The U.S. Department of Commerce for the first time has recognized South Dakota’s approach to expanding U.S. exports with its highest honor.

Rock Nelson, executive director of  South Dakota’s International Trade Center, received the 2021 President’s “E” Award for Export Service at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

The President’s “E” Award is the highest recognition that any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

“South Dakota’s International Trade Center has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion. The “E” Awards committee was very impressed with South Dakota’s International Trade Center’s delivery of a variety of trade events over the past several years,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a congratulatory letter.

“The organization’s customized client support was also particularly notable. South Dakota’s International Trade Center’s achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs.”

The center, located in Sioux Falls, is the statewide provider of export services for small and medium-sized U.S. businesses, including supply chain management, international freight logistics, export consulting, export financing, strategic planning, importing, foreign trade zones, documentation, rules and regulations, and compliance – both domestic and foreign.

“Exporting is crucial to the success of the businesses that we work with. Every day we see the growth of our clients’ businesses, due in large part to exporting,” Nelson said. “This growth has enabled our clients to add jobs and support their local communities as they expand their bottom line.”

The Commerce Department honored 71 U.S. companies and organizations for their role in strengthening the U.S. economy by sharing American ingenuity outside of our borders, which represents recipients from this year and last year.

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and provide recognition to America’s exporters. Criteria for the award is based on four years of successive export growth and case studies that demonstrate valuable support to exporters resulting in increased exports for those clients.

U.S. companies are nominated for the “E” Awards through the U.S. Commercial Service, the export promotion arm of the department’s International Trade Administration. With offices in more than 100 cities across the United States and in 75 markets around the world, the International Trade Administration is considered a top resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace.