The Alabama International Trade Center is an active participant in the “Made In Rural America” initiative from the White House. The “Made in Rural Alabama” export and investment initiative is charged with bringing together federal resources, such as the US Dept of Commerce, Appalachian Regional Commission, and Delta Regional Authority, among others, to help rural businesses and community leaders take advantage of new investment opportunities and access new customers and markets abroad.
According to the US Census Bureau, about 75% of Alabama’s population lives in a rural area, and about 97% of the land is considered rural. The Trade Center, along with the Export Alabama Alliance, provides export services to all 67 counties in Alabama. In fact, the Export Alabama Alliance has been crafting an export strategy for the state since 2004, and a rural outreach component is included every year.
With more than 95 percent of the world’s consumers living outside the United States, companies across the country are seizing the opportunity to make global sales. Ensuring that rural companies, including manufacturers and service providers, can capitalize on international opportunities to grow their business is key to advancing economic growth in rural areas – and a strong rural economy is essential to our nation’s overall economic health. To learn more about our rural outreach activities, or to schedule a free, confidential counseling appointment, please call 800-747-2482.