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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Open Sans";color:black"><img width="624" height="147" style="width:6.5in;height:1.5312in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01D73D9F.A7B2DB50"></span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Open Sans";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Open Sans";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">April 30, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><u><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">Gov. Little’s virtual trade mission to Mexico continues to strengthen Idaho economy<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little said today he is seeing early positive results from Idaho’s first virtual trade mission to Mexico last week.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">Mexico is Idaho’s fourth largest export destination, accounting for the purchase of $224.2 million in Idaho products in 2020. Export markets continue to be critical to Idaho businesses and the state’s
economy. The virtual mission to Mexico was organized by the Idaho Department of Commerce and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><u><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">Mexico Virtual Trade Mission Highlights</span></u></i><i><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">
<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">“Idaho’s businesses have boundless potential, and this mission was a successful effort to help them continue to grow,” said Governor Little. “Company feedback so far indicates there will be increased
sales as a direct result of this mission.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">The Idaho companies and organizations participating in the virtual trade mission represented a wide array of industries including dairy, beans and ancient grains, fresh produce, beef, livestock genetics,
ag-tech, real estate, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. In just one week, the Idaho-Mexico trade office hosted more than 90 virtual matchmaking meetings between Idaho and Mexico companies.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">Governor Little’s leadership was instrumental in highlighting Idaho’s high-quality products and services, opening opportunities to important companies such as HEB and Grupo Aeroméxico, which gave
Idaho companies the opportunity to present their products and establish contacts with the high-level decision makers.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">The virtual mission also was an opportunity to thank long standing customers for their valued business and strengthen relationships with key partners to help exporters grow their business and increase
market share in Mexico. <span style="background:white;mso-highlight:white">A virtual mission does not replace direct personal visits with prospective buyers, but the virtual mission was an excellent alternative.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><u><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">Quotes from trade mission participants:<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><i><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">“Although we are already established in Mexico, the mission helped us open some new doors for business. We are already setting up some additional follow-up meetings with
potential customers and made some good contacts. Long term, we are looking at moving some of the MPC 70 from our expansion towards the Mexico market over the next year. The staff we worked with did an amazing job of facilitating and setting up the meetings,
and overall it was a success.” </span></b><i><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">– Randy Robinson, High Desert Milk<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">“The trade mission has been a great success for Ramper Innovations, with new connections in a new region where the market has a strong potential. We sincerely appreciate
the opportunity that the Governor's virtual trade mission has brought to Ramper Innovations. Governor Little and Director Kealey's direct involvement helped us get to the decision-makers quickly and effectively.</span></b><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">
</span><b><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">” </span></b><i><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">– Chris Stock, Ramper Innovations Inc.</span></i><span style="font-family:"Open Sans";background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans";background:white"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans";color:black;background:white">“</span><b><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">The Governor’s mission was truly helpful. While we have approached HEB in the past, this meeting
was crucial in getting HEB interested in Idaho products, giving us the opportunity to present product and pricing for their specific needs. We are now in the process of introducing HEB to the higher end products from Idaho, with a high possibility of success</span></b><span style="font-family:"Open Sans";color:black;background:white">”
<i>- </i></span><i><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">Ruben Santiago Chavarria Mendiola, Atlantic Prime, Distributor for Agri Beef Co.</span></i><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">“We had informative, forward-looking meetings with potential partners and customers that are a good match with Encoder Products Company’s (EPC) capabilities and market
focus. One of these prospects, a machine builder/system integrator, has already received a quote from (EPC) for an active project.”
</span></b><i><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">- Dave Wilson, Encoder Products Company</span></i><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">“We are very grateful with the work done by the Idaho-Mexico team. Thanks to their efforts, Cremeria San Jose and Qualtia Foods have formally opened their doors to our
products with a clear intention to buy. This has been a great accomplishment as a result of this mission. Additionally, Schreiber Foods International has significantly increased their monthly volume of products from the Gooding, Idaho, facility. We are very
thankful for these results, recognizing the excellent teamwork.” </span></b><i><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">- Cesar Peredo, Glanbia Nutritionals</span></i><i><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">“We were pleasantly surprised that the Idaho Mexico Trade Office staff were able to successfully identify and schedule meetings for us with not just a few but seven very
diverse companies qualified to introduce our new EdTech product, databot™, to the Mexican market. Although it is too early to tell what these relationships will ultimately produce, the companies and individuals appear to be an excellent fit for our needs and
we are already scheduling follow-up meetings. The opportunity in Mexico for education products is significant and we’re excited to pursue this expansion</span></b><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">.”</span><i><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""> - Databot,
Robert Grover<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">“We believe that we may be able to market an additional 4 million to 8 million pounds of product into Mexico as a direct result of this mission. It is likely that we may
be able to sell additional product, but our philosophy is that slow and steady wins the race! Overall, this mission was well planned, well thought out and well executed. We highly enjoyed getting to know these companies over the Zoom platform and it worked
very well for establishing legitimacy and overall beneficial relationships. We couldn’t have done this without the support of the Governor’s office.”
</span></b><i><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">– Kacy Gehring, Mountain States Oilseeds<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><i><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><i><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">“</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">The meetings went great!
</span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">These would be my first exports to the Mexican market. I would estimate potential sales in the 2021 calendar year as a direct result of participating in this trade mission at $30,000, with much higher values
possible in future years after we have established our systems specific to Mexican exports.<i>”
</i></span></b><i><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">- Seth Christensen, Christensen Genetics<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">A strong list of Idaho businesses and organizations joined Governor Little and the Idaho departments of Commerce and Agriculture for meetings with companies in Mexico, including:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">1000 Springs Mill<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">Agri Beef Co.</span><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">Berkshire Hathaway HS Silverhawk Realty</span><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">Christensen Genetics</span><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">Databot</span><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">Encoder Products Company</span><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">Glanbia Nutritionals</span><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">High Desert Milk</span><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee</span><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">Mountain States Oilseeds</span><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">Muscle Foods</span><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">Ramper Innovations</span><span style="font-family:"Open Sans"">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""># # #<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans";color:black">NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Marissa Morrison, Press Secretary<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans";color:black">208-943-1686 or
</span><span style="font-family:"Open Sans""><a href="mailto:marissa.morrison@gov.idaho.gov"><span style="color:#0563C1">marissa.morrison@gov.idaho.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-family:"Open Sans";color:black">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans";color:black">--<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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