Export-Import Bank of the United States First Vice President and Vice Chair Judith Pryor Tours Rhode Island and Maine Small Businesses with Senators and Local Officials
WASHINGTON – Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) First Vice President and Vice Chair Judith D. Pryor concluded a successful visit to Rhode Island and Maine today. Vice Chair Pryor met with several local small businesses and participated in roundtable discussions with senators and local officials about how EXIM financing can support and expand local jobs.
On Monday, Vice Chair Pryor visited AVTECH, a manufacturer of property protection equipment, located in Warren, RI. An EXIM customer since 2018, AVTECH has utilized EXIM’s export credit insurance to increase their export market to nine countries.
Following the company visit, Vice Chair Pryor participated in a panel discussion hosted by the Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed and attended by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Reps. Jim Langevin and David Cicilline. During the discussion, Vice Chair Pryor outlined the support EXIM can provide to area businesses and exporters. Vice Chair Pryor closed out her visit to Rhode Island meeting with The Town Dock, a wholesaler of fresh and frozen fish to domestic and international buyers and an EXIM customer since 2011.
“On behalf of everyone at the Export-Import Bank of the United States, I thank Sen. Reed and the Rhode Island delegation for facilitating a great discussion on supporting U.S. exports. Working with our federal, state, and local partners, EXIM is committed to helping more Rhode Island small businesses access financing solutions that enhance their competitiveness in the global marketplace,” said Vice Chair Pryor.
“I’m always seeking opportunities to help Rhode Island businesses compete, grow, and find new customers, and in today’s economy, there’s a renewed focus on strengthening supply chains at home and selling products abroad. But how do local companies find those opportunities? The Export-Import Bank is a fantastic resource for local exporters. This roundtable will help more Rhode Island businesses navigate complex markets and leverage EXIM tools and services to expand their businesses,” said Senator Reed.
Vice Chair Pryor traveled to Maine on Wednesday to continue EXIM outreach, visiting small business Microwave Technologies, and participating in a roundtable discussion featuring government and private sector representatives. Vice Chair Pryor further highlighted EXIM resources, including the Make More in America Initiative, which is designed to spur domestic manufacturing and exporting.
On Wednesday, Vice Chair Pryor also toured Auburn Manufacturing, Inc. alongside Maine Sen. Angus King. Auburn Manufacturing, led by CEO Kathie Leonard, produces advanced textiles for extreme-heat environments and is a longtime EXIM customer and success story.
“The Export-Import Bank of the United States is committed to expanding our outreach to small businesses across the country so we can support them as they grow their export business into diverse markets,” said Vice Chair Pryor. “I thank Sen. King for inviting me to Maine to discuss the resources available through EXIM for small businesses to increase their competitiveness and boost global sales. This, in turn, fulfills EXIM’s mission of supporting U.S. job growth through exports.”
“International markets provide businesses across our state the chance to reach new customers, grow their sales, and create more good-paying jobs – they’re a critical part of Maine’s economy,” said Senator King. “It was great to join EXIM Vice Chair Pryor today on a tour of Auburn Manufacturing Inc. to learn more about how overseas sales impact their business and how Congress and the Biden administration can continue to support their work. AMI is producing innovative textiles, and they deserve world-class opportunities. Together, with businesses like AMI and the Export-Import Bank’s new Make More in America Initiative, I’m hopeful that we can grow Maine’s international markets and strengthen our state’s economy.”
ABOUT EXIM:
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is the nation’s official export credit agency with the mission of supporting American jobs by facilitating U.S. exports. To advance American competitiveness and assist U.S. businesses as they compete for global sales, EXIM offers financing including export credit insurance, working capital guarantees, loan guarantees, and direct loans. As an independent federal agency, EXIM contributes to U.S. economic growth by supporting tens of thousands of jobs in exporting businesses and their supply chains across the United States. Since 1992, EXIM has generated more than $9 billion for the U.S. Treasury for repayment of U.S. debt. Learn more at www.exim.gov.
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