior Director of Economic Development; and Jeff McElravy, the City of
Cincinnati's Development Officer.
The purpose of the Partnership's
business development trips is multi-faceted. During these missions we are
meeting with companies like dunnhumby and Ineos - UK-based businesses with a
presence in the Cincinnati USA region - on retention calls. We express our
appreciation for their investment in our region; ask about any barriers that may
threaten their existing operations in our region; and encourage them to consider
Cincinnati USA as a preferred location for future growth and expansion.
Our group is also meeting with businesses and organizations that may
have an interest in establishing a presence in the United States. One such
meeting was with the UK's Renewable Energy Association, an organization of 600
member companies engaged in various aspects of renewable energy. As these
companies grow and the US and Ohio look for more renewable energy options, we
will educate them on the strengths of our region so that they will consider
Cincinnati USA as a location for their US operations.
Lastly, we are also
meeting with prospects - qualified leads - that have an interest in locating
business operations in the US. In these meetings we are selling - making the
case for Cincinnati USA as an affordable , central location with a
highly-skilled workforce.
Check back tomorrow to hear more about our travels in the
UK.