November 7, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Development: (COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik met this morning with several officials from the Ukrainian region of Kharkiv Oblast for the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation aimed at strengthening Ohio’s support for the war-torn country.  Among those attending the signing ceremony from Ukraine were Head of the Kharkiv Oblast Regional Council Tetiana Yehorova-Lutsenko and Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova.

The city of Lima celebrating 25 years of being a sister city with Harima-cho, Japan. Members of city council, current and past members of the Sister Cities Association, plus delegates from Harima-cho gathering Tuesday evening for a dinner to commemorate a quarter century of cultural exchange and friendship.

The City of Lima has taken the first steps to building the Lima Fire Department a new home. On Monday night at Lima City Council, councilors unanimously passed legislation to establish a capital project fund for the eventual construction of the new fire station for the Lima Fire Department. While the project is still in the very early stages, Lima Fire Chief, Jack McDermitt tells us that a study is being conducted by the Ohio Fire Chief's Association. Chief McDermitt says once the study is complete, that will determine what the new station will look like, something he says is much needed.

Lima's Mayor Sharetta Smith welcoming the Harima-cho Deputy Mayor, Board of Education Staff member, and Collaboration Promotion Dept. Chief to Lima on Monday.  The group took tours around the city, and at the Ford Engine Plant, before attending the Lima City Council Meeting Monday night.  

The City of Lima will be hosting some special visitors next week as they celebrate the 25th anniversary of being sister cities. The deputy mayor, representatives from the Department of Education, and the chief deputy of promotions of Harima Cho Japan will be visiting to get a feel of how local government works in the United States. They will be attending Monday night's city council meeting, and enjoying a dinner and sharing gifts on Tuesday. 

Lima Sister Cities Association is celebrating a 25-year relationship with Harima-cho, Japan. To help mark the quarter century of friendship and collaboration, the organization is starting a large project to document the history of the sister city partnership. They are looking for old photos, videos, and even some short letters either from trips to Japan or from people hosting representatives of Harima-cho here in Lima. The project will not only show the cultural exchange between the two cities but also the growth of the program over the last two decades.

A friendship agreement has been made between the city and the Village of Gomoa Assin Mampong in the central region of Ghana. Representative Ben Brako presented Lima Mayor David Berger a decorative bowl in honor of their friendship. Brako says that his village is looking to learn more about farming and how to become more productive and Berger says this will be an opportunity to learn more about global relationships.

For nearly 20-years, the City of Lima has been sister cities with a city in Japan, learning and sharing each other's cultures in many exchange programs. Thursday, a 12-person delegation is in Lima to start a 5-day visit from Harima-cho, Japan. They were greeted by Mayor David Berger who told them about lima answering questions the 9-student and 3-adult group had. Questions about our schools, industry, government, and of course food.