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CHARLESTON -- Three Jackson County companies were among the 26 West Virginia businesses honored Tuesday by the state.
They were presented with the Governor's Commendation for International Market Entry Award, recognizing businesses that exported to a new country in the previous year. West Virginia businesses exported to a diverse range of products in 2018 -- everything from all-natural beard care products to virtual reality software.
The Jackson County companies, the only mentioned for the Mid-Ohio Valley, were:
∫ J&M Industrial, Millwood. Country: Uruguay, Mongolia, Ireland, Switzerland, Tinian, New Zealand, South Africa, Nicaragua and Azerbaijan. Product: Used and surplus industrial equipment.
∫ Constellium Rolled Products, Ravenswood. Country: India, Israel and Norway. Product: Aluminum coil, sheet and plate products.
∫ Mustang Sampling, Ravenswood. Country: Russia and Singapore. Product: Liquefied natural gas systems.
Gov. Jim Justice's Chief of Staff Mike Hall presided over the presentation. He was joined by Commerce Secretary Ed Gaunch and West Virginia Development Office Executive Director Mike Graney.
"We in government try to encourage business, try to encourage the people who are already here, building businesses and bringing in revenue," said Hall. "This award is given to companies that made their first sale to a new country in the previous calendar year. Since 2002, more than 2,200 awards have been presented to 169 companies that have sold products to 188 countries around the world. On behalf of the governor, I thank you and I congratulate you."
This year, 10 companies received the commendation award for the first time. Sports Outfitters of Williamson in Mingo County is the first tourism company to receive the award. Its product was an ATV resort on the Hatfield/McCoy Trails for Canada.
"For years, West Virginia has continued to build the foundation of economic diversity in our great state. These innovative companies are perfect examples of how hard-working, entrepreneurial companies in our state can compete on the world stage," said Gaunch.
"Our Export Promotion Program brings expertise, innovative thinking and resources to business in our state. The program is committed to assisting small and mid-sized companies begin diversifying their business and reaching new markets around the globe," said Graney.
A total of 77 countries were represented. Five countries appeared as markets for West Virginia companies for the first time: Vanuatu, Somalia, Lesotho, Central African Republic and Liechtenstein. Countries that were the most frequent market destinations included Australia, Canada, Poland, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
Each company receives a framed piece of currency from each new country to which the business began exporting. The presentation is based on the tradition of displaying the first dollar a business earns.
Following a luncheon at the Governor's Mansion, the award presentation was held in the Governor's Reception Room at the state Capitol.
The West Virginia Development Office's International Division helps small- to medium-sized West Virginia businesses enter new foreign markets. Visit westvirginia.gov, International Development, for details on exporting assistance.
In cooperation with the U.S. Commercial Service and the West Virginia Export Council, West Virginia Development Office offers export assistance such as research to help a company determine whether a foreign market makes a good fit with its product or service, trade shows and missions to markets, and connects exporters with freight forwarders, backers, translators, and other service providers.