Columbia shops in Europe
By Warner M.Montgomery warner@thecolumbiastar.com

Columbia City Councilman Daniel Rickenmann (l) and Mayor Bob Coble discuss their trip to Switzerland on behalf of the City of Columbia.

Mayor Bob Coble and City Councilman Daniel Rickenmann told the Midlands International Trade Association (MITA) Tuesday of their latest trade mission to Switzerland. The trip was arranged by Russ Fronberger, an international trade consultant based in Columbia, and sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Columbia.

Coble recited the history of Columbia's interest in recruiting European business investment in the Midlands, which began in 1991 soon after he became mayor. The first missions were to Germany and resulted in Siemens and FN Manufacturing locating in the Columbia area. "The strategy has been to start somewhere and build close relationships with European businesses. Then follow- up, making it a two- way street for us and them," he said. The goal has been to promote the "New Economy" of fuel cell research and advanced manufacturing as is being developed by USC's Innovista program.

Rickenmann is a product of South Carolina's recruitment in Europe. His parents came to Spartanburg because of Millikin Industries in 1969. He grew up in the European community in the Upstate, learning English while speaking Swiss- German at home.

The success of the trip to Switzerland, said Rickenmann, will result from promotion of the quality of life in Columbia. The Swiss have been impressed by Columbia being in the center of the state and having easy access to all means of transportation, the closeness to Europe, the deflated dollar, and the exciting research resulting from Innovista. He said Columbia should focus not on the big fish in Europe but the medium- sized businesses and those already in the U.S. looking to expand. "We can capture European businesses if we market our community for what we have," he said.

Fred Monk, president of the World Affairs Council, announced the next trade mission will be to Bulgaria and Turkey in May. Anyone interested should contact him at fred.monk.scchamber.net or 255-2623.