Milwaukee — Ambassador of France to the U.S. François Delattre toured The Global Water Center during his visit to Milwaukee Tuesday. The Center, established by The Water Council in 2013, houses water industry start-up companies, research lab space and university operations, including several American subsidiaries of French water technology companies, including Veolia Environment, Ijinus, Vegetal i.D. and Envolus.
During the Ambassador’s visit, Michel Dutang, President of Pôle EAU, a start-up accelerator program located in Montpellier, France, and Dean Amhaus, President and CEO of The Water Council, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Pôle EAU, The Water Council and SWELIA Association, a network of water sector corporations in France.
Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin Rebecca Kleefisch, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Badger Meter President/CEO/Chairman and Water Council Co-Chair Rich Meeusen also attended the signing.
The agreement strengthens existing partnerships between the French and American organizations and encourages cooperation with universities.
Mr. Amhaus said, “We are honored that Ambassador Delattre decided to make a special visit to The Global Water Center to meet with the French and American water technology companies working in this unique cluster. Our partnership with Pôle EAU and SWELIA will enhance our close ties with France and expand the region’s water cluster.”
The Water Council has been working rigorously to expand its global reach, by actively recruiting international water technology companies to establish operations in Milwaukee and grow the regional water cluster.
Later this summer, The Water Council will host the International Water Association (IWA) Board of Directors at Water Summit 2014 on June 18-19 at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center.
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