Fiscal Year 2021

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 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 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. FY 2019 is the base year used for this Report to measure the success of 

participating firms after completing the TAAF program. EDA received some data for all 114 

firms that completed the program in FY 2019; of these, 65 firms provided complete data across 

all metrics. 

• From certification to program completion, the 65 firms providing complete data reported

that average sales had increased by 50 percent, average employment had increased by 2

percent, and average productivity had increased by 46 percent.

• From certification to one year after completing the program, the 65 firms providing

complete data reported that average sales had increased by 85 percent, average

employment had increased by 17 percent, and average productivity had increased by 57

percent.

• From certification to two years after completing the program, the 65 firms providing

complete data reported that average sales had increased by 63 percent, average

employment had increased by 10 percent, and average productivity had increased by 48

percent.

• From program completion to one year after completing the program, the 65 firms

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

employment had increased by 15 percent, and average productivity had increased by 8

percent.

• From program completion to two years after completing the program, the 65 firms

providing complete data reported average sales had increased by 9 percent, average

employment had increased by 8 percent, and average productivity had increased by 1

percent.

• Despite entering the program in a distressed state, 104 of the 114 firms that completed the

program in FY 2019 continued to be in operation at the end of FY 2021. Of the 65 firms

that completed the program in FY 2019 and submitted complete data to EDA, all were in

operation at the end of FY 2021.

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 2021 shows that, on average: 

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

by 30 percent, average employment had decreased by 4 percent, and average productivity

had increased by 35 percent.

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

average sales had increased by 8 percent, average employment had increased by 17

percent, and average productivity had decreased by 8 percent. Average sales increased 10

of the 12 years analyzed. Average employment increased 9 of the 12 years analyzed.

Average productivity increased at 6 of the 12 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 18

percent, and average productivity had decreased by 6 percent. Average sales increased 9
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of the 12 years analyzed. Average employment increased 9 of the 12 years analyzed. 

Average productivity increased 9 of the 12 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 the TAAF-assisted firms

measured in this FY 2021 report 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 the firms 

to support the development of business recovery plans, commonly referred to as “Adjustment 

Proposals” or “APs,” under Section 252 of the Trade Act, through grant funding to Trade 

Adjustment Assistance Centers (TAACs) which is matched by the firms, 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 to EDA 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 2021 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, 2021, 538 active firms with combined sales of $10 billion and a workforce 

of 31,830 were participating in the TAAF program. In FY 2021, TAACs provided technical 

assistance to 209 firms in preparing petitions, 139 firms in preparing APs, and 407 firms in 

implementing projects within their APs. Meanwhile, EDA certified 117 petitions and approved 

97 APs.

In FY 2021, EDA’s average processing time for petitions was 28 days (from acceptance) and the 

average processing time for APs was 50 days (from receipt); both are under the statutorily 

required approval deadlines. 
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Importantly, the statutory authorization for the TAAF program expired in two stages. First, on 

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

reversions 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 could not be 

provided to new firms under the TAAF program.5 After that date, assistance could only be 

provided to firms that had previously submitted a petition under the TAAF program.6 The 

cumulative effect of these changes to the TAAF program is that firm eligibility narrowed as of 

July 1, 2021, and only firms that had previously submitted a petition could be served under the 

TAAF program after 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 is 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. ........................................................................................................................................ 35

(14) The financial assistance received by each firm participating in the program................................ 35

(15) The financial contribution made by each firm participating in the program. ................................ 35

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

the program.............................................................................................................................................. 35

(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............................... 36

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

by each organization to administer the program. .................................................................................... 37

(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.................................. 38

I. Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 39

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

Against Increasing Imports.................................................................................................................. 41
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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 supports the development of business recovery plans, commonly referred to as 

“Adjustment Proposals” or “APs,” under Section 252 of the Trade Act, and provides 

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 
Page 8 of 45

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.
Page 9 of 45

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 45

the firm have decreased absolutely, during the 12 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. The TAAF program 

provides 75 percent of the costs to develop an AP, with the firm 

providing 25 percent. 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 45

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 2019 (the base year for this report), 114 firms completed the 

program, with 65 of those firms providing the complete data sets necessary for the analysis in 

this report. This 57 percent response rate is consistent with previous years, which have 

generally been around 58 percent. 

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

In FY 2021, the TAACs received 1,178 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 132

Mid-America 166

MidAtlantic 29

Midwest 28

New England 32

New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico 75

Northwest 129

Rocky Mountain 73

Southeastern 30

Southwest 57

Western 427

Total 1,178
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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 2021, EDA filed (accepted for investigation) 111 petitions and certified 117 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 2021 and just three

petitions were withdrawn in FY 2021. 

EDA’s average processing time for petitions, from filing (acceptance) to certification, was 28 

days. 

Exhibit 5: Petitions Filed (Accepted), and Certified by TAAC/State: FY 2021 

TAAC/State

Petitions Filed 

(Accepted) 

Petitions 

Certified

Great Lakes 13 17

IN 6 6

MI 4 6

OH 3 5

Mid-America 19 18

IA 4 5

KS 9 8

MO 5 4

NE 1 1

MidAtlantic 7 8

DC 0 0

DE 0 0

MD 0 0

PA 4 5

VA 3 3

WV 0 0

Midwest 14 15

IL 10 11

MN 1 1

WI 3 3

New England 15 16

CT 6 6
Page 13 of 45

TAAC/State

Petitions Filed 

(Accepted) 

Petitions 

Certified

MA 4 4

ME 1 2

NH 0 0

RI 3 3

VT 1 1

New York, New Jersey,

and Puerto Rico 14 13

NJ 3 3

NY 11 10

PR 0 0

Northwest 6 6

AK 1 1

ID 0 0

OR 2 2

WA 3 3

Rocky Mountain 9 9

CO 4 4

MT 0 0

ND 1 1

SD 1 1

UT 2 2

WY 1 1

Southeastern 8 8

AL 1 1

FL 2 2

GA 3 3

KY 0 0

MS 0 0

NC 1 2

SC 1 0

TN 0 0

Southwest 4 4

AR 0 0

LA 1 1

NM 0 0

OK 2 2

TX 1 1

Western 2 3

AZ 0 0

CA 2 3

HI 0 0
Page 14 of 45

TAAC/State

Petitions Filed 

(Accepted) 

Petitions 

Certified

NV 0 0

Total 111 117

(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 2021 

TAAC/State Congressional 

District

Petitions 

Filed 

(Accepted) 

Petitions 

Certified

Great Lakes 13 17

IN 6 6

1 2 2 

2 1 1

3 1 1

4 2 2 

MI 4 6

2 4 4 

3 0 1

10 0 1

OH 3 5

1 1 1

8 0 1 

10 1 1

12 0 1

14 1 1 

Mid-America 19 18

IA 4 5

1 3 3

4 1 2

KS 9 8

3 3 2

4 6 6 

MO 5 4

1 1 1

2 2 1 

5 1 1

7 1 1 

NE 1 1

2 1 1

MidAtlantic 7 8
Page 15 of 45

TAAC/State Congressional 

District

Petitions 

Filed 

(Accepted) 

Petitions 

Certified

DC 0 0

DE 0 0

MD 0 0 

PA 4 5

7 0 1 

9 2 2

11 1 1

13 1 1 

VA 3 3

2 1 1 

5 1 1

9 1 1

WV 0 0 

Midwest 14 15

IL 10 11

1 1 1

6 2 2

10 1 1 

11 2 2

14 4 5 

MN 1 1

4 1 1

WI 3 3 

1 1 1

3 1 1 

8 1 1

New England 15 16

CT 6 6

1 1 1

3 2 2 

5 3 3

MA 4 4

3 3 3 

4 1 1

ME 1 2

2 1 2

RI 3 3

1 1 1 

2 2 2

VT 1 1

1 1 1
Page 16 of 45

TAAC/State Congressional 

District

Petitions 

Filed 

(Accepted) 

Petitions 

Certified

New York, New Jersey, and 

Puerto Rico 14 13

NJ 3 3

4 1 1

7 1 1 

11 1 1

NY 11 10

14 1 1

20 1 1

22 3 3 

23 2 2

24 1 0 

25 1 1

26 2 2

PR 0 0 

Northwest 6 6

AK 1 1

At-Large 1 1

ID 0 0

OR 2 2

3 1 1

5 1 1 

WA 3 3

1 1 1

8 1 1 

9 1 1

Rocky Mountain 9 9

CO 4 4

1 2 2

3 2 2 

MT 0 0

ND 1 1

At-Large 1 1

SD 1 1

At-Large 1 1 

UT 2 2

1 1 1 

2 1 1

WY 1 1

At-Large 1 1 

 
Page 17 of 45

TAAC/State Congressional 

District

Petitions 

Filed 

(Accepted) 

Petitions 

Certified

Southeastern 8 8

AL 1 1

2 1 1 

FL 2 2

10 1 1 

20 1 1

GA 3 3

7 2 2 

11 1 1

KY 0 0 

MS 0 0

NC 1 2

11 0 1 

12 1 1

SC 1 0

3 1 0

TN 0 0

Southwest 4 4

AR 0 0

LA 1 1

1 1 1

OK 2 2

1 1 1 

5 1 1

TX 1 1

33 1 1

Western 3 3

AZ 0 0 

CA 3 3

17 1 0 

30 0 1

43 2 2

HI 0 0 

NV 0 0

Total 111 117
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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 2021). 

Firms have two years from certification to prepare an AP. 

In FY 2021, of the 111 petitions accepted and 117 petitions certified by EDA, 79 firms met 

this definition of entering the program and receiving benefits. Many of the remaining firms 

received benefits during FY 2022, especially those that were accepted (pending certification)

near the end of FY 2021. 

Exhibit 7: Petitions Certified that had an APs Approved in the same FY: FY 2021 

TAAC

No. of Firms Receiving Benefits 

(Certified and Approved AP in 

FY 2021)

Great Lakes 11

Mid-America 12

MidAtlantic 3

Midwest 13

New England 11

New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico 9

Northwest 2

Rocky Mountain 9

Southeastern 7

Southwest 2

Western 0

Total 79

9 EDA defines “entering the program” as receiving a certification.
Page 19 of 45

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

In FY 2021, 212 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 2021 

TAAC Petition Assistance

Great Lakes 37

Mid-America 14

MidAtlantic 33

Midwest 34

New England 13

New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico 26

Northwest 16

Rocky Mountain 10

Southeastern 14

Southwest 5

Western 10

Total 212

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

In FY 2021, 140 firms received assistance in developing 

APs. Additionally, 406 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 2021 

TAAC

AP Development

Assistance

Great Lakes 23

Mid-America 19

MidAtlantic 13

Midwest 15
Page 20 of 45

TAAC

AP Development

Assistance

New England 15

New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico 22

Northwest 8

Rocky Mountain 11

Southeastern 8

Southwest 3

Western 3

Total 140

Exhibit 10: AP Implementation Activity: FY 2021

TAAC

AP Implementation 

Assistance

Great Lakes 52

Mid-America 37

MidAtlantic 34

Midwest 49

New England 46

New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico 43

Northwest 28

Rocky Mountain 46

Southeastern 28

Southwest 36

Western 7

Total 406

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

In FY 2021, EDA approved 97 APs (i.e., business recovery plans). In addition, EDA 

amended 3 existing APs. While EDA did not deny any APs in FY 2021, 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 50 days, which is below the statutory requirement of 60 days. 
Page 21 of 45

Exhibit 11: New APs Approved by TAAC/State: FY 2021 

TAAC/State No. of APs Approved

Great Lakes 17

IN 3

MI 8

OH 6

Mid-America 12

IA 3

KS 4

MO 4

NE 1

MidAtlantic 3

DC 0

DE 0

MD 0

PA 1

VA 2

WV 0

Midwest 13

IL 10

MN 0

WI 3

New England 15

CT 7

MA 1

ME 2

NH 0

RI 3

VT 2

New York, New Jersey, and 

Puerto Rico 14

NJ 4

NY 10

PR 0

Northwest 3

AK 0

ID 0

OR 1

WA 2
Page 22 of 45

TAAC/State No. of APs Approved

Rocky Mountain 10

CO 5

MT 0

ND 1

SD 1

UT 2

WY 1

Southeastern 8

AL 1

FL 2

GA 3

KY 0

MS 0

NC 2

SC 0

TN 0

Southwest 2

AR 0

LA 1

NM 0

OK 1

TX 0

Western 0

AZ 0

CA 0

HI 0

NV 0

Total 97

(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 60 months of benefits under the TAAF program. 
Page 23 of 45

Exhibit 12: Average Duration of Benefits Received: FY 2021 by TAAC (Region) 

TAAC

Average No. of Months Firms Received 

Benefits Under TAAF program by 

TAAC

Great Lakes 62

Mid-America 36

MidAtlantic 140

Midwest 60

New England 45

New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico 28

Northwest 59

Rocky Mountain 65

Southeastern 48

Southwest 60

Western 54

Average for All TAACs 60

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

program at the time of certification.10

As of September 30, 2021, 538 active firms with combined 

sales of $10.1 billion and a workforce of 31,830 (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 2021 by TAAC and State: 

TAAC/State

No. of Active 

Firms in FY 

2021

Total Sales at 

Certification

Total 

Employment 

at 

Certification

Average 

Productivity at 

Certification

Great Lakes 59 $683,571,645 3,683 $185,602

IN 15 $201,748,223 1,069 $188,726

MI 24 $280,686,616 1,469 $191,073

OH 20 $201,136,806 1,145 $175,665

Mid-America 79 $1,331,032,194 6,980 $190,692

IA 19 $223,273,445 1,235 $180,788

10 Ibid. Footnote 3.
Page 24 of 45

TAAC/State

No. of Active 

Firms in FY 

2021

Total Sales at 

Certification

Total 

Employment 

at 

Certification

Average 

Productivity at 

Certification

KS 21 $321,960,630 1,487 $216,517

MO 29 $212,579,663 1,387 $153,266

NE 10 $573,218,456 2,871 $199,658

MidAtlantic 87 $881,135,229 5,477 $160,879

DC 0 $0 0 $0

DE 0 $0 0 $0

MD 3 $5,570,482 65 $85,700

PA 74 $751,730,406 4,091 $183,752

VA 9 $44,093,573 453 $97,337

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

Midwest 50 $816,991,266 3,640 $224,448

IL 37 $663,419,246 2,959 $224,204

MN 4 $15,576,496 166 $93,834

WI 9 $137,995,524 515 $267,952

New England 59 $352,056,598 1,805 $195,045

CT 14 $161,425,756 625 $258,281

MA 18 $35,993,138 279 $129,008

ME 9 $55,466,147 378 $146,736

NH 3 $29,234,718 109 $268,208

RI 12 $60,562,874 359 $168,699

VT 3 $9,373,965 55 $170,436

New York, New Jersey, and 

Puerto Rico 48 $188,724,413 1,087 $173,620

NJ 8 $41,621,376 197 $211,276

NY 40 $147,103,037 890 $165,284

PR 0 $0 0 $0

Northwest 30 $108,798,554 656 $165,851

AK 0 $0 0 $0

ID 0 $0 0 $0

OR 7 $16,767,581 140 $119,768

WA 23 $92,030,973 516 $178,355

Rocky Mountain 46 $5,137,961,795 4,445 $1,155,897

CO 21 $149,922,540 895 $167,511

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

ND 4 $58,992,575 256 $230,440

SD 4 $4,660,302,094 2,048 $2,275,538

UT 9 $164,307,484 847 $193,988

WY 4 $94,004,247 310 $303,240

Southeastern 32 $186,181,897 1,210 $153,869

AL 3 $46,824,198 233 $200,962
Page 25 of 45

TAAC/State

No. of Active 

Firms in FY 

2021

Total Sales at 

Certification

Total 

Employment 

at 

Certification

Average 

Productivity at 

Certification

FL 2 $20,808,613 132 $157,641

GA 13 $47,628,333 345 $138,053

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

MS 0 $0 0 $0

NC 12 $52,788,091 364 $145,022

SC 1 $2,864,134 38 $75,372

TN 0 $0 0 $0

Southwest 38 $306,713,563 2,324 $131,977

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

LA 12 $96,982,163 395 $245,524

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

OK 7 $90,658,059 1,204 $75,297

TX 14 $40,281,297 331 $121,696

Western 10 $77,313,569 523 $147,827

AZ 0 $0 0 $0

CA 10 $77,313,569 523 $147,827

HI 0 $0 0 $0

NV 0 $0 0 $0

Total 538 $10,070,480,723 31,830 $316,383

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 TAAFassisted 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, 

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

projects that the firm chose to pursue.
Page 26 of 45

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 2019. 

EDA received data for all 114 firms that completed the program in FY 2019, of which 65

firms provided complete data across all metrics.

• From certification to program completion, the 65 firms providing complete data 

reported that average sales had increased by 50 percent, average employment had 

increased by 2 percent, and average productivity had increased by 46 percent. 

• From certification to one year after completing the program, the 65 firms providing 

complete data reported that average sales had increased by 85 percent, average 

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

57 percent. 

• From certification to two years after completing the program, the 65 firms providing 

complete data reported that average sales had increased by 63 percent, average 

employment had increased by 10 percent, and average productivity had increased by 

48 percent.

• From program completion to one year after completing the program, the 65 firms

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

average employment had increased by 15 percent, and average productivity had 

increased by 8 percent.

• From program completion to two years after completing the program, the 65 firms

providing complete data reported average sales had increased by 9 percent, average 

employment had increased by 8 percent, and average productivity had increased by 1 

percent. 

• Despite entering the program in a distressed state, 104 of the 114 firms that 

completed the program in FY 2019 continued to be in operation at the end of FY 

2021. Of the 65 firms that completed the program in FY 2019 and submitted 

complete data to EDA, all were in operation at the end of FY 2021.

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 27 of 45

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 $23,141,168 127 $182,214

Completion $34,670,404 130 $266,695

Percent Change (+/-) 50% 2% 46%

Measurement Range Average Sales

Average 

Employment

Average 

Productivity

Certification to One Year Post

Completion

Certification $23,141,168 127 $182,214

1st Year Post Completion $42,720,910 149 $286,718

Percent Change (+/-) 85% 17% 57%

Measurement Range Average Sales

Average 

Employment

Average 

Productivity

Certification to Two Years Post

Completion

Certification $23,141,168 127 $182,214

2nd Year Post Completion $37,708,981 140 $269,350

Percent Change (+/-) 63% 10% 48%

Measurement Range Average Sales

Average 

Employment

Average 

Productivity

Completion to One Year Post

Completion

Completion $34,670,404 130 $266,695

1st Year Post Completion $42,720,910 149 $286,718

Percent Change (+/-) 23% 15% 8%

Measurement Range Average Sales

Average 

Employment

Average 

Productivity

Completion to Two Years Post

Completion

Completion $34,670,404 130 $266,695

2nd Year Post Completion $37,708,981 140 $269,350

Percent Change (+/-) 9% 8% 1%

13 All reported numbers are rounded.
Page 28 of 45

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 2021 shows that, on average: 

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

increased by 30 percent, average employment had decreased by 4 percent, and

average productivity had increased by 35 percent.

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

that average sales had increased by 8 percent, average employment had increased by

17 percent, and average productivity had decreased by 8 percent. Average sales

increased 10 of the 12 years analyzed. Average employment increased 9 of the 12

years analyzed. Average productivity increased at 6 of the 12 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

18 percent, and average productivity had decreased by 6 percent. Average sales

increased 9 of the 12 years analyzed. Average employment increased 9 of the 12

years analyzed. Average productivity increased 9 of the 12 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 - 2021.14

Certification to Program Completion Average Sales

Average 

Employment Average Productivity

Certification $173,258,153 1,054 $164,382

Completion $225,812,642 1,015 $222,476

Percent Change (+/-) 30% -4% 35%

Certification to One Year Post 

Program Completion Average Sales

Average 

Employment Average Productivity

Certification $173,258,153 1,054 $164,382

1st Year Post Completion $243,624,859 1,188 $205,071

Percent Change (+/-) 41% 13% 25%

Certification to Two Years Post 

Program Completion Average Sales

Average 

Employment Average Productivity

Certification $173,258,153 1,054 $164,382

14 All reported numbers are rounded.
Page 29 of 45

2nd Year Post Completion $250,347,810

 

1,194 $209,672

Percent Change (+/-) 44% 13% 28%

Program Completion to One Year 

Post Completion Average Sales

Average 

Employment Average Productivity

Completion $225,812,642

 

1,015 $222,476

1st Year Post Completion $243,624,859

 

1,188 $205,071

Percent Change (+/-) 8% 17% -8%

No. of Years Measure Increased 10 of 12 9 of 12 6 of 12

Program Completion to Two Years

Post Completion Average Sales

Average 

Employment Average Productivity

Completion $225,812,642

 

1,015 $222,476

2nd Year Post Completion $250,347,810

 

1,194 $209,672

Percent Change (+/-) 11% 18% -6%

No. of Years Measure Increased 9 of 12 9 of 12 9 of 12

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 45 18 0 63

Employment Certification to Completion 32 29 2 63

Productivity Certification to Completion 39 24 0 63

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 41 22 0 63

Employment Certification to One Year 

Post Completion 30 29 4 63

Productivity Certification to One Year 

Post Completion 63 0 0 63

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 40 23 0 63
Page 30 of 45

Employment Certification to Two Years 

Post Completion 31 31 1 63

Productivity Certification to Two Years 

Post Completion 63 0 0 63

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 34 27 2 63

Employment at One Year Post

Completion 27 27 9 63

Productivity at One Year Post

Completion 63 0 0 63

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 29 32 2 63

Employment at Two Years Post 

Completion 28 27 8 63

Productivity at Two Years After 

Completion 63 0 0 63
Page 31 of 45

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

Following Completion 

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). 

TAAC/Firm ID

Sales at 

Certification

Sales at 

Completion 

FY 2019 (as 

of 9/30/2019)

Sales - 1stYear Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2020)

Sales - 2ndYear Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2021)

Employment 

at 

Certification

Employment 

at 

Completion 

FY 2019 (as 

of 9/30/2019)

Employment 

- 1st-Year

Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2020)

Employment 

- 2nd-Year

Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2021)

Productivity 

(Sales/Emplo

yment) at 

Certification

Productivity 

(Sales

/Employment

) at 

Completion 

FY 2019 (as 

of 9/30/2019)

Productivity 

(Sales/Emplo

yment) - 1stYear Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2020)

Productivity 

(Sales/Emplo

yment) - 2ndYear Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2021)

GLTAACCMP21-001 $651,488 $1,000,000 $1,020,000 $1,331,150 14 24 38 35 $46,535 $41,667 $26,842 $38,033

GLTAACCMP21-002 $513,210 $327,071 $361,000 $300,499 5 6 7 7 $102,642 $54,512 $51,571 $42,928

GLTAACCMP21-003 $2,612,229 $5,795,982 $4,971,321 $4,835,000 35 54 61 48 $74,635 $107,333 $81,497 $100,729

GLTAACCMP21-004 $2,244,507 $2,900,000 $2,156,473 $1,794,717 26 25 16 16 $86,327 $116,000 $134,780 $112,170

GLTAACCMP21-005 $67,185,374 $62,000,000 $59,000,000 $49,500,000 603 517 485 430 $111,419 $119,923 $121,649 $115,116

GLTAACCMP21-006 $1,995,844 $2,049,000 $2,400,000 $1,827,000 17 15 18 15 $117,403 $136,600 $133,333 $121,800

MamTAACCMP21-001 $304,355 $381,400 $260,000 $230,000 8 7 2 3 $38,044 $54,486 $130,000 $76,667

MamTAACCMP21-002 $4,777,690 $8,374,238 $6,100,000 $6,023,040 66 89 62 87 $72,389 $94,093 $98,387 $69,230

MamTAACCMP21-003 $10,685,687 $10,000,000 $11,393,208 $6,564,184 99 105 87 67 $107,936 $95,238 $130,956 $97,973

MamTAACCMP21-004 $3,050,483 $1,000,000 $1,250,000 $1,640,823 25 8 7 6 $122,019 $125,000 $178,571 $273,471

MamTAACCMP21-005 $2,028,257 $2,830,402 $2,981,182 $3,500,000 23 22 23 28 $88,185 $128,655 $129,617 $125,000

MamTAACCMP21-006 $31,685,601 $44,299,382 $50,000,000 $48,000,000 295 289 300 337 $107,409 $153,285 $166,667 $142,433

MamTAACCMP21-007 $4,344,299 $5,946,000 $6,000,000 $6,200,000 20 30 30 34 $217,215 $198,200 $200,000 $182,353

MamTAACCMP21-008 $16,490,486 $15,000,000 $16,000,000 $15,000,000 79 72 77 78 $208,740 $208,333 $207,792 $192,308

MamTAACCMP21-009 $1,799,730 $1,500,000 $1,311,422 $1,300,000 8 7 7 6 $224,966 $214,286 $187,346 $216,667

MamTAACCMP21-010 $9,307,104 $8,216,857 $7,596,180 $8,150,000 61 31 28 34 $152,575 $265,060 $271,292 $239,706

MamTAACCMP21-011 $9,839,934 $11,000,000 $10,052,011 $13,224,823 29 28 27 28 $339,308 $392,857 $372,297 $472,315
Page 32 of 45

TAAC/Firm ID

Sales at 

Certification

Sales at 

Completion 

FY 2019 (as 

of 9/30/2019)

Sales - 1stYear Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2020)

Sales - 2ndYear Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2021)

Employment 

at 

Certification

Employment 

at 

Completion 

FY 2019 (as 

of 9/30/2019)

Employment 

- 1st-Year 

Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2020)

Employment 

- 2nd-Year 

Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2021)

Productivity 

(Sales/Emplo

yment) at 

Certification

Productivity 

(Sales

/Employment

) at 

Completion 

FY 2019 (as 

of 9/30/2019)

Productivity 

(Sales/Emplo

yment) - 1stYear Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2020)

Productivity 

(Sales/Emplo

yment) - 2ndYear Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2021)

MamTAACCMP21-012 $20,366,295 $23,700,000 $19,268,886 $30,494,956 48 48 42 118 $424,298 $493,750 $458,783 $258,432

MamTAACCMP21-013 $29,532,253 $41,000,000 $54,942,000 $54,500,000 146 78 59 63 $202,276 $525,641 $931,220 $865,079

MATAACCMP21-001 $3,067,343 $3,985,051 $4,297,752 $5,561,575 26 22 28 32 $117,975 $181,139 $153,491 $173,799

MATAACCMP21-002 $11,120,669 $15,118,000 $11,745,282 $11,886,142 85 83 82 74 $130,831 $182,145 $143,235 $160,624

MATAACCMP21-003 $29,153,315 $45,000,000 $46,000,000 $49,000,000 202 191 185 178 $144,323 $235,602 $248,649 $275,281

MATAACCMP21-004 $11,990,302 $13,259,926 $10,668,399 $11,959,634 55 55 56 56 $218,005 $241,090 $190,507 $213,565

MWTAACCMP21-001 $3,559,706 $575,000 $5,500,000 $300,000 42 47 46 48 $84,755 $12,234 $119,565 $6,250

MWTAACCMP21-002 $90,883 $135,000 $188,000 $114,426 3 5 6 6 $30,294 $27,000 $31,333 $19,071

MWTAACCMP21-003 $131,705 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 2 3 3 3 $65,853 $33,333 $33,333 $33,333

MWTAACCMP21-004 $1,807,057 $2,800,000 $3,500,000 $3,500,000 48 35 38 38 $37,647 $80,000 $92,105 $92,105

MWTAACCMP21-005 $2,336,682 $3,500,000 $3,739,942 $3,600,000 47 43 42 45 $49,717 $81,395 $89,046 $80,000

MWTAACCMP21-006 $7,474,820 $8,495,000 $8,200,000 $7,800,000 91 101 100 85 $82,141 $84,109 $82,000 $91,765

MWTAACCMP21-007 $4,175,261 $4,999,967 $5,025,444 $5,025,444 36 39 41 41 $115,979 $128,204 $122,572 $122,572

MWTAACCMP21-008 $12,000,000 $10,660,972 $8,470,160 $8,645,732 102 81 70 70 $117,647 $131,617 $121,002 $123,510

MWTAACCMP21-009 $2,341,455 $1,000,000 $950,000 $700,000 12 7 7 5 $195,121 $142,857 $135,714 $140,000

MWTAACCMP21-010 $5,388,000 $5,450,000 $5,100,000 $5,250,000 39 38 38 38 $138,154 $143,421 $134,211 $138,158

MWTAACCMP21-011 $2,491,096 $3,165,000 $3,505,575 $3,343,806 20 22 23 21 $124,555 $143,864 $152,416 $159,229

MWTAACCMP21-012 $3,546,000 $3,320,000 $4,700,000 $4,000,000 26 21 23 22 $136,385 $158,095 $204,348 $181,818

MWTAACCMP21-013 $9,480,215 $10,500,000 $10,500,000 $9,500,000 43 60 60 55 $220,470 $175,000 $175,000 $172,727

MWTAACCMP21-014 $14,352,000 $20,956,872 $23,000,000 $20,784,667 96 119 122 74 $149,500 $176,108 $188,525 $280,874

MWTAACCMP21-015 $16,582,311 $13,800,000 $13,436,000 $16,500,000 82 69 75 75 $202,223 $200,000 $179,147 $220,000

MWTAACCMP21-016 $2,586,000 $3,100,000 $3,250,000 $3,250,000 13 15 21 21 $198,923 $206,667 $154,762 $154,762

NETAACCMP21-001 $2,360,610 $2,650,000 $2,800,000 $3,974,611 15 21 25 32 $157,374 $126,190 $112,000 $124,207
Page 33 of 45

TAAC/Firm ID

Sales at 

Certification

Sales at 

Completion 

FY 2019 (as 

of 9/30/2019)

Sales - 1stYear Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2020)

Sales - 2ndYear Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2021)

Employment 

at 

Certification

Employment 

at 

Completion 

FY 2019 (as 

of 9/30/2019)

Employment 

- 1st-Year

Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2020)

Employment 

- 2nd-Year

Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2021)

Productivity 

(Sales/Emplo

yment) at 

Certification

Productivity 

(Sales

/Employment

) at 

Completion 

FY 2019 (as 

of 9/30/2019)

Productivity 

(Sales/Emplo

yment) - 1stYear Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2020)

Productivity 

(Sales/Emplo

yment) - 2ndYear Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2021)

NETAACCMP21-002 $10,244,626 $8,777,748 $10,267,000 $14,256,000 75 68 73 80 $136,595 $129,085 $140,644 $178,200

NETAACCMP21-003 $1,466,489 $2,288,199 $2,013,538 $3,041,221 18 16 17 17 $81,472 $143,012 $118,443 $178,895

NETAACCMP21-004 $5,461,267 $6,102,519 $4,993,694 $6,282,190 39 41 39 42 $140,032 $148,842 $128,043 $149,576

NETAACCMP21-005 $26,055,764 $28,132,742 $18,608,002 $16,280,175 127 177 164 161 $205,163 $158,942 $113,463 $101,119

NETAACCMP21-006 $2,729,983 $4,088,706 $3,496,089 $4,751,531 21 19 19 21 $129,999 $215,195 $184,005 $226,263

NETAACCMP21-007 $18,421,511 $19,670,493 $19,283,010 $20,346,292 85 80 82 72 $216,724 $245,881 $235,159 $282,587

NYNJPRTAACCMP21-001 $94,117 $125,716 $41,112 $91,224 1 2 2 2 $94,117 $62,858 $20,556 $45,612

NYNJPRTAACCMP21-002 $5,071,383 $4,526,308 $4,858,249 $4,303,108 40 41 40 37 $126,785 $110,398 $121,456 $116,300

NYNJPRTAACCMP21-003 $2,078,975 $1,696,132 $2,000,000 $3,395,000 16 14 10 13 $129,936 $121,152 $200,000 $261,154

NYNJPRTAACCMP21-004 $12,823,283 $17,917,647 $21,560,000 $15,057,985 90 118 106 87 $142,481 $151,844 $203,396 $173,080

NYNJPRTAACCMP21-005 $861,193 $890,000 $1,600,000 $2,000,000 1 3 3 3 $861,193 $296,667 $533,333 $666,667

NYNJPRTAACCMP21-006 $7,638,184 $13,479,829 $13,302,232 $13,456,908 38 40 35 39 $201,005 $336,996 $380,064 $345,049

RMTAACCMP21-001 $13,576,392 $6,250,000 $7,800,000 $7,900,000 85 108 105 103 $159,722 $57,870 $74,286 $76,699

RMTAACCMP21-002 $5,741,183 $11,217,135 $8,129,859 $9,014,247 47 130 75 80 $122,153 $86,286 $108,398 $112,678

RMTAACCMP21-003 $2,469,594 $6,800,000 $5,500,000 $7,134,107 14 55 46 67 $176,400 $123,636 $119,565 $106,479

RMTAACCMP21-004 $1,546,270 $1,548,000 $1,658,000 $1,272,679 16 11 13 12 $96,642 $140,727 $127,538 $106,057

RMTAACCMP21-005 $3,376,380 $7,206,000 $7,573,400 $5,780,258 35 47 49 48 $96,468 $153,319 $154,559 $120,422

RMTAACCMP21-006 $1,923,004 $2,749,513 $3,038,060 $2,300,934 11 13 14 13 $174,819 $211,501 $217,004 $176,995

RMTAACCMP21-007 $14,225,077 $9,983,427 $11,818,652 $13,338,658 42 46 49 46 $338,692 $217,031 $241,197 $289,971

RMTAACCMP21-008 $440,694,286 $610,000,000 $569,701,000 $608,932,000 2,506 2,700 2,439 2,395 $175,856 $225,926 $233,580 $254,251

RMTAACCMP21-009 $34,290,000 $140,000,000 $400,000,000 $427,137,000 131 580 1,300 1,610 $261,756 $241,379 $307,692 $265,302

RMTAACCMP21-010 $78,345,000 $100,000,000 $85,542,000 $80,000,000 193 224 193 102 $405,933 $446,429 $443,223 $784,314

RMTAACCMP21-011 $447,256,778 $827,500,000$1,139,500,00

0 $750,000,000 1,946 1,384 2,293 1,565 $229,834 $597,905 $496,947 $479,233
Page 34 of 45

TAAC/Firm ID

Sales at 

Certification

Sales at 

Completion 

FY 2019 (as 

of 9/30/2019)

Sales - 1stYear Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2020)

Sales - 2ndYear Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2021)

Employment 

at 

Certification

Employment 

at 

Completion 

FY 2019 (as 

of 9/30/2019)

Employment 

- 1st-Year 

Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2020)

Employment 

- 2nd-Year 

Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2021)

Productivity 

(Sales/Emplo

yment) at 

Certification

Productivity 

(Sales

/Employment

) at 

Completion 

FY 2019 (as 

of 9/30/2019)

Productivity 

(Sales/Emplo

yment) - 1stYear Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2020)

Productivity 

(Sales/Emplo

yment) - 2ndYear Post 

Completion 

(as of 

9/30/2021)

WTAACCMP21-001 $273,970 $235,000 $335,005 $500,000 3 7 7 7 $91,323 $33,571 $47,858 $71,429

WTAACCMP21-002 $2,060,955 $2,500,000 $2,500,000 $5,300,000 9 18 19 28 $228,995 $138,889 $131,579 $189,286

Total Average $23,141,168 $34,670,404 $42,720,910 $37,708,981 127 130 149 140 $182,214 $266,695 $286,718 $269,350
Page 35 of 45

(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, 2021, 538 active firms with combined sales of $10.1 billion and a workforce 

of 31,830 were participating in the TAAF program. Of the 65 firms that completed the program in 

FY 2019 and provided complete data on their post-completion performance, all were in operation 

at the end of FY 2021.

Despite entering the program in a distressed state, 104 of the 114 firms that completed the 

program in FY 2019 continued to be in operation at the end of FY 2021.

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

Financial assistance is not provided directly to firms. In FY 2021, firms received $7.4 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.

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

The firms represented in this report paid $3.8 million to 

match $7.4 million in TAAF funds towards the 

development and implementation of APs.

(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 36 of 45

Exhibit 16: Types of Technical Assistance in APs: FY 2021 

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 2021, 28 of the 92 firms that exited the program did so prior to completing all projects in

their business recovery plans (AP); Seven 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) – 1 

• Business or Financial decision after completing part of the AP – 1 

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

• Firms out of business – 3 

• Firms sold – 4 

• Five-year time limit expired before completing all projects – 17 
Page 37 of 45

(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 202115

TAAC

Personnel 

(including 

Fringe 

Benefits)

Contracts 

(Federal 

Share) Travel

Equipment 

and 

Supplies Other

Indirect 

Costs

Total TAAC 

Expenditures

Great Lakes $807,934 $697,578 $16,849 $6,307 $19,253 $296,942 $1,844,863

Mid-America $295,412 $456,856 $3,175 $1,386 $130,034 $217,587 $1,104,450

MidAtlantic $631,872 $256,311 $1,576 $5,072 $101,667 $0 $996,498

Midwest $495,460 $464,209 $3,549 $10,594 $129,337 $0 $1,103,149

New England $415,058 $740,159 $5,257 $17,478 $69,194 $0 $1,247,146

New York, New Jersey, 

and Puerto Rico $441,702 $218,511 $0 $3,597 $39,324 $88,824 $791,958

Northwest $682,516 $163,737 $1,484 $6,204 $182,743 $0 $1,036,684

Rocky Mountain $640,667 $380,716 $0 $0 $50,936 $168,941 $1,241,260

Southeastern $322,024 $456,191 $354 $1,134 $0 $130,124 $909,827

Southwest $322,339 $112,921 $11,097 $14,831 $1,755 $96,847 $559,790

Western $335,498 $85,078 $339 $5,583 $32,983 $66,594 $526,075

Total $5,390,482 $4,032,267 $43,680 $72,186 $757,226 $1,065,859 $11,361,700

15 All reported numbers are rounded.
Page 38 of 45

(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 2021, TAACs expended $7.4 million to provide technical assistance to firms in preparing 

petitions and developing and implementing APs. 

Exhibit 18: TAAC Expenditures to Provide Technical Assistance: FY 2021 

TAAC

Total TAAC 

Expenditures16

Great Lakes $1,192,042

Mid-America $600,862

MidAtlantic $921,943

Midwest $714,228

New England $974,321

New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico $408,294

Northwest $693,296

Rocky Mountain $913,086

Southeastern $591,545

Southwest $234,706

Western $196,702

Total $7,441,025

16 All reported numbers are rounded.
Page 39 of 45

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 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 report 

provides the following key impact findings about U.S. firms that completed the TAAF Program in 

FY 2019 (the baseline year for this FY 2021 report, which measures impacts out to two years 

following program completion): 

• From certification to program completion, the 65 firms providing complete data reported 

that average sales had increased by 50 percent, average employment had increased by 2 

percent, and average productivity had increased by 46 percent. 

• From certification to one year after completing the program, the 65 firms providing 

complete data reported that average sales had increased by 85 percent, average 

employment had increased by 17 percent, and average productivity had increased by 57

percent. 

• From certification to two years after completing the program, the 65 firms providing 

complete data reported that average sales had increased by 63 percent, average 

employment had increased by 10 percent, and average productivity had increased by 48

percent.

• From program completion to one year after completing the program, the 65 firms

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

employment had increased by 15 percent, and average productivity had increased by 8

percent.

• From program completion to two years after completing the program, the 65 firms

providing complete data reported average sales had increased by 9 percent, average 

employment had increased by 8 percent, and average productivity had increased by 1 

percent. 

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.
Page 40 of 45

• Despite entering the program in a distressed state, 104 of the 114 firms that completed the

program in FY 2019 continued to be in operation at the end of FY 2021. Of the 65 firms

that completed the program in FY 2019 and submitted complete data to EDA, all were in

operation at the end of FY 2021.

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 2021 shows that, on average: 

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

by 30 percent, average employment had decreased by 4 percent, and average productivity

had increased by 35 percent.

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

average sales had increased by 8 percent, average employment had increased by 17

percent, and average productivity had decreased by 8 percent. Average sales increased 10

of the 12 years analyzed. Average employment increased 9 of the 12 years analyzed.

Average productivity increased at 6 of the 12 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 18

percent, and average productivity had decreased by 6 percent. Average sales increased 9

of the 12 years analyzed. Average employment increased 9 of the 12 years analyzed.

Average productivity increased 9 of the 12 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 the TAAF-assisted firms

measured in this FY 2021 report notable. 

Finally, the statutory authorization for the TAAF program expired in two stages. First, on July 1, 

2021, the TAAF program reverted to a more limited form. The two most significant reversions 

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

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

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

that had previously submitted a petition under the TAAF program. The cumulative effect of these 

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

that had previously submitted a petition could be served under the TAAF program after June 30, 

2022. 
Page 41 of 45

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)

An Indiana woman-owned small custom injection molding firm qualified for the TAAF program 

after suffering double-digit drops in sales and employment, primarily due to imports from Mexico 

and China. Following the approval of its recovery plan in 2016, the firm completed six 

Adjustment Proposal (AP) business recovery projects over the next three and a half years. The AP 

projects focused on new business development, efficiency improvements, and strengthening the 

company’s Quality Management System (QMS). The firm completed the program in late 2019, 

by which time it had rebuilt sales (up 29 percent), lowered its break-even point, and stabilized 

employment. The firm has also been able to survive the past two years during the challenges 

faced by businesses nationwide during the coronavirus pandemic.

An Ohio niche manufacturer was directly losing sales to low-cost imports from China and 

Taiwan, while its main customer was losing business to Japanese competitors. The firm needed to 

expand its product offerings and broaden its customer base. After its Adjustment Plan was 

approved in 2017, it undertook a series of marketing projects to do just that. The firm has 

completed six such TAAF projects to date – half using its local Manufacturing Extension 

Partnership (MEP) center. Though sales and employment numbers have not yet returned to 

historic levels – market diversification is a long and difficult process – the firm is profitable once 

again thanks to an improved sales mix. The firm is on track to complete the program early 2023.

Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (MamTAAC)

A Kansas manufacturer of sheet metal fabricated products was certified into the TAAF program 

in 2018 and its Adjustment Proposal was approved in 2019. Through the TAAF program,

MamTAAC supported seven improvement projects focusing on production software and 

marketing software upgrades. The firm completed the program in 2021. The firm has already 

experienced an increase in sales from $12.5 to $14.9 million and has retained 109 employees.

A Missouri manufacturer of wireless communication towers started working with the TAAF 

program in 2013 and completed the program in 2019. Through the TAAF program, MamTAAC 

supported the implementation of 37 improvement projects focusing on Finance, Management, 

Marketing and Sales, Production and Support Systems. Two years after completing the TAAF 

program, the firm has experienced a sales increase of $11.8 million, a 227 percent increase, 

bringing its total sales to $17 million. In addition to retaining its 30 employees, the firm also 

create 35 additional new jobs, a 117 percent increase.
Page 42 of 45

MidAtlantic Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (MATAAC)

A Pennsylvania firm that manufacturers precision parts to customer specifications through 

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) grinding, milling, and turning in a variety of materials 

including steel, stainless, and aluminum sought the assistance of the TAAF program when it was

faced with fierce competition from abroad. At the time, the manufacturer’s sales of all importimpacted articles had decreased by 33.6 percent and overall sales decreased by 43 percent. In 

addition, 6.8 percent of its employees were separated from employment. With the implementation 

of several projects including Website and Internet Marketing, IT Cybersecurity, Computer-Aided 

Manufacturing (CAM) and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Support Services, and CAM 

Programming, the manufacturer was able to start the recovery process and increase employment 

by 54 percent and increase sales by 264 percent which added over $5 million dollars to its sales 

figures. 

A Pennsylvania firm that provides services in electroplating, plating, and polishing metals to the 

automotive, military, appliance, toy, and electronics industries was facing declines in sales of six

percent and 13 percent of its workforce was displaced. With the assistance and participation in the 

TAAF program, the firm was able to implement Website Development and (Search Engine

Optimization (SEO) projects. With these enhancements, sales increased by 85% and employment 

increased by over 51 percent. 

Midwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (MWTAAC)

An Illinois based wire harness manufacturer for the military and commercial markets since 1980 

entered the program in late 2015 after losing significant customers to offshore competitors with 

cheaper prices on similar goods. The firm experienced a 16 percent decrease in workers and 15

percent of sales as a result. Through the TAAF program, the MWTAAC first assisted the firm 

with product development and marketing enhancements to better advertise its defensible products.

This was followed by quality improvements, certifications, and employee training to allow for 

improved production of new products. Finally, financial planning and succession planning 

assistance allowed the firm to position itself in the future with strong financials and competitive

against imports. After successfully cost sharing nine projects over five years, the firm grew 

employment and increased sales by 80 percent during the last year in the program despite supply 

chain issues and negative effects of the pandemic. Employment increased 75 percent from the 

time the company entered the program through its completion of the program.

An Illinois based specialist in assembly and manufacturing solutions for the automotive, 

appliance, construction, and consumer goods industries since 1960 entered the program in late 

2015 after losing several large customers to offshore competitors with cheaper prices on 

competing goods. The firm experienced a 42 percent decrease in workers as a result. Through the 

TAAF program, the MWTAAC first assisted the firm with product development, engineering, and 

testing to help the firm develop more defensible products. This was followed by shop floor 

enhancements, quality improvements and certifications along with employee training to allow for 

improved production of new products. Lastly, sales and marketing improvements and assistance 

allowed the firm to sell new products utilizing new sales channels and methods. After 

successfully cost sharing 12 projects over five years, the firm grew employment and increased 

sales by 17 percent during the last year in the program despite supply chain issues and negative 

effects of the pandemic on businesses nationwide. 
Page 43 of 45

New England Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (NETAAC)

A Connecticut firm specializing in sheet metal and fiberglass heat shielding/insulating products 

for the aircraft industry was losing business to lower priced competition from India and 

Singapore. Upon entering the TAAF program in 2015 its sales were down 8.74 percent. Through 

the TAAF program, the NETAAC first assisted the firm with AP projects including strategic 

business planning, an upgraded sales and marketing program, and a process improvement plan. 

Within one year, sales were up 19.5 percent. Upon exiting the program in the difficult year of 

2020, sales were still up two percent overall. 

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 five percent decline in employment. Through the 

TAAF program, the NETAAC first assisted the firm with business recovery projects including

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 seven 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 precision micro-optics for high-resolution imaging entered the 

TAAF program in 2017. Through the TAAF program, the NYNJPRTAAC first assisted the firm 

with three business recovery projects to aid with improved manufacturing processes. Fiscal 2020 

had year-end sales that were relatively steady with those at the time of certification, which in fact 

pleased the firm given the challenges faced by business nationwide due to the Covid-19 

pandemic. Employment has grown from three at the time of certification to six. The firm credits 

the TAAF program as having a critical role in this recovery.

A New York manufacturer of a diversified portfolio of products entered the TAAF program in 

2020. The firm had experienced declines in both sales and employment. Through the TAAF 

program, adjustment assistance was directed toward improvements in marketing and production. 

At certification annual sales were $4.7 million. This year annual sales were reported at $8.6 

million. Employment at certification was 30, today’s employment numbers are 38. The firm 

credits the TAAF program as having a critical role in this recovery.

Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (NWTAAC)

A Washington industrial supplies contract manufacturer lost business to imports from China and 

entered the TAAF program in 2017. NWTAAC and the firm’s management developed a strategy 

to improve processes, develop new products, and develop marketing function. Through the TAAF 

program, adjustment assistance was employed for manufacturing engineering, and information 

systems consulting. The firm reversed declines and grew modestly. At the conclusion of five

years of TAAF implementation, the firm had increased sales by eight percent, and employment by 

ten percent with further gains in sales, employment, and productivity projected for the coming 

years.

An Oregon electronic components contract manufacturer lost business to imports from China and 

Taiwan and entered the TAAF program in 2016. NWTAAC and the firm’s management 
Page 44 of 45

developed a strategy to improve processes and expand the market base. Through the TAAF 

program, adjustment assistance was employed for manufacturing engineering, information system 

consulting, facility design, and marketing consulting. The firm reversed losses and grew rapidly. 

At the conclusion of five years of TAAF implementation, the firm had increased sales by 139

percent and employment by 71 percent with further gains in sales, employment, and productivity 

projected for the coming years. 

Rocky Mountain Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (RMTAAC)

A Colorado manufacturer of aircraft air temperature control systems entered the TAAF program 

facing stiff competition from European firms when it entered the TAAF program in 2018. 

Employment had dropped 14 percent, and sales were down 19 percent. The company wanted to 

reestablish a leading position in the market and was eager to make the necessary changes to 

succeed. With the help of the TAAF program, the firm’s management team participated in 

extensive leadership training that helped them align the business along a set of common goals. 

The firm also utilized TAAF cost-sharing assistance to help fund the cost of developing and 

launching state-of-the-art new products. Since engaging with the TAAF program, the firm’s 

employment is up four percent to 96 employees, and sales have grown by 67 percent reaching a 

total of $48 million annually. The firm is on track to complete the program in 2022. 

A Utah manufacturer specializing in plastic injection molded products entered the TAAF 

program after experiencing over a 25 percent decline in sales largely due to Asian import 

competition. TAAF program assistance allowed the firm to launch a continuous improvement 

program based on lean principles 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, productivity 

increased in one production line by 20 percent per day and average waste per order was reduced 

by 17 percent resulting in an overall cost of goods savings of over $500,000 per year. 

Southeastern Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (SETAAC)

A Florida multi-channel printing and marketing solutions company was certified for TAAF in 

2020 after being faced with import competition. The firm’s annual sales and employment had 

decreased by almost eight percent. In 2021, the firm completed multiple marketing projects which 

focused on the training the firm needed to gain in-depth knowledge for new packaging product 

lines and generating new customer leads. Since completing the projects, the firm has increased 

revenue by 32 percent and has increased employment by 25 percent. 

A Georgia contract precision metal stamping manufacturer was certified for TAAF funding in 

2018 after it was faced with increased import competition. Employment had declined by over six 

percent and annual sales were down by over 15 percent. The firm completed several marketing 

projects in 2021, automated several labor-intensive manual processes, and created a full assembly 

operation for a three-year contract. As a result, the firm has added 11 new employees and annual 

sales have increased by over $10 million. 

Southwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (SWTAAC)

A Louisiana machining firm, specializing in full-service machine manufacturing and custom 

fabrication, entered the TAAF program in 2017. Due to a decrease in industry demand, sales had 

seen a decline as a result of global competition and overseas outsourcing. Part of the business 

recovery plan was to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy to target new and existing 
Page 45 of 45

customers. The plan also included developmental training to improve production and optimize 

efficiencies. Since becoming involved with the TAAF program employment and sales have both 

seen a positive trend resulting in a 43 percent productivity increase.

A Texas plastics thermoforming company joined the TAAF program in 2019. With an increase in 

imports from China, Canada, and Mexico, a recovery plan focused on a marketing campaign was 

put into place to create a strong digital footprint. Reaching a more diverse audience, improving 

operating software, and securing various fabrication certifications for machine operators would 

prove to be vital to overcome the regional nature of the industry. Since engaging with the TAAF 

program employment has increased and sales have more than doubled leading to a 93% increase 

in productivity. 

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 its quality management certification standards and processes. As 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 seven percent decline in employment due import competition. The firm’s 

Adjustment Plan allowed it 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.