GREATER OMAHA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP STRENGTHENS TIES WITH DANISH AND GERMAN BUSINESSES

With a goal of building on existing relationships to keep Greater Omaha front and center in the minds of international companies, members of the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership visited Germany and Denmark this past December.

Marisa Ring, manager – international business development, and Paula Hazlewood, executive director of Washington County’s Gateway Development Corporation, followed up with companies with whom the Partnership has ongoing relationships. Company executives were called on and thanked for their investment in Omaha and headquarters of companies that have invested in the area were visited.

“Taking time to visit international companies and organizations in their home countries allows the Partnership to communicate our commitment to the parent companies of organizations already located in Greater Omaha and develop new relationships for potential projects,” said Ring.

While in Denmark, Ring and Hazlewood visited the corporate headquarters of Novozymes, the company that built an enzymes manufacturing plant in Blair — investing an estimated $160 million - $200 million. “A vital component of the Partnership’s continued success is our ability to enhance relationships formed with global businesses during their site selection process,” said Hazlewood. “With the Novozymes facility scheduled to come on-line this summer, it was wonderful to make connections on the corporate level.”

Another meeting was with the Danish American Business Forum, an organization whose mission is to assist Danish companies in entering the United States. Now, the door is open for Omaha to get more involved in that organization so we can bring the Greater Omaha message to their member companies.

Business executives also received invitations to come to Omaha during 2012 to participate in the unprecedented lineup of events the city will be hosting and learn more about Nebraska’s pro-business climate.

“International recruitment trips such as this trip to Europe are invaluable in our efforts to introduce the international business community to Greater Omaha,” added Ring.