White House Rural Council announces workshops

WASHINGTON — The White House Rural Council recently announced a workshop series to provide targeted assistance for rural small businesses working to grow demand through international sales. The announcement was made by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and Deputy Postmaster General Ronald A. Stroman.

“Strong rural communities are key to a stronger America,” said Vilsack. “USDA continuously seeks opportunities for U.S. agricultural producers to expand overseas markets that contribute to a positive U.S. trade balance, create jobs and boost economic growth. Through the administration’s Made in Rural America Export and Investment Initiative, USDA is working to help farmers, ranchers and rural businesses access federal export programs, connect with new customers and markets abroad, and bring new opportunity to rural America.”

Prtitzker said the workshops will allow businesses to capitalize on trade opportunities.

“Global customers are more accessible than ever to rural American companies and their workers, and these workshops are a critical venue to provide businesses with the practical information they need to capitalize on trade opportunities,” the Commerce secretary said. “The Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration has specialists in more than 105 locations nationwide and in 75 markets around the globe that stand ready to collaborate with export-ready rural businesses of all sizes to increase revenues, expand, innovate, and support well-paying jobs in their communities.”

Deputy Postmaster Stroman said education on global shipping options will be a vital part of the workshops.

“We are proud to offer international shipping expertise and hands on know-how in support of the Made in Rural America Export and Investment initiative,” he said. “At 60 workshops around the country, local postmasters will demonstrate how to use online tools for easier mailing prep and educate attendees on global shipping options. Our goal is to make expanding into foreign markets easier than ever imagined for rural entrepreneurs and businesses.”

The free series includes at least 60 Made in Rural America small business export workshops hosted by the U.S. Postal Service in 24 states through Aug. 31. Partners that include the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, USDA Rural Business Service, the Appalachian Regional Commission, Delta Regional Authority, National Association of Counties and others will also provide local and regional expertise in international shipping and mailing, international marketing assistance, rural business development and related topics.

Interested persons can find a Made in Rural American workshop schedule by visiting usps.com/events online and clicking on their state. The site will be updated as details for each workshop become available and additional workshops are added. Online tools designed for rural businesses interested in international exports include www.export.gov/rural and www.business.usa.gov.

The Made in Rural America export and investment initiative, launched by the Obama administration in February 2014, helps American businesses increase exports from rural areas by connecting companies with resources, expertise, counseling and technical assistance.