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Senate Commerce subcommittee hears experts urge central outreach, broadband and financing to help rural exporters
Summary
Witnesses told the Senate Commerce subcommittee that rural exporters face regulatory complexity, limited broadband and transport access, workforce shortages and capital gaps, and urged centralized federal outreach (revived SBA rural office/radar), expanded rural export centers, and targeted workforce and infrastructure investments.
The Senate Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Tourism, Trade and Export Promotion on Monday heard testimony from trade and state officials who said rural U.S. businesses need clearer, better‑coordinated federal support to sell products abroad.
Chair Rosen opened the hearing by noting exports's importance to the national and Nevada economies and saying only about 1% of American companies export despite most customers living abroad. Reid Westcott, executive director of the Small Business Exporters Association (a council of the National Small Business Association), told senators that the top barrier for small and rural exporters is awareness: "I don't know enough," he said, adding that centralizing information through a revitalized Office of Rural Affairs at the Small Business Administration or a one‑stop dashboard would help close the gap.
The hearing focused on several recurring needs. Dylan Davidson, senior trade officer for the Nevada Department of Agriculture, pointed to regulatory uncertainty,…
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