Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo Awards 13 Grants to Boost U.S. Exports, Support High Quality Jobs

October 19, 2021

(ITA) Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced 13 new grants designed to support the export success of U.S. businesses in key industries. The Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP), administered by Commerce’s International Trade Administration, awarded nearly $3 million in financial and technical assistance for targeted projects that aim to promote U.S. exports in international markets and remove, reduce, or prevent barriers to trade.

"Forging partnerships that support U.S. jobs and Made in America goods and services is key to strengthening our economy, supporting our workforce, and increasing supply chain resiliency," said Secretary Raimondo. "For more than 25 years, our Market Development Cooperator Program awards have a strong track record of creating multiplier effects and producing a significant return on investment for U.S. business. Congratulations to our new recipients; I look forward to working together on these projects that will help us build back better.”

The MDCP competition awards non-profit industry groups with up to $300,000 in federal funding for innovative and sustainable projects that help U.S. businesses generate or expand exports and create or sustain jobs. The 13 awardees will contribute at least $6.9 million of their own resources and collaborate with ITA staff around the world to overcome trade barriers and promote U.S. exports in their industries.

The 2021 awardees are:

  • Business Network for Maryland Offshore Wind, Inc. - Towson, Maryland
  • Capital Region USA - Richmond, Virginia
  • Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City - Kansas City, Missouri
  • Copyright Clearance Center, Inc. - Danvers, Massachusetts
  • GlobalSF - San Francisco, California
  • International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials - Ontario, California
  • Innovation Center for Energy and Transportation - Los Angeles, California
  • Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. - Washington, D.C.
  • National Electrical Manufacturers Association - Arlington, Virginia
  • New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs - Concord, New Hampshire
  • Ohio Aerospace Institute - Cleveland, Ohio
  • University Enterprises Corporation at CSUSB – San Bernardino, California
  • Utah World Trade Center Corporation - Salt Lake City, Utah
On average, MDCP projects generate $334 in American exports for every $1 awarded. In an average year, MDCP projects create or sustain more than 14,000 American jobs.

For more information about the Market Development Cooperator Program, please visit www.trade.gov/mdcp.

Welcome to the Exporting Source

Your one-stop resource for finding help to export to new customers, to learn about government export programs, to join export-promoting trade missions, to sign up for trade conferences and training, and to link to other exporting services. Whether you're an old hand at exporting or just getting started, the Exporting Source provides a place to locate foreign customers, export financing and foreign investment assistance.