GOVERNOR PATTON MEETS WITH TOP GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS LEADERS IN SPAIN

Madrid, Spain- It was a working Labor Day for Governor Paul Patton, on the first stop of an economic and tourism development mission in Europe.

The governor, Judi Patton, and Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development representatives met yesterday in Madrid with the U.S. Ambassador to Spain, Edward L. Romero, and the Vice President of Spain, Francisco Alvarez-Cascos Fernandez.

Governor Patton told the Vice President, "Kentucky has many opportunities for business growth and hard-working people. While it's true that generally in Kentucky our unemployment rate is low, we have pockets of high unemployment where jobs are needed. We appreciate your friendship and the chance to do business with you." Spain's second in command asked the Pattons to return to the country to see more of its industry.

The governor also promoted Kentucky's seven billion dollar tourism industry, reminding the Vice President, an avid fishing enthusiast, that the commonwealth has some of the best places to fish in the United States.

Also present at the three hour meeting were representatives of the Groupo Antolin, one of the largest European firms doing business in Kentucky, with its I.G. Autotrim plant in Hopkinsville. Company officials told Governor Patton that the manufacturing plant is prospering in Kentucky and looking for new business expansion.

Governor Patton has meetings scheduled with more industrial firms in Spain through Tuesday, before travelling to Germany for continued economic development efforts.

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