Post by Benedict Sang Won Park

On Tuesday, the 23rd of June 2026, a team of foreign journalists led by the State Department visited the Cincinnati region. This was an opportunity to showcase our part of the state that is helping to shape the future of the US economy, as the region encompasses Southwest State of Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana, and is home to a diverse, growing economy fueled by world-class companies such as GE Aerospace and Procter & Gamble. As a few of the media were from Asia, I accompanied the visiting team as a representative of JobsOhio, and the Tuesday portion of their visit included visits to Asian firms in the region: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Milford and Pacific Manufacturing in Fairfield, OH. What used to be a complex for a paper company spanning 200-plus acres, TCS has turned it into one of the largest fulfillment centers over the past 18 years. The Milford location covers the Midwest of the US and employs several hundred. The company shared with us that proximity to its clients, as well as access to talent for attracting and retaining, were the key reasons for its presence. Lastly, the high quality of life was another attractive factor for its continued success. Next was to Pacific Manufacturing, a major Japanese automotive supplier to Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Subaru, and Mazda, all of which the Ohio operations supplied. Aside from some parts for their Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), nearly 100% of the materials, including steel, were sourced locally. Again, the proximity to their customers were the key reason the company established its Midwest operations in the Cincinnati region. With more than a thousand SKUs including service parts, the operations grew from a team of 50 to nearly 1,000 employees over 24 years. Afterward, we had lunch in downtown Hamilton, a city 20 miles north of Cincinnati along the Great Miami River. The second-most populous city in the Cincinnati metro area, the city is known for its local artisan boutiques, cozy coffee shops, and revitalized hospitality venues. It was a fitting location for the visiting journalists, as the city was shifting from a Rust Belt burg to a bustling destination. One of the journalists shared that the visit changed their view of the Midwest, and I am positive that the visit will help our visitors conclude that there is no rust in the Midwest anymore, but scenes of hard-working Midwesterners rebuilding the manufacturing might. Lastly, very much appreciated Gina Rittinger and Jay Brock, our communications experts at REDI Cincinnati, for preparing and leading the visits. It was quite a learning experience and inspiring at the same time to learn more about the Cincinnati region. #JobsOhio #Ohio #REDI