Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, will hold a series of events with local businesses and organizations that export to countries worldwide during his time in Northwest Washington over the next week. Larsen also is hosting the administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to highlight the agency’s relationships with local businesses and the importance of trade for related industries such as fishing.

Larsen will tour local manufacturers and will hold roundtables about exporting and trade around Northwest Washington. He will hear about the opportunities and challenges these organizations face when exporting, as well as the effects trade has on the Washington state economy.

“My top priority is to invest in the foundation of long-term economic growth that creates jobs and opportunity in the Pacific Northwest. When we help our businesses sell their goods overseas, we create jobs here at home. That is why I am focused on meeting with local businesses who are exporting their products all over the world to learn more about their opportunities and growth, as well as their challenges. I want to continue to understand Washington state’s trade relationships with countries around the world,” Larsen said.

Many of the local businesses Larsen will meet with export to countries that are a part of Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.

Full details of Larsen’s schedule will follow with separate press advisories. Highlights of events include:

Monday, May 4: A discussion in Bellingham with raspberry growers to talk about the effects of trade on their industry.

Tuesday, May 5: Export events with NOAA Administrator Kathryn Sullivan

• Discussion about innovation, research and exports at Kongsberg Underwater Technology, Inc., in Lynnwood, which manufactures autonomous underwater vehicles. Event will finish with a tour of the Kongsberg facilities.
• Roundtable in Seattle with members of the fishing industry to discuss exports.

Wednesday, May 6: A discussion with potato growers in Skagit County to talk about the effects of trade on their industry.

Thursday, May 7:

• Tour and discussion with WaterTectonics in Everett, which designs and manufactures water treatment solutions for use in a variety of sectors.
• Tour and discussion with Vista Clara in Mukilteo, which manufactures equipment that does imaging in water, rock and soil formations.

Friday, May 8: Tour and discussion with Art of Appreciation in Arlington, a gift basket producer that employs 30 people and exports to Canada.

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