DaytonDailyNews.com

TROY — Troy officials hope to convince a Japanese supplier during an upcoming trade mission that the city should be home to a project that would create more than 500 jobs.

The delegation leaves Tuesday, April 1, for a two-week trade mission in Japan that also includes a visit to Troy's sister city, Takahashi City.

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Chuck Cochran, president of the Troy Development Council, declined to identify the Japanese company, saying only that Troy officials met with the company during previous trade missions and that a few sites in Ohio and beyond also are vying for the project.

Japanese companies have a considerable presence in Troy despite the loss in 2006 of a large television picture-tube plant, MT Picture Display, which once was Troy's largest industrial employer and source of income tax. Ten Japanese companies employ more than 1,200 workers — about one in nine Troy workers.

The delegation will visit F-Tech, parent company of F&P America, which has research and development operations on Horizon West Court. They'll also meet with Kyoshin, parent of Piqua Technologies, and American Honda Motor. Other meetings have been scheduled with Japanese companies whose local operations include Gokoh, Chuoh of America, Motoman and Nittsu Shoji.

The group also will visit Matsushita Electric Industrial, hoping to maintain Troy's long-term relationship with the company despite Matsushita's shutdown of its MT Picture joint venture with Toshiba, Cochran said.

Three undisclosed companies also are on the itinerary.

Troy's delegation includes Mayor Mike Beamish; Patrick Titterington, public service and safety director; Cochran; and interpreter Alex Hara. They will be joined for part of the trip by Harry Bumgarner, Piqua's economic development director.

Troy's shorter trade mission to Japan in April 2006 sent three officials at a cost of $8,000, according to Sue Knight, city administrative assistant. Cochran estimated his expenses for the upcoming trip at $6,000 to $7,000.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7457 or bsutherly@DaytonDaily

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