The Agurban from Boomtown Institute – Good News for U.S. Small Businesses

Good News for U.S. Small Businesses

The National Association of Manufacturers said the trade figures for May show continuing improvement in manufactured goods trade.

"Manufactured goods exports continued their sizzling pace," said Frank Vargo, the NAM’s vice president for international economic affairs. "For the first five months of this year, they were up 12 percent over the comparable year-ago period.

"Coupled with a slower 4 percent rise in imports, the export performance has resulted in a further reduction in the manufactured goods trade deficit which, through May, is 11 percent smaller than last year," said Vargo.

"Exports are keeping U.S. manufacturing afloat this year as domestic demand is very soft," said Vargo.

To further breakdown the data, U.S. small and midsize businesses account for nearly 97 percent of U.S. exporters and most new exporters come from this segment of the economy. More than two-thirds of U.S. exporters have fewer than 20 employees.

As I’ve mentioned in the past our business of building new industrial buildings seems to be doing very well and we sure aren’t seeing a downturn from the manufacturing sector. This year we have expansion projects under construction or planned in the following industries: food processing, agriculture equipment, animal feed, furniture, metal fabrication, machinery, medical equipment, printing and building accessories. None are huge but each will create new jobs and many undoubtedly export their products. These are sure signs that this economy is doing much better than the national media would have you believe.

Source: Shipping Digest

The Blog Log
Visit my weblog to see where I’ve been and what I have learned along the way.

On the road again…
In addition to my travel blog I’ll list my upcoming engagements in each issue of The Agurban. Come see me when I’m in your neighborhood!

Jack’s Schedule

Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

July 23, 2008 – Madison, IN – Madison-Jefferson County EDC
August 26, 2008 – Bismarck, ND – North Dakota Rural Economic Development Conference
Sept. 9, 2008 – Henderson, KY – Northwest KY Forward Annual Meeting
Sept. 10, 2008 – Montgomery, AL – Alabama Communities of Excellence
Sept. 11, 2008 – Wapakoneta, OH – Auglaize County Economic Development Coalition
Sept. 16, 2008 – Kittanning, PA – Armstrong County Community Foundation
Sept. 18-19, 2008 – Arco, ID – Lost Rivers Economic Development Leadership Academy

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Jack Schultz is the CEO of Boomtown Institute and Agracel Inc., an industrial development firm majoring in rural America, author of Boomtown USA, and speaker. Boomtown Institute serves as an economic development mentor to communities across the United States, leading communities to realize their full potential.

Visit the Boomtown Institute website at http://www.boomtowninstitute.com
Keep up with Jack as he tours the country on his blog!
Read past Agurbans at Agurban Archives.
To learn more about Agracel visit http://www.agracel.com.

email: [email protected]
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