When will overseas trips spark jobs?

Written by

Keith Roysdon

After a trio of Muncie and Delaware County officials completed an economic development trip to China in late September, the local Economic Development Alliance issued a press release calling it a “successful” trip.

But was it? Will the trip lead to any jobs locally?

And how many years could pass before we even know?

After trips to China, Japan and Turkey in recent years, city and county officials and those from the Economic Development Alliance say the trips have generated some local jobs with the promise of more to come.

But others say that after five years of trips, something more concrete than just relationship building should be happening. There’s an undercurrent of restlessness and skepticism among local officials and business leaders who spoke privately with The Star Press. Most declined to speak on the record. More here.