Rural Export Center would be formally dedicated under bipartisan Armstrong bill

A bipartisan bill introduced on June 22 by U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) would formally establish the Rural Export Center, which works to expand exports from rural America and position rural U.S. companies as competitors in the global marketplace. 

“Rural businesses are critical to communities across North Dakota,” Rep. Armstrong said. “With the right resources, rural businesses can compete on a global scale while creating jobs right here at home. This bipartisan bill is a win for small businesses and rural areas. I’m proud to support it.”

The Promoting Rural Exports Act of 2023, H.R. 4271, which Rep. Armstrong sponsored alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH), would establish the Rural Export Center within the United States and Foreign Commercial Service to provide business- and product-specific support to help companies in the U.S. looking to export their products, according to the text of the bill.

If enacted, H.R. 4271 also would require the Rural Export Center to be centrally located and not in a major metropolitan area; direct the center to provide customized market research services to help rural businesses target their exports and conduct strategic planning and export support services for rural businesses; and to make data relating to its effectiveness publicly available on its website, the text says.

“I’m pleased to partner with Congressman Armstrong on this bipartisan bill to ensure our rural small businesses have the tools and support they need to grow and thrive,” said Rep. Pappas. “I will keep working to support rural Main Street businesses and boost our local economy.”

H.R. 4271 is the companion bill to the same-named S. 1415, which was introduced on May 3 by U.S. Sens. John Hoeven (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) in their chamber.