Welcome to our latest Changing Gears podcast.

In this week’s edition, we’re exploring the growing relationships between Midwest government officials and Chinese business partners. Midwestern cities and governments are opening offices in China and establishing relationships in hopes of winning investments.

Changing Gears reporter Dan Bobkoff profiles one such relationship. Toledo mayor Michael Bell has embraced Chinese investment in a local waterfront project and hopes to attract future investment. We’ll listen to Dan’s full dispatch from Toledo.

Also, Changing Gears reporter Sarah Alvarez has a web-exclusive interview with former Missouri Gov. Bob Holden, who is now chairman of the U.S. Midwest China Association, a group that advocates a regional approach to wooing Chinese business.

As always, thanks for listening.