Abstract
As part of their economic development programs, state governments have begun a variety of activities to promote exporting by their local firms. To describe which promotional methods are being used and why, this article summarizes the results of a survey of state officials, incorporating information from other recent studies. Perhaps the least costly method is governments supplying information to businesses as a way of reducing the extraordinary uncertainties associated with exporting; almost all states do that. State laws or regulations may impede exporting; few states recognize that and few have done anything about it. Programs such as subsidized loans or intergovernmental cooperation are used in varying degrees. The efficiency and efficacy of any program turns in part on conditions peculiar to each state.
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