(Photo by Christina Estes - KJZZ)

Kevin O'Shea with the Arizona Commerce Authority leads an export training session in Chandler.

Representatives from five Valley companies are taking part in a nationally recognized program that connects businesses with coaches to develop and deliver a plan to export their products. The ExporTech program, co-sponsored by the City of Chandler and delivered by the Arizona Commerce Authority, includes three training days over a three-month period with a lot of homework in between.

Chandler’s Economic Development Director Micah Miranda says helping businesses grow will pay off for the city.

“Export intensive industries traditionally pay average workers up to 18 percent more,” he said. “When we look at the economic cycle and the flow of money, those are dollars that will come back into our community.”  

Miranda also said export-oriented companies traditionally weather recessions better because they have a diversified consumer base.

Since ExporTech launched in 2007, the U.S. Department of Commerce says 854 companies have participated in 32 states.