This bill provides statutory authority for the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service to establish the National Rural Export Center and up to nine regional rural export centers to assist rural businesses seeking to export their products.
Specifically, the National Rural Export Center and regional rural export centers must (1) provide in-depth, customized, and actionable market research services for rural businesses; and (2) conduct strategic planning and export support services for those businesses as needed.
The centers must also collect specified data to measure their effectiveness in assisting businesses and maintain websites that include this data. Each center's website must also include (1) best practices for rural businesses beginning to evaluate export opportunities, and (2) contact information for staff at the center.