Governor's Weekly Message: Creating Opportunities for Delaware Employers to Export and Create Jobs

Statement

Delaware entrepreneurs have always been at the forefront of innovation and quality. They create products and services that people need and improve the quality of life for consumers across the country and beyond. Today, the ability to tap into the global marketplace is a key driver of business and employment growth. Exports now support more than 10 million American jobs, and to thrive, Delaware employers must have access to these expanding markets.

We recognize that Delaware's start-ups and small businesses offer high-quality products and services that are in demand worldwide, but may not have the resources to make that happen on their own. Different languages, economic systems and political cultures all present barriers. We're helping to meet that need through our Global Delaware initiative and the State Trade and Export Promotion, or STEP, program. With funding from the federal Small Business Administration, Global Delaware uses the STEP program to facilitate trade missions and provide matching funds to leverage our companies' marketing-related activities. With that help, dozens of Delaware employers have connected with new markets in some of the world's fastest-growing economies. They've forged relationships with new clients and potential customers that will serve as a catalyst for their growth in the years to come. And once they start exporting, entering additional markets becomes significantly easier.

So far this year, more than 30 Delaware employers have worked with Global Delaware and the STEP program to generate $10 million in export sales, and I urge other small and medium-sized companies who are looking to expand into new markets to take advance of these resources by visiting de.gov/funding or contacting global@delaware.gov. By increasing access to global markets we're creating opportunities for businesses to grow and putting more of our people to work. And that will keep Delaware moving forward.

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