DeLauro Honors Local Businesses with Export Award
New Haven, CT – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) visited the U.S. Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center in Middletown, CT to hold a roundtable discussion with Connecticut businesses to learn how they have been successful and grown their businesses through exporting.
The Congresswoman was joined by Anne Evans, District Director, U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration, Mayor of Middletown Sebastian Guiliano, Bruce Drossman from the Export- Import Bank of the United States, and representatives from the following companies: Defibtech LLC, Prospect Machine Products, Inc., Snappy Materials, ID Mail Systems, Inc., Kaman, E/CONNomics, Airport News, and Liberty Bank. Together, they discussed the importance of exporting goods, and how doing so sustains their companies and provides them with growth opportunities.
The U.S. Department of Commerce's role is to advance economic growth, jobs, and business opportunities for our citizens. It does this by providing products and services to Americans and American companies, and involves itself in trade, technology, economic development, research, and entrepreneurship. Congresswoman DeLauro will present representatives from each participating company with the U.S .Department of Commerce's Export Achievement Certificate to honor their export activities. The award was created to recognize U.S. companies that have successfully entered the international marketplace for distribution of their products.
"Exports create good, well-paying jobs, put money in Americans' pockets, and fuel economic growth. In 2008, US exports accounted for nearly 7 percent of our employment – that's one out of every three manufacturing jobs, or 10.3 million jobs – jobs that pay 15 percent more on average than other fields. As we try to create and retain more jobs here at home, restore the conditions for long term economic growth, and prosperity that will benefit all American families, export markets are a critical part of our efforts. Exports are an integral component to our state's overall prosperity, as they are to the economic health of our nation. The representatives and leaders I met with today have a huge impact on our Connecticut economy," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "I commend our local companies for their leadership and their good business sense, and I look forward to supporting them in any way I can."