According to Dr. Jeanette Grasselli Brown, co-chair of the NEOhio-Hungary Economic Development Program, the recent trade mission to Hungary generated surprisingly more leads than expected. “Our team members talked with 16 companies and innovators involved with the polymer industry and came away with 11 really good leads, of which at least 7 are seriously ready to move into the U.S. market through Northeast Ohio, either directly, with a partner through a joint-venture, or in some licensing arrangement.”

Here’s some good news for economy watchers. Ohio has topped the national list of states ranked by the number of major company expansion projects that took place in each state. More good news: The Institute for Supply Management reported June 1 that its index for May 2009 had reached a nine-month high. During that same month, the New Plant Database recorded a steady stream of expansion activity both domestically and internationally.