Gov. Holcomb Leads Europe Trip to Highlight Indiana’s Global Economy

Governor Eric J. Holcomb and Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers will lead an economic development trip to Sweden, the United Kingdom and Monaco from April 24 to May 1 to bolster strategic relationships and highlight Indiana’s leadership in industries of the future.

“There’s no substitute for thanking and meeting prospective investors in person,” said Gov. Holcomb. “We look to build upon Indiana’s ever growing global reputation already established by the recent record-breaking years of new job and capital investment commitments. We’ll use our upcoming time in Europe to both strengthen key existing relationships and to promote our state as an international embracer of the industries of the future.”

Europe represents one of Indiana’s largest regions for foreign direct investment and trade ties with more than 550 European-owned businesses in Indiana. Coming on the heels of the IEDC’s recently announced partnership with Avalanche Andretti, the trip will conclude with the Formula E World Championship race in Monaco. The Governor and Secretary will host key business prospects and showcase Indiana’s economy of the future connected to motorsports and emerging technologies including electric vehicles, batteries and clean energy.

Gov. Holcomb, Sec. Chambers and First Lady Janet Holcomb and IEDC senior staff will depart for Sweden on Sunday, April 24, and finish the trip in Monaco, returning to Indiana on Sunday, May 1. The trip falls just weeks ahead of Indiana’s inaugural Global Economic Summit, during which Indiana will welcome delegations from dozens of international partners including Europe.

On April 26-28 in London, Gov. Holcomb and Sec. Chambers will meet with government officials, including Minister Penny Mordaunt, U.K. Minister of State at the Department for International Trade, and Greg Hands, U.K. Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth. Indiana and the U.K. share a strong trade relationship, as Indiana supports approximately 100 U.K.-owned business facilities across the state, making the U.K. Indiana’s second-largest European investor and third-largest globally. The Governor and Secretary will meet with Tate & Lyle, a global provider of food and beverage ingredients and solutions, to discuss how Indiana can continue supporting the company’s integrated energy system in Lafayette, where it has employed more than 500 people and invested approximately $75 million in energy and operational efficiency projects over the last two years.

Gov. Holcomb and Sec. Chambers will then head to Bristol on April 28 where they will meet with leaders from Rolls-Royce, which employs approximately 3,300 in Indiana, to discuss technology, sustainability and clean energy. In August 2021, Gov. Holcomb and Sec. Chambers joined local and federal leaders to celebrate the completion of Rolls-Royce’s $600 million manufacturing campus revitalization in Indianapolis, housing high-tech, revolutionary advanced manufacturing operations and setting the stage for future growth.

On April 30, they will meet with His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco before departing for the Formula E World Championship race. At the race, the IEDC will engage existing and prospective leaders in international markets, discuss electric vehicle mobility, innovation, and start-up/scale-up businesses, particularly in the green economy space.

Sweden is a prime prospect for innovative companies across key sectors, including electric vehicles and tech, with a thriving entrepreneurship ecosystem. In Stockholm, Gov. Holcomb and Sec. Chambers will meet with executives from Saab, a Sweden-based global aerospace and defense company, to discuss opportunities for continued partnership. In October 2021, Gov. Holcomb and Sec. Chambers joined company executives to celebrate the grand opening of Saab’s new advanced manufacturing and production facility in West Lafayette, which supports production of the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation T-7A trainer jet.

This marks Gov. Holcomb’s 11th international economic development trip as governor and is the third international trip with the IEDC for Sec. Chambers. The cost of the trip is being paid through private donations to the Indiana Economic Development Foundation.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) is charged with growing the State economy, driving economic development, helping businesses launch, grow and locate in the state. Led by Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers, @SecChambersIN, and governed by a 15-member board chaired by Governor Eric J. Holcomb, @GovHolcomb, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, innovation and entrepreneurship resources, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, visit iedc.in.gov.