In the midst of a sluggish economic recovery, looking outside the borders of the U.S. for growth opportunities makes good sense.  For small to mid-sized businesses, getting into the export game isn't easy.  Finding markets, understanding regulations, figuring out logistics and managing currency exchange rates are just a few of the many hurdles that have to be overcome.

David Kerr, Director of Economic Development for the State of Missouri, joined the Go To Market Show to discuss the strategy and resources his department brings to the table in helping companies overcome these barriers and explore export potential.  

Exports are big business in Missouri. In 2010, gross exports grew to $13 billion, up 36% from the previous year.  Exports from small businesses in Missouri accounted for one quarter of this total. One example is an Italian meat company operating on 'The Hill' in St. Louis.  With the help of the Kerr's department, they landed a quarter of a million dollar export contract with South Korea.

The State of Missouri operates six trade offices around the world.  With those resources and expertise in the state, the Department of Economic Development helps companies explore the possibilities of exporting - answering key questions about what to do and how to do it. The department also provides an invaluable source of connections to drive business relationships overseas.  

In 2010, Governor Jay Nixon set a new course for the expansion of growth in the Missouri economy including export business.  The direction was set by the Strategic Initiative for Economic Growth, an initiative that engaged representatives from business, labor, higher education, and economic development across the state to chart a path for transforming the Missouri economy into a long-term, sustainable, 21st century growth economy. One of the eight initiatives outlined in the plan was to build a world-class export program.  

Kerr oversaw the development of the plan and is excited about its potential. He said it represented a major step forward in bringing all sides together on a focused approach to drive growth.  In fact, funding for the strategic planning process was provided by the Hawthorn Foundation, a nonprofit organization of corporations and business leaders working to make Missouri’s future brighter by encouraging economic success in the state.  

It's been said many times that "you can't run government like a business." With innovative initiatives that are bringing the public and private sectors together to fuel growth in the state, driven by a business-like approach, that old adage doesn't seem to hold water.  Visit the Department of Economic Development's website for more information.