Highline Community College’s Center of Excellence for International Trade, Transportation and Logistics has been awarded nearly $400,000 from the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) to help local businesses enter the export market.

“CERB funding will support the access and training necessary for small- and medium-sized businesses that hope to take advantage of the significant export market opportunities available,” said Highline President Dr. Jack Bermingham.

“Exports will continue as a key driver for the state’s economic recovery and will lead to more jobs here,” Dr. Bermingham said.

The project will provide education to businesses on the basics of exporting; advanced training for businesses, including developing an export plan; and coaching and counseling for companies, including access to market research and financing.

Six projects from around the state received $2.9 million in funding from the CERB Export Assistance Program, part of Gov. Chris Gregoire’s National Export Initiative. Highline is the only community college to serve as a project leader.

Highline’s partners for the project include Association of Washington Business Institute, Community Colleges of Spokane, Export Finance Assistance Center of Washington, Impact Washington, Pierce College and U.S. Export Assistance Center.

For more information about Highline’s Center of Excellence for International Trade, Transportation and Logistics, visit www.ittlwa.com.

For more information about the CERB Export Assistance Program, visit www.commerce.wa.gov/cerb/export.