Contact:
Kent Patton
Kent.Patton@snoco.org
425-388-3883
Snohomish County Hosts Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME)
The County and the Cities of Arlington and Marysville signed Memorandums of Understanding with the Korean Agency
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., September 24, 2021 – Today, Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, Arlington Mayor Barbara Tolbert, and Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring hosted the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) at the Cascade Industrial Center and the Snohomish County campus. KOSME is a nonprofit organization established in 1979 to support and incubate small and medium sized enterprises and startups to grow into global enterprises and form partnerships abroad. The Memorandums of Understanding will affirm the shared goal of facilitating the expansion of Korean SMEs and startups within Snohomish County and strengthening the County’s economic development and global engagement.
“We want to engage globally and regionally to ensure we are helping create jobs and open opportunities for entrepreneurs,” said Snohomish County Executive Somers. “The Republic of Korea is a center for innovation and entrepreneurship in Asia, and we look forward to working with our Korean partners to expand opportunities across the County. Through this MOU, Snohomish County will not only expand our influence in Asia but also bring value to Korean businesses looking for opportunities in the Pacific Northwest.”
The Republic of Korea and Snohomish County share a history of innovation and entrepreneurship. The Cascade Industrial Center, which includes 9 buildings across 426 acres, will serve as the optimal location for the successful expansion of Korean SMEs and startups within Snohomish County. These MOUs will also lay the foundation for a symbiotic and fruitful relationship between the entities.
“Arlington is thrilled to be a part of this partnership and to be a gateway for Korean entrepreneurs to launch into the US market by leveraging the Cascade Industrial Center (CIC), the region's hub for manufacturing and logistics innovation,” said Mayor Barb Tolbert of the City of Arlington.
“The City of Marysville is extremely humbled to be part of an exciting collaboration with the Korean SMEs and Startups Agency,” said Mayor Jon Nehring of the City of Marysville. “We look forward to working with the agency on successfully landing Korean companies at the CIC and supporting their growth here.”
Mr. Hakdo Kim, the president of KOSME, said, “I’m very excited to sign the MOUs on the CIC today, and I'm confident that these MOUs will be a catalyst for outstanding Korean SMEs & Startups to enter the US market and expand their business. In addition, I expect that Korean SMEs & Startups entering the CIC will achieve progressive growth by utilizing the excellent local resources and also contribute to the local economy by creating employment and added value in Snohomish County.”
For more general information on the County’s efforts on Trade and Economic Development, please go to: https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/3642/Economic-Development-Initiative .