National Association of Counties
The International Economic Development Task Force facilitates the exchange of information, ideas and resources, and guides NACo programming, concerning county-level engagement in international economic development activities.
IED Task Force Resources |
County Explorer
NACo’s County Explorer provides easy access to the latest available data which offers a snapshot on a variety of local issues in counties across the nation. There are currently over 800 data points on your county, each of which tells a unique story about counties. The tool can compare counties across multiple data points and allows access to pre-packaged advocacy materials.
County Economies 2020: Local Economies in the Global Market
Local Economies in the Global Market analyzes county engagement with the world economy through NACo’s new Global Market Engagement Index, emphasizing the key role counties play in encouraging exports and stimulating foreign investment. Check out the full report here Visit www.NACo.org/CountyEconomies2020 to view NACo's full County Economies 2020 series.
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2020 Task Force Activities |
2020 NACo Legislative ConferenceIn an increasingly connected global economy, international exports and imports play an important role in not just the national economy, but in local economies too. Counties have a vested interest in ensuring that businesses are competitive in the global market, as well as tools to increase their connectivity. This session will focus on how counties can partner with the federal government, states, cities and other counties to position our home economies to compete internationally. Meeting Agenda -- Speakers Bios Speakers Mr. David Glaccum: Associate Administrator, Office of International Trade, Small Business Administration (SBA)
Mr. Greg Kalbaugh: Executive Director, SelectUSA
Mr. Andy Karellas: Executive Director, State International Development Organizations (SIDO)
Ms. Mary Ryckman: Former Global Markets Advisor, Saratoga County, N.Y.
Hon. Martha Schrader: Commissioner, Clackamas County, Ore.
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2019 Task Force Activities |
IED Task Force Fall Conference Call on Consulate OfficesDuring this Task Force call in November 2019, members discussed how to leverage relationships with consulate offices across the nation in order to encourage international economic development within their county. Fostering a good relationship with consulate generals or honorary consulates can help counties connect local businesses to international markets, as well as attract foreign direct investment (FDI). Speakers Ms. Norma Brenne Henning, J.D.: Honorary Consul, German Honorary Consulate in Tampa
Ms. Deborah Wilkinson: Founder, Wilkinson Global Connections, LLC; Executive Director, Tampa Bay Trade and Protocol Council
Notes from the call & Speaker bios
2019 NACo Annual Conference
In place of a standard meeting, the International Economic Development Task Force took an up-close tour of McCarran International Airport's (McCarran) airside operations. McCarran's Chief Marketing Officer, Chris Jones, explained the airport's strategy for attracting new international flights to advance Clark County's connectivity with the global economy. In addition, attendees received a behind-the-scenes look at the most advanced airport screening technology. Click here for additional photos from the tour Speakers Chris Jones: Chief Marketing Officer, McCarran International Airport
IED Task Force Spring Conference Call on China Trade Relations and CountiesIn 2017, U.S. goods and services trade with China totaled an estimated $710.4 billion, making China the 3rd largest goods export market and the number one supplier of goods imports that year for the U.S. The U.S.-China Business Council discussed the U.S.'s trade relationship with China, their thoughts on the recent trade negotiations between the two nations and how county governments can better support businesses in their communities engaged in trade between the U.S. and China. Meeting Agenda (with notes) & Speaker Bios Click here for the Engagement-Ready Communities (IERC) Toolkit and find more information on their site USA Competes. Speakers Ms. Anna Ashton: Director of Business Advisory Services, U.S.-China Business Council
Hon. Terrence Farrell: Commissioner, Chester County, Pa.
2019 NACo Legislative ConferenceInvestment, Tariffs, and Trade Policy at the County Level During this conference SelectUSA's Executive Director shared how counties can leverage their program resources of international marketing and high-level advocacy to compete globally for investment. Additionally, the Brookings Institution discussed the recent tariffs implemented in 2018 and other important changes in U.S. trade policy, with a special focus on how county leaders can continue to encourage international economic development within their county economies. Click here for the PowerPoint presentation Meeting Agenda -- Speaker Bios For more information on SelectUSA's Investment Summit:
For more research from Brookings Institution:
Data on export activity at the local level: Export Monitor 2018
Analysis on retaliatory tariffs: Which U.S. Communities Are Most Affected by Chinese, EU and NAFTA Retaliatory Tariffs?
Analysis on U.S. tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum: How Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs could affect state economies
Method to better prioritize foreign markets for investment and trade strategies: Six steps for metro areas to prioritize global markets
Speakers Mr. Brian Lenihan: Executive Director, SelectUSA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Mr. Max Bouchet: Research Analyst, Metropolitan Policy Program, The Brookings Institution
Mr. Marek Gootman: Fellow and Director of Strategic Partnerships and Global Initiatives, Metropolitan Policy Progam, The Brookings Institution
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2018 Task Force Activities |
IED Task Force Fall Conference Call on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)On this Task Force call in November 2018, representatives from the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of State gave members an overview of the USMCA, how it differs from NAFTA and what county leaders should expect from the changes. They also discussed how county leaders can prepare for this change and other upcoming changes in trade policy. Speakers Click here for notes from the call. 2018 NACo Annual ConferenceCounties across the nation encourage international economic development in many ways, but not every county leader understands all the tools available to their communities and businesses. The Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness (CREC), in collaboration with Stone & Associates and SRI International, is producing a rigorous set of tools that counties across the U.S. can use to develop and execute a plan to attract foreign investment and promote exporting, called the International Engagement Ready Communities (IERC) initiative. At the IED Task Force meeting in July 2018, Mr. Mark Troppe and Mr. Michael Stone presented the results from their analysis from the IERC initiative and held a hands-on, interactive session to train county leaders how to use the IERC toolkit to better engage the global market. Click here for more information. Speakers IED Task Force Spring Conference Call with the Small Business Administration (SBA)At our IED Task Force meeting in March 2018, Task Force members met with representatives from various federal agencies to discuss the tools available for counties to drive international economic development in their communities. Continuing along this theme, Mr. Bill Houck from the Small Business Administration (SBA) discussed in May how county leaders can take advantage of the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant program and help small businesses in their communities succeed in the international marketplace. Following Mr. Houck’s presentation, Mr. Andy Karellas, Executive Director of State International Development Organizations (SIDO) discussed how counties can better partner with states to encourage international economic development. Meeting Agenda (with notes) & Speaker Bios Speakers 2018 NACo Legislative Conference
Federal Tools for County-Driven International Economic Development From employment in U.S. subsidiaries of foreign businesses to jobs in U.S. companies exporting abroad, international trade brings many jobs to county economies. Counties play an essential role in creating a business-friendly environment for these activities. Hosted by the IED Task Force, this session - entitled, "Federal Tools for County-Driven International Economic Development" - brought together representatives from various federal agencies to talk with county officials about tools that the federal government can offer those wishing to expand international trade and business in their county. The meeting was structured in 15-minute sessions that allowed county officials to network directly and in small groups with the representatives, foster connections and learn how they can partner with the federal government to encourage economic growth through international investment and exports. Click here for more photos from the meeting! Meeting Agenda -- Speaker Bios Speakers |
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2017 Task Force Activities |
IED Task Force Fall Conference Call on SelectUSAOn November 14, 2017, the NACo International Economic Development Task Force held their Fall Conference Call to discuss SelectUSA and how its services can help counties expand their economies internationally. Ms. Anne McKinney gave an overview of SelectUSA and the services they can offer counties to foster job-creating business investment. Following her presentation, Mr. Bill Cronin, Mr. Brent Barkway and Mr. Ajay Sujanani discussed their work in three Florida counties - Pasco County, Pinellas County and Hillsborough County - to create a regional hub for international business. Meeting Agenda & Speaker Bios -- Notes from Call Speakers 2017 NACo Annual Conference
On July 23, 2017, the NACo International Economic Development Task Force took a tour of Prime Equipment Group, a middle market company that produces poultry processing machines, including many used by Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). Prime Equipment has 130 employees located around the globe with offices in Columbus (Ohio), Gainesville (Georgia), Mexico and Brazil, as well as distributors in Italy, Russia, Thailand, Australia, Argentina and Chile. At Prime, Mr. Gasbarro discussed the focus and history of Prime, how Prime began its international sales, some governmental programs that have been helpful in their growth and what counties can do to help foster a good environment for companies like Prime. During the drive to and from Prime, Mr. Schimmer spoke about Franklin County’s Economic Development and Planning initiatives. Meeting Agenda -- Additional Photos Speakers IED Task Force Spring Conference Call on NAFTAOn June 15, 2017, the NACo International Economic Development Task Force held a conference call on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Mr. Ferguson provided an overview of NAFTA and discussed the renegotiation of NAFTA. Specifically, the current administration is reviewing our trade deficits with Canada and Mexico in an effort to bring more manufacturing opportunity to the U.S. Commissioner Starkey and Mr. Mudano presented on the American Manufacturing Skills Initiative in Pasco County, Fla. as a best practice example. Meeting Agenda -- Notes from Call Speakers 2017 NACo Legislative Conference
The IED Task Force held a special speed-networking event at the 2017 NACo Legislative Conference. The Task Force brought together representatives of four industry groups from three different regions and countries – Africa, Canada and Chile – to talk with county officials about the investment interests of foreign businesses in the United States, what export opportunities exist and what counties can do to foster the international side of their economy. Before the round table event began, Ashley Bell, Special Assistant to the Secretary, spoke to Task Force members on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. Meeting Agenda -- Speaker Bio Page Speakers |
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2016 Task Force Activities |
IED Task Force Call on the Trans-Pacific PartnershipThe IED Task Force held a conference call to discuss the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Mitchell Ferguson, Deputy Director of Bilateral Trade for the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, gave a presentation explaining the details of the TPP, the debate around the TPP and how it could affect both American businesses and county leaders. Karen Richardson, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Public Affairs at the U.S. State Department, also joined us on the call. Notes from the Conference Call 2016 NACo Annual Conference
The IED Task Force hosted a mobile workshop at the 2016 NACo Annual Conference along with the Transportation Steering Committee. Participants took a 90-minute boat tour of the Port of Long Beach, given by Don Snyder, the Port’s Director of Business Development, to learn firsthand how the second largest port in the U.S. moves millions of container units each year. Through the tour, Task Force members and other participants received a glimpse of the complex logistics and supply chain dynamics that ripple across the country. Joining us on the tour was Karen Richardson, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Public Affairs at the U.S. State Department. IED Task Force Call on International Trade and BusinessThe IED Task Force held a conference call on the role counties play in fostering international trade and business, especially in helping businesses expand internationally through exports. The Task Force listened to a presentation by Ashley Zuelke, the Associate Director and Senior Advisor for Export Policy, Promotion and Strategy at the International Trade Administration. Following her presentation, Mayor Mary Lou Berger of Palm Beach County, Fla. and Kelly Smallridge, CEO of Palm Beach County’s Business Development Board, presented a best practice highlight of what their county is doing to encourage international trade. Additional Materials 2016 NACo Legislative Conference
The IED Task Force held a special speed-networking event at the 2016 NACo Legislative Conference. The Task Force brought together representatives of six industry groups from three different countries – Brazil, Germany and India – to talk with county officials about the investment interests of foreign businesses in the United States, what export opportunities exist and what counties can do to foster the international side of their economy. Speakers Additional Materials |
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2015 Task Force Activities |
2015 NACo Annual ConferenceThe IED Task Force met at the 2015 NACo Annual Conference and heard two presentations. The first presentation, given by Mr. Mark Vitner, a Senior Economist at Wells Fargo, was on the effect of the rising strength of the U.S. dollar on U.S. exports and exports. The second presentation, given by Bo Carson, the Vice President of Information Services at the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, was on the NC Research Triangle and collaboration in the global economy. 2015 NACo Legislative ConferenceThe IED Task Force held a joint meeting with the Community, Economic and Workforce Development Committee’s Economic Development Subcommittee at the 2015 NACo Legislative Conference. They heard a presentation on NACo’s County Economic Tracker 2014, a panel discussion on the impact on the impact of the U.S. Export-Import Bank and updates from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA). |
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2014 Task Force Activities |
2014 NACo Annual ConferenceThe IED Task Force met at the 2014 NACo Annual Conference and heard presentations about the U.S. Export-Import Bank and the role of counties in international economic development. The Task Force also heard updates on the Made in Rural America initiative and the ongoing regional forums. Resolution in Support of reauthorizing the U.S. Export-Import Bank Presentations Brian Kelsey: The Role of Counties in International Economic Development -- Results of a NACo Study Research Products 2014 NACo Legislative ConferenceThe IED Task Force met at the 2014 NACo Legislative Conference and heard presentations about the economic recovery of counties and economic development as a practice area. The new business of the Task Force was partnering NACo to the "Made in Rural America" export and investment initiative. Presentations Research Products Training Session Training Agenda -- Jeff Finkle and Nitin Pangam bios -- Presentation March 4 Meetings in Washington, DCDuring the 2014 Legislative Conference, NACo Leadership met with several groups to engage resources for local partners in promoting exports and attract investments in our communities. The task force leadership had meetings with the German Embassy, the Representative of German Industry and Trade, SelectUSA, the U.S. Ex-Im Bank, the U.S. Trade Representative, and the federal partners in the "Made in Rural America" export and investment initiative--U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Commerce and the White House Rural Council.
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