A Chatham-Kent councillor thinks it's time for administration to look elsewhere for international investment.
Economic Development has released some numbers regarding its international business trips. While specifics were withheld to maintain confidentiality with potential investors, they showed that 25 business files remain open.
But over the course of multiple trips each year, the only opportunities that have broken ground have been with a German company. Councillor Trevor Thompson says it's time to put more focus on investment in Europe and the Americas.
"We've spent decades trying to ply the fertile grounds of Asia and it's not working out," says Thompson. "I'd like to see that money redirected to other places where we are going to see some development."
When asked if the public was getting restless regarding the number of trips being taken, Thompson conceded it's been too long to have a lack of results.
"I think there was a time where people were patient, people did understand that these things take time. Years is fine but decades is too long. I think it's time Economic Development refocus its efforts and move closer to home," explains Thompson.
In 2015, administration welcomed eight international delegations to CK, while heading out on eight sales missions of their own.
