Under Secretary Lago to Attend Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony to Celebrate the Grand Opening of Appalachian Rural Export Center in Charleston, West Virginia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, November 16, 2023
Contact: Office of Public Affairs
Email: publicaffairs@trade.gov
Phone: 202-482-3809
WASHINGTON – On Monday, November 20, 2023, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago will be in Charleston, West Virginia, to participate in a ribbon-cutting and grand opening of the International Trade Administration’s (ITA) U.S. Commercial Service Appalachian Rural Export Center. Under Secretary Lago will also present an Export Achievement Certificate to Dr. Olu Sangodeyi, founder and CEO of Med-Surg Physician Group, for success in exporting vital health care services and equipment to international markets.
The Appalachian Rural Export Center in Charleston, West Virginia, is the second facility of its kind in the United States and will support rural U.S. businesses across seven states (Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia) to bring local products and services to world markets, creating jobs across America as a result.
“The Appalachian Rural Export Center is emblematic of ITA’s dedication to reaching historically underserved U.S. business communities, including rural communities,” said Under Secretary Marisa Lago. “The Center is key to the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to investing in America. We are strengthening economic growth by providing a variety of services that are tailored to help companies in rural America identify the overseas markets that hold the best potential for their goods and services.
“I thank Dr. Sangodeyi and the entire team at Med-Surg for their commitment to the well-being of their patients and congratulate them on their outstanding success in expanding to new markets overseas,” Under Secretary Lago added.
ITA’s U.S. Commercial Service is dedicated to helping American businesses, large and small, succeed internationally through exports and is comprised of a global network of experienced trade professionals located in more than 100 locations throughout the United States and more than 80 U.S. embassies and consulates abroad. ITA’s Rural Export Centers, along with its Global Diversity Export Initiative, collaborate with state, local and tribal governments, economic development organizations, and community leaders to bring export assistance to a diverse array of businesses in underserved communities.
WHAT: Ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening of the U.S. Commercial Service’s new Appalachian Rural Export Center
WHO: Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago, the Offices of U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito, U.S. Representatives Carol Miller (WV-1) and Alex Mooney (WV-2), and representatives from the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Charleston Area Alliance and others
WHEN: Monday, November 20, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. EST
WHERE: Charleston Area Alliance - 1116 Smith Street, Charleston, WV 25301
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About the International Trade Administration
The International Trade Administration (ITA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce is the premier resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace. Operating in more than 100 U.S. locations and 80 markets worldwide, ITA promotes trade and investment, assists U.S. businesses and workers to export and expand globally, and ensures fair trade and compliance by enforcing U.S. trade laws and agreements. For more information on ITA, visit www.trade.gov.
