• The U.S. Commercial Service (Kansas City) of the U.S. Department of Commerce is a federal government agency dedicated to helping small-to-medium sized Kansas and Missouri companies develop international markets. Their experienced staff of International Trade Specialists will help you identify and evaluate international partners, navigate international documentation challenges, create market entry strategies, and provide other export related guidance. The U.S. Commercial Service office located in Kansas City, Missouri is part of an international network of global professionals. They have 165 offices in 82 countries throughout the world. For more information, visit www.buyusa.gov/kansascity or call 816-421-1876.
• Export.gov (Web: www.export.gov) brings together resources from across the U.S. Government to assist American businesses in planning their international sales strategies and succeed in today’s global marketplace. For assistance in navigating the site or for questions on the content, contact the U.S. Commercial Service-Kansas City at 816-421-1876.
• An outstanding resource within Export.gov is the import/export introduction, which includes links to several excellent resources, especially for those getting started with international trade.
• Still another another outstanding source for show and events in this area is Trade Events search features at Export.Gove, located at www.export.gov/eac/trade_events.asp.
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Area, State and Regional Resources
Free and non-profit resources, including EDC International Group Business Members (individuals and organizations that have participated in the Clay County Economic Development Council's International Trade Committee):
Missouri Department of Economic Development (www.ded.mo.gov) works to increase the number of Missouri companies exporting and increase the volume of Missouri exports. Experienced, multilingual staff offers quality export assistance that will ensure your competitive success in China, Japan, Mexico, Taiwan the United Kingdom and the entire global marketplace. They offer real-time insight on market opportunities. Help is available on everything from basic questions about getting started, to concerns about a particular market or industry. Of special note are free assessments and direct help detailed on this page.
 International Trade Council of Greater Kansas City (www.itckc.org/index.cfm) promotes international business through focused commercial education and networking to support individuals and businesses in the Greater Kansas City area. The ITC accomplishes its mission as a not-for-profit membership organization largely through the efforts of volunteer leadership with the assistance of a professional staff. The ITC offers focused international trade education and networking for those in the international business arena, those looking to enter the international and for students.
KC SmartPort (www.kcsmartport.com)to your list of resources. SmartPort has an international section to its website that tells of the travel and trade show reimbursement program for local companies to pursue exporting to Mexico and Central America.
Missouri Source Link (www.mosourcelink.com) is an excellent source for business help in Missouri, especially for smaller firms. While it is not focused on global trade, the information on business startups and expansion, financing, etc., is helpful.
Trade Adjustment Assistance Center provides a cost-sharing program under which federal assistance will help pay the cost of consultants, engineers, product designers or other industry-specific experts for a variety of projects that will improve a manufacturer's ability to compete in the global marketplace. The Trade Adjustment Center for Missouri is Mid-America TAAC, 664 SE Bayberry Lane, Suite 101, Lee's Summit, MO 64063. For more information, contact Theresa Hauk, Executive Director, 816-246-1555 or richardsb@taacenter.org.
The World Trade Center of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce (www.kcchamber.com) focuses on trade education of the business community, building global business leadership and the promotion of a unified voice within the business community to International Investors, to our membership, and to the small and medium sized business located in the greater Kansas City region.
Local Support
City of Gladstone Economic Development (www.ed4gladstone.com) communicates the benefits of a centrally located area community, with low taxes and a high quality business and residential environment.
The Partnership for Community Growth & Development (www.thinklibertymo.com) is a private/public not-for-profit organization whose focus is retaining existing and attracting new businesses in the Liberty, Missouri area. It works to maintain and enhance the business environment, which in turn, leads to company expansions. The Partnership serves as a resource to companies that may be considering expansion into international markets by maintaining a database of available service providers.
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