Each company can receive information on a range of export, import, investment and other international topics including pricing issues, development of an international marketing plan and overseas contacts. Over 50 Arkansas firms have received assistance from GMSS in the past five years. Each company participates at its own established level of involvement. The GMSS clientele produce a variety of products such as clothing, value-added wood products, agricultural equipment, natural food supplements, cards and books, hand tools, medical equipment, sports collectibles, giftware, car wash equipment and others. Increased sales by GMSS clients have contributed to growth in jobs in Arkansas.
Exports are important to the state's economy.
This increase in exports is estimated to have created 6,000 new jobs in the state. Information, technology, capital, culture, goods and services flow freely across national boundaries. It began as a pilot program with Conway, Jefferson and Randolph counties and the southern part of Pike County, as well as the communities of Batesville, Brinkley and Van Buren. In each community, a leadership team of five people provided two half-day seminars every other month for a year, to develop a plan to position their community for success in the Information Age. Involved 241 individuals in leadership positions and an additional 3,395 persons from their communities in the planning process.