What a great day in Sweden. After two very positive meetings with area companies this morning (including landing 30 new jobs in Oakland County from a company called Atlas Copco), I was off to meet with Deputy Prime Minister Maud Olofsson.  I sat down with her in January when she came to visit Michigan, so it was great to see her again and continue to build our relationship.  She shares my passion for alternative energy, and part of her duties include overseeing alternative energy development for the country.  We also learned recently that it turns out we are related!  Third cousins... no wonder we have so much in common.

We were joined by Ambassador Wood. The more time I spend with him, the more impressed I am.  Ambassador Wood is completely focused on his agenda - which is all about bringing Swedish technology in alternative energy to the U.S. - and he is working it constantly.  As part of his "One Big Thing" initiative (that's what he calls it everywhere he goes), he has identified 37 companies ripe for connecting with and investing in the U.S.  He hosted all of these companies at a reception so that my team and I could meet them.  In just two hours, I was able to talk with more than 45 major CEOs who are considering coming to or expanding in Michigan.

The three of us - the ambassador, the deputy prime minister and I - then had the chance to witness the signing of an historic agreement between NewPage paper mill in Escanaba and Chemrec AB, a company based in Sweden.  They are exploring using the byproduct from the paper mill to create biofuel. I see great, green potential!

I also got a brief chance to meet some of my relatives (those who aren't the deputy prime minister!).  It was just a brief visit, but I learned a lot about my father's family and our history here in Sweden.

Now, it's off to Germany...

- JMG