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3/13/2012 |
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Chamber Announces Partnership with U.S. Commercial Service: U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie, U.S. Commercial Service and Western Kentucky University Participate in News Conference Announcing Export Opportunities Partnership |
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Chamber Announces Partnership with U.S. Commercial Service
U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie, U.S. Commercial Service and Western Kentucky University Participate in News Conference Announcing Export Opportunities Partnership
Contact:
Jessica M.L. Thompson, Marketing & Communications Director
270-781-3200; jessica@bgchamber.com
BOWLING GREEN, KY-Leaders of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Commercial Service, along with U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie and Dr. Jeffrey Katz, dean of Western Kentucky University's Gordon Ford College of Business, participated in a news conference today to announce the pledge between the Chamber and the U.S. Commercial Service to provide educational and one-on-one services to local existing businesses regarding export opportunities.
In the past two years in Kentucky, more than 85 percent of new jobs were created by existing businesses-a statistic that emphasizes the value of supporting, expanding and retaining businesses within the local economy. Recognizing the integral nature of these businesses, the Chamber reached out to the U.S. Commercial Service to form a collaborative effort to identify new markets for local businesses on a global level.
"While many Kentucky businesses are exporting, many more firms have yet to tap their export potential," said Mona Musa, sr. international trade specialist of the U.S. Commercial Service in Louisville, Ky. "Only a small fraction of all U.S. companies export, and of those that do, 58 percent sell to only one foreign market. There's plenty of room to grow more exports, and our office can assist in your efforts."
"Our partnership with the U.S. Commercial Service will heighten businesses' opportunities for growth through exports," said D. Gaines Penn, 2012 Chamber Board of Directors chairman. "Opening more doors on a global level will help our companies increase their sales and their business activities, which will create a demand for more employees, which means more jobs and more wealth for our residents."
The U.S. Commercial Service is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration. The agency provides multiple services to businesses looking to develop or expand their export activities. With today's announced partnership, the Chamber will host representatives from the agency on a regular basis so that local businesses can meet individually with these representatives to discuss developing or enhancing their businesses' export activities. The U.S. Commercial Service will also offer educational sessions during their time at the Chamber.
U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie spoke at today's news conference to demonstrate his support for this partnership. He emphasized that such a partnership is a forward-thinking effort to create new jobs for South Central Kentucky residents. He said, "Jobs and the economy are the number one issue and I appreciate the leadership of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Services and Western Kentucky University on this important initiative. This is a great way to promote America's businesses and job creation, and I look forward to seeing how these opportunities can benefit businesses in our area."
According to Dr. Jeff Katz, dean of the Gordon Ford College of Business at Western Kentucky University, "It is good news to have the U.S. Commercial Service in partnership with the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce provide the awareness and services to expand export opportunities for businesses in our region. Our college is proud to be a part of this initiative that will encourage our outstanding faculty and excellent students to be actively engaged with the business community."
Following the news conference, the U.S. Commercial Service held an informational "Exporting 101" session to outline the agency's services and the basic process of exporting. During the session, Paul Haydon, president of Armag Corporation in Bardstown, Ky., and member of the KY District Export Council, spoke about his company's proven success with exporting.
The U.S. Commercial Service representatives will be at the Chamber again on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, and will be available for one-on-one meetings. To schedule a meeting, contact Chamber Economic Development Coordinator Betty Martin at 270-781-3200 or betty@bgchamber.com.
To learn more about the U.S. Commercial Service, visit http://www.trade.gov/cs/.
About the Bowling Green Area Chamber of CommerceIncorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is a 5-Star Accredited Chamber by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was named the 2009 Chamber of the Year by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. As the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,300 partners and is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. Its primary goals are to promote growth and success in the business community, reaching its small business partners and those in large industries alike. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational initiatives and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the community and its neighbors in order to enhance the business climate and continue to grow the region.
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