Gov. Gregoire announces agreement with U.S. Commerce Dept., $3 million in grants to increase exports

For Immediate Release: September 22, 2010

HANOI, VIETNAM � Gov. Chris Gregoire today, while on her trade mission in Asia to increase export opportunities, announced the award of nearly $3 million in grants to help businesses start or expand exporting activities. The awards from the newly created Washington Export Assistance Program coincide with the signing of a memorandum of agreement to strengthen the partnership between Washington state and the U.S. Department of Commerce, which will help exporters reach new markets and increase sales. The agreement is the first of its kind in the nation.

�This trade mission has been yet another reminder of the untapped opportunities when it comes to exporting,� Gregoire said. �The meetings we�ve had and the promotional events we�ve conducted prove that there is demand for Washington products and services overseas � whether its fruit and vegetables, clean technology or biomedical products. These grants will help our small and medium sized businesses � many of which never thought exporting their products was possible � open new doors and possibilities. This is a must for a strong economic recovery. With one in three jobs in Washington tied to trade, expanding exports and foreign investment in our companies is key to new job growth.�

The City of Bellevue, Port of Clarkston, Highline Community College, University of Washington, Washington State University and Western Washington University were approved by CERB to receive the first Washington Export Assistance program grants ranging from $100,000 to nearly $1.3 million.

A complete list of the projects awarded grants can be viewed at: http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/20100922_cerb_export_assistance_grants.pdf

The grants � distributed by the Community Economic Revitalization Board � and the agreement with U.S. Commerce are both integral components of Gregoire�s Washington State Export Initiative announced in June and linked with President Obama�s National Export Initiative. The state export initiative aims to increase the number of companies exporting by 30 percent in five years, to 10,500 Washington companies engaged in international trade.


�These funds will provide hands-on training, buyer matchmaking and research services to small to medium sized Washington businesses which need assistance with exporting,� said CERB Chair, Tom Trulove. �Whether the business is new to export or entering a new market, this assistance is available to them at no or very low cost.�

�Expansion of resources for export assistance is great news for small businesses trying to become new exporters or to enter new markets with their products or services,� said Tony McNamara, General Manager of CH2O. �The help provided through the Department of Commerce was essential to our success in Mexico, and will be a very valuable boost to other Washington companies seeking new international trade opportunities.�

�The CERB grant offers a unique opportunity for organizations to collaborate for the purpose of enhancing or developing reliable delivery systems that further export activities for Washington businesses,� said Grant Gilmore, Executive Director of the Association of Washington Business Institute. �The Association of Washington Business (AWB) Institute is in full support of the partnerships that are being developed to aid the business community in their hopes to move into or increase their capacity for exports to the global market. Current day business strategies call for innovative solutions that move concept to market.�

�CERB funding will support the access and training necessary for small- and medium-sized businesses that hope to take advantage of the significant export market opportunities available. Exports will continue as a key driver for the State�s economic recovery and will lead to more jobs here,� said Jack Bermingham, President, Highline Community College. �Highline Community College, along with the Center of Excellence for International Trade, partner community colleges, the AWB, and Impact Washington, will use this CERB initiative to strengthen the State�s economic development.�

All of the projects will begin to deliver their services in early 2011 and be complete within two years. For more information about the CERB Export Assistance Program, visit www.commerce.wa.gov/cerb/export. Grant selections were based on the recommendation of a review panel consisting of CERB members and experts in the field of state export promotion.

In addition, the Washington State Department of Commerce agreement with U.S. Commerce will focus on identifying export-ready companies in Washington and provide them with enhanced benefits through joint programs.

�Exporting and investment are critical to creating and maintaining a strong economy and increasing jobs, both here in Washington and across the country,� said Rogers Weed, Washington State Commerce Director. �We look forward to working even more closely with our partners at U.S. Commerce to develop key opportunities in Washington�s strategic sectors such as aerospace, information and communication technology, energy and global health and life sciences.�

Washington state will serve as a pilot to �field test� new programs and tools, such as the export counseling training program being developed by U.S. Commerce and the Small Business Administration, for use by Small Business Development Centers nationwide. Washington State University hosts a network of 24 such centers statewide.

Washington is the most trade-dependent state in America, with four percent of our companies engaged in exporting � four times the national average.

The governor, Weed and Washington State Agriculture Secretary Dan Newhouse are currently leading a trade mission to China and Vietnam. Asia is the most important international market for Washington products and services, with China now holding the top spot among Washington�s trading partners.

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Local Contacts
Thomas Boydell, Economic Development Manager, City of Bellevue, 425.452.4186
Wanda Keefer, Port Manager, Port of Clarkston, 509.758.5272
Judy Perry, Executive Director, Continuing Education, Highline Community College, 206.878.3710, ext.3349
Sara Curran, Director, Center for Global Studies, University of Washington, 206.543.6479
Brett Rogers, State Director, Small Business Development Network, Washington State University 509.358.7765
Tom Dorr, Director, Center for Economic Vitality, Western Washington University, 360.733.4014

About CERB
As Washington�s strategic economic development resource, CERB is focused on creating private sector jobs in partnership with local governments by financing infrastructure improvements. These improvements encourage new business development and expansion. In addition to funding construction projects, CERB provides limited funding for studies that evaluate high-priority economic development projects. Learn more about CERB at www.commerce.wa.gov/cerb.
CERB receives administrative support from the Washington State Department of Commerce. For more information on the Department of Commerce, visit www.commerce.wa.gov.

For more information on starting or expanding a business in Washington, visit www.choosewashington.com.