Made in Rural America Regional Export Forum

June 4, 2014
8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Hilton Garden Inn
Southpointe Business Park
1000 Corporate Drive
Canonsburg, Pennsylvania

As part of the White House Rural Council's Made in Rural America export and investment initiative, ARC hosted a regional forum on expanding rural businesses' international market opportunities June 4 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. The first of five regional forums to be held across the country, the Canonsburg event highlighted the role exports can play in helping rural businesses access new opportunity and rural communities add jobs and ensure long-term sustainable growth.

Attendees heard from experienced local exporters and from local, state, and federal organizations about resources and opportunities that can help rural businesses and community leaders take advantage of export opportunities and access new customers and markets abroad. Speakers included U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary and White House Rural Council Chair Tom Vilsack, who provided a keynote address on positioning rural communities for success; White House Domestic Policy Council Senior Policy Advisor for Rural Affairs Doug McKalip; and ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl Gohl.

Forum events included panel discussions on overcoming barriers to exporting and on the opportunities exports present for economic growth; as well as a session on export financing options presented by representatives of the Export-Import Bank of the United States and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Attendees also participated in one-on-one working sessions with export-service providers.

In addition, participants learned about the administration's BusinessUSA.gov Web portal for rural businesses considering export opportunities. The portal offers information on resources, events, and opportunities that can help rural companies successfully enter the export market.

Forum agenda (PDF: 184 KB)

For more information about the forum, please contact ARC at MadeInRuralAmerica@arc.gov.