Charlotte job recruiters pitching region's energy sector in Tokyo

A delegation from the Charlotte Regional Partnership is in Tokyo this week, trying to convince more Japanese companies to expand or relocate operations to the region. During an invitation-only event slated for today at the U.S. Embassy, they plan to promote Charlotte's growing energy sector with a presentation titled: "The Carolinas: America's Top New Energy Center -- What You Need to Know." Scheduled to help make the presentation were David Swenson, a senior vice president with the partnership, Mark Fecteau, CEO of Westinghouse-Japan and K&L Gates attorney Ryan Dwyer.

David Swenson (right) of the Charlotte Regional Partnership joined Leland Gaskins of the N.C. Department of Commerce in promoting the Carolinas at the World Smart Energy Week renewable energy trade show in Tokyo Tuesday.

The Charlotte region already has nearly 100 Japanese-owned companies, but the partnership wants to see more. Charlotte officials talked up battery technology, smart-grid development and other promising clusters of the region's energy sector. Also at the meeting: officials from the N.C. Department of Commerce, the S.C. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Commercial Service, the Japan-U.S. Business Council, and the Japan/Tokyo Chamber of Commerce.

The group's trip wraps up at week's end.