CHARLESTON, W.Va. — While West Virginia may be one of the country’s smaller states, it’s businesses play a big role in the international market. Some of those Mountain State companies were recognized Tuesday for exporting their goods overseas.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin along with Secretary of Commerce Keith Burdette, the state Development Office and the state Export Council gathered at the Cultural Center to present business representatives with the Governor’s Commendation for International Market Entry.
“We’re going to recognize 37 new companies who are doing business in 70 plus new countries around the world. It’s a great recognition of an important part of our economy and we’re glad that so many people could be here with us,” said Burdette.
The award celebrates small and medium companies making significant international contributions. While West Virginia still exports to past partners, many of the businesses honored this year export to emerging markets in the Middle East and Africa, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Ghana, and Sierra Leone.
“I’m very proud of all the recipients here today and those who couldn’t make it. I encourage every business to do the best you can, we’ll train people the best we can to make sure that we can continue to expand our exports from West Virginia,” Tomblin said.
Among those recognized this year were Peacock Manufacturing, Marble King, Cyclops Industries Inc., and Charleston Steel. Wheeling Truck Inc., received a special award. They export to 94 countries. The West Virginia Coal Association was also specially honored as well as the Polymer Alliance Zone and the Chemical Alliance Zone.
Since the award’s inception in 2002, 175 businesses have been recognized for international market entry.