Celebrating Manufacturing Month

The U.S. Commercial Service and Federal Export Promotion partner agencies take the opportunity in October to celebrate Manufacturing Month and the importance of U.S. manufacturing innovation and ingenuity to our standard of living. In 2021, the U.S. manufacturing sector contributed $2.56 trillion to the U.S. economy, accounting for approximately 11 percent of the nation’s total GDP. As of August 2022, the manufacturing sector employs nearly 13 million American workers.

Manufacturing Month honors the success of manufacturers who export and encourages other manufacturers in the U.S. to start or expand their foreign sales.

Spotlight on U.S. Government Export Resources

These federal agencies can help your business grow global sales!  Please see below to learn more about what we do and how we can help and connect to export promotion resources.

Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)

The Manufacturing Extension Partnership is dedicated to serving small and medium-sized manufacturers. There are 51 MEP Centers in every state and Puerto Rico with over 1,400 trusted advisors and experts that provide U.S. manufacturers with the resources they need to succeed. MEP Centers work with manufacturers to implement lean and process improvement principles, adopt ISO and quality standards, develop new products, find new clients and diversify markets, adopt new technology, enhance value within supply chains, and more. Please see our service offerings below and information on how to contact your local MEP Center.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

SBA’s Office of International Trade helps small businesses go global by providing business intelligence, grants to find customers overseas, and financing to support international sales.

  • Looking for information to help you get started? SBA’s Trade Tools for International Sales website includes information on developing an export plan, identifying target markets, U.S. trade agreements, and much more. You can also call SBA’s International Trade Hotline toll free (855) 722-4877 or email your trade issue to international@sba.gov.
  • Are you concerned about the costs of exporting? The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) provides grants to cover the costs associated with entering and expanding into international markets. Find out if your state or territory is participating.
  • Having trouble securing capital to meet your small business exporting needs? SBA’s export loans can be used for working capital to finance foreign sales or for fixed assets, helping you better compete globally. Connect with your regional export finance manager.

U.S. Commercial Service (CS), part of the International Trade Administration

The U.S. Commercial Service (CS) is the trade and investment promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA). With a network of 100+ offices across the U.S. and in American embassies and consulates in more than 75 international markets, its mission is to strengthen the U.S. economy and help create jobs by expanding U.S. exports and facilitating inward investment into the United States. It is an export solutions provider, leveraging global connections to help businesses find partners and customers, assist with strategic planning, and provide foreign market and industry intelligence, website globalization support, and assistance in addressing trade issues.

Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM)

EXIM is the nation’s official export credit agency with the mission of supporting American jobs by facilitating U.S. exports. U.S. small businesses play a critical role in creating and supporting American jobs, and nearly 90% of EXIM transactions directly benefit small businesses. EXIM provides export finance solutions to empower these businesses, including companies with fewer than 100 employees or those that have been traditionally underserved, such as minority-owned and woman-owned companies. To achieve this, EXIM offers two primary products: Export Credit Insurance and Working Capital Loan Guarantees, which are designed to help U.S. companies mitigate risk and access working capital so they can confidently export their goods and services worldwide. For more information, please visit EXIM’s website.

U.S. Census Bureau

The Census Bureau is the official source for U.S. export and import statistics and regulations governing the reporting of exports from the U.S. to other countries. The Census Bureau provides extensive outreach and education to its customers on understanding the Foreign Trade Regulations, classifying commodities, using the Automated Export System, and utilizing the trade data. USA Trade Online allows users to obtain monthly and annual trade statistics at the district and port levels, as well as state exports and imports. For more information, please visit www.census.gov/trade or call (800) 549-0595 and select the appropriate option. In addition to trade data, we also provide a wide range of domestic data, such as payroll, establishments, expenditures, and much more on the manufacturing industry.

Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

MBDA Export Centers provide free technical assistance and business development to minorities and women who want to learn how to export. MBDA conducts outreach to minorities and women to identify those who are not exporting and would like to explore the opportunity to export. MBDA Export Centers offer one-on-one counseling, webinars, assistance with export business planning, and federal government contract and grant leads. MBDA seeks to educate minority business enterprises on the benefits of strategic growth alternatives, such as exporting to help minorities and women grow and flourish by aiding in greater access to global markets.

Connect with an Export Center

Information Courtesy of the US Department of Commerce