West Virginia was on the world stage earlier this month in Asia.
Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) Director Derek Scarbro joined a contingent from the West Virginia Department of Economic Development for a mission last week to Taiwan. The group met with companies interested in expanding into the U.S. market and promoted the Mountain State’s business-friendly climate and manufacturing support services as a great choice.
In addition to meeting with individual companies, the delegation joined representatives from the year-old West Virginia Taiwan Office in Taipei for the Intelligent Asia Trade Show, one of the world’s largest technology showcases. The event featured the latest innovations in additive manufacturing (3D printing), artificial intelligence (AI), lasers, robotics and other advanced and emerging technologies.
West Virginia has benefited from a high concentration of foreign direct investment with 147 companies from 33 countries employing more than 30,000 West Virginians. More than $8 billion per year in goods are exported from the state.
“We are honored to have been invited to join our state economic development team on this mission to bring more investment to the Mountain State,” Scarbro said.
“Many of the existing international companies in West Virginia have leveraged MAMC’s advanced technology, technical expertise and comprehensive workforce solutions to grow their operations. We believe that with our capabilities and the state’s aggressive recruitment efforts, we can entice others to consider expanding to West Virginia, strengthening our growing manufacturing base.”
Aug. 30, 2023