Fiscal Year 2020

Annual Report to Congress 

Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms Program

Economic Development Administration

U.S. Department of Commerce
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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 is 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 Commerce for 

Economic Development, who oversees 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 

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.
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data to EDA. The base year used for this Report is FY 2018. EDA received data for all 74 firms 

that completed the program in FY 2018, of which 60 firms provided complete data across all 

metrics.

• From certification to program completion, the 60 firms providing complete data reported 

that average sales had increased by 28 percent, average employment had increased by 24

percent, and average productivity had increased by 3 percent. 

• From certification to one year after completing the program, the 60 firms providing 

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

employment had increased by 33 percent, and average productivity had decreased by 2

percent.

• From certification to two years after completing the program, the 60 firms providing 

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

employment had increased by 32 percent, and average productivity had decreased by 1

percent.

• From program completion to one year after completing the program, the 60 firms 

providing complete data reported that average sales had increased by 3 percent, average 

employment had increased by 7 percent, and average productivity had decreased by 4

percent.

• From program completion to two years after completing the program, the 60 firms 

providing complete data reported average sales had increased by 2 percent, average 

employment had increased by 6 percent, and average productivity had decreased by 4

percent. 

• Despite entering the program in a distressed state, 67 of the 74 firms that completed the 

program in FY 2018 continued to be in operation at the end of FY 2020. Of the 60 firms 

that completed the program in FY 2018 and submitted complete data to EDA, all were in 

operation at the end of FY 2020.

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 2020 shows that, on average:

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

by 27 percent, average employment had increased by 9 percent, and average productivity 

had increased by 16 percent. 

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

average sales had increased by 5 percent, average employment had decreased by 6

percent, and average productivity had increased by 12 percent. Average sales increased 9

of the 11 years analyzed. Average employment increased 8 of the 11 years analyzed.

Average productivity increased at 5 of the 11 years analyzed. 

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

average sales had increased by 11 percent, average employment had increased by 4 

percent, and average productivity had increased by 7 percent. Average sales increased 8
Page 4 of 44

of the 11 years analyzed. Average employment increased 8 of the 11 years analyzed. 

Average productivity increased 8 of the 11 years analyzed.

In considering these results, it is important to recognize 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.

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. No funds are provided directly to businesses. 

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 firm’s market 

position and increase its 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 2020 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, 2020, 498 active firms with combined sales of $5 billion and a workforce of 

28,432 were participating in the TAAF program. In FY 2020, TAACs provided technical 

assistance to 215 firms in preparing petitions, 100 firms in preparing APs, and 403 firms in 

implementing projects within their APs. Meanwhile, EDA certified 80 petitions and approved 64

APs.

In FY 2020, EDA’s average processing time for petitions was 24 days (from acceptance) and the 

average processing time for APs was 51 days (from receipt); both are under the statutorily 

required approval deadlines. 

Finally, the statutory authorization for the TAAF program is sunsetting in two stages. First, on 

July 1, 2021, the TAAF program reverted to a more limited form. The two biggest reversions 
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were 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 previously submitted a petition under the TAAF program.6 The cumulative effect of 

these changes to the TAAF program are that firm eligibility narrowed as of July 1, 2021, and

only firms that have previously submitted a petition may be served under the TAAF program as 

of June 30, 2022.

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).
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Table of Contents

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

Results/Findings..................................................................................................................................... 11

Data for This Report................................................................................................................................ 11

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

(2) The number of petitions filed under Section 251. ....................................................................12

(3) The number of petitions certified and denied by the Secretary. ................................................12

(4) The average time for processing petitions after the petitions are filed. ......................................12

(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.........................................................................................................................................18

(7) The number of firms that received assistance in preparing their petitions..................................19

(8) The number of firms that received assistance developing business recovery plans.....................19

(9) The number of business recovery plans approved and denied by the Secretary..........................20

(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................22

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

of certification...............................................................................................................................23

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

for the two-year period following completion. .................................................................................25

(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...............................................................................................................................34

(14) The financial assistance received by each firm participating in the program..............................34

(15) The financial contribution made by each firm participating in the program. ..............................34

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

the program...................................................................................................................................34

(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.............................35

(18) The total amount expended by all intermediary organizations referred to in Section 253(b)(1) and 

by each organization to administer the program. ..............................................................................36

(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................................37

I. Conclusion..........................................................................................................................38

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

Against Increasing Imports..........................................................................................................40
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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 Commerce for Economic Development, who oversees 

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 have 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 
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Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Import-impacted firms work with the TAACs in a publicprivate 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.
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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 44

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.

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 44

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 firmlevel 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 2018 (the base year for this report), 74 firms completed the program,

with 60 of those firms providing the complete data sets necessary for the analysis in this 

report. This 81% response rate is greatly improved from previous years, which have 

generally been around 58%.

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

In FY 2020, the TAACs received 1,263 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 115

Mid-America 195

MidAtlantic 73

Midwest 49

New England 21

New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico 136

Northwest 66

Rocky Mountain 76

Southeastern 118

Southwest 218

Western 196

Total 1,263
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(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 is 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 2020, EDA filed (accepted for investigation) 

88 petitions and certified 80 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 2020 and just five petitions were 

withdrawn in FY 2020. 

EDA’s average processing time for petitions, from filing (acceptance) to certification, was 24

days. 

Exhibit 5: Petitions Filed (Accepted), and Certified by TAAC/State: FY 2020

TAAC/State

Petitions Filed 

(Accepted) 

Petitions 

Certified

Great Lakes 16 12

IN 1 1

MI 9 7

OH 6 4

Mid-America 6 5

IA 2 1

KS 2 2

MO 1 1

NE 1 1

MidAtlantic 9 8

DC 0 0

DE 0 0

MD 2 2

PA 6 5

VA 1 1

WV 0 0

Midwest 6 5

IL 5 4
Page 13 of 44

TAAC/State

Petitions Filed 

(Accepted) 

Petitions 

Certified

MN 0 0

WI 1 1

New England 18 17

CT 6 6

MA 7 7

ME 2 1

NH 2 2

RI 1 1

VT 0 0

New York, New Jersey,

and Puerto Rico 13 13

NJ 3 3

NY 10 10

PR 0 0

Northwest 3 6

AK 0 0

ID 0 0

OR 1 3

WA 2 3

Rocky Mountain 7 7

CO 3 3

MT 1 1

ND 0 0

SD 1 1

UT 1 1

WY 1 1

Southeastern 7 5

AL 0 0

FL 0 0

GA 1 1

KY 0 0

MS 0 0

NC 5 3

SC 1 1

TN 0 0

Southwest 1 1

AR 0 0

LA 0 0

NM 0 0

OK 0 0

TX 1 1
Page 14 of 44

TAAC/State

Petitions Filed 

(Accepted) 

Petitions 

Certified

Western 2 1

AZ 0 0

CA 2 1

HI 0 0

NV 0 0

Total 88 80

(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 2020

TAAC/State 

Congressional District

Petitions Filed

(Accepted)

Petitions 

Certified

Great Lakes 16 12

IN 1 1

6 1 1

MI 9 7

2 2 2

3 2 1

4 1 1

6 1 1

7 1 1

10 1 0

11 1 1

OH 6 4

2 1 1

8 1 0

10 1 1

12 1 0

14 2 2

Mid-America 6 5

IA 2 1

4 2 1

KS 2 2

1 1 1

4 1 1

MO 1 1

1 1 1
Page 15 of 44

TAAC/State 

Congressional District

Petitions Filed

(Accepted)

Petitions 

Certified

NE 1 1

2 1 1

MidAtlantic 9 8

DC 0 0

DE 0 0

MD 2 2

1 1 1

7 1 1

PA 6 5

4 1 1

6 1 1

7 3 2

16 1 1

VA 1 1

6 1 1

WV 0 0

Midwest 6 5

IL 5 4

5 1 1

7 1 1

10 1 1

14 2 1

MN 0 0

WI 1 1

2 1 1

New England 18 17

CT 6 6

1 1 1

2 2 2

4 2 2

5 1 1

MA 7 7

1 2 2

3 2 2

6 1 1

9 2 2

ME 2 1

1 1 1

2 1 0
Page 16 of 44

TAAC/State 

Congressional District

Petitions Filed

(Accepted)

Petitions 

Certified

NH 2 2

1 1 1

2 1 1

RI 1 1

1 1 1

VT 0 0

New York, New Jersey, 

and Puerto Rico 13 13

NJ 3 3

5 1 1

7 1 1

10 1 1

NY 10 10

4 1 1

10 1 1

19 1 1

22 1 1

24 2 2

25 2 2

26 1 1

27 1 1

PR 0 0

Northwest 3 6

AK 0 0

ID 0 0

OR 1 3

1 0 1

3 1 1

4 0 1

WA 2 3

3 1 1

7 0 1

8 1 1

Rocky Mountain 7 7

CO 3 3

2 1 1

3 1 1

5 1 1

MT 1 1
Page 17 of 44

TAAC/State 

Congressional District

Petitions Filed

(Accepted)

Petitions 

Certified

At-Large 1 1

ND 0 0

SD 1 1

At-Large 1 1

UT 1 1

1 1 1

WY 1 1

At-Large 1 1

Southeastern 7 5

AL 0 0

FL 0 0

GA 1 1

4 1 1

KY 0 0

MS 0 0

NC 5 3

11 2 1

12 1 0

13 2 2

SC 1 1

4 1 1

TN 0 0

Southwest 1 1

AR 0 0

LA 0 0

NM 0 0

OK 0 0

TX 1 1

27 1 1

Western 2 1

AZ 0 0

CA 2 1

10 1 1

30 1 0

HI 0 0

NV 0 0

Total 88 80
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(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 2020). 

Firms have two years from certification to prepare an AP.

In FY 2020, of the 88 petitions accepted and 80 petitions certified by EDA, 49 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 2020

TAAC

No. of Firms Receiving Benefits 

(Certified and Approved AP in 

FY 2020)

Great Lakes 6

Mid-America 5

MidAtlantic 1

Midwest 4

New England 13

New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico 5

Northwest 3

Rocky Mountain 7

Southeastern 4

Southwest 0

Western 1

Total 49

9 EDA defines “entering the program” as receiving a certification.
Page 19 of 44

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

In FY 2020, 215 firms received assistance in preparing petitions. Firms may receive 

assistance in all phases of preparing petitions more than once in a single year. It is possible 

that 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 2020

TAAC Petition Assistance

Great Lakes 36

Mid-America 9

MidAtlantic 26

Midwest 65

New England 14

New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico 22

Northwest 10

Rocky Mountain 16

Southeastern 3

Southwest 3

Western 11

Total 215

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

In FY 2020, 100 firms received assistance in 

developing APs. Additionally, 403 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.

Exhibit 9: AP Development Activity: FY 2020

TAAC

AP Development

Assistance

Great Lakes 15

Mid-America 5

MidAtlantic 10
Page 20 of 44

TAAC

AP Development

Assistance

Midwest 5

New England 15

New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico 14

Northwest 11

Rocky Mountain 11

Southeastern 11

Southwest 1

Western 2

Total 100

Exhibit 10: AP Implementation Activity: FY 2020

TAAC

AP Implementation 

Assistance

Great Lakes 48

Mid-America 39

MidAtlantic 39

Midwest 51

New England 46

New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico 35

Northwest 31

Rocky Mountain 47

Southeastern 23

Southwest 36

Western 8

Total 403

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

In FY 2020, EDA approved 64 APs (i.e., business recovery plans). In addition, EDA 

amended 8 existing APs. While EDA did not deny any APs in FY 2020, 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 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, which is below the statutory requirement of 60 days.
Page 21 of 44

Exhibit 11: APs Approved by TAAC/State: FY 2020

TAAC/State No. of APs Approved

Great Lakes 10

IN 3

MI 4

OH 3

Mid-America 7

IA 3

KS 3

MO 0

NE 1

MidAtlantic 5

DC 0

DE 0

MD 0

PA 5

VA 0

WV 0

Midwest 5

IL 4

MN 0

WI 1

New England 13

CT 4

MA 6

ME 1

NH 2

RI 0

VT 0

New York, New Jersey, and 

Puerto Rico 6

NJ 1

NY 5

PR 0

Northwest 4

AK 0

ID 0

OR 2

WA 2

Rocky Mountain 7
Page 22 of 44

TAAC/State No. of APs Approved

CO 2

MT 1

ND 1

SD 1

UT 1

WY 1

Southeastern 4

AL 0

FL 0

GA 0

KY 0

MS 0

NC 3

SC 1

TN 0

Southwest 1

AR 0

LA 0

NM 0

OK 0

TX 1

Western 2

AZ 0

CA 2

HI 0

NV 0

Total 64

(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 57 months of benefits under the TAAF program.

Exhibit 12: Average Duration of Benefits Received: FY 2020 by TAAC (Region)

TAAC

Average No. of Months Firms Received 

Benefits Under TAAF program by 

TAAC

Great Lakes 61

Mid-America 29
Page 23 of 44

TAAC

Average No. of Months Firms Received 

Benefits Under TAAF program by 

TAAC

MidAtlantic 99

Midwest 61

New England 45

New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico 47

Northwest 55

Rocky Mountain 70

Southeastern 42

Southwest 63

Western 60

Average for All TAACs 57

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

program at the time of certification.10

As of September 30, 2020, 498 active firms with combined sales of $5 billion and a 

workforce of 28,432 (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 2020 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 53 $606,089,129 3,106 $195,135

IN 11 $172,699,682 894 $193,176

MI 23 $251,109,710 1,285 $195,416

OH 19 $182,279,737 927 $196,634

Mid-America 61 $973,518,879 5,537 $175,821

IA 14 $147,731,916 951 $155,344

KS 13 $64,598,645 523 $123,516

MO 25 $189,107,044 1,199 $157,721

NE 9 $572,081,274 2,864 $199,749

MidAtlantic 96 $983,268,326 6,123 $160,586

DC 0 $0 0 $0

DE 0 $0 0 $0

MD 4 $7,124,413 117 $60,892

PA 83 $849,541,531 4,699 $180,792

10 Ibid. Footnote 3.
Page 24 of 44

TAAC/State

No. of Active 

Firms in FY 

2019

Total Sales at 

Certification

Total 

Employment 

at Certification

Average 

Productivity at 

Certification

VA 8 $46,861,614 439 $106,746

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

Midwest 49 $723,006,648 3,517 $205,575

IL 38 $653,164,243 2,967 $220,143

MN 4 $13,593,066 149 $91,229

WI 7 $56,249,339 401 $140,273

New England 48 $218,405,903 1,250 $174,725

CT 12 $64,970,845 399 $162,834

MA 16 $34,178,543 231 $147,959

ME 7 $34,900,823 224 $155,807

NH 3 $35,679,650 110 $324,360

RI 9 $42,635,906 262 $162,732

VT 1 $6,040,136 24 $251,672

New York, New Jersey, and 

Puerto Rico 43 $255,319,717 1,439 $177,429

NJ 4 $28,511,118 105 $271,534

NY 39 $226,808,599 1,334 $170,021

PR 0 $0 0 $0

Northwest 31 $304,009,904 887 $342,739

AK 0 $0 0 $0

ID 0 $0 0 $0

OR 9 $212,776,731 379 $561,416

WA 22 $91,233,173 508 $179,593

Rocky Mountain 48 $468,453,561 2,666 $175,714

CO 22 $161,144,835 914 $176,307

MT 4 $10,432,855 89 $117,223

ND 5 $37,520,495 247 $151,905

SD 3 $46,908,648 313 $149,868

UT 11 $119,948,576 800 $149,936

WY 3 $92,498,152 303 $305,274

Southeastern 29 $205,928,324 1,400 $147,092

AL 3 $41,434,133 172 $240,896

FL 0 $0 0 $0

GA 10 $18,937,991 244 $77,615

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

MS 0 $0 0 $0

NC 12 $105,543,849 732 $144,186

SC 2 $9,068,649 78 $116,265

TN 1 $15,675,174 76 $206,252

Southwest 31 $231,295,041 1,920 $120,466

AR 3 $73,032,847 309 $236,352
Page 25 of 44

TAAC/State

No. of Active 

Firms in FY 

2019

Total Sales at 

Certification

Total 

Employment 

at Certification

Average 

Productivity at 

Certification

LA 10 $75,051,616 309 $242,885

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

OK 4 $53,836,757 992 $54,271

TX 12 $23,614,624 225 $104,954

Western 9 $64,655,816 587 $110,146

AZ 0 $0 0 $0

CA 9 $64,655,816 587 $110,146

HI 0 $0 0 $0

NV 0 $0 0 $0

Total 498 $5,033,951,248 28,432 $177,052

“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.”

(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, 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 productivity12 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 2018. 

EDA received data for all 74 firms that completed the program in FY 2018, of which 60

firms provided complete data across all metrics.

• From certification to program completion, the 60 firms providing complete data 

reported that average sales had increased by 28 percent, average employment had 

increased by 24 percent, and average productivity had increased by 3 percent. 

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

projects that the firm chose to pursue. 12 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 26 of 44

• From certification to one year after completing the program, the 60 firms providing 

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

employment had increased by 33 percent, and average productivity had decreased by 

2 percent. 

• From certification to two years after completing the program, the 60 firms providing 

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

employment had increased by 32 percent, and average productivity had decreased by 

1 percent.

• From program completion to one year after completing the program, the 60 firms 

providing complete data reported that average sales had increased by 3 percent, 

average employment had increased by 7 percent, and average productivity had 

decreased by 4 percent.

• From program completion to two years after completing the program, the 60 firms 

providing complete data reported average sales had increased by 2 percent, average 

employment had increased by 6 percent, and average productivity had decreased by 4

percent. 

• Despite entering the program in a distressed state, 67 of the 74 firms that completed 

the program in FY 2018 continued to be in operation at the end of FY 2020. Of the 60

firms that completed the program in FY 2018 and submitted complete data to EDA, 

all were in operation at the end of FY 2020.
Page 27 of 44

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

Measurement Range Average Sales

Average 

Employment

Average 

Productivity

Certification to Completion

Certification $12,296,275 66 $186,307

Completion $15,701,162 82 $191,478

Percent Change (+/-) 28% 24% 3%

Measurement Range Average Sales

Average 

Employment

Average 

Productivity

Certification to One Year Post

Completion

Certification $12,296,275 66 $186,307

1st Year Post Completion $16,145,380 88 $183,470

Percent Change (+/-) 31% 33% -2%

Measurement Range Average Sales

Average 

Employment

Average 

Productivity

Certification to Two Years Post

Completion

Certification $12,296,275 66 $186,307

2nd Year Post Completion $16,072,853 87 $184,745

Percent Change (+/-) 31% 32% -1%

Measurement Range Average Sales

Average 

Employment

Average 

Productivity

Completion to One Year Post

Completion

Completion $15,701,162 82 $191,478

1st Year Post Completion $16,145,380 88 $183,470

Percent Change (+/-) 3% 7% -4%

Measurement Range Average Sales

Average 

Employment

Average 

Productivity

Completion to Two Years Post

Completion

Completion $15,701,162 82 $191,478

2nd Year Post Completion $16,072,853 87 $184,745

Percent Change (+/-) 2% 6% -4%

13 All reported numbers are rounded.
Page 28 of 44

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 2020 shows that, on average:

• 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. 

• 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. 

• 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.

In considering these results, it is important to recognize 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. 

Exhibit 14b: Summary of Historical 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 - 2020.

14

Certification to Program Completion Average Sales

Average 

Employment Average Productivity

Certification $150,116,985 927 $161,938

Completion $191,142,238 1,015 $188,317

Percent Change (+/-) 27% 9% 16%

Certification to One Year Post 

Program Completion Average Sales

Average 

Employment Average Productivity

Certification $150,116,985 927 $161,938

1st Year Post Completion $200,903,949 951 $211,255

Percent Change (+/-) 34% 3% 30%

Certification to Two Years Post 

Program Completion Average Sales

Average 

Employment Average Productivity

Certification $150,116,985 927 $161,938

14 All reported numbers are rounded.
Page 29 of 44

2nd Year Post Completion $212,638,829 1,054 $201,745

Percent Change (+/-) 42% 14% 25%

Program Completion to One Year 

Post Completion Average Sales

Average 

Employment Average Productivity

Completion $191,142,238 1,015 $188,317

1st Year Post Completion $200,903,949 951 $211,255

Percent Change (+/-) 5% -6% 12%

No. of Years Measure Increased 9 of 11 8 of 11 5 of 11

Program Completion to Two Years

Post Completion Average Sales

Average 

Employment Average Productivity

Completion $191,142,238 1,015 $188,317

2nd Year Post Completion $212,638,829 1,054 $201,745

Percent Change (+/-) 11% 4% 7%

No. of Years Measure Increased 8 of 11 8 of 11 8 of 11

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.

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

Certification to Program Completion

Number of 

Firms with 

Increase 

Number of 

Firms with 

Decrease

Number of

Firms with 

No Change

Total

Sales Certification to Completion 46 14 0 60

Employment Certification to Completion 40 16 4 60

Productivity Certification to Completion 33 27 0 60

Certification to One Year Post

Program Completion

Number of 

Firms with 

Increase 

Number of 

Firms with 

Decrease

Number of 

Firms with 

No Change

Total

Sales Certification to One Year Post

Completion 42 18 0 60

Employment Certification to One Year 

Post Completion 38 18 4 60

Productivity Certification to One Year 

Post Completion 60 0 0 60
Page 30 of 44

Certification to Two Years Post

Program Completion

Number of 

Firms with 

Increase 

Number of 

Firms with 

Decrease

Number of 

Firms with 

No Change

Total

Sales Certification to Two Years Post

Completion 41 19 0 60

Employment Certification to Two Years 

Post Completion 35 22 3 60

Productivity Certification to Two Years 

Post Completion 60 0 0 60

Completion to One Year Post 

Program Completion

Number of 

Firms with 

Increase 

Number of 

Firms with 

Decrease

Number of 

Firms with 

No Change

Total

Sales at One Year Post Completion 29 24 7 60

Employment at One Year Post

Completion 28 17 15 60

Productivity at One Year Post

Completion 60 0 0 60

Completion to Two Years Post 

Program Completion

Number of 

Firms with 

Increase 

Number of 

Firms with 

Decrease

Number of 

Firms with 

No Change

Total

Sales at Two Years Post Completion 27 30 3 60

Employment at Two Years Post 

Completion 30 25 5 60

Productivity at Two Years After 

Completion 60 0 0 60
Page 31 of 44

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 2018)

Sales

1st Yr.

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2019)

Sales

2nd Yr.

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2020)

Average 

Employment 

at 

Certification

Average 

Employment 

at 

Completion 

(FY 2018)

Average 

Employment 

1st Yr.

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2019)

Average 

Employment 

2nd Yr.

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2020)

Average 

Productivity 

at 

Certification

Average 

Productivity 

at 

Completion 

(FY 2018)

Average 

Productivity

1st Yr.

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2019)

Average 

Productivity

2nd Yr.

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2020)

MamTAACCMP20-001 $25,479,213 $13,000,000 $15,000,000 $9,200,000 107 100 88 35 $238,123 $130,000 $170,455 $262,857

MamTAACCMP20-002 $4,583,379 $6,750,000 $6,927,300 $7,553,110 32 41 44 44 $143,231 $164,634 $157,439 $171,662

MamTAACCMP20-003 $449,365 $199,469 $225,026 $275,055 86 53 74 64 $5,225 $3,764 $3,041 $4,298

MamTAACCMP20-004 $548,686 $806,500 $3,656,200 $3,320,000 6 12 12 15 $91,448 $67,208 $304,683 $221,333

MamTAACCMP20-005 $25,599,485 $28,922,225 $36,284,357 $30,866,363 129 175 170 180 $198,446 $165,270 $213,437 $171,480

MamTAACCMP20-006 $1,156,198 $653,943 $725,884 $455,000 15 8 10 10 $77,080 $81,743 $72,588 $45,500

MamTAACCMP20-007 $10,013,376 $14,982,000 $12,000,000 $10,000,000 63 85 75 65 $158,942 $176,259 $160,000 $153,846

MamTAACCMP20-008 $6,376,262 $8,005,850 $7,400,000 $7,500,000 34 37 34 36 $187,537 $216,374 $217,647 $208,333

MamTAACCMP20-009 $9,572,470 $15,600,000 $14,250,000 $24,254,080 54 92 95 189 $177,268 $169,565 $150,000 $128,328

MamTAACCMP20-010 $10,134,814 $12,000,000 $14,000,000 $15,000,000 150 165 175 196 $67,565 $72,727 $80,000 $76,531

MATAACCMP20-001 $34,771,398 $59,824,403 $48,300,456 $49,409,889 188 231 230 213 $184,954 $258,980 $210,002 $231,971

MATAACCMP20-002 $3,293,175 $1,700,000 $2,700,000 $3,600,000 26 19 18 19 $126,661 $89,474 $150,000 $189,474

MATAACCMP20-003 $4,003,446 $4,420,977 $5,256,465 $4,882,218 36 32 38 36 $111,207 $138,156 $138,328 $135,617

MATAACCMP20-004 $52,829,665 $114,100,000 $110,500,000 $92,000,000 204 506 471 457 $258,969 $225,494 $234,607 $201,313

MWTAACCMP20-001 $7,906,366 $7,849,000 $8,522,000 $9,500,000 46 41 42 41 $171,878 $191,439 $202,905 $231,707

MWTAACCMP20-002 $29,508,000 $25,000,000 $25,000,000 $25,000,000 55 55 55 55 $536,509 $454,545 $454,545 $454,545

MWTAACCMP20-003 $1,110,265 $4,300,000 $4,300,000 $2,405,000 2 14 14 10 $555,133 $307,143 $307,143 $240,500

MWTAACCMP20-004 $6,800,000 $9,441,000 $11,493,000 $11,250,000 24 83 95 94 $283,333 $113,747 $120,979 $119,681

MWTAACCMP20-005 $2,107,000 $2,225,000 $2,225,000 $2,100,000 23 23 23 22 $91,609 $96,739 $96,739 $95,455

MWTAACCMP20-006 $11,598,000 $15,000,000 $15,000,000 $14,500,000 69 67 67 68 $168,087 $223,881 $223,881 $213,235

MWTAACCMP20-007 $2,269,214 $3,702,000 $3,300,000 $2,900,000 21 38 38 36 $108,058 $97,421 $86,842 $80,556
Page 32 of 44

TAAC/Firm ID

Sales at 

Certification

Sales at 

Completion 

(FY 2018)

Sales

1st Yr.

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2019)

Sales

2nd Yr.

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2020)

Average 

Employment 

at 

Certification

Average 

Employment 

at 

Completion 

(FY 2018)

Average 

Employment 

1st Yr.

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2019)

Average 

Employment 

2nd Yr.

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2020)

Average 

Productivity 

at 

Certification

Average 

Productivity 

at 

Completion 

(FY 2018)

Average 

Productivity

1st Yr.

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2019)

Average 

Productivity

2nd Yr.

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2020)

MWTAACCMP20-008 $14,291,766 $24,000,000 $24,014,503 $23,500,000 105 140 142 144 $136,112 $171,429 $169,116 $163,194

MWTAACCMP20-009 $4,640,840 $4,900,000 $4,453,930 $4,500,000 37 37 41 42 $125,428 $132,432 $108,632 $107,143

MWTAACCMP20-010 $2,110,182 $2,162,000 $2,358,000 $2,358,000 20 15 17 17 $105,509 $144,133 $138,706 $138,706

MWTAACCMP20-011 $15,200,000 $26,500,000 $26,296,000 $29,000,000 23 25 25 35 $660,870 $1,060,000 $1,051,840 $828,571

MWTAACCMP20-012 $1,459,151 $1,750,000 $1,500,000 $1,250,000 7 6 5 5 $208,450 $291,667 $300,000 $250,000

MWTAACCMP20-013 $47,588,475 $50,000,000 $49,350,000 $51,000,000 318 354 365 347 $149,649 $141,243 $135,205 $146,974

MWTAACCMP20-014 $77,336,136 $84,100,000 $84,500,000 $84,500,000 322 324 297 310 $240,174 $259,568 $284,512 $272,581

MWTAACCMP20-015 $30,352,558 $29,700,000 $30,035,000 $30,194,000 190 189 193 186 $159,750 $157,143 $155,622 $162,333

MWTAACCMP20-016 $4,853,388 $5,500,000 $5,500,000 $5,500,000 40 39 40 40 $121,335 $141,026 $137,500 $137,500

MWTAACCMP20-017 $44,985,221 $50,407,966 $41,000,000 $41,000,000 59 41 41 41 $762,461 $1,229,463 $1,000,000 $1,000,000

MWTAACCMP20-018 $2,729,200 $4,816,624 $1,919,900 $1,860,000 19 20 16 4 $143,642 $240,831 $119,994 $465,000

MWTAACCMP20-019 $2,014,000 $3,900,000 $4,250,000 $4,870,000 16 39 44 50 $125,875 $100,000 $96,591 $97,400

MWTAACCMP20-020 $3,476,474 $4,400,000 $4,400,000 $3,800,000 30 39 39 40 $115,882 $112,821 $112,821 $95,000

MWTAACCMP20-021 $2,402,672 $3,000,000 $3,000,000 $3,000,000 13 18 18 18 $184,821 $166,667 $166,667 $166,667

MWTAACCMP20-022 $55,229,872 $65,000,000 $90,000,000 $92,000,000 275 351 570 590 $200,836 $185,185 $157,895 $155,932

NETAACCMP20-001 $4,017,739 $5,390,000 $5,300,000 $4,616,020 36 40 40 35 $111,604 $134,750 $132,500 $131,886

NETAACCMP20-005 $7,330,872 $14,328,444 $15,200,000 $11,480,000 76 96 95 90 $96,459 $149,255 $160,000 $127,556

NETAACCMP20-006 $6,600,024 $11,300,000 $11,100,000 $11,080,000 50 81 75 80 $132,000 $139,506 $148,000 $138,500

NETAACCMP20-007 $20,791,927 $28,000,000 $27,934,495 $27,600,000 98 105 105 100 $212,163 $266,667 $266,043 $276,000

NETAACCMP20-009 $3,897,947 $6,411,093 $3,200,000 $5,066,000 20 22 19 18 $194,897 $291,413 $168,421 $281,444

NYNJPRTAAC

-CMP20-001 $1,277,366 $1,412,471 $1,502,356 $1,597,899 10 11 11 12 $127,737 $128,406 $136,578 $133,158

NYNJPRTAAC

-CMP20-002 $4,046,448 $3,350,000 $2,750,650 $3,580,866 39 28 30 33 $103,755 $119,643 $91,688 $108,511

NYNJPRTAAC

-CMP20-003 $49,915,068 $25,500,050 $23,478,000 $18,652,500 225 160 152 169 $221,845 $159,375 $154,461 $110,370
Page 33 of 44

TAAC/Firm ID

Sales at 

Certification

Sales at 

Completion 

(FY 2018)

Sales

1st Yr.

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2019)

Sales

2nd Yr.

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2020)

Average 

Employment 

at 

Certification

Average 

Employment 

at 

Completion 

(FY 2018)

Average 

Employment 

1st Yr.

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2019)

Average 

Employment 

2nd Yr.

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2020)

Average 

Productivity 

at 

Certification

Average 

Productivity 

at 

Completion 

(FY 2018)

Average 

Productivity

1st Yr.

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2019)

Average 

Productivity

2nd Yr.

Following 

Completion 

(FY 2020)

NYNJPRTAAC

-CMP20-004 $7,178,338 $4,500,000 $5,251,000 $6,498,537 39 60 62 67 $184,060 $75,000 $84,694 $96,993

NYNJPRTAAC

-CMP20-005 $4,908,000 $5,488,000 $3,397,000 $5,435,000 23 25 21 22 $213,391 $219,520 $161,762 $247,045

NYNJPRTAAC

-CMP20-006 $3,115,683 $3,269,639 $2,853,954 $2,415,101 19 20 20 21 $163,983 $163,482 $142,698 $115,005

NWTAACCMP20-004 $7,174,074 $9,289,028 $9,543,772 $8,720,652 62 47 47 45 $115,711 $197,639 $203,059 $193,792

RMTAACCMP20-001 $7,758,751 $9,600,000 $13,100,000 $15,250,000 110 125 156 151 $70,534 $76,800 $83,974 $100,993

RMTAACCMP20-002 $5,228,752 $6,250,000 $7,800,000 $7,800,000 19 30 31 31 $275,197 $208,333 $251,613 $251,613

RMTAACCMP20-003 $440,814 $709,460 $676,881 $343,696 4 10 9 2 $110,204 $70,946 $75,209 $171,848

RMTAACCMP20-004 $537,296 $437,000 $326,000 $312,003 11 13 9 6 $48,845 $33,615 $36,222 $52,001

RMTAACCMP20-005 $2,861,835 $6,000,000 $7,578,915 $7,400,000 22 38 45 43 $130,083 $157,895 $168,420 $172,093

RMTAACCMP20-006 $26,438,182 $78,500,000 $87,800,000 $101,100,000 160 395 483 426 $165,239 $198,734 $181,781 $237,324

SWTAACCMP20-001 $662,704 $915,000 $1,670,175 $1,300,000 4 8 9 13 $165,676 $114,375 $185,575 $100,000

SWTAACCMP20-002 $696,815 $3,483,124 $3,900,000 $3,200,000 5 10 12 11 $139,363 $348,312 $325,000 $290,909

SWTAACCMP20-004 $5,602,398 $2,630,000 $10,000,000 $9,136,000 34 49 56 35 $164,776 $53,673 $178,571 $261,029

SWTAACCMP20-005 $900,195 $550,000 $440,000 $360,000 5 5 10 9 $180,039.00 $110,000 $44,000 $40,000

SWTAACCMP20-006 $2,502,385 $3,000,000 $3,100,000 $4,391,000 10 15 16 14 $250,238.50 $200,000 $193,750 $313,643

WTAACCMP20-002 $5,113,147 $3,137,452 $1,176,601 $2,733,206 52 28 32 26 $98,329.75 $112,052 $36,769 $105,123

Total Average $12,296,275 $15,701,162 $16,145,380 $16,072,853 66 82 88 87 $186,307 $191,478 $183,470 $184,745

Please note: For the final row of the table in Exhibit 14d, 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 calculates 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 34 of 44

(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, 2020, 498 active firms with combined sales of $5 billion and a workforce of 

28,432 were participating in the TAAF program. Of the 60 firms that completed the program in 

FY 2018 and provided complete data on their post-completion performance, all were in operation 

at the end of FY 2020.

Despite entering the program in a distressed state, 67 of the 74 firms that completed the program 

in FY 2018 continued to be in operation at the end of FY 2020. Of the 60 firms that completed the 

program in FY 2018 and submitted complete data to EDA, all were in operation at the end of FY 

2020.

(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 2020, firms received $6.8 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 $3.4 million to match $6.8 million in 

TAAF funds towards the development and 

implementation of APs.

Exhibit 15: Summary of TAAC Assistance and Matching Firm Contributions: FY 2020

(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.
Page 35 of 44

Exhibit 16: Types of Technical Assistance in APs: FY 2020

Project 

Classification

Sample Types of Projects

Financial • Accounting systems upgrade

• Cost Control tracking system

• Automatic Data Processing development

Management • Strategic business planning

• Succession management

• Management development

Marketing/Sales • Sales process training

• Market expansion and feasibility

• Website design and upgrade

Production • Lean manufacturing and certification

• New Product Development

• Production and Warehouse automation

Support Systems • Enterprise Resource Planning

• Management Information Systems 

upgrades

• 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 2020, 38 of the 95 firms that exited the program did so prior to completing all projects in

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

reasons the project or projects were not completed include:

• Business decision to exit after completing part of the AP (achieved desired results) – 2

• Business or Financial decision after completing part of the AP – 5

• Business or Financial decision to exit prior to completing any AP projects – 2

• Firms out of business – 1

• Firms sold – 3

• Five-year time limit expired before completing all projects – 25
Page 36 of 44

(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 2020

TAAC

Personnel 

(including 

Fringe 

Benefits)

Contracts 

(Federal 

Share) Travel

Equipment 

and 

Supplies Other

Indirect 

Costs

Total TAAC 

Expenditures

Great Lakes $863,532 $583,652 $17,750 $8,464 $18,786 $304,552 $1,796,736

Mid-America $288,623 $351,789 $4,060 $1,243 $121,969 $176,242 $943,926

MidAtlantic $456,590 $372,267 $1,179 -$1,817 $164,855 $0 $993,074

Midwest $504,553 $291,095 $5,492 $17,597 $137,781 $0 $956,518

New England $469,662 $594,561 $4,541 $23,672 $63,737 $0 $1,156,173

New York, New Jersey,

and Puerto Rico $431,456 $306,421 $4,630 $7,288 $37,730 $88,179 $875,704

Northwest $737,337 $186,689 $14,179 $10,886 $182,828 $0 $1,131,919

Rocky Mountain $638,213 $465,546 $823 $0 $50,689 $168,830 $1,324,101

Southeastern $462,744 $366,347 $856 $6,477 $0 $152,912 $989,336

Southwest $410,375 $123,850 $8,514 $3,580 $11,331 $94,435 $652,085

Western $426,583 $70,123 $2,308 $13,237 $38,851 $113,851 $664,953

Total $5,689,668 $3,712,340 $64,332 $90,627 $828,557 $1,099,001 $11,484,525
Page 37 of 44

(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 2020, TAACs expended $6.8 million to provide technical assistance to firms in preparing 

petitions and developing and implementing APs.

Exhibit 18: TAAC Expenditures to Provide Technical Assistance: FY 2020

TAAC

Total TAAC 

Expenditures15

Great Lakes $1,109,938

Mid-America $467,554

MidAtlantic $875,014

Midwest $544,278

New England $839,526

New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico $487,757

Northwest $654,689

Rocky Mountain $996,458

Southeastern $345,715

Southwest $311,173

Western $185,297

Total $6,817,399

15 All reported numbers are rounded.
Page 38 of 44

I. 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 productivity16 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 2018. EDA received data for all 74 firms that completed the program in 

FY 2018, of which 60 firms provided complete data across all metrics.

• From certification to program completion, the 60 firms providing complete data reported 

that average sales had increased by 28 percent, average employment had increased by 24 

percent, and average productivity had increased by 3 percent. 

• From certification to one year after completing the program, the 60 firms providing 

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

employment had increased by 33 percent, and average productivity had decreased by 2

percent. 

• From certification to two years after completing the program, the 60 firms providing 

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

employment had increased by 32 percent, and average productivity had decreased by 1 

percent.

• From program completion to one year after completing the program, the 60 firms 

providing complete data reported that average sales had increased by 3 percent, average 

employment had increased by 7 percent, and average productivity had decreased by 4 

percent.

• From program completion to two years after completing the program, the 60 firms 

providing complete data reported average sales had increased by 2 percent, average 

employment had increased by 6 percent, and average productivity had decreased by 4

percent. 

16 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 39 of 44

• Despite entering the program in a distressed state, 67 of the 74 firms that completed the 

program in FY 2018 continued to be in operation at the end of FY 2020. Of the 60 firms 

that completed the program in FY 2018 and submitted complete data to EDA, all were in 

operation at the end of FY 2020.

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 2020 shows that, on average:

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

by 27 percent, average employment had increased by 9 percent, and average productivity 

had increased by 16 percent. 

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

average sales had increased by 5 percent, average employment had decreased by 6

percent, and average productivity had increased by 12 percent. Average sales increased 9

of the 11 years analyzed. Average employment increased 8 of the 11 years analyzed.

Average productivity increased at 5 of the 11 years analyzed. 

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

average sales had increased by 11 percent, average employment had increased by 4 

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

the 11 years analyzed. Average employment increased 8 of the 11 years analyzed. 

Average productivity increased 8 of the 11 years analyzed.

In considering these results, it is important to recognize 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. 

Finally, the statutory authorization for the TAAF program is sunsetting in two stages. First, on 

July 1, 2021, the TAAF program reverted to a more limited form. The two biggest reversions 

were to narrow the definition of an eligible “firm” to exclude service-sector firms and to reduce 

eligibility look-back periods.17 Second, as of June 30, 2022, assistance may not be provided to 

new firms under the TAAF program.18 After that date, assistance may only be provided to firms 

that have previously submitted a petition under the TAAF program.19 The cumulative effect of 

these changes to the TAAF program are that firm eligibility narrowed as of July 1, 2021, and only 

firms that have previously submitted a petition may be served under the TAAF program as of 

June 30, 2022.

17 Public Law 114-27, § 406(a). 18 Public Law 114-27, § 406(a)(7)(A). 19 Public Law 114-27, § 406(a)(7)(B).
Page 40 of 44

II. Examples of How the TAAF 

Program Is Helping U.S. 

Manufacturing Firms 

Compete Against Increasing 

Imports

The Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) national network of 11 Trade Adjustment 

Assistance Centers (TAACs) work with individual firms across the country 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 firm.

Great Lakes Trade Adjustment Center (GLTAAC)

A Michigan manufacturer of diagnostic imaging equipment needed to shift its market focus after 

losing significant business to import competition from China and Japan. After entering the TAAF 

program in 2018, the firm developed a marketing strategy to support sales of its products into the 

digital pathology niche of the market. As a result of the TAAF program, the firm recruited sales 

leadership, improved the skills of its leadership team, and implemented a structured business 

framework via the program. Since engagement with the TAAF program, the company has 

increased sales by 50 percent, grown its workforce by 17 percent, and returned to profitability. 

The firm is on track to complete the program in 2022.

An Ohio electronics manufacturer entered the TAAF program in late 2015 after years of eroding 

sales caused by fierce import competition from Korea and other countries. The TAAF program 

enabled the firm to make numerous improvements to the business via a series of top-line and 

bottom-line projects including market research, product engineering support, export promotion, 

and Lean Six Sigma. The firm completed the program at the end of fiscal year 2020. While the 

firm was negatively impacted by the current pandemic, their competitiveness is improved, and 

they are well positioned for success moving forward.

Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (MamTAAC)

An Iowa hydraulic equipment manufacturer entered the TAAF program in 2017. TAAF 

supported the implementation of business recovery projects focusing on assessing their existing 

CRM system, CRM development and training, as well as marketing. As a result of participation in 

the TAAF program, the firm was able to expand into new industries, increase their sales by 122 

percent, and increase their employment by 31 percent.

A Missouri manufacturer of sand blasting equipment started working with the TAAF program in 

2016. As a result of engagement with the TAAF program, the firm’s business recovery projects 

included production improvement, production development and training, exporting through 

international research, strategic planning, and Lean training. Two years after completing the 

TAAF program in 2019, the firm has experienced a sales increase of 9 percent and have 

successfully retained all 48 jobs.
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MidAtlantic Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (MATAAC)

A Pennsylvania firm that manufactures customized thermoformed plastic components 

sought the assistance of the TAAF program due to sales and employment declines caused by

import competition. When the firm entered the TAAF program, sales had decreased by 44

percent, and 32 percent of their employees had been separated from employment. As a result of 

the implementation of several business recovery projects, including sales system development, 

financial planning, and marketing, the firm was able to start the recovery process and increase 

sales by 5 percent and employment by 8 percent.

A Virginia manufacturer of telecommunications equipment sought the assistance of the TAAF 

program when it found itself faced with aggressive foreign competition. At the time the firm 

entered the TAAF program in 2016, the firm’s sales had decreased by 26 percent, and 30 percent

of their employees had been separated from employment. As a result of the implementation of 

several business recovery projects, including Centrian CE Mark and the Jeeves ERP Information 

Systems Upgrade projects, the firm was able to increase employment by 26 percent.

Midwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (MWTAAC)

An Illinois manufacturer of precision machined metal parts entered the 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 nearly 47 percent since entry into the program.

A small Illinois manufacturer of loudspeaker systems, amplifiers, and system processors for 

recording studios, performing arts centers, houses of worship, museums, and sports facilities lost 

nearly 60 percent of sales and 22 percent of workers because of cheaper foreign produced goods 

flooding the U.S. market. Through the TAAF program, the firm received assistance with 

developing new products and upgrading design capabilities to help reinvigorate the product 

offering. The company also utilized TAAF assistance with ERP selection, integration, and custom 

programming to help reduce costs through better information tracking. As a result of participation 

in the TAAF program, the firm was able to remain competitive in the industry and recover both 

lost workers and reduced sales back to pre-qualifying levels. 

New England Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (NETAAC)

A Maine manufacturer of injection molded thermoplastic and liquid silicone rubber parts used in 

the medical, military, and commercial industries entered the TAAF program in 2017. At that time,

they were challenged with lower priced silicone parts and moldings from China resulting in a 6 

percent loss in sales and a 6 percent decline in employment. TAAF program recovery projects 

included strategic business planning, operational improvements and expansion, and an enhanced 

sales and marketing plan. As a result of TAAF program assistance, the firm experienced a 12 

percent increase in sales and a 40 percent rise in employment. 
Page 42 of 44

A New Hampshire contract manufacturer of electromechanical devices, electrical assemblies, 

printed circuits, and flex circuits used in aerospace, defense, medical, and robotics sectors, 

entered the TAAF program in 2015. Industry downturn, along with competition from China and 

Mexico, led to a 13 percent loss in sales and a 5 percent decline in employment. TAAF program 

recovery projects included strategic business planning, improvements in sales, marketing, 

upgrades to software systems, and employee training. As a result of participation in the TAAF 

program, within one year the firm experienced a 34 percent increase in sales and a 7 percent rise 

in employment.

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

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (NYNJPRTAAC)

A New York manufacturer of office seating products was under financial pressure from imports,

which caused a decline in annual sales and employment. The firm entered the TAAF program in 

2014. Adjustment assistance was designed and implemented to address strategic sales growth and 

lean manufacturing. As a result of TAAF program assistance, at the end of 2019, the firm had

experienced an increase in sales and employment.

A New York manufacturer of decorative glassware entered the TAAF program in 2017 after 

experiencing declines in sales and employment. Adjustment assistance was directed toward 

improvements in marketing. Several small projects were successfully completed, and as a result 

the firm has seen growth in sales and employment. The firm credits the TAAF program with 

having a critical role in their recovery.

Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (NWTAAC)

An Oregon contract manufacturer of wood products experiencing strong price competition from 

Mexico, China, and Vietnam entered the TAAF program in 2013. The company received TAAF 

assistance for strategic planning, marketing consulting, lean manufacturing, website development, 

and information system implementation. After six years in the program, the company had grown 

substantially. The firm saw a 93 percent growth in sales with yearly growth of over 10 percent 

accompanied by 92 percent growth in productivity.

A Washington manufacturer of farm equipment experiencing price competition from China, 

Germany, and Italy, entered the TAAF program in 2017. TAAF adjustment assistance focused on 

strategic planning and information system management. After just over three years in the 

program, the firm grew and improved efficiency, experiencing a 36 percent increase in sales, 15 

percent increase in employment, and 19 percent increase in productivity.

Rocky Mountain Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (RMTAAC)

A South Dakota manufacturer of large steel weldment products entered the TAAF program in 

2018 after experiencing a nearly 15 percent decline in sales largely due to Canadian import 

competition. TAAF program assistance allowed the firm to implement a vital Lean transformation 

project to combat declining sales. The firm introduced process changes into their organization 

with the goal of maximizing the flow of products produced and reducing waste. As a result of the 

firm’s participation in the TAAF program, lead time was reduced from six weeks to four weeks 

and work-in-process went from $1.1 million down to $400,000. 
Page 43 of 44

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. TAAF 

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 chemical manufacturer in business for 60 years entered the TAAF program in 2016 

after being faced with increased import competition. The firm’s annual sales had declined by 

almost 11 percent. The business recovery plan outlined in the Adjustment Proposal focused on the 

development new marketing materials and increasing its customer base through market research.

As a result of the firm’s participation in the TAAF program, in 2020 the firm reported that annual 

sales have increased by over 16 percent and employment has stabilized.

A North Carolina manufacturer of superabrasive grinding wheels found itself faced with 

increased import competition and entered the TAAF program in 2019, when annual sales had 

declined by over 23 percent. As a result of the firm’s participation in the TAAF program, in 2020 

the firm completed a marketing project that focused on designing an international website to 

expand its customer base in Mexico and Canada. Since completing the project, annual sales have 

increased by over 19 percent.

Southwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (SWTAAC)

An Arkansas machining firm adversely impacted by foreign competition entered the TAAF 

program. The business recovery plan focused on a rebranding and marketing project, improving 

the firm’s technical engineering capabilities, focusing on quality of fabricating tolerances, and an 

assurance of world class machining. As a result of participation in the TAAF program, the firm 

reestablished a professional profile in the digital ecosystem that has helped it land new customers 

and hire indirect sales representatives. The business recovery projects have helped pivot the firm 

to new markets.

A Louisiana fresh catfish processing firm entered the TAAF program in 2017. As a result of the 

firm’s implementation of initial business recovery projects, by 2019 sales increased by 62 percent. 

This growth in sales allowed the firm to expand their overall marketing budget and launch their 

first comprehensive marketing campaign. As a result of continued implementation of their 

business recovery projects focused on processing facility expansion and increased visibility of 

their products and company, the firm experienced continued growth in sales. At the end of 2020, 

the firm’s sales had increased 100 percent from the time they entered the TAAF program. 

Western Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (WTAAC)

A California manufacturing metal finishing service provider entered the TAAF program after 

facing increased import competition from China and Malaysia. As a result of this import 

competition, both sales and unemployment had each decreased by 8 percent. The firm’s business 

recovery strategy focused on continuous quality improvements, efficiency improvements, cost 

competitiveness, and updating their quality management certification standards and processes. As 
Page 44 of 44

a result of participation in the TAAF program, the firm successfully implemented five quality 

management projects with certification and training. Since entering the TAAF program, sales 

increased 37 percent and productivity has improved. 

A California manufacturer specializing in the design, testing, and marketing of a highly 

specialized line of arc and flame-resistant safety apparel and equipment suffered a 26 percent 

decline in sales and a 7 percent decline in employment due import competition. The firm’s 

Adjustment Plan allowed them to implement six projects in information technology, leadership 

training, and marketing with website updates. As a result of participation in the TAAF program, 

the firm has seen a dramatic increase in annual sales of 247 percent and a 133 percent rise in

employment.