Press Release
U.S. EDA Promotes Export Opportunities for Michigan Businesses
June 23, 2011
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $179,654 grant to Michigan State University, the East Michigan Council of Governments (EMCOG), and the Eastern Upper Peninsula Regional Planning and Development Commission (EUPRPDC) to develop a globally-competitive export strategy that will help small- and medium-sized businesses find new markets for local products and services.
"Increasing exports can help initiate future economic growth and support jobs here at home," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez. "This EDA grant bolsters President Obama's National Export Initiative, which is working to double American exports during the next five years to support two million jobs."
"Small and medium companies must take advantage of export markets to be successful in the global economy," stated Rex LaMore, director of the Michigan State University (MSU) Center for Community and Economic Development. "In working with our regional partners, we will help companies in these regions to start or expand their exporting."
This project will assist regional exporting efforts in Eastern Michigan and Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The project will research, identify and implement opportunities to increase exporting and importing opportunities between Michigan and the Province of Ontario, Canada. The results will increase trade opportunities in Michigan and assist Michigan's most chronically depressed regions.
The National Export Initiative (NEI) aims to double U.S. exports by the end of 2014 in support of several million jobs. The NEI enhances the U.S. government's trade promotion efforts, increases credit to businesses looking to export, and continues to improve efforts to remove trade barriers for U.S. companies in foreign markets.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration:
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.