The Ohio Valley Rural Export Center Officially Opens in Louisville, Kentucky, Servicing Six States Across the Region

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, January 8, 2024
Contact: Office of Public Affairs
Email: publicaffairs@trade.gov
Phone: 202-482-3809

WASHINGTON - On Monday, January 8, 2024, Deputy Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service James Golsen joined federal, state and local representatives in Louisville, Kentucky, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the official grand opening of the International Trade Administration’s (ITA) U.S. Commercial Service Ohio Valley Rural Export Center.

Group photo ribbon-cutting — L-R: Joseph Doyle, trade specialist at the U.S. Commercial Service; Susan Whitney, director of the U.S. Commercial Service - Great Lakes Network; James Golsen, Deputy Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service; Mona Chorera, Executive Director of International Affairs at Midway University; Rick Grana, president at IMPEX; Rep. McGarvey (KY-03); Robbin Taylor, State Director at the Office of Sen. Mitch McConnell; Secretary Jeff Noel of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development; and Acting Director Mona Musa of the U.S. Commercial Service Office in Louisville.

The Ohio Valley Rural Export Center, strategically located in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of seven new Rural Export Centers opening across the United States and will support U.S. businesses across six states (Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin) to bring local products and services to markets worldwide, creating jobs and opportunities for rural underserved communities.

“Ohio Valley companies have demonstrated tremendous capacity for growth in global trade,” said Deputy Director General Golsen. “By opening the Ohio Valley Rural Export Center, the U.S. Department of Commerce is investing in the current and future success of rural and other underserved businesses and communities across the Midwest.”

“The new Ohio Valley Rural Export Center’s location in Louisville is a testament to our red-hot economy and everything our great state has to offer,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “I want to thank all the local, state and federal leaders who made this announcement possible, and I look forward to seeing how this new center will support rural Kentucky businesses and create job opportunities in our commonwealth.”

Deputy Director General Golsen also presented a U.S. Department of Commerce Export Achievement Certificate to Richard Grana, president of IMPEX, a small business in rural Paducah, Kentucky, and Mona Chorera, Executive Director of International Affairs at Midway University, for their success in exporting to new markets.

Three people standing next to each other. One person is presenting an award to another. — L-R: Sara Moreno from the U.S. Commercial Service in Louisville, Deputy Director General James Golsen and Mona Chorera, Mona Chorera, Executive Director of International Affairs at Midway University.

The U.S. Commercial Service is dedicated to helping American businesses, large and small, succeed internationally through exports and is comprised of a global network of experienced trade professionals in more than 100 locations throughout the United States and more than 80 U.S. embassies and consulates abroad. ITA’s Rural Export Centers, along with its Global Diversity Export Initiative, collaborate with state, local and tribal governments, economic development organizations, and community leaders to bring export assistance to a diverse array of businesses in underserved communities.

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About the International Trade Administration
The International Trade Administration (ITA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce is the premier resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace. Operating in more than 100 U.S. locations and 80 markets worldwide, ITA promotes trade and investment, assists U.S. businesses and workers to export and expand globally, and ensures fair trade and compliance by enforcing U.S. trade laws and agreements. For more information on ITA, visit www.trade.gov.