By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – Local economic developers will have a global audience next month as they try to land a buyer for the Mitsubishi Motors plant in Normal.
The head of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council Kyle Ham and Normal Mayor Chris Koos will be in Germany for the Hannover-Messe industry trade show in Hannover, Germany April 25-29.
EDC Vice President Mike O’Grady told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin the trade show is a chance to show companies from all over the world the benefits of moving into the Mitsubishi plant or anywhere in McLean County.
“We think there’s other opportunities for them to be out there and talk to companies that might have some other interest to manufacture here in Bloomington, Normal or McLean County,” O’Grady said.
O’Grady said the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity invited local officials to attend the trade show, due largely to the planned Mitsubishi closure.
“It boggles my mind the size and what it has to looks like and how you keep from getting lost,” O’Grady said. “They said think of McCormick Place (in Chicago) times 10.”
President Barack Obama is also expected to attend.
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
