Ohio exports feed growth

Columbus Dispatch: Many shoppers like to glance at a product’s label to see where in the world it came from. More than ever, the product says :Made in Ohio.”

The state’s exports are gaining strength in the global economy and showing up in such key markets as Canada, China, Europe, India, Japan, Mexico and Brazil, said David Goodman, director of the Ohio Development Services Agency.

RECORD YEAR

Ohio businesses set a record for exports last year, selling $52 billion worth of goods. That’s up from $50.8 billion in 2013. And this growth is not a fluke: Ohio’s global exports have risen steadily over the past four years by nearly 12 percent, from $45.5 billion in 2011.

“Ohio has great products and services to offer the global economy,” Goodman said.

That’s part of the reason. But growth is also being fed by a more business-friendly environment. The state has several programs and tools, including grants and internships, to help companies with costs of international marketing or to learn the fundamentals of exporting — a leap that can be especially daunting for entrepreneurs and small-business owners.