FISCAL YEAR 2019

ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS

TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR FIRMS 

PROGRAM

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Page 2 of 42

Executive Summary 

This report is provided pursuant to Section 255A of chapter 3 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974, 

as amended (Trade Act),1

 which directs the Secretary of Commerce to provide an annual report 

on the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program. 

Through this report, the Secretary is required to provide findings and results, to the extent that 

data are available, on the 19 measures listed in the Table of Contents, classified by intermediary 

organization, state, and national totals. 

The TAAF program funds a national network of 11 Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers 

(TAACs), some of which are university-affiliated and others of which are independent non-profit 

organizations. TAACs provide subsidized technical assistance to U.S. firms negatively affected 

by increased imports in order to help such firms develop and implement projects to regain global 

competitiveness, expand market share, and create jobs. Historically, most firms that apply for 

TAAF certification are in the manufacturing sector. The Secretary of Commerce delegated the 

responsibility for administering the TAAF program to the Assistant Secretary of the Economic 

Development Administration (EDA). 

Key Findings of this Report2

EDA analyzes the extent to which client firms increased their sales, employment, and 

productivity levels following: 1) entry into the program (certification) to the completed 

implementation of TAAF-supported projects (program completion), and 2) program completion 

to one and two years after program completion. To measure these outcomes, EDA compares 

average sales, average employment, and average productivity3

 at these intervals of all firms that 

completed the program in a particular year (known as the “base year”) and provided complete 

data to EDA. The base year used for this Report is FY 2017. EDA received data for all 93 firms 

that completed the program in FY 2017, of which, 57 firms provided complete data across all 

metrics. Average sales, employment, and productivity of those 57 firms were analyzed from 

program completion to FY 2018 and FY 2019. 

Key findings of this report: 

x From certification to program completion, the 57 firms providing complete data reported 

that average sales had increased by 24 percent, average employment had increased by 11 

percent, and average productivity had increased by 12 percent. 

1

 19 U.S.C. § 2345a. The TAAF program is authorized by chapters 3 and 5 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974 

(Public Law 93-618), as amended by Public Laws 97-35, 98-120, 98-369, 99-272, 99-514, 100-418, 103-66, 105-

277, 107-210, 111-5, 111-344, 112-40, 113-203, and 114-27. 2

 For the purposes of this Report, data are reported only for the firms that completed the program and for which all 

data metrics were available. Firms with incomplete data in any metric were excluded in calculating these measures. 3

 Since the certified firms are in various industries, which have a variety of ways to measure productivity, sales per 

employee was chosen as the productivity measure. This measure is used because it can be generally applied to all 

certified firms. 
Page 3 of 42

x From certification to one year after completing the program, the 57 firms providing 

complete data reported that average sales had increased by 31 percent, average 

employment had increased by 12 percent, and average productivity had increased by 17 

percent. 

x From certification to two years after completing the program, the 57 firms providing 

complete data reported that average sales had increased by 23 percent, average 

employment had increased by 6 percent, and average productivity had increased by 16 

percent. 

x From program completion to one year after completing the program, the 57 firms 

providing complete data reported that average sales had increased by 5 percent, average 

employment had increased by 1 percent, and average productivity had increased by 4 

percent. 

x From program completion to two years after completing the program, the 57 firms 

providing complete data reported average sales had decreased by 1 percent, average 

employment had decreased by 4 percent, and average productivity had increased by 3 

percent. 

x Despite entering the program in a distressed state, 77 of the 93 firms that completed the 

program in FY 2017 continued to be in operation at the end of FY 2019. Of the 57 firms 

that completed the program in FY 2017 and submitted complete data to EDA, 56 were in 

operation at the end of FY 2019. 

To provide some recent historical context for these results, an analysis of the total average sales 

and employment data collected from FY 2010 to FY 2019 shows: 

x From certification to program completion, firms reported that average sales had increased 

by 27 percent, average employment had increased by 8 percent, and average productivity 

had increased by 18 percent. 

x From program completion to one year after completing the program, firms reported that 

average sales had increased by 5 percent, average employment had increased by 2 

percent, and average productivity had increased by 3 percent. Average sales increased 8 

of the 10 years analyzed. Average employment increased 7 of the 10 years analyzed. 

Average productivity increased at 5 of the 10 years analyzed. 

x From program completion to two years after completing the program, firms reported that 

average sales had increased by 12 percent, average employment had increased by 4 

percent, and average productivity had increased by 8 percent. Average sales increased 7 

of the 10 years analyzed. Average employment increased 7 of the 10 years analyzed. 

Average productivity increased 8 of the 10 years analyzed. 

It is important to consider that TAAF clients are operating in the same economic environment as 

other firms but are also attempting to adjust to import pressures that may not impact other firms 

as severely, making the success of TAAF-assisted firms notable. It should also be noted that the 

long-term success of these firms depends on achieving a fair and reciprocal global trade 

environment. 
Page 4 of 42

Summary of the TAAF Program 

The mission of the TAAF program is to help import-impacted U.S. firms develop and implement 

projects to regain global competitiveness, expand markets, strengthen operations, increase 

profitability, and create jobs. Historically, most firms that applied for TAAF certification have 

been in the manufacturing sector. The program provides direct technical assistance to support the 

development of business recovery plans, commonly referred to as “Adjustment Proposals” or 

“APs,” under Section 252 of the Trade Act, and matching funds to implement projects outlined 

in the APs. 

The TAAF program funds a national network of 11 TAACs, some of which are universityaffiliated and others of which are independent non-profit organizations, to help import-impacted 

firms in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Firms 

work with the TAACs in a public-private collaborative framework to apply for certification of 

eligibility for TAAF assistance and then prepare and implement strategies to guide their 

economic recovery. EDA’s partnership with the TAACs allows firms to receive customized 

assistance from TAAC staff who are knowledgeable about the challenges and opportunities 

facing businesses in their region. 

Projects outlined in APs may cover a range of functional areas to improve a firms’ market 

position and increase their overall competitiveness. These areas include engineering, information 

technology, management process improvement, marketing and sales growth, new product 

development, export expansion, enhanced support systems, staff capacity building, and 

manufacturing quality improvement. The most common types of assistance provided to 

participating firms in FY 2019 were marketing/sales improvement and production/process 

improvement projects. These projects comprised over half of all projects supported throughout 

the year. 

As of September 30, 2019, 538 active firms with combined sales of $5.9 billion and a workforce 

of 34,147 were participating in the TAAF program. In FY 2019, TAACs provided technical 

assistance to 266 firms in preparing petitions, 83 firms in preparing APs, and 433 firms in 

implementing projects within their APs. Meanwhile, EDA certified 67 petitions and approved 66 

APs. 

In FY 2019, EDA’s average processing time for petitions was 32 days and the average 

processing time for APs was 51 days; both are under the statutorily required approval deadlines. 

Finally, the TAAF program is slated to sunset in two stages. First, on July 1, 2021, the TAAF 

program will revert to a more limited form. The two biggest reversions are to narrow the 

definition of an eligible “firm” to exclude service-sector firms and to reduce eligibility look-back 

periods.4

 Second, as of June 30, 2022, assistance may not be provided to new firms under the 

TAAF program.5 After that date, assistance may only be provided to firms that have already 

submitted a petition under the TAAF program.6 The cumulative effect of these changes to the 

4

 Public Law 114-27, § 406(a). 

5

 Public Law 114-27, § 406(a)(7)(A). 

6

 Public Law 114-27, § 406(a)(7)(B). 
Page 5 of 42

TAAF program are that firm eligibility will narrow as of July 1, 2021; only firms that have 

already submitted a petition may be served as of June 30, 2022; and only such firms may 

continue to be served thereafter. 

 
Page 6 of 42

Table of Contents 

I. Program Description ............................................................................................................7

II. Results/Findings ..................................................................................................................10

Data for This Report .............................................................................................................10

(1) The number of firms that inquired about the program. .................................................11

(2) The number of petitions filed under Section 251. .........................................................11

(3) The number of petitions certified and denied by the Secretary. ....................................11

(4) The average time for processing petitions after the petitions are filed..........................11

(5) The number of petitions filed and firms certified for each Congressional District in 

the United States. ...........................................................................................................14

(6) Of the number of petitions filed, the number of firms that entered the program and 

received benefits. ...........................................................................................................17

(7) The number of firms that received assistance in preparing their petitions. ...................18

(8) The number of firms that received assistance developing business recovery plans. ....18

(9) The number of business recovery plans approved and denied by the Secretary. ..........19

(10) Average duration of benefits received under the program nationally and in each 

region served by an intermediary organization (the TAAC) referred to in Section 

253(b)(1) of the Trade Act. ...........................................................................................21

(11) Sales, employment, and productivity at each firm participating in the TAAF 

program at the time of certification. ..............................................................................22

(12) Sales, employment, and productivity at each firm upon completion of the program 

and each year for the two-year period following completion. ......................................24

(13) The number of firms in operation as of the date of this report and the number of 

firms that ceased operations after completing the program in each year during the 

two-year period following completion of the program. ................................................32

(14) The financial assistance received by each firm participating in the program. ..............32

(15) The financial contribution made by each firm participating in the program. ................32

(16) The types of technical assistance included in the business recovery plans of firms 

participating in the program. .........................................................................................33

(17) The number of firms leaving the program before completing the project or projects 

in their business recovery plans and the reason the project or projects were not 

completed. .....................................................................................................................33

(18) The total amount expended by all intermediary organizations referred to in Section 

253(b)(1) and by each organization to administer the program. ...................................34

(19) The total amount expended by intermediary organizations to provide technical 

assistance to firms under the program nationally and in each region served by such 

an organization. .............................................................................................................35

III.Conclusion ...........................................................................................................................36

IV.Examples of How the TAAF Program Is Helping U.S. Manufacturing Firms Compete 

Against Increasing Imports ................................................................................................38
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I. Program Description 

The TAAF program is one of four distinct programs authorized under the Trade Act. The 

other Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) programs are TAA for Workers and TAA for 

Community College and Career Training, which are both administered by the U.S. 

Department of Labor (DOL), and TAA for Farmers, which is administered by the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

Exhibit 1: TAA Programs 

The Secretary of Commerce delegated the responsibility for administering the TAAF 

program to the Assistant Secretary of EDA. 

The mission of the TAAF program is to help import-impacted U.S. firms develop and 

implement projects to regain global competitiveness, expand markets, strengthen operations, 

increase profitability, and create jobs. Historically, most firms that applied for TAAF 

certification have been in the manufacturing sector. 

The program provides assistance to support the development of business recovery plans, 

commonly referred to as “Adjustment Proposals” or “APs,” under Section 252 of the Trade 

Act, and matching funds to implement projects outlined in the APs. These projects may cover 

a range of functional areas to improve a firm’s market position and increase its overall 

competitiveness, including engineering, information technology, management, market 

development, marketing, new product development, quality improvement, and sales. 

Import-impacted U.S. firms with approved APs can then receive direct technical assistance 

through matching funds provided to TAACs to contract with third-party consultants that help 

firms expand markets, strengthen operations, and increase competitiveness. Funds are not 

provided directly to firms. 

The national network of 11 independent non-profit or university-affiliated TAACs serve 

import-impacted U.S. firms in all 50 States, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth 

of Puerto Rico. Import-impacted firms work with the TAACs in a public-private 
 

Page 8 of 42

collaborative framework to apply to EDA for certification of eligibility for TAAF assistance 

and to prepare and implement strategies through the APs to guide their economic recovery. 

Exhibit 2: TAACs and their Service Areas7

TAAC Service Areas 

Great Lakes Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio 

Mid-America Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska 

MidAtlantic 

Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, 

Virginia, and West Virginia 

Midwest Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin 

New England 

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, 

Rhode Island, and Vermont 

New York, New Jersey and the 

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico 

New York, New Jersey, and the Commonwealth of Puerto 

Rico 

Northwest Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington 

Rocky Mountain 

Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, 

and Wyoming 

Southeastern 

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North 

Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee 

Southwest Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas 

Western Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada 

 

7

 On September 25, 2015, through Grants.Gov, EDA published a Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) 

announcing the availability of funding for the TAAF program. The geographic service areas of TAACs reflect 

the cooperative agreements for each of the 11 selected TAACs that began May 1, 2016. 
 

Page 9 of 42

Exhibit 3: Program Phases 

There are three main phases to receiving technical assistance under the TAAF program: 

(1) petitioning for certification, (2) recovery planning and (3) AP implementation. 

Phase I - Petitioning for Certification 

The first step to receiving assistance is the submission of a petition to EDA to be certified as 

a trade-impacted firm. A petition is comprised of Form ED-840P, Petition by a Firm for 

Certification of Eligibility to Apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance, and required supporting 

documentation. Certification specialists in the TAACs work with the firm at no cost to the 

firm to complete and submit a petition to EDA. 

Upon receipt of the petition, EDA performs an analysis of the petition and supporting 

documents to determine if the petition is complete and may be accepted. EDA is required to 

make a final determination on the petition within 40 days of accepting a petition. 

To certify a firm as eligible to apply for adjustment assistance, EDA must determine that the 

following three conditions are met: 

1. A significant number or proportion of the workers in the firm have been or are threatened 

to be totally or partially separated; and 

2. Sales and/or production of the firm have decreased absolutely, or sales and/or production 

of an article or service that accounted for at least 25 percent of total production or sales of 
 

Page 10 of 42

the firm have decreased absolutely, during the 12, 24, or 36 months preceding the most 

recent 12-month period for which data are available;8 and 

3. Increased imports of articles like or directly competitive with articles produced or 

services provided by the firm have “contributed importantly” to both the decrease or 

threatened decrease in employment and the decline in sales and/or production.

Phase II - Recovery Planning 

Certified firms work with TAAC staff to develop a customized AP for submission to EDA 

for approval. Once an AP has been submitted, EDA is required to make a final determination 

within 60 days. 

Phase III - AP Implementation 

The firm works with consultants to implement projects in an approved AP. For an AP in 

which proposed projects will cost $30,000 or less, the TAAF program provides up to 75 

percent of the cost and the firm is responsible for the balance. For an AP in which proposed 

projects will cost more than $30,000, the TAAF program pays 50 percent of the total cost up 

to $75,000 and the firm pays the remaining amount. After a competitive procurement 

process, the TAAC and the firm generally contract with private consultants to implement the 

AP. 

As projects are implemented, the firm will first pay its match to the consultant, and then send 

a notice to the TAAC stating that it is satisfied with the work conducted so far and that it has 

paid its matching share. The TAAC will then pay the Federal share to the consultant. Funds 

are not provided directly to firms. Firms have up to five years from the date of an AP’s 

approval to implement the approved business recovery strategy contained therein, unless the 

firm receives EDA approval for an extension. Generally, firms complete the implementation 

of their APs over a two-year period. 

II. Results/Findings 

Data for This Report 

For the purposes of this report, data are reported only for firms for which all data were 

available. Data used in this report were collected through the TAACs on behalf of firms as 

part of their reporting requirements, petitions for certification, and the APs. Complete data 

sets of firm-level data including information on sales, employment, and import impacts are 

needed to do the analysis in this report. However, firms are not required under the Trade Act 

to provide post-completion data to EDA, and some choose not to do so, mainly due to 

privacy concerns. In FY 2017 (the base year for this report), 93 firms completed the program; 

with 57 of those firms providing the complete data sets necessary for the analysis in this 

report. This 61 percent response rate is consistent with previous years, which have generally 

been around 58 percent. 

8

 In some cases, EDA may instead consider whether sales or production has decreased during a six-to-elevenmonth period of the most recent 12-month period for which data are available as compared to the same six-toeleven-month period of the immediately preceding 12-month period. 
 

Page 11 of 42

(1) The number of firms that inquired about the program. 

In FY 2019, the TAACs received 1,429 inquiries about the program. 

Exhibit 4: Inquiries about the TAAF program by TAAC 

TAAC 

No. of Firms that 

Inquired about the 

TAAF program 

Great Lakes 100 

Mid-America 118 

MidAtlantic 30 

Midwest 36 

New England 100 

New York, New Jersey and Puerto Rico 87 

Northwest 86 

Rocky Mountain 76 

Southeastern 48 

Southwest 259 

Western 489 

Total 1,429 

(2) The number of petitions filed under Section 251. 

(3) The number of petitions certified and denied by the Secretary. 

(4) The average time for processing petitions after the petitions are filed. 

 

Petitions are certified on a rolling basis. A petition filed in one fiscal year may not result in 

certification until the next fiscal year. Therefore, it is possible that some states or TAACs 

will show more or fewer petitions filed than certified. 

In FY 2019, EDA filed (accepted for investigation) 61 petitions and certified 67 petitions 

under Section 251 of the Trade Act. Due to the technical assistance provided by TAACs 

during the petition process, in addition to the fact that EDA provides firms the opportunity to 

withdraw petitions rather than be denied, no petitions were denied in FY 2019 and just four 

petitions were withdrawn in FY 2019. 

EDA’s average processing time for petitions (from filing [acceptance] to certification) was 

32 days. 

 
 

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Exhibit 5: Petitions Filed (Accepted), and Certified by TAAC/State: FY 2019 

TAAC/State 

Petitions Filed 

(Accepted) 

Petitions 

Certified 

 

Great Lakes 9 9 

IN 2 2 

MI 2 2 

OH 5 5 

Mid-America 12 14 

IA 2 2 

KS 2 3 

MO 6 7 

NE 2 2 

MidAtlantic 9 9 

DC 0 0 

DE 0 0 

MD 1 1 

PA 6 6 

VA 1 1 

WV 1 1 

Midwest 1 2 

IL 0 1 

MN 0 0 

WI 1 1 

New England 8 9 

CT 1 1 

MA 1 1 

ME 2 3 

NH 1 1 

RI 2 2 

VT 1 1 

New York, New Jersey 

and Puerto Rico 5 7 

NJ 1 1 

NY 4 6 

PR 0 0 

Northwest 6 4 

AK 0 0 

ID 0 0 

OR 3 1 

WA 3 3 
 

Page 13 of 42

TAAC/State 

Petitions Filed 

(Accepted) 

Petitions 

Certified 

 

Rocky Mountain 5 6 

CO 3 3 

MT 0 0 

ND 1 1 

SD 0 0 

UT 1 2 

WY 0 0 

Southeastern 3 3 

AL 0 0 

FL 0 0 

GA 1 1 

KY 0 0 

MS 0 0 

NC 2 2 

SC 0 0 

TN 0 0 

Southwest 2 3 

AR 0 0 

LA 1 1 

NM 0 0 

OK 0 0 

TX 1 2 

Western 1 1 

AZ 0 0 

CA 1 1 

HI 0 0 

NV 0 0 

Total 61 67 

 
 

Page 14 of 42

(5) The number of petitions filed and firms certified for each Congressional District in 

the United States. 

Exhibit 6: Petitions Filed (Accepted) and Certified by Congressional District: FY 2019 

TAAC/State 

Congressional District 

Petitions Filed 

(Accepted) 

Petitions 

Certified 

 

Great Lakes 9 9 

IN 2 2 

2 1 1 

3 1 1 

MI 2 2 

2 1 1 

6 1 1 

OH 5 5 

3 1 1 

7 2 2 

8 1 1 

12 1 1 

Mid-America 12 14 

IA 2 2 

3 1 1 

4 1 1 

KS 2 3 

3 2 3 

MO 6 7 

1 2 2 

4 1 1 

6 1 1 

7 1 2 

8 1 1 

NE 2 2 

1 2 2 

MidAtlantic 9 9 

DC 0 0 

DE 0 0 

MD 1 1 

1 1 1 

 
 

Page 15 of 42

PA 6 6 

8 1 1 

10 1 1 

11 3 3 

16 1 1 

VA 1 1 

5 1 1 

WV 1 1 

1 1 1 

Midwest 1 2 

IL 0 1 

5 0 1 

MN 0 0 

WI 1 1 

7 1 1 

New England 8 9 

CT 1 1 

3 1 1 

MA 1 1 

4 1 1 

ME 2 3 

1 2 3 

NH 1 1 

2 1 1 

RI 2 2 

1 2 2 

VT 1 1 

1 1 1 

New York, New 

Jersey and Puerto 

Rico 5 7 

NJ 1 1 

7 1 1 

NY 4 6 

21 1 1 

22 2 3 

24 1 1 

27 0 1 

PR 0 0 

 
 

Page 16 of 42

Northwest 6 4 

AK 0 0 

ID 0 0 

OR 3 1 

1 1 0 

3 1 1 

4 1 0 

WA 3 3 

1 2 2 

2 0 1 

7 1 0 

Rocky Mountain 5 6 

CO 3 3 

4 1 1 

7 2 2 

MT 0 0 

ND 1 1 

At-Large 1 1 

SD 0 0 

UT 1 2 

1 0 1 

4 1 1 

WY 0 0 

Southeastern 3 3 

AL 0 0 

FL 0 0 

GA 1 1 

7 1 1 

KY 0 0 

MS 0 0 

NC 2 2 

10 1 1 

11 1 1 

SC 0 0 

TN 0 0 

Southwest 4 3 

AR 0 0 

LA 1 1 

6 1 1 
 

Page 17 of 42

NM 0 0 

OK 0 0 

TX 1 2 

12 0 1 

20 1 1 

Western 1 1 

AZ 0 0 

CA 1 1 

42 1 1 

HI 0 0 

NV 0 0 

Total 61 67 

(6) Of the number of petitions filed, the number of firms that entered the program and 

received benefits.9

For this metric, benefits are defined as technical assistance provided to firms that were both 

certified and had their business recovery plan (AP) approved in the same fiscal year (FY 2019). 

Firms have two years from certification to prepare an AP. 

In FY 2019, of the 61 petitions accepted and 67 petitions certified by EDA, 46 firms met this 

definition of benefits received. Many of the remaining firms received benefits during FY 2020, 

especially those that were accepted (pending certification) near the end of FY 2019. 

Exhibit 7: Petitions Certified and APs Approved: FY 2019 

TAAC 

No. of Firms Receiving Benefits 

(Certified and Approved AP in 

FY 2019) 

Great Lakes 6 

Mid-America 10 

MidAtlantic 2 

Midwest 2 

New England 8 

New York, New Jersey and Puerto Rico 6 

Northwest 3 

Rocky Mountain 5 

Southeastern 3 

Southwest 1 

9 EDA defines “entering the program” as receiving a certification.
 

Page 18 of 42

TAAC 

No. of Firms Receiving Benefits 

(Certified and Approved AP in 

FY 2019) 

Western 0 

Total 46 

(7) The number of firms that received assistance in preparing their petitions. 

In FY 2019, 266 firms received assistance in preparing petitions. Firms may receive 

assistance in all phases of preparing petitions more than once in a single year. Petition 

assistance rendered may not result in the submission of a petition during that fiscal year or in 

a later year. 

Exhibit 8: Petition Assistance Activity: FY 2019 

TAAC Petition Assistance 

Great Lakes 14 

Mid-America 16 

MidAtlantic 31 

Midwest 65 

New England 26 

New York, New Jersey and Puerto Rico 17 

Northwest 11 

Rocky Mountain 16 

Southeastern 33 

Southwest 25 

Western 12 

Total 266 

(8) The number of firms that received assistance developing business recovery plans. 

In FY 2019, 83 firms received assistance in developing APs. Additionally, 433 firms 

received assistance in implementing projects in their APs. Firms may receive assistance in 

developing and implementing APs more than once in a single year. Additionally, AP 

assistance rendered may result in the submission or implementation of an AP in the current 

fiscal year or in a later year. 

 
 

Page 19 of 42

Exhibit 9: AP Development Activity: FY 2019 

TAAC 

AP Development 

Assistance 

Great Lakes 14 

Mid-America 10 

MidAtlantic 10 

Midwest 3 

New England 9 

New York, New Jersey and Puerto Rico 9 

Northwest 9 

Rocky Mountain 10 

Southeastern 4 

Southwest 3 

Western 2 

Total 83 

Exhibit 10: AP Implementation Activity: FY 2019

TAAC 

AP Implementation 

Assistance 

Great Lakes 45 

Mid-America 49 

MidAtlantic 26 

Midwest 63 

New England 50 

New York, New Jersey and Puerto Rico 35 

Northwest 35 

Rocky Mountain 54 

Southeastern 27 

Southwest 37 

Western 12 

Total 433 

(9) The number of business recovery plans approved and denied by the Secretary. 

In FY 2019, EDA approved 66 APs (i.e. business recovery plans). While EDA did not deny 

any APs in FY 2019, EDA did find that some APs submitted required clarification. In these 

cases, EDA worked with the TAAC and firm to make any necessary revisions to make the 
 

Page 20 of 42

AP acceptable to EDA. EDA’s average processing time for APs, including the time needed to 

work with firms to make revisions, was 51 days. 

Exhibit 11: APs Approved by TAAC/State: FY 2019 

TAAC/State No. of APs Approved 

 

Great Lakes 9 

IN 3 

MI 2 

OH 4 

Mid-America 14 

IA 1 

KS 4 

MO 8 

NE 1 

MidAtlantic 4 

DC 0 

DE 0 

MD 0 

PA 2 

VA 1 

WV 1 

Midwest 2 

IL 1 

MN 0 

WI 1 

New England 11 

CT 1 

MA 4 

ME 4 

NH 1 

RI 1 

VT 0 

New York, New Jersey and 

Puerto Rico 6 

NJ 1 

NY 5 

PR 0 

Northwest 4 

AK 0 

ID 0 
 

Page 21 of 42

TAAC/State No. of APs Approved 

OR 1 

WA 3 

Rocky Mountain 9 

CO 6 

MT 1 

ND 0 

SD 0 

UT 2 

WY 0 

Southeastern 4 

AL 0 

FL 0 

GA 2 

KY 0 

MS 0 

NC 2 

SC 0 

TN 0 

Southwest 2 

AR 0 

LA 1 

NM 0 

OK 0 

TX 1 

Western 1 

AZ 0 

CA 1 

HI 0 

NV 0 

Total 66 

(10) Average duration of benefits received under the program nationally and in each 

region served by an intermediary organization (the TAAC) referred to in Section 

253(b)(1) of the Trade Act. 

For this metric, EDA defines benefits as technical assistance provided to firms from the time 

of petition certification to the time of program completion. Nationally, firms received on 

average 56 months of benefits under the TAAF program. 

 
 

Page 22 of 42

Exhibit 12: Average Duration of Benefits Received: FY 2019 by TAAC (Region) 

TAAC 

Average No. of Months Firms 

Received Benefits Under TAAF 

program by TAAC 

Great Lakes 58 

Mid-America 42 

MidAtlantic 78 

Midwest 63 

New England 34 

New York, New Jersey and Puerto Rico 55 

Northwest 50 

Rocky Mountain 64 

Southeastern 55 

Southwest 55 

Western 62 

Average for All TAACs 56 

(11) Sales, employment, and productivity at each firm participating in the TAAF 

program at the time of certification.10

As of September 30, 2019, 538 active firms with combined sales of $5.9 billion and a 

workforce of 34,147 (at the time of certification) were participating in the TAAF program. A 

firm that has an approved AP, has not completed all projects in its AP, and is still engaged in 

the TAAF program is considered “active.”

Exhibit 13: Sales, Employment, and Productivity at the time of Certification for All Firms 

Participating in the TAAF Program in FY 2019 by TAAC and State: 

TAAC/State 

No. of Active 

Firms in FY 

2019 

Total Sales at 

Certification 

Total 

Employment 

at Certification 

Average 

Productivity at 

Certification 

Great Lakes 51 $601,084,244 3,445 $174,480 

IN 14 $241,529,350 1,541 $156,735 

MI 19 $173,715,060 955 $181,901 

OH 18 $185,839,834 949 $195,827 

Mid-America 58 $457,995,242 3,068 $149,281 

AR 0 $0 0 $0 

IA 13 $123,674,944 834 $148,291 

10 Ibid. Footnote 3.
 

Page 23 of 42

TAAC/State 

No. of Active 

Firms in FY 

2019 

Total Sales at 

Certification 

Total 

Employment 

at Certification 

Average 

Productivity at 

Certification 

KS 11 $48,888,992 388 $126,003 

MO 26 $200,038,032 1,292 $154,828 

NE 8 $85,393,274 554 $154,139 

MidAtlantic 94 $1,008,167,181 6,265 $160,921 

DC 0 $0 0 $0 

DE 0 $0 0 $0 

MD 2 $1,942,963 59 $32,932 

PA 83 $881,683,596 4,966 $177,544 

VA 8 $44,799,854 372 $120,430 

WV 1 $79,740,768 868 $91,867 

Midwest 64 $816,182,158 4,306 $189,545 

IL 48 $694,919,433 3,399 $204,448 

MN 6 $25,683,949 254 $101,118 

WI 10 $95,578,776 653 $146,369 

New England 50 $266,260,621 1,546 $172,225 

CT 15 $91,996,797 452 $203,533 

MA 15 $50,140,483 370 $135,515 

ME 7 $35,816,535 234 $153,062 

NH 2 $29,288,987 141 $207,723 

RI 9 $51,511,194 310 $166,165 

VT 2 $7,506,625 39 $192,478 

New York, New Jersey and 

Puerto Rico 39 $235,327,770 1,325 $177,606 

NJ 2 $17,339,849 116 $149,481 

NY 37 $217,987,921 1,209 $180,304 

PR 0 $0 0 $0 

Northwest 32 $317,520,933 926 $342,895 

AK 2 $524,013 2 $262,007 

ID 1 $109,409 1 $109,409 

OR 9 $218,270,072 389 $561,106 

WA 20 $98,617,439 534 $184,677 

Rocky Mountain 56 $1,540,448,894 7,927 $194,329 

CO 29 $229,955,667 1,304 $176,346 

MT 3 $9,121,128 78 $116,938 

ND 6 $46,130,852 268 $172,130 

SD 3 $486,282,132 2,806 $173,301 

UT 13 $678,035,148 3,174 $213,622 

WY 2 $90,923,967 297 $306,141 
 

Page 24 of 42

TAAC/State 

No. of Active 

Firms in FY 

2019 

Total Sales at 

Certification 

Total 

Employment 

at Certification 

Average 

Productivity at 

Certification 

Southeastern 38 $365,892,589 2,147 $170,420 

AL 5 $110,058,186 346 $318,087 

FL 1 $15,435 2 $7,718 

GA 12 $29,072,172 246 $118,180 

KY 1 $15,268,528 98 $155,801 

MS 1 $17,726,454 187 $94,794 

NC 11 $34,010,491 252 $134,962 

SC 5 $139,692,478 887 $157,489 

TN 2 $20,048,845 129 $155,417 

Southwest 44 $280,953,630 2,493 $112,697 

AR 3 $73,032,847 309 $236,352 

LA 14 $85,860,529 336 $255,537 

NM 2 $5,759,197 85 $67,755 

OK 8 $68,060,414 1,150 $59,183 

TX 17 $48,240,643 613 $78,696 

Western 12 $85,085,366 699 $121,724 

AZ 0 $0 0 $0 

CA 12 $85,085,366 699 $121,724 

HI 0 $0 0 $0 

NV 0 $0 0 $0 

Total 538 $5,974,918,628 34,147 $174,976 

(12) Sales, employment, and productivity at each firm upon completion of the program 

and each year for the two-year period following completion. 11

EDA analyzes the extent to which client firms increased their sales, productivity and 

employment levels following: 1) entry into the program (certification) to the completed 

implementation of TAAF-supported projects (program completion), and 2) program 

completion to one and two years after program completion. To measure these outcomes, 

EDA compares average sales, average productivity12 and average employment at these 

intervals of all firms that completed the program in a particular year (known as the “base 

year”) and provides complete data. The base year used for this Report is FY 2017, with FY 

2018 and FY 2019 being the first two post-completion years. Of the 93 firms that completed 

the program in FY 2017, 57 submitted complete data on sales, employment, and productivity 

for FY 2018 and FY 2019. 

11 Firms have completed the program when they have completed implementation of the TAAF-supported 

projects that the firm chose to pursue. 

12 Ibid. Footnote 3. 
 

Page 25 of 42

Exhibit 14a: Summary of Average Sales, Employment, and Productivity at Firms from Certification, 

Completion of the Program, and the One-Year and Two-Year Period Following Completion.13

Certification to Program 

Completion Average Sales 

Average 

Employment 

Average 

Productivity 

Certification $11,945,317 82 $145,675 

Completion (FY 2017) $14,865,615 91 $163,358 

Percent Change (+/-) 24% 11% 12% 

Certification to One Year 

Post Program Completion Average Sales 

Average 

Employment 

Average 

Productivity 

Certification $11,945,317 82 $145,675 

1st Year Following Completion 

(FY 2018) $15,650,818 92 $170,118 

Percent Change (+/-) 31% 12% 17% 

Certification to Two Years 

Post Program Completion Average Sales 

Average 

Employment 

Average 

Productivity 

Certification $11,945,317 82 $145,675 

2nd Year Following 

Completion (FY 2019) $14,670,035 87 $168,621 

Percent Change (+/-) 23% 6% 16% 

Program Completion to One 

Year Post Completion Average Sales 

Average 

Employment 

Average 

Productivity 

Completion (FY 2017) $14,865,615 91 $163,358 

1st Year Following Completion 

(FY 2018) $15,650,818 92 $170,118 

Percent Change (+/-) 5% 1% 4% 

Program Completion to Two 

Years Post Completion Average Sales 

Average 

Employment 

Average 

Productivity 

Completion (FY 2017) $14,865,615 91 $163,358 

2nd Year Following 

Completion (FY 2019) $14,670,035 87 $168,621 

Percent Change (+/-) -1% -4% 3% 

 

13 All reported numbers are rounded. 
 

Page 26 of 42

To provide a historic perspective on these results, an analysis of the total average sales and 

employment data collected from FY 2010 to FY 2019 shows: 

x From certification to program completion, firms reported that average sales had 

increased by 27 percent, average employment had increased by 8 percent, and 

average productivity had increased by 18 percent. 

x From program completion to one year after completing the program, firms reported 

that average sales had increased by 5 percent, average employment had increased by 

2 percent, and average productivity had increased by 3 percent. Average sales 

increased 8 of the 10 years analyzed. Average employment increased 7 of the 10 

years analyzed. Average productivity increased at 5 of the 10 years analyzed. 

x From program completion to two years after completing the program, firms reported 

that average sales had increased by 12 percent, average employment had increased by 

4 percent, and average productivity had increased by 8 percent. Average sales 

increased 7 of the 10 years analyzed. Average employment increased 7 of the 10 

years analyzed. Average productivity increased 8 of the 10 years analyzed. 

It is important to consider that TAAF clients are operating in the same economic 

environment as other firms but are also attempting to adjust to import pressures that may 

not impact other firms as severely, making the success of TAAF-assisted firms notable. It 

should also be noted that the long-term success of these firms depends on achieving a fair 

and reciprocal global trade environment. 

Exhibit 14b: Summary of Average Sales, Employment, and Productivity at Firms from Certification, 

Completion of the Program, and the One-Year and Two-Year Period Following Completion – Fiscal 

Years 2010 – 2019. 

Certification to Program 

Completion (FY 2010-

2019) 

Total Average 

Sales 

Total Average 

Employment 

Total Average 

Productivity 

Certification $137,820,710 861 $160,071 

Completion $175,441,076 933 $188,040 

Percent Change (+/-) 27% 8% 18% 

Certification to One Year 

Post Program Completion 

(FY 2010-2019) 

Total Average 

Sales 

Total Average 

Employment 

Total Average 

Productivity 

Certification $137,820,710 861 $160,071 

1st Year Following 

Completion $184,758,569 951 $194,278 

Percent Change (+/-) 34% 11% 21% 
 

Page 27 of 42

Certification to Two Years 

Post Program Completion 

(FY 2010-2019) 

Total Average 

Sales 

Total Average 

Employment 

Total Average 

Productivity 

Certification $137,820,710 861 $160,071 

2nd Year Following 

Completion $196,565,976 967 $203,274 

Percent Change (+/-) 43% 12% 27% 

Program Completion to 

One Year Post Completion 

(FY 2010-2019) 

Total Average 

Sales 

Total Average 

Employment 

Total Average 

Productivity 

Completion $175,441,076 933 $188,040 

1st Year Following 

Completion $184,758,569 951 $194,278 

Percent Change (+/-) 5% 2% 3% 

Program Completion to 

Two Years Post 

Completion (FY 2010-

2019) 

Total Average 

Sales 

Total Average 

Employment 

Total Average 

Productivity 

Completion $175,441,076 933 $188,040 

2nd Year Following 

Completion $196,565,976 967 $203,274 

Percent Change (+/-) 12% 4% 8% 

Exhibit 14c: Number of Firms that Increased/Decreased Sales, Employment and Productivity from 

Certification, Completion of the Program, and the One-Year and Two-Year Period Following 

Completion 

Comparison from 

Certification to Post 

Program Completion 

# of Firms with 

Increase 

# of Firms with 

Decrease

# of Firms with 

No Change Total 

Sales Certification to 

Completion 40 17 0 57 

Employment Certification 

to Completion 35 15 7 57 

Productivity Certification to 

Completion 38 19 0 57 

Sales Certification to One 

Year After Completion 38 19 0 57 

Employment Certification 

to One Year After 

Completion 37 17 3 57 
 

Page 28 of 42

Comparison from 

Certification to Post 

Program Completion 

# of Firms with 

Increase 

# of Firms with 

Decrease

# of Firms with 

No Change Total 

Productivity Certification to 

One Year After Completion 56 1 0 57 

Sales Certification to Two 

Years After Completion 35 22 0 57 

Employment Certification 

to Two Years After 

Completion 36 18 3 57 

Productivity Certification to 

Two Years After 

Completion 57 0 0 57 

Sales at One Year After 

Completion 33 22 2 57 

Employment at One Year 

After Completion 22 20 15 57 

Productivity at One Year 

After Completion 57 0 0 57 

Sales at Two Years After 

Completion 36 18 3 57 

Employment at Two Years 

After Completion 29 21 7 57 

Productivity at Two Years 

After Completion 57 0 0 57 
Page 29 of 42

Exhibit 14d: Sales, Employment, and Productivity at Each Firm at Certification, Completion of the Program and Two-Year Period Following Completion 

TAAC/Firm ID 

Sales at 

Certification 

Sales at 

Completion 

(FY 2017) 

Sales 

1st Yr. 

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2018) 

Sales 

2nd Yr. 

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2019) 

Average 

Employment 

at 

Certification 

Average 

Employment 

at 

Completion 

(FY 2017) 

Average 

Employment 

1st Yr. 

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2018) 

Average 

Employment 

2nd Yr. 

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2019) 

Average 

Productivity 

at 

Certification 

Average 

Productivity 

at 

Completion 

(FY 2017) 

Average 

Productivity

1st Yr. 

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2018) 

Average 

Productivity 

2nd Yr. 

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2019) 

GLTAACCMP19-001 $75,416,399 $51,000,000 $51,082,452 $55,238,587 595 464 465 449 $126,750 $109,914 $109,855 $123,026 GLTAACCMP19-002 $329,669 $578,729 $782,000 $1,000,193 5 8 12 10 $65,934 $72,341 $65,167 $100,019 GLTAACCMP19-003 $32,038,299 $30,800,000 $28,200,000 $28,800,000 205 190 200 200 $156,284 $162,105 $141,000 $144,000 GLTAACCMP19-004 $483,592 $404,000 $507,000 $592,000 3 3 4 4 $161,197 $134,667 $126,750 $148,000 GLTAACCMP19-005 $22,616,734 $34,759,513 $42,100,000 $33,930,000 151 205 205 195 $149,780 $169,559 $205,366 $174,000 MamTAACCMP19-001 $842,025 $1,585,099 $18,000,000 $1,700,000 41 33 32 31 $20,537 $48,033 $562,500 $54,839 MamTAACCMP19-002 $8,533,416 $9,930,000 $10,000,000 $9,084,784 58 59 65 63 $147,128 $168,305 $153,846 $144,203 MamTAACCMP19-003 $14,463,110 $15,000,000 $14,500,000 $13,600,000 74 169 165 160 $195,447 $88,757 $87,879 $85,000 MamTAACCMP19-004 $1,404,910 $900,000 $1,100,000 $1,100,000 17 9 10 10 $82,642 $100,000 $110,000 $110,000 MamTAACCMP19-005 $18,592,884 $16,500,000 $19,300,000 $20,000,000 115 115 118 118 $161,677 $143,478 $163,559 $169,492 MamTAACCMP19-006 $71,665,631 $58,500,000 $57,716,232 $58,900,000 360 258 258 298 $199,071 $226,744 $223,706 $197,651 MamTAACCMP19-007 $12,088,016 $25,600,000 $35,916,000 $27,000,000 49 120 112 85 $246,694 $213,333 $320,679 $317,647 MamTAACCMP19-008 $1,948,489 $4,170,570 $2,500,000 $17,900,000 17 19 18 126 $114,617 $219,504 $138,889 $142,063 MATAACCMP19-001 $860,958 $844,485 $629,996 $569,365 5 6 6 5 $172,192 $140,748 $104,999 $113,873 MWTAACCMP19-001 $1,352,300 $1,364,000 $1,100,000 $1,200,000 29 27 26 28 $46,631 $50,519 $42,308 $42,857 MWTAACCMP19-002 $155,000 $40,000 $50,000 $55,000 2 1 1 1 $77,500 $40,000 $50,000 $55,000 MWTAACCMP19-003 $64,930 $75,000 $225,000 $200,000 2 2 2 2 $32,465 $37,500 $112,500 $100,000 MWTAACCMP19-004 $18,700,000 $11,602,000 $10,300,000 $12,000,000 199 100 97 100 $93,970 $116,020 $106,186 $120,000 MWTAACCMP19-005 $8,200,000 $14,000,000 $14,000,000 $14,500,000 91 99 98 99 $90,110 $141,414 $142,857 $146,465 MWTAACCMP19-006 $1,059,000 $1,100,000 $1,150,000 $1,200,000 6 7 7 7 $176,500 $157,143 $164,286 $171,429 MWTAACCMP19-007 $792,942 $2,403,685 $2,603,644 $3,600,000 15 16 16 17 $52,863 $150,230 $162,728 $211,765 
Page 30 of 42

TAAC/Firm ID 

Sales at 

Certification 

Sales at 

Completion 

(FY 2017) 

Sales 

1st Yr. 

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2018) 

Sales 

2nd Yr. 

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2019) 

Average 

Employment 

at 

Certification 

Average 

Employment 

at 

Completion 

(FY 2017) 

Average 

Employment 

1st Yr. 

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2018) 

Average 

Employment 

2nd Yr. 

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2019) 

Average 

Productivity 

at 

Certification 

Average 

Productivity 

at 

Completion 

(FY 2017) 

Average 

Productivity

1st Yr. 

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2018) 

Average 

Productivity 

2nd Yr. 

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2019) 

MWTAACCMP19-008 $20,800,000 $19,590,866 $19,000,000 $19,000,000 66 75 70 70 $315,152 $261,212 $271,429 $271,429 MWTAACCMP19-009 $2,912,622 $3,700,000 $3,900,000 $4,000,000 22 25 28 28 $132,392 $148,000 $139,286 $142,857 MWTAACCMP19-010 $3,670,547 $4,837,406 $4,973,245 $4,917,548 29 38 36 34 $126,571 $127,300 $138,146 $144,634 NETAACCMP19-001 $11,497,030 $11,725,556 $12,349,867 $13,081,244 79 75 87 89 $145,532 $156,341 $141,952 $146,980 NETAACCMP19-002 $28,143,271 $42,000,000 $40,000,000 $42,533,333 194 245 235 227 $145,068 $171,429 $170,213 $187,372 NYNJPRTAAC-CMP19-001 $378,010 $452,400 $498,300 $515,000 7 8 9 8 $54,001 $56,550 $55,367 $64,375 NYNJPRTAAC-CMP19-002 $1,905,184 $2,475,242 $2,687,744 $2,661,428 26 34 34 34 $73,276 $72,801 $79,051 $78,277 NYNJPRTAAC-CMP19-003 $4,337,441 $6,114,000 $6,750,000 $7,600,000 54 57 54 58 $80,323 $107,263 $125,000 $131,034 NYNJPRTAAC-CMP19-004 $1,794,208 $2,458,425 $4,523,698 $4,006,007 13 17 21 25 $138,016 $144,613 $215,414 $160,240 NYNJPRTAAC-CMP19-005 $4,072,694 $5,754,000 $5,838,000 $6,833,000 23 31 36 34 $177,074 $185,613 $162,167 $200,971 NWTAACCMP19-001 $442,793 $511,687 $487,826 $487,826 3 4 4 4 $147,598 $127,922 $121,957 $121,957 NWTAACCMP19-002 $22,899,106 $26,680,092 $26,600,000 $25,300,000 131 134 134 151 $174,802 $199,105 $198,507 $167,550 NWTAACCMP19-003 $36,007,807 $84,666,305 $78,287,688 $63,000,000 399 545 557 375 $90,245 $155,351 $140,552 $168,000 NWTAACCMP19-004 $3,873,669 $12,064,446 $14,854,000 $19,000,000 42 69 85 95 $92,230 $174,847 $174,753 $200,000 NWTAACCMP19-005 $1,712,737 $1,954,132 $1,954,132 $1,954,132 33 33 29 29 $51,901 $59,216 $67,384 $67,384 NWTAACCMP19-006 $2,600,000 $2,325,684 $2,325,864 $2,325,684 34 34 34 22 $76,471 $68,402 $68,408 $105,713 NWTAACCMP19-007 $24,496,237 $43,000,000 $45,000,000 $43,000,000 223 314 270 315 $109,849 $136,943 $166,667 $136,508 NWTAACCMP19-008 $410,503 $720,000 $653,000 $1,100,000 8 6 6 8 $51,313 $120,000 $108,833 $137,500 NWTAACCMP19-009 $1,019,155 $924,475 $849,950 $1,200,000 3 4 4 6 $339,718 $231,119 $212,488 $200,000 NWTAACCMP19-010 $28,361,599 $27,847,545 $27,996,117 $22,654 115 106 96 84 $246,623 $262,713 $291,626 $270 NWTAACCMP19-011 $5,264,103 $5,367,000 $5,100,000 $8,500,000 44 47 48 60 $119,639 $114,191 $106,250 $141,667 NWTAACCMP19-012 $2,463,879 $1,746,910 $1,172,659 $1,309,900 19 13 10 9 $129,678 $134,378 $117,266 $145,544 NWTAACCMP19-013 $4,542,095 $4,554,814 $4,477,425 $4,477,425 30 30 29 29 $151,403 $151,827 $154,394 $154,394 
Page 31 of 42

TAAC/Firm ID 

Sales at 

Certification 

Sales at 

Completion 

(FY 2017) 

Sales 

1st Yr. 

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2018) 

Sales 

2nd Yr. 

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2019) 

Average 

Employment 

at 

Certification 

Average 

Employment 

at 

Completion 

(FY 2017) 

Average 

Employment 

1st Yr. 

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2018) 

Average 

Employment 

2nd Yr. 

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2019) 

Average 

Productivity 

at 

Certification 

Average 

Productivity 

at 

Completion 

(FY 2017) 

Average 

Productivity

1st Yr. 

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2018) 

Average 

Productivity 

2nd Yr. 

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2019) 

NWTAACCMP19-014 $5,204,340 $5,613,658 $8,500,000 $9,010,750 41 43 47 51 $126,935 $130,550 $180,851 $176,681 NWTAACCMP19-015 $7,154,262 $10,354,904 $12,201,202 $7,872,677 28 33 40 34 $255,509 $313,785 $305,030 $231,549 NWTAACCMP19-016 $11,973,546 $40,300,000 $44,000,000 $52,850,000 55 133 142 168 $217,701 $303,008 $309,859 $314,583 RMTAACCMP19-001 $5,605,222 $5,805,000 $6,433,000 $3,739,000 62 50 51 29 $90,407 $116,100 $126,137 $128,931 RMTAACCMP19-002 $2,277,366 $1,900,000 $1,225,000 $1,800,000 15 15 12 11 $151,824 $126,667 $102,083 $163,636 RMTAACCMP19-003 $17,965,612 $24,319,000 $26,600,000 $29,747,727 139 168 170 177 $129,249 $144,756 $156,471 $168,066 RMTAACCMP19-004 $67,402,000 $74,000,000 $66,000,000 $56,800,000 402 430 428 298 $167,667 $172,093 $154,206 $190,604 RMTAACCMP19-005 $13,232,756 $18,202,564 $16,803,251 $21,284,323 84 95 93 96 $157,533 $191,606 $180,680 $221,712 RMTAACCMP19-006 $3,556,972 $2,082,796 $2,533,836 $2,742,430 34 19 19 37 $104,617 $109,621 $133,360 $74,120 SWTAACCMP19-001 $216,859 $235,041 $325,000 $300,000 4 5 7 6 $54,215 $47,008 $46,429 $50,000 SWTAACCMP19-002 $16,843,701 $25,678,998 $24,244,729 $18,100,000 13 30 30 28 $1,295,669 $855,967 $808,158 $646,429 SWTAACCMP19-003 $1,844,396 $1,220,031 $1,188,742 $950,000 30 20 18 16 $61,480 $61,002 $66,041 $59,375 SWTAACCMP19-004 $22,393,021 $45,000,000 $60,000,000 $52,000,000 155 320 350 200 $144,471 $140,625 $171,429 $260,000 Total Average $11,945,317 $14,865,615 $15,650,818 $14,670,035 82 91 92 87 $145,675 $163,358 $170,118 $168,621 

Please note: For the final row of the table in Exhibit 14c, all total averages are calculated using the data in the column above (i.e., 

vertical calculation of average), except for the last four columns (total averages for productivity), which instead calculate total average productivity using the total average sales and total average employment at the bottom of the table (i.e., horizontal calculation of average). 
 

Page 32 of 42

(13) The number of firms in operation as of the date of this report and the number of firms 

that ceased operations after completing the program in each year during the two-year 

period following completion of the program. 

As of September 30, 2019, 538 active firms with combined sales of $5.9 billion and a workforce 

of 34,147 were participating in the TAAF program. Not all firms complete the program; for 

example, 35 of the 117 firms that exited the program did so prior to completion in FY 2019 for 

financial or business reasons. Of the 57 firms that completed the program in FY 2019 and 

provided complete data on their post-completion performance, 56 were in operation at the end of 

FY 2019. 

(14) The financial assistance received by each firm participating in the program. 

(15) The financial contribution made by each firm participating in the program. 

Financial assistance is not provided directly to firms. In FY 2019, firms received $8 million worth 

of technical assistance provided to prepare petitions and to develop and implement APs (often 

through business consultants and other experts). EDA funds the TAACs, which either provide 

technical assistance themselves or pay a portion of the cost to secure specialized business 

consultants, for which firms pay a matching share. The firms represented in this report paid 

$4.5 million to match $8 million in TAAF funds towards the development and implementation of 

APs. 

Exhibit 15: Summary of TAAC Assistance and Matching Firm Contributions: FY 2019 

TAAC 

Total TAAC 

Assistance14

Financial 

Contribution 

by the Firms 

Great Lakes $875,929 $391,535 

Mid-America $706,384 $565,387 

MidAtlantic $1,012,846 $309,986 

Midwest $663,939 $429,767 

New England $1,138,913 $957,688 

New York, New Jersey and Puerto Rico $624,608 $448,726 

Northwest $697,533 $238,061 

Rocky Mountain $969,565 $448,568 

Southeastern $583,512 $325,477 

Southwest $416,451 $293,474 

Western $366,300 $90,948 

Total $8,055,980 $4,499,617 

 

14 This does not include the amount expended by the TAACs for outreach to potential new firms. 
 

Page 33 of 42

(16) The types of technical assistance included in the business recovery plans of firms 

participating in the program. 

Types of technical assistance included in the business recovery plans of firms participating in the 

program include financial, management, marketing/sales, production and support systems. 

 

Exhibit 16: Types of Technical Assistance in APs: FY 2019 

Project 

Classification Sample Types of Projects 

Financial 

x Accounting systems upgrade 

x Cost Control tracking system 

x Automatic Data Processing development 

Management 

x Strategic business planning 

x Succession management 

x Management development 

Marketing/Sales 

x Sales process training 

x Market expansion and feasibility 

x Website design and upgrade 

Production 

x Lean manufacturing and certification

x New Product Development 

x Production and Warehouse automation 

Support Systems 

x Enterprise Resource Planning 

x Management Information Systems 

upgrades 

x Computer Aided Design software 

(17) The number of firms leaving the program before completing the project or projects in 

their business recovery plans and the reason the project or projects were not 

completed. 

In FY 2019, the number of firms leaving the program before completing the project or projects in 

their business recovery plans (AP) was 35; 6 of these firms went out of business or were sold. The 

reasons the project or projects were not completed include: 

x Business decision to exit after completing part of the AP – 6 

x Business decision to exit prior to completing any AP projects – 5 

x Firms out of business – 2 

x Firms sold – 4 

x Five-year time limit expired before completing all projects – 18 

 
 

Page 34 of 42

(18) The total amount expended by all intermediary organizations referred to in Section 

253(b)(1) and by each organization to administer the program. 

Exhibit 17: Summary of Expenditures by TAAC Across Budget Categories: FY 2019 

TAAC 

Personnel 

(including 

Fringe 

Benefits) 

Contracts 

(Federal 

Share) Travel 

Equipment 

and 

Supplies Other 

Indirect 

Costs15

Total TAAC 

Expenditures 

Great Lakes $738,905 $425,170 $22,015 $4,010 $8,560 $238,792 $1,437,452 

Mid-America $287,349 $569,375 $7,960 $1,673 $89,799 $186,397 $1,142,553 

MidAtlantic $550,352 $171,297 $15,252 $4,368 $186,308 $0 $927,577 

Midwest $511,413 $457,753 $1,198 $9,674 $132,433 $0 $1,112,471 

New England $462,583 $815,729 $12,226 $18,405 $106,347 $0 $1,415,290 

New York, New 

Jersey and Puerto Rico $395,469 $460,050 $4,471 $3,172 $24,308 $78,333 $965,803 

Northwest $686,127 $265,946 $34,809 $11,729 $176,993 $0 $1,175,604 

Rocky Mountain $621,012 $452,302 $187 $0 $60,217 $164,343 $1,298,061 

Southeastern $529,925 $375,839 $3,349 $2,491 $0 $188,951 $1,100,555 

Southwest $595,913 $287,419 $6,587 $4,762 $8,169 $141,431 $1,044,281 

Western $445,355 $224,729 $8,738 $6,793 $38,055 $173,986 $897,656 

Total $5,824,403 $4,505,609 $116,792 $67,077 $831,189 $1,172,233 $12,517,303 

15 TAACs with zero-dollar indirect costs are non-profit organizations that report their indirect cost expenditures on 

the Other budget category. Indirect (facilities and administrative) costs are those incurred for a common or joint 

purpose benefitting more than one cost object (e.g., a project, facility, function, or product). 
 

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(19) The total amount expended by intermediary organizations to provide technical 

assistance to firms under the program nationally and in each region served by such an 

organization. 

In FY 2019, TAACs expended $8 million to provide technical assistance to firms in preparing 

petitions and developing and implementing APs. 

Exhibit 18: TAAC Expenditures to Provide Technical Assistance: FY 2019 

TAAC 

Total TAAC 

Expenditures16

Great Lakes $875,929 

Mid-America $706,384 

MidAtlantic $1,012,846 

Midwest $663,939 

New England $1,138,913 

New York, New Jersey and Puerto Rico $624,608 

Northwest $697,533 

Rocky Mountain $969,565 

Southeastern $583,512 

Southwest $416,451 

Western $366,300 

Total $8,055,980 

16 Ibid. Footnote 10. 
 

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III. Conclusion 

EDA analyzes the extent to which client firms increased their sales, employment, and productivity 

levels following: 1) entry into the program (certification) to the completed implementation of 

TAAF-supported projects (program completion), and 2) program completion to one and two years 

after program completion. To measure these outcomes, EDA compares average sales, average 

employment, and average productivity17 at these intervals of all firms that completed the program 

in a particular year (known as the “base year”) and provided complete data to EDA. The base year 

used for this Report is FY 2017. EDA received data for all 93 firms that completed the program in 

FY 2017, of which, 57 firms provided complete data across all metrics. Average sales, 

employment, and productivity of those 57 firms were analyzed from program completion to FY 

2018 and FY 2019. 

Key findings of this report: 

x From certification to program completion, the 57 firms providing complete data reported 

that average sales had increased by 24 percent, average employment had increased by 11 

percent, and average productivity had increased by 12 percent. 

x From certification to one year after completing the program, the 57 firms providing 

complete data reported that average sales had increased by 31percent, average 

employment had increased by 12 percent, and average productivity had increased by 17 

percent. 

x From certification to two years after completing the program, the 57 firms providing 

complete data reported that average sales had increased by 23 percent, average 

employment had increased by 6 percent, and average productivity had increased by 16 

percent. 

x From program completion to one year after completing the program, the 57 firms 

providing complete data reported that average sales had increased by 5 percent, average 

employment had increased by 1 percent, and average productivity had increased by 4 

percent. 

x From program completion to two years after completing the program, the 57 firms 

providing complete data reported average sales had decreased by 1 percent, average 

employment had decreased by 4 percent, and average productivity had increased by 3 

percent. 

x Despite entering the program in a distressed state, 77 of the 93 firms that completed the 

program in FY 2017 continued to be in operation at the end of FY 2019. Of the 57 firms 

that completed the program in FY 2017 and submitted complete data to EDA, 56 were in 

operation at the end of FY 2019. 

For some historical context for these figures, an analysis of the total average sales and 

employment data collected from FY 2010 to FY 2019 shows: 

17 Since the certified firms are in various industries, which have a variety of ways to measure productivity, sales per 

employee was chosen as the productivity measure. This measure is used because it can be generally applied to all 

certified firms. 
 

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x From certification to program completion, firms reported that average sales had increased 

by 27 percent, average employment had increased by 8 percent, and average productivity 

had increased by 18 percent. 

x From program completion to one year after completing the program, firms reported that 

average sales had increased by 5 percent, average employment had increased by 2 percent, 

and average productivity had increased by 3 percent. Average sales increased 8 of the 10 

years analyzed. Average employment increased 7 of the 10 years analyzed. Average 

productivity increased at 5 of the 10 years analyzed. 

x From program completion to two years after completing the program, firms reported that 

average sales had increased by 12 percent, average employment had increased by 4 

percent, and average productivity had increased by 8 percent. Average sales increased 7 of 

the 10 years analyzed. Average employment increased 7 of the 10 years analyzed. 

Average productivity increased 8 of the 10 years analyzed. 

It is important to consider that TAAF clients are operating in the same economic environment as 

other firms but are also attempting to adjust to import pressures that may not impact other firms as 

severely, making the success of TAAF-assisted firms notable. It should also be noted that the 

long-term success of these firms depends on achieving a fair and reciprocal global trade 

environment. 

Finally, the TAAF program is slated to sunset in two stages. First, on July 1, 2021, the TAAF 

program will revert to a more limited form. The two biggest reversions are to narrow the 

definition of an eligible “firm” to exclude service-sector firms and to reduce eligibility look-back 

periods.18 Second, as of June 30, 2022, assistance may not be provided to new firms under the 

TAAF program.19 After that date, assistance may only be provided to firms that have already 

submitted a petition under the TAAF program.20 The cumulative effect of these changes to the 

TAAF program are that firm eligibility will narrow as of July 1, 2021; only firms that have 

already submitted a petition may be served as of June 30, 2022; and only such firms may continue 

to be served thereafter. 

 

18 Public Law 114-27, § 406(a). 

19 Public Law 114-27, § 406(a)(7)(A). 

20 Public Law 114-27, § 406(a)(7)(B). 
 

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IV. Examples of How the TAAF Program Is Helping U.S. 

Manufacturing Firms Compete Against Increasing Imports 

The 11 TAACs work with individual firms to develop a deep understanding of their unique 

competitive strengths and weaknesses and, based on this understanding, build and implement 

competitiveness strategies customized for each particular firm. 

Great Lakes Trade Adjustment Center (GLTAAC) 

A Michigan manufacturer of small motors entered the TAAF program in 2014 after suffering 

double-digit drops in sales and employment due to Chinese imports. Through the TAAF program, 

the firm has completed a series of Lean and worker training initiatives with its local 

Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), as well as new product design, Underwriter 

Laboratories testing, and various sales and marketing projects using other best-fit providers. The 

firm will complete the TAAF program early next year. Its competitive position is improved, and 

the future is promising. The firm currently employs 40 people and generates more than $5 million 

in sales. 

An Ohio metal fabrication firm entered the TAAF program in 2014 after years of struggling with 

low-cost imports. The firm needed to differentiate itself, improve efficiencies, and solidify the 

skillset of its workforce. Over the next five years, its recovery strategy focused on the 

development and implementation an internet marketing initiative, enterprise resource planning 

system upgrades, staff capacity training, and improved HR function. As a result, the firm’s 

competitive position has significantly improved with increased sales, employment and 

productivity. The firm exited the TAAF program last year. 

Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (MamTAAC) 

A Nebraska steel castings manufacturer sought the assistance of the TAAF program in 2016. The 

TAAF program supported the implementation of 19 improvement projects focusing on 

rebranding, improved skill sets and industry best practices, improved machine capacity and run 

times, and improved accounting procedures and report generation. To date, the firm has increased 

sales from $9.5 to $14 million, employment from 97 to 140 employees, and anticipates continued 

growth. 

A Missouri manufacturer of aluminum windows started working with the TAAF program in 2016 

and completed the program in 2018. The firm implemented production improvement projects 

including Lean training which lead to a $4 million increase in sales from 2017 to 2018. The 

TAAF program supported the implementation of five improvement projects focusing on 

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems support, marketing, sales, and employee 

training. One year after completing the TAAF program, the firm has experienced sales increase of 

$12 million; bringing its total sales to $36 million. They have successfully retained 175 jobs. 
 

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MidAtlantic Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (MATAAC) 

A Maryland manufacturer of custom wire products for the use in the medical, automotive and 

pharmaceuticals industries found itself heavily impacted by foreign-made baskets and point-ofpurchase display racks. Several of the manufacturer’s product lines completely vanished while 

others had a severe reduction in production hours. The firm had difficulty in competing 

effectively in traditionally standardized markets. Recognizing its need, the firm sought the 

assistance of the TAAF program. Upgrades in its marketing and sales, production and quality, 

financial controls, and in employee training process allowed the firm to increase sales from $3 

million at certification to $5 million in 2018, a 51 percent increase, with growth in employment 

by 8 percent. 

A Pennsylvania custom manufacturer of point-of-purchase signs and displays sought the 

assistance of the TAAF program when it faced fierce competition when bidding against foreign 

counterparts and was forced to cut margins to maintain its work orders. At the time, the 

manufacturer’s sales and employment had decreased by 45 percent and 19 percent, respectively. 

After being certified and approved for TAAF program benefits, the firm initiated several 

implementation projects which improved the layout of its warehouse to reduce excessive 

inventory carrying costs, an operations systems upgrade project which fine-tuned a major cost 

center of a flagship product line, and a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) software upgrade 

project which created a modern programming environment with state-of-the-art controls creating 

a more efficient operation. With several implementation projects undertaken, the manufacturer 

was able to increase sales by 86 percent and increase its work force by 6 percent. 

Midwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (MWTAAC) 

An Illinois manufacturer of precision machined metal parts entered the TAAF program in 2014 

after losing customers to Asian and Latin American sources because of price competition on 

competing goods. Through the TAAF program, the firm’s business recovery strategies focused on 

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) selection assistance, support system training and technology 

integration, eventually adding sales, leadership, and accounting training. After successfully cost 

sharing 26 projects with the TAAF program over five years, the firm was able to rehire or add 15 

workers, and sales increased by almost $3 million, a nearly 47 percent increase since entry into 

the TAAF program. 

A large Wisconsin manufacturer of heavy gear boxes and transmissions entered the TAAF 

program in 2014 after lower cost competing equipment and direct copies of its designs produced 

overseas displaced domestic customer purchases. The business recovery plan provided marketing, 

sales, and administrative assistance along with website enhancements and a firm-wide support 

system upgrade including cost saving enhancements and more efficient production tracking. After 

five years of assistance through the TAAF program the firm has added 20 workers and increased 

sales by over $5 million. The firm expects to continue to grow, innovate and expand the customer 

base and markets served. 

New England Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (NETAAC) 

A Vermont manufacturer of high-end wooden products for kitchen and home completed the 

TAAF program in 2015. Competition from China and Thailand of mass-produced, quickly 

shipped products led to losses of 10 percent in sales and 15 percent in employment. Within two 
 

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years, the firm realized an 80 percent increase in productivity and a 23 percent increase in sales. 

Projects included information system upgrades, Lean and process improvements, website 

redesign, online strategy, strategic business plan development, and executive leadership 

recruitment. The firm continues to grow today. 

 

A Rhode Island manufacturer of high precision components and sub-assemblies suffered losses of 

62 percent in sales and 27 percent in employment due to upheaval in the medical device industry, 

including lower priced competition from China. Since entering the TAAF program in 2015, 

recovery projects included a strategic sales and marketing plan, upgrade to management 

information systems and improved operational efficiency. Within one year, sales rose 81 percent 

and employment rose 12 percent. The firm completed the TAAF program in 2020 with sales up a 

further 32 percent and employment up another 12 percent. 

The Trade Adjustment Assistance Center serving New York, New Jersey and the 

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (NYNJPRTAAC) 

A New Jersey manufacturer of custom fabrication for the creative arts market was certified into 

the TAAF program in 2012. Adjustment Assistance focused on upgrading the firm’s material 

requirements planning system & CNC machine controls to bring productivity up to current 

standards. The results of the completed projects are encouraging. At certification, sales were $13 

million, and employment was 90 employees. Currently, the firm’s annual sales have grown to $18 

million, an increase of 40 percent, and employment has increased to 118 employees, a 31 percent 

increase since certification. 

A New York State manufacturer of beverage tanks and other metal fabrications was certified into 

the TAAF program in 2017. Adjustment Assistance in website design and engineering was 

secured to upgrade the firm’s image and production efficiencies. With more modern and flexible 

controls, the product was believed to be more competitive in the marketplace. At certification, the 

firm employed 64 and annual sales were at $17.3 million. To date employment has risen to 73 and 

sales have increased to over $17 million. 

Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (NWTAAC) 

An Oregon manufacturer of wooden doors lost business to China, Chile, and Brazil and entered 

the TAAF program in 2010. TAAF program technical assistance was employed for marketing, 

production process, new products, and industry certifications. The firm grew rapidly. In 2018, 

five years after exiting the TAAF program, the firm had increased sales by 62 percent (with 10 

percent annual growth) and employment by 12 percent. Further gains in sales, employment, and 

productivity are projected for the coming years. 

An Alaska wild salmon harvester lost business to farmed product from Scandinavian countries 

and entered the TAAF program in 2016. TAAF program technical assistance was used for 

marketing consulting and website revision. The firm experienced accelerated growth. After two 

years, in 2018, the firm had increased sales by 155 percent (with 51 percent annual growth). 

Further gains in sales, employment, and productivity are projected for the coming years. 
 

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Rocky Mountain Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (RMTAAC) 

When a Colorado manufacturer of precision metal components entered the TAAF program in 

2016, the firm had experienced a 25 percent drop in sales when its primary customer began 

sourcing parts from Mexico. With TAAF program funding assistance, projects were undertaken to 

enhance the firm’s website, implement online marketing programs, and train its new business 

development manager. The firm’s sales have increased by 37 percent by bringing in new 

customers and diversifying into new industries. Fourteen new jobs have been created as a result. 

A North Dakota manufacturer of agricultural equipment had suffered a 13 percent drop in sales 

and a 17 percent decline in employment before entering the TAAF program in 2017. The TAAF 

program allowed the firm to implement a state-of-the-art custom job quoting software system, 

improving its quoting capabilities for more complex fabrication jobs with higher profit margins. 

Results so far have been impressive: sales have increased by 42 percent and 22 new jobs have 

been added. The firm has continued to improve its operations and integrate its IT systems across 

multiple plants. 

Southeastern Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (SETAAC) 

A Georgia contract metal-stamping manufacturer was faced with increasing import competition; 

employment had declined to 114 employees and sales had decreased by 28 percent to just below 

$4 million. After entering the TAAF program in 2018, the firm has completed a research and 

development project, received assistance with the design of unique automated welding equipment 

as well as onsite training. Since completing the project, the firm has added 11 jobs and increased 

sales by over $11 million. 

A South Carolina manufacturer of turnkey material handling solutions was faced with increasing 

import competition from manufacturers in China. When the firm entered the TAAF program in 

2016, employment had decreased by over 9 percent and annual sales had decreased by $4 million. 

The firm completed several marketing projects which included a web-site redesign, social media 

campaigns, and multiple video productions. Since completing the TAAF program in 2019, the 

firm’s employment has stabilized, and sales have increased by over $4 million. 

Southwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (SWTAAC) 

A New Mexico food producer entered the TAAF program in 2014 after adverse impact by foreign 

competition from Canada. Recovery projects focused on production cost management, staff 

training, and broad industry marketing. The firm’s sales at the time of certification in 2014 were 

$3 million; currently they are at $5 million and employment has risen from 21 employees at 

certification to 59 employees. The firm’s executive team attributes much of its current success to 

the TAAF program. 

A Texas family-owned heavy industrial and commercial gasket manufacturer was established in 

1918. After the firm’s sales and employment were negatively impacted by imports from Mexico 

and China, the firm entered the TAAF program in 2015. The business recovery projects focused 

on production management and general marketing to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy 

to penetrate new industries. This resulted in the development of new revenue markets to expand 

on military and civic procurement client base. The firm’s sales in 2015 were $3 million and 

currently its sales are at $5 million. The firm’s staff has also expanded from 9 to 14 employees. 
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Western Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (WTAAC)

A California firm that is a value-added contract manufacturer and electric services provider to 

original equipment manufacturers in the military, defense and commercial industries has greatly 

improved over the course of its TAAF program participation. The firm had increasing 

competition from China and Taiwan which resulted in a decrease in employment by 10 percent

and sales decreased 6 percent. Since its partnership with the TAAF program, the firm landed a 

multi-million-dollar contract for 2020 and has acquired new accounts through its updated website.

Sales increased to $12 million (a 75 percent increase) and employment increased by 56 percent

while the order backlog has grown from an average of $4 million in past years to $9.8 million for

2020. According to the firm’s CEO the goal to grow the firm during its participation in the TAAF

program has been achieved.

A California services firm specializes in providing strategic marketing, mobile, website and 

exporting services. Due to increasing lower cost foreign competition from India and Asia, sales 

decreased 22 percent and employment decreased 12 percent. Through the TAAF program, the 

firm was recognized for a Global Innovation award for its innovation and leadership in 

transforming change in the region. Since receiving technical assistance for marketing strategy and 

operations through the TAAF program, sales have increased by 22 percent and employment has 

increased by 133 percent.