A month after Fulton County leaders returned from a pivotal trade show in the southern Czech Republic, another delegation is arriving in Georgia this week to consider the state as a production and sourcing base.
The group consists of four companies and one university, mostly from around the city of Brno. Products represented by the diverse group include in-home chair lifts, lentils and other agricultural items, educational software and soil conditioner. At least two are considering entering the U.S. market.
The country’s second city was where Fulton County representatives sought to sell Georgia’s largest county as a key hub for market entry during their time at the MJV Industrial Engineering Fair in early October.
The trip culminated in a signing of a memorandum of understanding between the county and the Brno Regional Chamber of Commerce, just as more Czech companies are considering a U.S. location amid transatlantic trade turbulence.
“The Czech business community is enthusiastic about Georgia and Fulton County as international outposts for their companies,” Develop Fulton board treasurer Erica Long, said in a news release. “They understand that our county can provide a strong platform for economic growth in the U.S.”
The signing also comes as Honorary Consul Monika Vintrlikova marks a five-year renewal of her duties in the state.
Ms. Vintrlikova, a manufacturing executive, has been a champion of Georgia-Czech business ties, helping draw the ambassador to Atlanta multiple times in the last year. His latest trip came just before the Fulton County group took off, offering the embassy’s bespoke assistance in maximizing their time on the ground in the Czech Republic.
Atlantans Teri Simmons, chair of the global mobility practice at Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, and Atlanta Tech Park owner, investor and entrepreneur Robin Bienfait joined a panel at the MJV conference on navigating trade challenges in the U.S.
Ms. Vintrlikova has also helped launch the Czech Business Incubator of Atlanta in Peachtree Corners, which offers prospective Czech investors space and a variety of services as they toe the water before diving fully into the U.S. market.
The incubator, run by Ondřej Rolník, is helping organize the three-day itinerary in metro Atlanta. Incubator officials invite those who would like to interact with the delegation during the Nov. 11-13 trip to see the schedule here and fill out this form.
See more below or learn more about the Czech Incubator here, and see profiles of the visiting companies and institutions here:
Altech – Altech is considering localizing their production in Georgia.
Celpo – Celpo is considering localizing their production in Georgia.
Edhouse – Looking for engineering office (SW/HW), connections to local manufacturing companies.
Escube – Looking for R&D partners.
Mendel University in Brno – Looking for partnership in research projects
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