PARKERSBURG - The Wood County Economic Development Authority Board has approved a return trip to Japan for a 2011 trade mission.
Keith Burdette, executive director of the authority, said Wednesday the board has approved a trade mission for next spring.
"The board has told us to proceed," he said. "We are going to start making plans with a trade mission to Japan."
Burdette said they plan to take a local delegation.
In 2008, officials from the development authority, the city, the county and WVU-P joined state officials for a nine-day trade mission. Burdette said the 2011 trip would be similar.
At least one local official won't be going back to Japan. Mayor Bob Newell said he does not plan on going. The city had a potential project in the works when Newell joined the 2008 trip.
"We had the benefit of going and meeting with several manufacturers," he said. "It is not necessary for me as mayor to go back."
Wood County Commission President Blair Couch said the matter has not yet been discussed by the commission so he was unsure if it would send a representative.
"I think the county should be represented on a trade mission," he said. "It will be interesting to see if (the commission) wants to participate."
Couch noted there will be two new commission members (Wayne Dunn and Steve Gainer) to decide if the commission will send a representative this spring. Former commissioner Bob Tebay went on behalf of the commission in 2008.
Couch said regardless of who joins the delegation, the authority's trip is a worthwhile cause.
"Personally, anytime we can try to attract new business to Wood County it is a positive goal."
Burdette said with economy showing signs of life, the timing for another trip could be right. He wants local officials to make such trips on a regular basis. He noted Putnam County officials travel to Japan on an annual basis. Putnam County is home to a Toyota plant that opened in 1996 and employees more than 1,000 people.
Wood County's Hino Motors plant was announced in June 2007. The first truck rolled off the production line in November that year.
"It is a good trip for the development authority, not us," Newell added.
Burdette said officials have not schedule a date for the trip.
