July 25, 2023 (Williamson County, Texas) – The Williamson County Economic Development Partnership (WilCo EDP) has gone international! In an update to the Williamson County Commissioners Court, Dave Porter, economic development director for WilCo EDP, announced that the partnership opened an office in Seoul, South Korea, on July 1, 2023. The primary function of the office is to identify and assist South Korean companies who are looking at expanding to the United States and to encourage them to locate in Williamson County, Texas.
“Korea has become a premier location for generating technology, so this is a great place to invest in an office that not only helps companies in South Korea locate in Williamson County, but is a launching pad for all of Asia,”. said Porter.
Porter said the construction of the new Samsung semiconductor manufacturing facility in Taylor has created the need for a large number of suppliers to locate in central Texas. In addition to semiconductor suppliers, this office will target other industry sectors such as research, life sciences, automotive and software.
WilCo EDP’s Seoul office is co-located with the headquarters for KOTRA, the South Korean state-funded trade and investment promotion organization. Partnering with Global Business Partners for staffing, the Seoul office has generated two leads for WilCo EDP in the first two weeks it has been open.
“We have placed a sign in the sky that says Williamson County is open for business,” said County Judge Bill Gravell. “This office gives us boots on the ground locally so that when companies come to KOTRA wanting to do business in the U.S., they can walk them down the hall to our offices.”
As one of its first projects, the WilCo EDP Seoul office is hosting a half day seminar on September 12 regarding how to do business in Williamson County. A delegation of economic development leaders, city managers and others from Williamson County will be attending to meet with an anticipated 100 to 150 companies.
Founded in 2014, the WilCo EDP was created as a partnership between Williamson County and city economic development leaders to market and promote economic development in Williamson County. Its board of directors are made up of representatives from each of the contributing governmental entities including Williamson County, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Hutto, Jarrell, Leander, Liberty Hill, Round Rock and Taylor.
More information about the organization and its partners is available on the WilCo EDP website www.wilcoedp.com
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About WilCo EDP
The Williamson County Economic Development Partnership is a self-funded collaboration of county and city leaders acting together to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for the region. Under the values of strategic growth, professionalism and integrity, and a shared pro-business mentality, the partnership works to build shared prosperity in the region.
Media Contact: Connie Odom, 512-943-1122, connie.odom@wilco.org
