The following is a cross-post from the International Trade Administration's Tradeology blog

Yesterday, I was honored to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for Italy-based Sofidel Group’s first greenfield investment in the United States – a 1.4 million square-foot integrated paper manufacturing facility in Circleville, Ohio expected to create more than 300 jobs. With a speaker lineup featuring Ohio Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor, Sofidel CEO Luigi Lazzareschi, Columbus2020 CEO Kenny McDonald, P3 Executive Director Ryan Scribner, and JobsOhio Senior Advisor David Mustine – the event clearly demonstrated the depth of community support and engagement for this project.

My role was twofold – first, to welcome Sofidel on behalf of the U.S. government, and second, to congratulate the local community and recognize the vital, collaborative efforts of the state, regional, and local economic developers that helped transform this manufacturing opportunity from a vision to a reality. My observations following the event are below.

Sofidel’s $259 million commitment to Circleville – the largest private sector investment in the community in decades – was recently highlighted by President Barack Obama at the 2016 SelectUSA Investment Summit. It was a particularly meaningful occasion to recognize Sofidel – a world leading manufacturer of paper for hygienic and domestic use – because the Summit is where it all began.

Each SelectUSA Investment Summit is a unique opportunity for investors and those seeking investment to connect and explore the diversity of opportunities across the United States under one roof. Following meetings at the 2015 Summit, Sofidel welcomed Columbus2020, JobsOhio, and the Pickaway Progress Partnership to their facility in Italy. Shortly thereafter, the company’s planned Circleville facility was officially announced in November 2015, which culminated in yesterday’s groundbreaking ceremony. This investment milestone would not have been possible without the support and close collaboration of these dedicated regional and local economic development teams and the state government – and it is truly remarkable how it all came together.

In his remarks, the president emphasized that this project represents exactly the type of investment that the United States welcomes to our shores. The United States is consistently ranked among the best internationally for its overall competitiveness and ease of doing business – and today, Italian companies directly employ nearly 125,000 people across the country.

For companies like Sofidel, which has been making tremendous headway since entering the market in 2012, the United States offers a competitive platform for manufacturing and exports; a transparent, fair, and stable business environment; and one of the world’s most productive workforces.

At the same time, foreign direct investment in the United States creates high-paying jobs, spurs innovation, and drives exports – connecting American communities with global networks. This has a significant real-world impact on Circleville, and communities like it all across the country.

Win-win outcomes like these are why SelectUSA was created in 2011 to help companies considering establishing or expanding operations in the United States. We are proud to have played a role in bringing Sofidel together with these high caliber partners, and look forwarding to continuing to work with all parties towards the next key milestone of this project.

Congratulations and best wishes on the dawn of an exciting new chapter for Circleville and for Sofidel.

To learn how SelectUSA can help your community to attract international investment or assist your company to establish or expand in the United States, visit http://www.SelectUSA.gov.