8eallzlng 2010 Lo 2020 u.S.

LxporL and 1rade Lxpanslon uLlllzlng

uomesLlc Lmerglng MarkeLs and Workforces:

"#$%&'()* +,-, .
Prepared By 30 January 2010
Whitney R. White

Introduction

Today the United States is well into one of the greatest recessions in its history and the result of this long-
term dilemma has been the reduction of, or outright loss of businesses and jobs. These losses have put a
considerable strain on the economy and services at every level, impacting everything from a steady tax
base, to housing, healthcare and education. A contributing factor is the loss of manufacturing and a lack
of resources in developing innovative domestic policy consisting in part, with the development of
conduits into global markets for underserved and underutilized communities.

State and Local governments are finding it increasing difficult to provide the same level of services and
supports for their stakeholders and require solutions that do not call for mass expenditures of public
funds, while simultaneously providing social and economic supports.

These trends are profound for most Americans and for the communities in which they live, especially for
underserved and underutilized communities. Strategic and innovative action is paramount to job creation
economic development and standards of living improvement. It is necessary to create a cooperative policy
approach that incorporates local government-corporate-NGO driven partnerships. The focus on future
opportunities and steady/consistent economic improvements for underserved/underutilized communities,
populations and businesses will rely on access to global economies.


The Issue

Federal, State and Local governments all are experiencing the same problems, underfunded current
programs and/or a lack of funding for new commerce and workforce development programming. There
are many great organizations that assist government(s) on economic development platforms, such as,
Chambers of Commerce, non-profit economic and social development organizations. Whats missing in
many areas of the country are keystones that bring all of these groups together on a common path, a path
where all mission statements are fulfilled in a symbiotic manner.

A keystone to the development of export and trade policy at not only the Federal and State levels, but at
the local and corporate level is to change the thinking that a corporate approach to globalization is one
devoid of cooperation and coordination with local government. While corporations and local governments
will regularly discuss job creation (or loss), taxes and other incentives, rarely are common goals and
unified ways of achieving business expansion discussed.

With that said, I am embarking on a goal to start a non-profit 501(c) 4, that will challenge the status quo
and offer policy and market-driven solutions for local governments and businesses while over the next
decade, including underserved and underutilized communities, businesses and populations, a 20% market
share in the projected expansion of U.S. exports and trade.

Initiatives and programming supports will focus on the promotion and development of trade and related
economic, industrial, commercial and residential projects development; workforce education and training
in global markets, trade and the facilitation of access to finance primarily for small and medium
enterprises looking to enter or expand in the global marketplace.

8eallzlng 2010 Lo 2020 u.S. LxporL and 1rade Lxpanslon uLlllzlng
uomesLlc Lmerglng MarkeLs and Workforces:

"#$%&'()* +,-, .



APPROACHES TO CONSIDER IN EXPORT LED INDUSTRIALIZATION AND REGIONAL POLICY
DEVELOPMENT:
Policy Creation: To create, promote and implement local trade and economic policy, along with key
resources and access points, aimed at speeding up the industrialization process. This is realized in part by:
Project Development initiative: Improving upon the best intentions and practices of early 20
th
century
company town models, with the creation and connection of a network of U.S. Export and Trade Centers
and inland ports, which will serve as centers for small and medium business incubation and growth,
inclusive of residential-commercial-industrial development and new workforce opportunities for veterans,
ex-offenders, disabled, transitional and welfare populations in the immediate area. Connecting these new
sites with existing ports will increase port business and provide deeper penetration and greater economic
impact for the nations ports into long underserved and underutilized local U.S. economies and
infrastructures.
Finance initiative: Working with financial institutions will provide access to capital for industrial,
commercial, residential and business development focused on domestic and global trade related economic
development. This proves as a win-win, because based on the approach, banks will open business lines
without necessarily taking on trade financing risks, as the portfolio will typically be brick and mortar
deals banks are accustomed to, while businesses will have additional access to capital due to risk
mitigation led by public-private partnerships.
Education and Workforce Development: Development of partnerships with Universities, local school
boards and training centers will educate current and future globally competitive workforces, inclusive of
the transitional, disabled, veteran, ex-offender or recent graduate worker.
Community Centers of Influence: I first introduced this term at the post Katrina Hurricane conference
in Mobile Alabama in 2006 and the idea was quickly adopted by the Conference led by the National
Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. The idea identified and for the first time in the twenty-
nine year history of the nationally adopted emergency communications model, changed this model to
include faith-based institutions. Presently expanding on that model I envision faith-based institutions as a
great resource for underserved and underutilized workforces and access to small and medium business
leaders.
In Closing
Think Tanks are not a new concept. However, the approach envisioned will focus on the inclusion of
underserved and underutilized communities in the global economy while employing the uses of market
driven development, governmental policy and economies of scale cooperation and entrepreneurial led
philanthropy. This will provide state and local administrators, educational systems and businesses
additional resources, expertise and leverage in new and innovative approaches to fiscal relief, workforce
development and business expansion.