Henderson increases efforts to reach out globally

To be more involved in the global economy, the city of Henderson is reaching out to the international community .

According to Bob Cooper, the city's economic development manager , there have been several advances.

"Our focus internationally has been primarily Asia with a strong degree of interest in Korea and China," Cooper said.

Cooper said the city's economic development activities in the international community can be divided into three major categories: business development and partnership, educational partnerships and programs and cultural partnerships and programs.

"Economic diversification is important for our ability to remain a vibrant, thriving community," Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen said. "Residents have clearly expressed a desire for us to focus on job creation and economic growth. As part of our efforts to bring new business to Henderson, we're reaching out to build strategic partnerships with international businesses in places like Korea and China. We see great potential to expand our long-term business, education and cultural programs through partnerships like these."

City officials have visited Korea and hosted numerous Korean delegations from both public and private sectors .

"Our relationship started in 2009," said Jeff Chung, principal of the Henderson Korean Business Service, an organization trying to establish a bridge between Korea and Henderson.

The city conducted a sales mission to Korea in December 2009, making presentations to solar and manufacturing companies and pitching Henderson's business advantages.

"We were trying to bring businesses from Korea to Henderson," Chung said. "Korea is growing fast in technology and renewable energy."

Chung said Henderson still is trying to work out deals where the city can import new technology.

"Henderson would be a good gateway into the U.S. market," Chung said.

The trip resulted in a strategic business alliance agreement with the cities of Donong and Guru, Korea, pledging to partner on future business and communication.

To further ensure the relationship, Hafen appointed Key Kim as Henderson's business ambassador to Korea.

The experience has allowed Key, who owns a business in Korea and resides in Henderson, to speak firsthand to the Korean business community about his experiences working in Henderson.

Henderson also has reached out to Chinese businesses .

"We have worked very closely with a group of local Chinese business people who have brought several Chinese investors to City Hall ," Cooper said. "We are working with investors in their search for commercial properties to invest in or purchase."

In expanding business efforts, the city also has been working to expand educational efforts .

Henderson is working with Chinese officials to possibly bring a campus of the Hunan Vocational College of Science and Technology to the city .

Cooper said the school would allow Chinese students to study while being immersed in American culture and learning English.

"They would still teach their curriculum," Cooper said. "They would just teach it in English to Chinese students while they are able to absorb American culture."

The city invited Hunan representatives to the area in January to show them potential places that could work as a satellite campus.

If the school decides to base itself in Henderson, Cooper said the city would make sure to work with it .

"We would help students get visas," Cooper said. "We would work with them on things like real estate, purchasing the building and the taxes ."

The city also is working with the Gyeonggi-do province in Korea to create an English Village concept in Henderson.

"The campus would be located in Henderson and serve Korean students in their needs to learn English and American culture," Cooper said.

In summer 2010, Henderson sent six students to Korea as part of an exchange program where the participants taught English classes for seven weeks.

"We plan on having another six students go over this summer," Chung said.

Diversifying the business climate in the city also has led to festivals that promote cultural partnership.

The city held its first Korean Cultural Day on Oct. 14, 2010. The festival invited guests from the Korean Cultural Center in Los Angeles to perform traditional Korean dance and music at the Henderson Events Plaza.

"Our goal for 2011 is to host the Korean festival again and seek a larger participation by the Korean Cultural Center in L.A. ," Cooper said.

Contact Henderson and Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.