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The Spirit of Global Solutions

May 10, 1997—This recent date in Madison’s 150-year history may prove to be one of the most important. On this day, Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler signed an accord with the City of Solleftea, Sweden. The “Sister City Alliance” was formed to promote economic development objectives between Mississippi and Sweden. Four short years after the pact was signed, the City of Madison has become the home to four Swedish businesses. In July 1998, Sister Cities International proclaimed the alliance “Best First Year Program Worldwide” for cities under 100,000 in population. The relationship has already witnessed three Swedish-American Business Congresses. These Congresses alternate each year between Sweden and Mississippi.Madison’s alliance with Solleftea has also experienced cultural exchanges, youth visits, festivals and a growing tourism activity. Mississippi’s Governor, as well as the Governor of the Province of Vasternorrland, has participated in the active partnership between the two cities. In August 2004, Mayor Hawkins Butler was awarded the Order of the Polar Star by the King of Sweden in honor of her achievements. The medal is a reward for both Swedish and foreign “civic merits, for devotion to duty, for science, literacy, learned and useful works, and for new beneficial institutions.”

Madison is now the home of the Scandinavian-American Economic Development Alliance representing the five states of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. The objective of the alliance is to stimulate trade and commerce between the Scandinavian region and South Central United States. Five Board members are appointed from each state comprising a very influential leadership group of 25 individuals representing the south central region of the U.S. In December 2009, Chairman Mike Demster (Memphis Greater Regional Chamber of Commerce) participated in the Climate Control International Conference in Copenhagen representing the Alliance. For 2010, the Alliance’s new theme is “Five on Five”: five Southern states focused on the five Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Steve Vassallo, CECD/EDFP, has been president of the organization since its inception on April 19, 2005.