Peace Garden News

Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) have reintroduced the Promoting Rural Exports Act. The bill aims to formally authorize and support the National Rural Export Center, located in the U.S. Commercial Service office in Fargo. The center’s role is to help rural businesses expand their exports by offering research, tools, and analysis that assist them in finding new buyers and developing strategies for entering international markets.

Senator Hoeven highlighted the importance of the center, stating: “The National Rural Export Center in Fargo has been a critical support for rural businesses, helping them access a broader customer base overseas while improving our nation’s balance of trade. The Fargo-based center developed a successful model that is being replicated across the country. Our legislation would ensure they continue to lead the way in expanding rural export opportunities and establish better coordination across similar efforts at the Department of Commerce.”

Senator Klobuchar added: “Businesses in rural areas shouldn’t be denied opportunities just because of their location. Our bipartisan Promoting Rural Exports Act will help ensure rural businesses have the resources they need to reach new markets, boost exports, and continue to innovate and grow.”

According to Senator Cramer: “The Rural Export Center in Fargo is a tremendous resource for North Dakota producers and businesses, helping them navigate trade opportunities across the globe. Once again, the excellent work done in North Dakota is being used as the model for other Rural Export Centers across the country. Our bill formally establishes the Fargo Rural Export Center as the national headquarters at the Department of Commerce, overseeing nine other regional Rural Export Centers.”

Senator Smith emphasized how rural businesses are vital contributors to economic growth: “Rural businesses fulfill a crucial—and often overlooked—role in our economy. The Rural Export Act gives local leaders in the agriculture, manufacturing, and energy sectors the tools necessary to compete on a global scale. The bill establishes permanent Rural Export Centers that offer recent market research, strategy development, and education opportunities for Americans that don’t live close to major metropolitan areas. It is more important now than ever that we make sure everyday Americans can access convenient, state-of-the-art resources like those provided by Rural Export Centers.”

Perrie Schafer, Chairman of the North Dakota District Export Council, also spoke about the center’s impact: “The National Rural Export Center is a vital resource, and I know firsthand how important their technical expertise is to our rural businesses as they work to identify and realize opportunities for growth. We appreciate the work of our U.S. Senators in North Dakota and Minnesota to build upon the center’s record of excellence and ensure it continues to serve as a leader in growing U.S. exports.”

If passed into law, this act would place nine regional centers under direct oversight from Fargo’s national headquarters within the Department of Commerce; require customized market research services; mandate strategic planning assistance; provide export support services; and require public reporting on its effectiveness.

In addition to this legislation, Senator Hoeven has worked through his position on the Senate Appropriations Committee to secure funding within next year’s Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations bill for expanding these capabilities nationwide—including supporting industries such as agricultural equipment manufacturing, construction products, furniture production, machinery tools production among others—in North Dakota and beyond.