The German state of Lower Saxony is beefing up its presence in Atlanta, starting with a new representative.

Silke Miehlke, director of consulting services for the German-American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern U.S. Inc., was tapped on Jan. 1 to represent the state in the U.S.

Lower Saxony, or Niedersachsen, set up a business center in Atlanta in 2005 to help companies break into the U.S. market. Naming Ms. Mielhke official representative is the first step in a plan to offer more backing to the office.

The state is also helping pay for its small and medium-sized companies to make use of the chamber's business-representation and market-entry services. Eligible companies must employ fewer than 250 people and have profit of less than €50 million.

Lower Saxony has about 8 million people and is located in Germany's northwest. It's home to major companies including Continental AG, a tire giant based in the capital city of Hanover.  

Visit www.gaccsouth.com for more information.  

2012 The Agio Press, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without expressed permission.