Johnson County Group Heading to Japan

Johnson County Development Corp. CEO Cheryl Morphew will lead the delegation.

The chief executive officer of the Johnson County Development Corp. says an upcoming trip to Japan will bolster relationships with many companies that have invested in the county. Cheryl Morphew will lead a delegation, which also includes Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers, September 24-30 to meet with some of the county’s largest employers.

Morphew says the county has 14 Japanese companies that employ about 1,900 people. The delegation will meet with officials from several of those companies, including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, KYB and Nachi. Morphew tells Inside INdiana Business their main goal is to maintain the relationships they’ve built over the past 25 years.

"Obviously, we want to be on the forefront of any potential growth that the (companies) may be considering, but also we want them to understand that our local municipalities want to continue to support them," said Morphew. "We’ve demonstrated that we know how to business with them, we know how to help them grow and so that level of confidence is repaid through their investment in our community."

In addition to Morphew and Myers, the delegation includes JCDC Chairman Pat Sherman and board member Chris King, along with Quality Connection Executive Director Julia Saltsgaver. Morphew says the delegation wants the companies to know the county appreciates everything they have provided, including jobs, investment and, in some cases, philanthropic efforts.