U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Hoeven (R-ND) reintroduced the Promoting Rural Exports Act, bipartisan legislation to formally establish a National Rural Export Center within the U.S. Commercial Service (USCS) and authorize the creation of up to nine Regional Rural Export Centers. The bill aims to help businesses in rural areas increase their exports by improving access to international markets. The Rural Export Centers provide critical research, tools, and analysis to support rural exporters and help them identify new buyers and strategies to reach international markets.
“Businesses in rural areas shouldn’t be denied opportunities just because of their location,” said Senator Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan Promoting Rural Exports Act will help ensure rural businesses have the resources they need to reach new markets, boost exports, and continue to innovate and grow.”
“The National Rural Export Center in Fargo has been a critical support for rural businesses, helping them access a broader customer base overseas while improving our nation’s balance of trade,” said Senator Hoeven. “The Fargo-based center developed a successful model that is being replicated across the country. Our legislation would ensure they continue to lead the way in expanding rural export opportunities and establish better coordination across similar efforts at the Department of Commerce.”
In the Senate, this legislation is cosponsored by Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND).
“Rural businesses fulfill a crucial—and often overlooked—role in our economy,” said Senator Smith. “The Rural Export Act gives local leaders in the agriculture, manufacturing, and energy sectors the tools necessary to compete on a global scale. The bill establishes permanent Rural Export Centers that offer recent market research, strategy development, and education opportunities for Americans that don’t live close to major metropolitan areas. It is more important now than ever that we make sure everyday Americans can access convenient, state-of-the-art resources like those provided by Rural Export Centers.”
“The Rural Export Center in Fargo is a tremendous resource for North Dakota producers and businesses, helping them navigate trade opportunities across the globe,” said Senator Cramer. “Once again, the excellent work done in North Dakota is being used as the model for other Rural Export Centers across the country. Our bill formally establishes the Fargo Rural Export Center as the national headquarters at the Department of Commerce, overseeing nine other regional Rural Export Centers.”
The Promoting Rural Exports Act will:
- Direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce to formally establish a Rural Export Center at the USCS to serve as the lead coordinating hub for rural export assistance nationwide;
- Require the Rural Export Center to be located at an existing USCS office outside of a major metropolitan area, with selection preference based on prior nationwide rural export support;
- Direct the Rural Export Center to provide customized market research services to help rural businesses target their exports;
- Authorize the creation of up to nine Regional Rural Export Centers, subordinate to and coordinated by the National Center, to expand access to export services for rural businesses across the country;
- Direct the National and Regional Rural Export Centers to provide customized market research, strategic planning, and export support services tailored to rural businesses; and
- Require the Centers to make data relating to its effectiveness publicly available on its website.
