U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service Director General To Attend Ribbon-Cutting and Grand Opening Ceremony of the Southern Rural Export Center in Jackson, Mississippi
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, January 19, 2024
Contact: Office of Public Affairs
Email: publicaffairs@trade.gov
Phone: 202-482-3809
WASHINGTON - On Monday, January 22, 2024, Arun Venkataraman, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, will join federal, state and local officials and representatives for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening of the International Trade Administration’s (ITA) Southern Rural Export Center at Jackson State University, one of the largest Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the nation.
The Southern Rural Export Center, strategically located in Jackson, Mississippi, is one of eight new Rural Export Centers opening across the United States. It will support rural businesses across eight locations in the Southeast Region, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, to bring local products and services to markets worldwide, creating jobs and opportunities for rural underserved communities.
“There are so many incredible examples of Mississippi small businesses that have grown their success by exporting to trusted partners overseas,” said Assistant Secretary Venkataraman. “The Southern Rural Export Center will promote the U.S. Commercial Service’s flagship Rural America’s Intelligence Service for Exporters, or RAISE, along with a range of customized services from the U.S. Commercial Service, so that exporters can approach the world with knowledge and data-driven strategies as they expand into new global export markets.”
During the grand opening, Assistant Secretary Venkataraman will present Export Achievement Certificates from the U.S. Department of Commerce to two Mississippi businesses in recognition of their success in exporting to new international markets: Ameka Coleman, founder and CEO of Strands of Faith, a woman and minority-owned family business in Pearl, Mississippi, that sells clean beauty products focused on nourishing and revitalizing textured hair using cruelty-free and rich ingredients; and Earl Washington, founder and CEO of StayCool Brands, a minority-owned business in Jackson, Mississippi that sells a stylish patented and trademarked Cooling Cap with a built-in fan to keep cool and reduce sweat and discomfort.
Later in the day, Assistant Secretary Venkatraman will participate in a roundtable discussion with members of the Mississippi District Export Council to learn about local businesses and how they work with the U.S. Commercial Service, and to provide a business update on the Biden-Harris administration’s priorities, including ITA’s Global Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI) and other rural export initiatives.
Assistant Secretary Venkatraman will also participate in an education roundtable discussion with Jackson State University’s College of Business faculty and students, where he will discuss ITA’s key initiatives and priorities as part of the National Export Strategy, such as promoting diversity and inclusion within the federal workforce and opportunities for collaboration.
ITA’s 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 this diverse array of businesses.
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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.
