A Global Impact
By Paige Kocourek
Not many would imagine a state the size of West Virginia would be capable of having such a large, global impact, but the Mountain State distributes goods to 147 out of the 196 countries in the world. West Virginia Executive found this statistic awe-inspiring and felt driven to create a comprehensive export map to show the expansive nature of West Virginia’s worldwide exports.
West Virginia is a global supplier of vital goods, such as coal, plastics, chemicals, automotive parts and machinery. In the past 10 years, there has been an increasing trend in growth, and it is clear that West Virginia is making considerable moves toward further expansion. With advancements in technology and the way business is conducted, access to global customers has made this growth easier. Additionally, many foreign companies, that are often exporters, have moved their manufacturing facilities to the state, contributing to the overall growth of exports.
As a small business, dreams of moving to the international level can seem daunting; however, the West Virginia
Department of Economic Development has an Export Promotion Program designed specifically to support these
organizations as they grow to international sales.
“Working closely with partners in the U.S. Commercial Service, West Virginia District Export Council, Small Business Administration (SBA) and other state and federal agencies, this program helps identify opportunities for West Virginia companies looking to expand internationally and assess export readiness for companies new to international trade,” says Caitlin Ashley-Lizarraga, manager of international trade at the West Virginia Department of Economic Development. “The Export Promotion Program also administers a grant program funded through the SBA that supports international marketing efforts for small businesses.”
The goal of this map is to not only highlight West Virginia’s impressive accomplishments as a global exporter but also to encourage the growth of small businesses.
Editor’s Note: This map was compiled with help from Caitlin Ashley-Lizarraga and the West Virginia Department of Economic Development. Thank you for playing a pivotal role in spreading the knowledge about West Virginia’s global impact.
Click here to see the full listing of countries and the breakdown of export amounts.
