U.S Secretary of Commerce Praises SteelMaster Building’s

Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke made mention of SteelMaster Buildings for expanding its export efforts as he spoke before those gathered at the Virginia Summit on Export Opportunities which was held Monday, Sept. 13, 2010 in Richmond, Va. To view Video coverage click here. According to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, in 2009, Virginia businesses exported almost $27 billion in goods and services, and the Commonwealth ranks as the 21st largest exporting state in the country. Exports directly and indirectly support an estimated 300,000 private-sector jobs in Virginia. During his speech, Locke focused his attention on one policy in particular that he feels carries a powerful punch– President Obama’s National Export Initiative (or NEI). “It’s an unprecedented effort, and it was designed with two overriding goals in mind,” says Locke. “…to put Americans back to work and ensure long-term economic growth.”