Mayor Wayne Seybold said he was “cautiously optimistic” that his recent, unannounced five-day trip to China would help bring a company to Marion.
Seybold returned late Wednesday from an overseas trip to, among other stops, Beijing and Shanghai, and met with a “number of companies.”
However, he said the main prospect was a company that had previously visited Marion, but he would not reveal more specific details.
“They believe they can manufacture (their product) cheaper in the United States than in China,” he said. “They asked us to come there to see their facility, meet with partners and talk about the city of Marion as far as our initiative to attract Chinese companies.”
Seybold said airfare and hotel expenses for the trip were paid out of his travel budget, but he did not know the total amount offhand. He said that is how the costs are usually handled because he is similar to “the CEO of the city.”
He said he did not publicly announce he was goingoverseas out of concern for his family.
“When I announce a trip they’re home alone. My family comes first,” he said, comparing it to when people leave town for vacations. “Should I announce to the whole world when I’m on vacation so everyone knows I’m out of town and my house is empty?”
Luke Owsley, international projects coordinator for the city, was also on the trip. He said building connections was important to Chinese businesses and Seybold’s efforts over the past years have been noticed.
“From the Chinese side, they want to see someone who is committed,” he said. “The fact that he has that interest goes a long way.”
Owsley said they also met with YK Furniture owner Jin Jianguo and gave an update on the status of their former building at 1500 S. Western Ave., which Tree of Life Bookstores hopes to purchase.
On a personal note, Owsley, who lived 10 years in China, said it was “amazing” to see the progress made in the country since he was last there five years ago.
Linda Dawson, a contract consultant with the Grant County Economic Growth Council, was also on the trip.