Gibson County hosted the last visit consisting of twelve Tahara City students and educational administrators.

Press Release

Princeton, IN (November 5, 2009) -Five Gibson County business and governmental leaders will visit Tahara City, Japan as part of the Friendship City program. The delegation consists of Gibson County Commission President, Bob Townsend, Toyota Motor Manufacturing’s Assistant General Manager Corporate Services and Public Affairs Representative Connie Wellmeyer, Gibson County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Karen Thompson, Old National Bank’s Vice President of Commercial Lending - Princeton Branch, Greg Goodson, and Gibson County Economic Development Corporation’s President and CEO, B. Todd Mosby. The delegation will depart Monday, November 9, returning Friday, November 13.

“The purpose of this visit is to continue relationship building between the leaders and future leaders of Tahara and Gibson County.” stated Mosby. “This is an important relationship we continue to mold. This relationship has helped foster the economic prosperity in our region. It is not a topic we can afford to take lightly and hope someone else does it for us. That’s the business side, then there is the cultural side. Gibson County leaders and residents will only better ourselves by understanding the culture lived half a world away so we can enjoy it with those from Japan right here in our own back yard.

This will be the fourth exchange of business leaders or school children in the past three years. Gibson County hosted the last visit consisting of twelve Tahara City students and educational administrators. Mosby said the Gibson County Economic Development Corporation will spearhead an effort to send two students and one teacher from each Gibson County School Corporation in May of next year for an extended stay in Tahara. In addition, Mosby said this delegation will discuss with Tahara City Mayor Katsuyuki Suzuki, an opportunity to send a teacher to Japan for two years to teach English and receive a Tahara City teacher in Gibson County to teach Japanese.

Mosby reiterated, Gibson County’s relationship with Tahara City is something our county continues to take full advantage of and realizes the benefits this program is delivering. However, he pointed out the county government has a Friendship City line item in their budget and unfortunately President Townsend felt obligated to pay for his portion of this visit with his personal finances. Mosby concluded, ”One day everyone will need to realize these trips are not fun in the sun vacations. They are work, whether we travel or host, our governmental leaders should not fear repercussions for working; even if it is abroad.”

Source: Gibson County Economic Development Corporation