I recently returned from a trip to Calgary with Esther Cuevas, Director of Corporate Locations, which was brought about due to the increase in interest of Canadian companies looking to locate in the Central Valley. Our Corporate Locations department has had great success in placing them in Fresno County, and I felt it was time to begin building a Canadian relationship for the future.

The reception we received was incredible. All of the people we met with hungered for information regarding expanding to the California market, and had no idea of the role Fresno County could play in their possible expansion plans. Some companies are looking to market to California and some are looking to market to the eight western states. All agreed that the benefits Fresno County offers are powerful and compelling as a location to establish their west coast facilities. There was also great interest in participating in the New Frontier Tour in March of 2010.

During these economic times the one thing that all successful companies have in common is the carrying out of their expansion plans, now, in order to be positioned for the economic upturn predicted to be coming in the next 18 to 24 months. They have strong financial strength and are using it to invest in their strategic growth.

Canada will be a very important partner with Fresno County’s economic future and we are building the bridges now to ensure our partnership with them is sustaining.