Resolution in Support of Expansion of Foreign Markets for America’s Small Businesses

Policy Status

  • Type: Model Resolution
  • Status: Final
  • Date Finalized: January 28, 2013
  • Date Amended: August 30, 2024

Issues

  • Tax Reform

    • Task Forces

  • Federalism and International Relations

    • Related Articles

    Tags

  • AM 2024
  • International Relations Task Force
  • International Trade
  • Small Business

    • Summary

    This resolution outlines the benefits that accrue to companies (even small ones) that engage in international trade.  Additionally, it asserts that a state’s economic growth and ability to create jobs can be significantly enhanced by its ability to develop new markets overseas. Upon review, it was determined that the ideas contained in this resolution were more relevant than ever but that some of the statistics underpinning it needed updating.  We updated the outdated statistics but retained the ideas underpinning the resolution when it was amended.
    Draft

    Resolution in Support of Expansion of Foreign Markets for America’s Small Businesses

    Whereas, small businesses are the foundation from which America builds its economic strength; and

    Whereas, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration there were over 33 million small businesses in the United States in 2009, and America’s small businesses employ more than 46% of all American workers; and

    Whereas, this body endorses measures designed to increase the success of small businesses, by easing the regulatory burden on the small business community through such legislative initiatives as the model state Regulatory Flexibility Act; and

    Whereas, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, in 2023 approximately 1.3 million American small businesses export their goods or services for consumption outside the borders of the United States when exports of less than $2,500 are contemplated; and

    Whereas, workers in export-related jobs receive wages 16 percent higher than the national average and exports of goods and services from the United States support nearly 12 million domestic jobs; and

    Whereas, according to the US Department of Commerce, 3.7 million manufacturing jobs are closely tied to exportation, and according to the USDA U.S. farm exports totaled $178.7 billion in 2023; and

    Whereas, the United States government has numerous export promotion and finance programs designed to benefit local businesses, such as those offered by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Service, the U.S. Export-Import Bank, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service; and

    Whereas, these programs work to develop foreign markets for goods and services and provide financing for export sales at little or no risk to the domestic business entity;

    Be It Resolved that as economic growth and job security can be found through the development of new markets overseas, the legislature of the state of [insert state] endorses the efforts of the united States government to support the export of goods and services by the small businesses of our state.

    Approved with amendments by the ALEC Board of Directors on January 28, 2013.

    Re-approved with amendments by the ALEC Board of Directors on August 30, 2024.