The U.S. Department of Commerce today released a report highlighting goods exported from U.S. metropolitan areas for 2014. The International Trade Administration’s 2014 Metropolitan Area Export Overview indicates that goods exported from the Las Cruces, N.M., metropolitan area totaled $1.3 billion last year, an increase of $913 million, or 210.9 percent from 2013 to 2014. Las Cruces ranked # 1 in terms of percentage growth, and 134 out of 300 for total exports.
“More and more U.S. businesses are realizing that selling their world-class goods to the 96 percent of potential customers who live outside the United States is critical to their success,” said Stefan M. Selig, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. “The Department of Commerce is committed to assisting companies throughout the Las Cruces metropolitan area compete globally by helping them begin or expand their exporting operations. These efforts are important to strengthening both the local and national economy, and creating well-paying jobs here at home.”
“Many Las Cruces area exporters continue to do very well in their global sales, and there’s excellent potential to increase the number of exporting companies here in Las Cruces and the number of markets exporters are selling to,” said Gary Camarano, Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Las Cruces. Camarano added, “We’re going to be more aggressive in our community’s response to globalization, conducting more inbound and outbound trade missions – like our recently completed Taiwan Trade Mission – to bring opportunities to Las Cruces businesses. We’ll continue to work closely with our colleagues at the U.S. Commercial Service, who did an outstanding job in helping to organize our latest trade mission.”
Las Cruces Metropolitan Area Export Highlights for 2014:
- One of 139 metro areas to achieve record goods export levels.
- More than 68 percent of goods exported went to markets where the United States has trade agreements.
- Key merchandise export categories included computer and electronic products; electrical equipment, appliance, and components; fabricated metal products; transportation equipment; plastics and rubber products; and agricultural products.
- The NAFTA, European Union, and Asia regions were leading destinations for goods exports.
Increasing U.S. exports is a top priority for all levels of government in the U.S., and the City of Las Cruces is working closely with the U.S. Commercial Service and the State of New Mexico’s Economic Development Department to bring growth opportunities to the area’s businesses.
To learn more about the City’s economic development programs to assist business contact Gary Camarano at econdev@las-cruces.org .
Information from city of Las Cruces