Leaders from Findlay-Hancock County recently attended the Midwest U.S. – Japan Association Conference in Indianapolis. Matt Gilory, Katie Hite, Dr. Hiro Kawamura, and Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn connected with Governor Motohiro Ono of Saitama Prefecture, (Ohio’s Sister State), and Consulate General of Japan in Detroit, Hajime “Jimmy” Kishimori.
By Katie Hite, associate director of economic development and investor relations
Global investment starts with trust. Trust starts with showing up.
That message guided Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development’s participation in the 56th annual Midwest U.S.–Japan Association Conference, held September 9–11 in Indianapolis. FHCED’s Matt Gilroy and Katie Hite and attended alongside Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn, reinforcing the community’s commitment to its Japanese business, educational, and cultural relationships.
The conference brought together business and government leaders to discuss opportunities in advanced manufacturing, workforce development, life sciences, and emerging technologies. For Findlay-Hancock County, these conversations provided an opportunity to strengthen existing connections and consider how international partnerships can support continued local growth.
During the conference, Gilroy and Hite connected with Governor Motohiro Ono of Saitama Prefecture, Ohio’s sister state, and Consulate General of Japan in Detroit, Hajime “Jimmy” Kishimori. These exchanges reinforce our relationships across business and government, extending Findlay-Hancock County’s engagement in conversations about the future of U.S.–Japan cooperation.
The main stage of the U.S. Midwest – Japan Association Conference, held this year Sept. 9-11 in Indianapolis.
An encounter with a University of Findlay Saitama Scholar also highlighted the educational connections that complement the community’s business relationships. Student exchanges help build cultural understanding and personal connections that can last well beyond a classroom experience. For a community with international employers and a university, those connections are an important part of preparing students to participate in a global workforce.
Mayor Muryn’s attendance further demonstrated Findlay’s commitment to these partnerships. Participation by both city leadership and economic development representatives helps communicate a shared interest in supporting employers, welcoming investment, and sustaining relationships over time.
The conference’s focus on workforce development and advanced manufacturing was particularly relevant to the region’s future. As industries adopt new technologies, conversations among employers, educators, and community leaders can help identify the skills students and workers will need. International partnerships offer another avenue for sharing ideas and learning from common challenges.
The welcome reception at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum offered a memorable setting for building those relationships. Against the backdrop of the Indy 500’s legacy, the gathering highlighted the precision, teamwork, and long-term commitment shared by successful racing teams and international business partnerships. It also created time for personal conversations that help establish trust well before an investment decision or site visit.
For FHCED, the value of attending extends beyond the conference itself. Continued communication and follow-through help turn introductions into lasting relationships. Behind those relationships are practical local goals: supporting employers, expanding opportunities for students and workers, strengthening suppliers, and encouraging future investment in Findlay-Hancock County.
