The United States Heartland China Association (USHCA) recently named Alabama Secretary of State John H. Merrill as the chairman of its Economic Development Committee.
America’s Heartland region encompasses 20 states in the center of the country, stretching from the Canadian border and Great Lakes in the north to the Gulf Coast in the south. Alabama is the state in the southeast corner of the Heartland, while North Dakota is the most northwestern state in the region.
USHCA is a bipartisan organization dedicated to building relationships and stronger ties between the region and the People’s Republic of China. The partnership strives to be mutually beneficial and works to establish opportunities for economic growth in the Heartland.
“The United States Heartland China Association (USHCA) is pleased to announce that Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill will be the next Chairman of USHCA Economic Development Committee. Secretary Merrill will lead our efforts to bring more economic development to the Heartland region,” stated Bob Holden, former governor of Missouri and current chairman and CEO of USHCA.
Merrill’s role will reportedly focus on establishing relationships with government, business and education stakeholders to foster a pro-jobs climate.
“I am humbled to have been selected to represent the people of Alabama and the Heartland Region as we work to address challenges Americans are currently facing during an unprecedented time in our nation’s history,” said Merrill. “The important work being conducted by USHCA is moving America forward, and I am thrilled to being a part of this growth!”
Merrill has previous economic development service on his CV, including being assistant director for the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority when Mercedes-Benz was recruited to Alabama.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
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