Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.
Kim Yonghyon, the Boston consul general from the Republic of Korea, made a whirlwind tour of Waterville-area businesses earlier this week, but the ultimate focus of the visit was FirstPark.
The commerce and technology park in Oakland is casting a wider net for potential tenants, and reaching out to international contacts is part of that, said Jim Dinkle, FirstPark executive director, after Yonghyon left Tuesday.
"On behalf of FirstPark, I'm working to building awareness of what we have to offer," Dinkle said. FirstPark is run by the Kennebec Regional Development Authority, which represents a collection of area towns and cities.
The 285-acre, 22-lot campus, is ideal for global companies, Dinkle said. It's a foreign trade zone, it has high-speed fiber optic broadband, its entrance is yards from Exit 127 on Intersate 95, and nearby Waterville has an intermodal rail center.
Dinkle said building a relationship with the Korea consulate — the country has topped the Bloomberg Index for most innovative country for years — is just a start of what he hopes will be more relationships that will bring international businesses to FirstPark.
Dinkle has been working to revive FirstPark since he took the executive director role in November 2017. Part of that was a more robust marketing effort, including hiring Augusta-based Marshall Communications last year, and a new website.
"We're casting a wide marketing net," he said.
Dinkle said that's paid off, with an uptick recently of traffic on the website, which can be translated into Korean, German, Japanese, French and Chinese. Three weeks ago, he was contacted by representatives from a southern European country that plan to visit FirstPark, and he'll also be hosting a group from a European Union country next month.
It's also about personal relationships. Dinkle met Yonghyon at Maine Trade Day in 2018, and connected him again at the event this year, in May. Dinkle said the visit will be reciprocal.
"It's a small step forward towards us leading a delegation to go to South Korea," Dinkle said.
Besides touring FirstPark, Yonghyon's visit to the Waterville area hit a number of business high spots. Among his stops, he:
Donegan said that Maine’s trade with the Republic of Korea "continues its steady uptick."
The state's international trade "includes Maine exporting premium products and seafood, such as lobster, to growing trade opportunities within the bio economy," he said. "Similarly, Maine and the Republic of Korea’s economy share historically important industry similarities — from ship building to semiconductor fabrication. Growing this trade relationship and friendship through economic and education exchanges better positions the state of Maine in the 21st global economy."
The Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Learn MoreWork for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Learn MoreFew people are adequately prepared for all the tasks involved in planning and providing care for aging family members. SeniorSmart provides an essential road map for navigating the process. This resource guide explores the myriad of care options and offers essential information on topics ranging from self-care to legal and financial preparedness.
Learn moreThe Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Work for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Few people are adequately prepared for all the tasks involved in planning and providing care for aging family members. SeniorSmart provides an essential road map for navigating the process. This resource guide explores the myriad of care options and offers essential information on topics ranging from self-care to legal and financial preparedness.
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Our privacy policy
To ensure the best experience on our website, articles cannot be read without allowing cookies. Please allow cookies to continue reading. Our privacy policy
0 Comments