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DICKINSON, N.D. – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Banking Committee, hosted Export-Import (EXIM) Bank Director and former Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-AL) in Dickinson, North Dakota for a roundtable to discuss supporting jobs by expanding export opportunities for U.S. businesses.
“It was great to host Export-Import Bank Director Bachus in Dickinson today to discuss opportunities to expand exports for North Dakota businesses. The bank ensures businesses in our state and throughout the country can compete on a level playing field in the global marketplace. They provide critical financing to American exporters to ship our goods, innovation, and freedom across the world while supporting small businesses and jobs at home,” said Senator Cramer.
“I thank Senator Cramer for inviting me to Dickinson to discuss the tools EXIM provides for small businesses in North Dakota and around the country. No one has been more supportive of American manufacturing than Senator Cramer. EXIM is dedicated to providing new opportunities like the Make More in America Initiative to strengthen our domestic workforce,” said EXIM Director Bachus. “We know that companies that export are more likely to succeed, and one of our core goals at the Bank is to ensure every company, large and small, has access to our programs. Ultimately, we are committed to doing everything we can to support U.S. jobs and help businesses grow.”
Before the roundtable, Senator Cramer and Director Bachus toured Killdeer Mountain Manufacturing’s (KMM) Dickinson facility, which supplies wire harnesses, fiber optic subassemblies, and repair parts for both commercial aircraft platforms and naval and air force fighters. These aircraft are then purchased by companies that utilize EXIM-backed bank loans to participate in the global marketplace.
“KMM is honored to host this impressive event to highlight the real-world benefits of a fully functional EXIM Bank. We value Senator Cramer’s service and efforts on the Banking Committee and Armed Service Committee. We value the opportunity to show, firsthand, the opportunities afforded to our KMM team. North Dakotans contribute to the elite aerospace supply chain on a global scale and the loans issued through the EXIM bank. We are grateful to Senator Cramer for his leadership in retaining authorization of EXIM that is so critical to jobs in this community,” said Kristin Hedger, Vice President of Business Development, Killdeer Mountain Manufacturing.
The roundtable outlined opportunities for North Dakota small businesses to open new markets, grow sales, and strengthen resiliency by leveraging EXIM programs.
North Dakota benefits greatly from the EXIM Bank. Since 2014, North Dakota’s total export value has reached $47 million from machinery manufacturing sales, crop production sales, and plastic and rubber products.
Background:
In December 2019, Congress passed the longest Export-Import Bank authorization in the bank’s history championed by Senator Cramer.
Senator Cramer also hosted President and now former Chair of the EXIM Board of Directors Kimberly Reed in North Dakota for a Trade Finance Town Hall and a tour of WCCO Belting in October 2020.
In an op-ed in The Hill, Senator Cramer highlighted the one-year anniversary of the authorization of the EXIM Bank and Reed’s visit to North Dakota. He credited the EXIM Bank with helping American workers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and keeping China at bay.
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