We were pleased to welcome Mark Owens MBA, Honorary Consul of Ireland in Ohio, to the Chamber offices to explore how stronger links could be developed between the North West City Region and Northeast Ohio. Joining the discussion were Chamber members, alongside representatives from Derry City and Strabane District Council and the US Consulate. Originally from Derry, Mark also shared insight into the work of Team NEO and JobsOhio in supporting investment, business growth, talent development and regional competitiveness across Northeast Ohio.

A central theme of the engagement was the strong degree of alignment between the two regions. We shared experiences from both sides of the Atlantic and reflected on the similar challenges and opportunities facing our respective economies. Northeast Ohio has built a substantial economic base in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, polymers, information technology and financial services, underpinned by a workforce of 1.8 million people, a dense higher education network and an active focus on talent development. Manufacturing remains a defining strength, accounting for 18 per cent of regional GDP, while Team NEO’s Talent Development Council offers a practical example of how employers, educators and workforce bodies can collaborate on regional skills planning.

The conversation also underlined the North West’s value proposition for US firms considering European expansion. The region’s dual market access, lower operating costs, skilled workforce, strong cluster of advanced manufacturing businesses and growing innovation ecosystem make it an attractive soft-landing location. Vertiv was cited as a particularly relevant example, with the company’s Ohio headquarters and its ongoing expansion across Derry and Donegal demonstrating an existing bridge between both places.

More broadly, the meeting pointed to possible avenues for future collaboration, including business-to-business connections, trade and investment engagement, skills exchanges and shared learning on regional economic development. Both regions face similar challenges around underemployment and unlocking indigenous entrepreneurial potential, but both also have clear assets to build on. It was a valuable and encouraging conversation, and an important opportunity to showcase the strength of indigenous entrepreneurship across the North West while considering how international relationships of this kind could support the region’s wider economic ambitions.

Takeaway:

Build practical links with Northeast Ohio to support the North West’s ambitions in manufacturing, skills, innovation and future investment.

If you are want to learn more how your business can better use this connection please reach out to joshk@londonderrychamber.co.uk