Who Are We
The Kentucky District Export Council (KDEC) is a private-sector-led organization appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to support and promote U.S. export growth. As part of the National Association of District Export Councils (NADEC), we are one of 61 chapters across the country working closely with the U. S. Department of Commerce’s Export Assistance Centers.
Our members—leaders from Kentucky’s business, government, and academic sectors—possess extensive expertise in international trade. We serve voluntarily, providing high-value, cost-effective export assistance to help local firms compete globally. KDEC operates independently of federal funding, ensuring our efforts remain market-driven, fiscally responsible, and aligned with private-sector goals.
We believe that international trade education and export growth are essential to Kentucky’s economic future. Our mission is to inform, educate, advocate for, and assist local businesses in becoming successful exporters.
What We Do
District Export Councils (DECs) serve as strategic conduits between government and industry, empowering small and medium-sized businesses with export expertise while advancing business-led solutions that drive growth—without adding costs to taxpayers. Our work includes:
- Community-based international trade education.
- Counseling and mentoring local businesses on export strategies.
- Connecting companies with private-sector export financing options, minimizing he need for government-backed funding.
- Raising export awareness within Kentucky‘s business community.
- Identifying and advocating for improvements in trade policies to eliminate regulatory inefficiencies identified by the business community.
- Supporting U.S. Export Assistance Center programs and services.
- Building local partnerships with trade-related organizations.
- Leveraging existing public and private trade resources to maximize impact.
Why It Matters
KDEC is dedicated to increasing Kentucky’s exports by:
- Supporting state economic development efforts and free trade agreements that open global markets.
- Advocating for policies that promote the export of Kentucky products.
- Promoting job creation, business growth, and a stronger state economy through international commerce.
- Encouraging international education through initiatives like “Building the Trade DNA.”
Fiscal Responsibility and Self-Sustaining Operations
Through private-sector export support, DECs are entirely self-supporting, with operating expenses covered through fundraising and private-sector partnerships. DEC members serve voluntarily, ensuring that U.S. trade promotion remains market-driven, fiscally responsible, and aligned with private-sector priorities. By advancing export expansion independently, DECs stimulate economic growth while ensuring that trade promotion efforts are cost-effective and sustainable. Their work reinforces the administration’s commitment to reducing government dependence and strengthening private-sector leadership in monetary expansion, especially by supporting 97.5. 5% of U. S. exporters who are small and medium-sized businesses.
Kentucky Export
Sponsors
