Congresswoman Kathy Castor joined Commerce Undersecretary and Tampa native Frank Sánchez today at a roundtable to discuss the importance of exports to Florida’s economy and jobs. Castor emphasized that the more goods and services exported from the Tampa Bay region, the more jobs will be created and sustained in our community.

“Goods and services leaving the Port of Tampa touch every corner of our globe, making the port one of the largest economic engines and job creators in our state,” Castor said. “In this global economy, we need to keep our jobs right here in America, right here in the Tampa Bay region, and find creative ways to expand our exports abroad. That way, we will ensure that our jobs don't go overseas.”

The Port of Tampa is developing new trade routes to expand exports, which, in turn, will help our region’s economic recovery. Throughout Castor’s time in Congress, she has championed Port and shipyard expansion, as well as the Lee Roy Selmon/ Crosstown Connector through appropriations and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These investments increase business opportunities and ensure the Port is better able to compete in the global market. Making products in America means high-skill and high-wage jobs.

“Trade is how we will grow the American economy, and the Tampa Bay region is doing its part and preparing to do more,” Sánchez said. “The Port of Tampa is strategically developing new trade routes with Caribbean nations, as well as the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Panama, which will expand exports.”

Last year, Florida exported approximately $47 billion worth of goods to countries abroad, including to Brazil, Colombia, Switzerland, Canada and China.

In his State of the Union address this year, President Obama set a goal to double the exports leaving our country throughout the next five years, an increase that could support 2 million jobs in our country. President Obama also created a National Export Initiative to help small- and medium-businesses develop ways to export their groups.

“This is what we need to do to make sure our jobs don’t go abroad,” Castor said. “With the President’s and Undersecretary Sánchez’s leadership, we will continue working to create and sustain jobs through exports.”