Promoting Rural Exports Act of 2018

To establish the Rural Export Center, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Promoting Rural Exports Act of 2018 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Rural businesses are often located far from information clusters and major transportation corridors. (2) Because of their location, rural businesses face higher barriers to accessing international markets. (3) A dedicated Rural Export Center within the United States and Foreign Commercial Service providing business- and product-specific support can help companies in the United States looking to export their products. 3. Establishment of the Rural Export Center (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Assistant Secretary The term Assistant Secretary 15 U.S.C. 4721(a)(2) (2) Commercial Service The term Commercial Service 15 U.S.C. 4721(a)(1) (b) Establishment of the Rural Export Center (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary shall establish a Rural Export Center (in this section referred to as the Center (2) Location of the Center (A) In general The Center shall be established at an office of the Commercial Service in the United States in existence before the date of the enactment of this Act. (B) Criteria for selecting location In selecting a location for the Center, the Assistant Secretary shall give preference— (i) based on expertise and operations at Commercial Service offices that support rural businesses exporting to new markets before the date of the enactment of this Act; and (ii) to such offices not located in major metropolitan areas. (C) Location of staff Any researcher or staff directly supporting the operation of the Center shall be primarily based at the Center. (c) Export Center operations (1) In general The Center shall— (A) provide in-depth, customized, and actionable market research services that— (i) a business may opt into based on need; and (ii) are— (I) focused on actionable and measurable results for a business; (II) business- and product-specific; (III) targeted to not more than 3 international markets; (IV) based on high-quality data, including data from international trade association subscription databases; and (V) based on market analysis and export services of the Commercial Service available before the date of the enactment of this Act, including the Rural America's Intelligence Service for Exporters program; and (B) conduct strategic planning and export support services for rural businesses as needed. (2) Measure of effectiveness To measure the effectiveness of the Center, the Center shall collect and make available data on— (A) the number of businesses that sign up for market research assistance; (B) the number of export assistance services a business engages in following the research assistance, including— (i) trade shows; (ii) trade missions; and (iii) other services facilitated by the Center; and (C) the total monetary value of exports facilitated by the services provided by the Center. (3) Website for the Center The Center shall maintain an internet website that includes— (A) data collected by the Center; (B) best practices for rural businesses beginning to evaluate export opportunities; and (C) appropriate contact information for staff at the Center.

Summary: Promoting Rural Exports Act of 2018 This bill establishes the Rural Export Center for the purpose of assisting rural businesses seeking to export their products.