Many companies still ask why they should start exporting. The answer is simple: to achieve growth and faster success, especially when there are so many available resources in Kansas City.
The Kansas City metro area accounted for $8.3 billion of total merchandise exports from 2011 to 2013. On average, exports from the Kansas City area have increased by 1.7 percent annually over the past 10 years to $1 billion in 2016 and continue to grow.
About 95 percent of the world’s consumers live outside the United States. There is huge potential for companies to grow—less than 1 percent of America’s 30 million companies export.
Companies of any size can start exporting—especially companies that are looking to increase sales, job creation, profits and overall growth.
Ready to get started? There are a wide array of resources in the Kansas City area that can assist businesses in learning how to trade or simply to continue to take advantage of business opportunities that help increase their bottom line sales and profits.
The following organizations can help businesses that are ready to grow through exporting by offering education, connections and even funding.
Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri (EDCKC)
edckc.com/international-business
As a Kansas City 501(c)(4) nonprofit economic development agency, EDCKC provides export/import assistance for Kansas City, Mo., companies in public financing, real estate development support services, trade mission trips, trade advice and training, project opportunities and much more to increase their job creation and attraction.
Missouri Department of Economic Development, International Trade & Investment Office
The office provides expertise in areas such as agent and distributor search, business protocol, international trade shows, export due diligence, financing and more.
Some of its funding sources include:
Global Market Access Program (GMAP) // Cost-sharing program to allow eligible Missouri companies to participate in specific events designed to create export sales.
State Trade & Export Program (STEP) // Program designed to increase the value of Missouri exports from small businesses through specific market expansion opportunities for existing exporters.
World Trade Center-Kansas City (WTC)
WTC services include global market research, port-to-port import/export data, certificate of origin—eCertify, etc. WTC also offers funding to improve access to the world market such as the Kansas City Global Cities Initiatives (GCI) Microgrant Program and grants of up to $5,000 for reimbursement of export-related expenses to small and medium- sized enterprises.
U.S. Commercial Service-Kansas City
export.gov/missouri/kansascity
Services include Gold Key Matching Service customized marketing and industry briefing, market research and more.
U.S. Department Of Agriculture (USDA)-Market Access Program
www.fas.usda.gov/programs/market-access-program-map
USDA’s Market Access Program helps U.S. producers, exporters, private companies and trade organizations finance overseas marketing and promotional activities such as trade shows, market research, consumer promotions, technical assistance, trade servicing and educational seminars.
The Emerging Market Program (EMP)
www.fas.usda.gov/programs/emerging-markets-program-emp
EMP provides funding for technical assistance activities to promote exports of U.S. agricultural commodities and products to emerging markets overseas.
Missouri Department of Agriculture
The Missouri Department of Agriculture’s International Marketing Program provides a variety of export services and has linked many Missouri producers to international buyers.
