| Description: | For Immediate Release
Contact: Don Majcher, Vice President, Technology and Innovation Partnerships, DonaldMajcher@oai.org, 440.962.3000
OHIO AEROSPACE INSTITUTE’S MARKET DEVELOPMENT COOPERATOR PROJECT AWARDED GRANT FROM INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION
This project will increase aerospace exports from Ohio-based small and mid-size aerospace manufacturers to Canada, Europe, Brazil and India
CLEVELAND – Sept. 7, 2012 – The Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) announced today that its Market Development Cooperator Project (MDCP) has received funding from the International Trade Administration (ITA) to promote exports and increase the competitiveness of the aerospace industry abroad.
“While the U.S. continues to recover from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, U.S. exports remain a bright spot for the American economy. The awards given by the Commerce Department’s Market Development Cooperator Program will help us continue to make progress toward achieving the President’s goal of doubling exports by the end of 2014,” Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank said. “Higher exports lead to more jobs: in 2011, jobs supported by exports increased by 1.2 million over 2009. This investment in the Ohio Aerospace Institute in Cleveland will help boost exports, which means more jobs for Ohio."
OAI’s MDCP project will increase aerospace exports from Ohio-based small and mid-size qualifying aerospace manufacturers to Canada, Europe, Brazil and India by an estimated $90 million over the next three years. In addition, it is anticipated that this project will create 720 aerospace manufacturing jobs and more than 1,100 indirect jobs in Ohio and throughout the United States.
The project is designed to help companies grow their business and technical capacity. It will include the following:
- Training sessions and seminars designed specifically for the aerospace industry
- One-on-one coaching sessions conducted by OAI and ITA to help qualified suppliers refine business strategies and prepare for international business opportunities
- Supplier summits with key, international industry players, including Airbus
- Trade missions to Canada and Europe in 2013, followed by similar trips to Brazil in 2014 and India in early 2015 to introduce participants to pertinent government bodies, end-users and prospective partners
"This is about building on Ohio's rich aerospace heritage and adding an estimated $90 million in Ohio exports. By helping more Ohio manufacturers export their products, we can improve the competitiveness of Ohio's aerospace industry and help Ohio manufacturers create jobs and expand their operations,” said U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown. “Export promotion shows how the federal government can partner with the private sector to promote economic development."
“OAI has a 20-year track record of offering valuable services to the aerospace supply chain,” said Michael Heil, president and CEO, Ohio Aerospace Institute. “Our Market Development Cooperator Project is another example of our commitment to increasing awareness for and further developing Ohio’s aerospace industry. By casting an international light on our industry expertise here in Ohio, we will help to create jobs and have a direct impact on the statewide economy.”
The State of Ohio is also an important partner and will provide support for this project. The Ohio Department of Development is committed to increasing aerospace exports from small and mid-size Ohio businesses. The Ohio International Market Access Grant for Exporters will help offset the costs for this project, and has proven to be a valuable asset in recent trade missions.
“We’re excited to expand aerospace exports to Canada, Brazil, Europe, and India. It’s another great example of the state’s commitment to helping Ohio businesses connect with international buyers,” said Christiane Schmenk, Director of the Ohio Department of Development. “This collaboration proves why Ohio is one of the leading export states in the nation. Building a global economy ultimately strengthens our state, while creating jobs.”
“We are pleased that our partnerships with the Department of Commerce and Ohio’s Department of Development are continuing to develop so we can better grow aerospace industry sales, leading to more jobs,” added Don Majcher, who will serve as the project team leader for OAI.
Further details about the project will be announced at a special event later this year.
About OAI
The Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) is a nonprofit organization that supports its partners through research and technology development, workforce preparedness, and engagement with global networks for innovation and advocacy. For more information, visit www.oai.org.
About MCDP Awards
The MDCP awards include financial and technical assistance from the U.S. Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA) to support well-defined business plans aimed at increasing exports and U.S. competitiveness within certain industries. An MDCP award establishes a partnership between ITA and nonprofit industry groups to help strengthen global competitiveness and create jobs through exports. Since MDCP's inception in 1993, the program has issued 121 awards. In an average year, MDCP projects generate $372 million in U.S. exports.
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