Commerce supports 5 associations’ export programs

The five Market Development Cooperator Program-backed projects are expected to generate more than $653 million in U.S. exports over the next three years in return for the one-time $1.4 million federal investment.    The U.S. Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration has announced the release of funds through its Market Development Cooperator Program to five nonprofit industry associations with the aim to assist with their export promotion programs.
   The agency will provide $225,267 to Chicago-based National Center for Healthcare Leadership (NCHL) to help the healthcare industry produce exports to Brazil, China and Hong Kong. NCHL will, in turn, match the MDCP award with an investment of $598,730 of its own resources. These funds are expected to generate about $191 million exports of healthcare services during the next three years by hospitals in the United States, ITA said in a statement.
   ITA will provide Reston, Va.-based Recreation Vehicle Industry Association $299,775 from MDCP to help the RV industry facilitate exports to China, Japan, and South Korea. The association will match the funds with an investment of $1,349,517 of its own resources. These funds are expected to generate about $336 million in exports during the next three years by companies across the United States.
   Bethesda, Md.-based Auto Care Association (ACA) will receive $299,345 from MDCP to help its members produce exports to Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Peru. ACA will match the MDCP award with an investment of $696,953 of its own resources. These funds are expected to generate about $55 million in U.S. exports during the next three years.
   Reston, Va.-based Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies (NPES) will receive $298,746 from MDCP to help the printing, publishing, and converting industry produce exports to Indonesia. NPES will match the MDCP award with an investment of $655,709 of its own resources. These funds are expected to generate about $28 million in U.S. exports during the next three years, according to ITA.
   In addition, Portland, Ore.-based Evergreen Building Products Association (EBPA) will receive $299,775 from MDCP to assist the building materials industry produce exports to Japan. EBPA will match the MDCP award with an investment of $795,583 of its own resources. These funds are expected to generate about $71 million in exports during the next three years by companies across the United States.
   Each MDCP award includes financial and technical assistance from ITA to support specifically defined business plans “aimed at strengthening an industry by increasing exports,” ITA said. 
   “In total, these five projects are expected to generate more than $653 million in U.S. exports in the next three years in return for the one-time $1.4 million federal investment,” the Commerce Department agency added.
   Since the Market Development Cooperator Program’s start in 1993, ITA has issued 141 awards to 108 organizations in 32 states.