WASHINGTON – Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) today reintroduced the Promoting Rural Exports Act, legislation to formally authorize and support the operations of the National Rural Export Center, which is based out of the U.S. Commercial Service (USCS) office in Fargo. The center helps businesses in rural areas increase their exports by providing critical research, tools and analysis, enabling them to both identify new buyers and establish strategies to reach international markets.
“The National Rural Export Center in Fargo has been a critical support for rural businesses, helping them access a broader customer base overseas while improving our nation’s balance of trade,” said Senator Hoeven. “The Fargo-based center developed a successful model that is being replicated across the country. Our legislation would ensure they continue to lead the way in expanding rural export opportunities and establish better coordination across similar efforts at the Department of Commerce.”
“Businesses in rural areas shouldn’t be denied opportunities just because of their location,” said Senator Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan Promoting Rural Exports Act will help ensure rural businesses have the resources they need to reach new markets, boost exports, and continue to innovate and grow.”
“The Rural Export Center in Fargo is a tremendous resource for North Dakota producers and businesses, helping them navigate trade opportunities across the globe,” said Senator Cramer. “Once again, the excellent work done in North Dakota is being used as the model for other Rural Export Centers across the country. Our bill formally establishes the Fargo Rural Export Center as the national headquarters at the Department of Commerce, overseeing nine other regional Rural Export Centers.”
“Rural businesses fulfill a crucial—and often overlooked—role in our economy,” said Senator Smith. “The Rural Export Act gives local leaders in the agriculture, manufacturing, and energy sectors the tools necessary to compete on a global scale. The bill establishes permanent Rural Export Centers that offer recent market research, strategy development, and education opportunities for Americans that don’t live close to major metropolitan areas. It is more important now than ever that we make sure everyday Americans can access convenient, state-of-the-art resources like those provided by Rural Export Centers.”
“The National Rural Export Center is a vital resource, and I know firsthand how important their technical expertise is to our rural businesses as they work to identify and realize opportunities for growth,” said Perrie Schafer, Chairman of the North Dakota District Export Council. “We appreciate the work of our U.S. Senators in North Dakota and Minnesota to build upon the center’s record of excellence and ensure it continues to serve as a leader in growing U.S. exports.”
The Promoting Rural Exports Act will:
- Make the nine regional rural export centers report to the national center in Fargo, helping to better coordinate rural export support efforts under the Department of Commerce.
- Direct the center to provide customized market research services to help rural businesses target their exports.
- Direct the center to conduct strategic planning and export support services for rural businesses.
- Require the center to make data relating to its effectiveness publicly available on its website.
The legislation comes in addition to Hoeven’s efforts on the Senate Appropriations Committee to secure funding in the Senate’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations bill to support and expand the National Rural Export Center’s capabilities, enabling it to assist rural businesses across the country, including in North Dakota, in industries such as agricultural equipment, machinery and tools, furniture, building products and construction, among others. That legislation was recently approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee.
