Today, the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) announced the cohort of companies selected for the 2022 Atlanta Metro Export Challenge (Atlanta MEC).
ATLANTA – Oct. 27, 2022 – Today, the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) announced the cohort of companies selected for the 2022 Atlanta Metro Export Challenge (Atlanta MEC). Now in its sixth year, the Atlanta Metro Export Challenge provides small and medium-sized metro Atlanta based companies with financial and mentorship resources to strengthen their international business operations. Each selected company receives a grant of $5,000 for activities aimed at fostering international sales growth, specialized trade consulting and travel vouchers provided by Delta Air Lines.
“This year’s cohort of companies is a confirmation of metro Atlanta’s continued growth as a global trade hub with a pipeline of innovative businesses and entrepreneurs. Each cohort company will be able to bring their products and services to the world through the guidance and resources provided by the program,” said Katie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. “The Atlanta Metro Export Challenge helps companies drive impact.”
To date, the Atlanta MEC has awarded more than $690,000 to 129 metro Atlanta businesses which has accounted for more than 3,700 local jobs. Additionally, since the launch of the program, 10 previous Atlanta MEC cohort members have been acquired and collectively selected companies have traveled to nearly 50 international markets including the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Canada, France, Singapore and South Korea to attend tradeshows and meet with distributors and customers.
The 2022 Atlanta MEC continues to showcase the collaborative culture of export promotion in the metro Atlanta region with support from across local, state and federal levels. Program partners include the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of International Affairs, Georgia District Export Council, Georgia Department of Economic Development, NRW Global Business, Partnership Gwinnett, Select Fulton, Select Cobb and the U.S. Commercial Service.
Selected companies represent a wide range of industries, including food and beverage, information technology, manufacturing, professional and technical services, healthcare and wholesale trade. Furthermore, the 2022 Atlanta MEC cohort of companies represent minority, woman and veteran-owned businesses which reflects the vibrant, diverse population of metro Atlanta. The 2022 Atlanta MEC cohort is All A’s Spices, LLC.; Brown Toy Box, Inc.; Enolytics; JDR Enterprises, Inc.; KGM Technologies; Metric Mate; SweetWater Brewing; Spectrum International Group, LLC.; and Urban Tea Party.
With the goal of growing export activity during the one-year program, companies receive targeted trade counseling from MAC’s global commerce team, access to a dedicated international trade specialist at the U.S. Commercial Service, an industry-specific trade manager at the Georgia Department of Economic Development, a trade consultant at the Small Business Development Center’s International Trade Center, and a mentor at the Georgia District Export Council.
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About the Metro Atlanta Chamber
The Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) serves as a catalyst for a more prosperous and vibrant region. To advance economic growth and improve metro Atlanta’s quality of place, MAC is focused on starting, growing, and recruiting companies to the 29-county metro Atlanta region. The Chamber is also focused on expanding the region’s innovation economy by promoting and strengthening connections to drive Atlanta’s innovation and entrepreneurial culture. MAC is committed to being an active voice for the business community, serving as an advocate for a competitive business climate and promoting Atlanta’s story. For more information, visit www.MetroAtlantaChamber.com.
