ROCKFORD, IL — In support of President Obama’s Made in Rural America Export and Investment initiative, the Rockford Post Office will host a small business educational event on international shipping and mailing, entitled Grow Your Business Day. This one-day symposium is scheduled from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., on Wednesday, August 3rd at the Rockford Main Post Office, located at 5225 Harrison Avenue.

Made in Rural America (MIRA) will bring together federal resources to help rural businesses access new customers and markets abroad and take advantage of international trade assistance. This cooperative interagency program allows the Postal Service to lend online tools, supplies and international shipping expertise to help rural businesses reach new customers and markets abroad, while supporting economic growth and jobs here in the United States.

In accordance with the Made in Rural America Export and Investment initiative, the Postal Service is working collaboratively with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Small Business Administration and the Postal Customer Council. Together, they support the importance of small businesses by helping them to grow and expand into new markets.

“We are excited to take part in the Made in Rural America initiative and look forward to showcasing postal products and services in our Grow Your Business day workshop,” said Rockford Postmaster Charles Thorns. “Shipping options such as International Express and Priority Mail, and Global shipping as a whole, are just a few components of our educational plan,” added Thorns.

Postal Service Business Development Specialist Elizabeth Mikrut will also play an integral role in this one-day event by co-hosting the Grow Your Business day event. “With any national awareness campaign we want to reach out to small and medium-sized businesses that are within our region,” said Mikrut. “We look forward to being a part of this initiative, which will improve international trade from a local platform and help grow local businesses.”

Joining Mikrut and Thorns is Postal Service Retail Specialist Michelle Lucas, U.S. Department of Agriculture Area Program Director Penny Hexdall and Small Business Administration Lead Economic and Development Specialist Carole Harris. Interested business owners should register at www.usps.com/rockford-il.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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