Kankakee-Bradley Metropolitan Statistical Area Logs Record Number of Exports

Kankakee Area Goods Exported Increased 11.6 Percent to a Record High in 2014
 
WASHINGTON, DC – July 13, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Commerce today released a report highlighting goods exports from U.S. metropolitan areas for 2014. The International Trade Administration’s 2014 Metropolitan Area Export Overview indicates that goods exports from the Kankakee, IL, metropolitan area totaled $753 million last year, an increase of $78 million or 11.6 percent from 2013 to 2014.
 
“More and more U.S. businesses are realizing that selling their world-class goods to the 96 percent of potential customers who live outside the United States is critical to their success,” said Stefan M. Selig, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. “The Department of Commerce is committed to assisting companies throughout the Kankakee metropolitan area compete globally by helping them begin or expand their exporting operations. These efforts are important to strengthening both the local and national economy, and creating well-paying jobs here at home.”
 
U.S. metropolitan area goods exports exceeded $1.44 trillion in 2014, up $36 billion from 2013, and accounting for 89 percent of total U.S. goods exports last year. For the first time ever, 161 metropolitan areas tallied merchandise exports worth more than $1 billion in 2014.
 
“The vast majority of area exporters are small and medium-sized firms who are reaching new heights with their export success,” said Regina Heise, Network Director of the U.S. Commercial Service in Peoria. “We work with hundreds of business clients each year, and many firms soon discover their export potential is much greater than originally thought.”
 
Kankakee Metropolitan Area Export Highlights for 2014:
 
• Second consecutive year of increased exports.
• One of 139 metro areas to achieve record goods export levels.
• More than 19 percent of goods exports went to markets where the United States has trade agreements.
• Key merchandise export categories included chemicals; agricultural products; printing and related support activities; machinery; and processed foods.
• The European Union, Asia, and NAFTA regions were leading destinations for goods exports.
 
Increasing U.S. exports is a top priority for the Obama administration. The Commerce Department and the Administration are working to keep businesses competitive, the economy growing and global economic leadership intact by pushing for 21st century trade agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Current and potential free trade agreement (FTA) partners account for a large share of exports for many metropolitan areas.
 
For more information on exporting, contact the U.S. Commercial Service Export Assistance Center in Peoria at (816) 421-1876 or visit http://www.export.gov/illinois/.
 
For more information on the impact of Metropolitan Statistical Areas on U.S. exports, visit http://www.trade.gov/mas/ian/metroreport.