OHIO Governor Taft: Trip was helpful

Taft said the latest trade mission netted $154 million for the state.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Gov. Bob Taft's latest overseas trade mission generated $154 million in new business and investment for the state, Taft's office said Tuesday.
However, $100 million of that figure includes a Honda expansion that was not related to the trade mission, according to the company.
Taft, a Republican, led 71 representatives from 59 companies to Japan and Taiwan last month. It was the biggest trade mission for Taft.
By contrast, Taft's 2001 trip through Brazil, Chile and Argentina brought in about $43 million. His first trip to Japan, in 2000, generated at least $106 million.
Companies that attended this year's trade mission reported an increase in export sales of $47 million over the next three years, Taft said.
Following the mission, additional expansion announcements from Japanese companies with facilities in Ohio included Hidaka Seiki, a developer and manufacturer of metal fabricated parts for the automobile industry, will invest $2.4 million to expand its Dublin facility, creating 20 new jobs;
Honda plans
Earlier this month, Honda announced a $100 million expansion of an automatic transmission plant to produce gears now made only in Japan. Honda Transmission Mfg. of America Inc. will add 100 jobs at the plant in Russell Point 60 miles northwest of Columbus.
The announcement was not related to the trade mission, Honda spokesman Ron Lietzke said.
"The value of the trade mission is part of the ongoing relationship we have with the state of Ohio," he said.
Taft's previous five trade missions brought in more $470 million for the state and helped create more than 1,300 jobs, according to the Ohio Department of Development.