ROCHELLE — Jason Anderson, Economic Director for the City of Rochelle is headed to a trade mission in Japan and China with the Governor and several people from Intersect Illinois.
Anderson joins Intersect Illinois President and CEO Mark Peterson, Gov. Bruce Rauner, Erik Brejla, Asst. Deputy Director, Regional Economic Development, from the Illinois Dept. of Commerce and leaders in business, education, and the government on the trade mission from Sept. 9-17. The delegation’s trip will begin in Tokyo at the Midwest U.S.–Japan Association Conference, before traveling to Nagoya and then to the Chinese cities of Shanghai and Hangzhou.
“Japan and China are vital to Illinois’ global business activities and these meetings will cement the already strong relationship,” stated Intersect Illinois President and CEO Mark Peterson. “I believe Illinois’ presence at the conference and meetings will encourage business development growth in the future benefiting Illinois, Japan, and China. Having members of the Illinois business and education community join this mission shows the real commitment of Illinois to invest and grow Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the state.”
The mission is an important in-person opportunity to build trade ties between Illinois and the two countries. This is a work trip whose objectives will include corporate recruitment with companies who do not have an Illinois operation as well as business retention and expansion meetings with existing Illinois investors to strengthen the relationships. These substantive meetings between the delegation and companies will reinforce the mutual benefits of FDI into Illinois.
Anderson shared his thoughts on being chosen to join the weeklong trade mission.
“It was a real honor to be chosen to join the Governor on his first trade mission outside of the U.S.,” Anderson said. “This is a testament as to the reputation Rochelle has as being a community who has proven to be very forward thinking when it comes to economic development. Illinois is still a great place to do business.”

The trade mission is also a significant investment in the Japanese and Chinese business partnerships so the Illinois, Japanese, and Chinese economies can grow and expand around the world. The mission will begin in Tokyo as Gov. Rauner will attend the Midwest-USA Japan Conference, an event that was started by former Ill. Gov. James R. Thompson 49 years ago. The Midwest U.S.–Japan Association Conference is held annually to discuss the growth and progress of economic relations of the American Midwest and Japan. The visit will continue with meetings with government officials and business leaders to discuss additional business, investment, and job creation opportunities between Illinois and Japan and Illinois and China.
 
Team Illinois Delegation
Mark Peterson, President & CEO, Intersect Illinois; Erik Brejla, Assistant Deputy Director, Regional Economic Development, Illinois Department of Commerce;
Kelly Nicholl, Chief Marketing Officer, Intersect Illinois; Jason Anderson, Economic Development Director, City of Rochelle; Paul J. Borek, Executive Director, DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation; Inga Carus, CEO & President, Carus Corporation; Jonathon Hallberg, Executive Director, Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation; Sheila Owens, Vice President of Economic Development & Business Development, ComEd; Edward Seidel, Vice President of Economic Development and Innovation, University of Illinois System.
 
About INTERSECT ILLINOIS
Intersect Illinois works in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Focusing on the state of Illinois’ economic development efforts, Intersect Illinois was established as a private entity with greater flexibility to actively pursue prospects, and market this great state. Intersectillinois.org