Jacksonville works hard at developing export markets for US products that can be shipped through its port. But misunderstandings and confusion about export financing in Northeast Florida are putting hurdles in the way of increased overseas business.
Area businesses seeking help in export financing find that they often wind up dealing with regional representatives from major banks based in Tampa or Orlando who come into Northeast Florida on demand.
That means the burden is on business owners to educate themselves about financing options and get creative if they want to expand into foreign markets. Exports nationwide are dwindling, according to US Chamber of Commerce trade figures. Enterprise Florida, a public-private state organization promoting economic development, shows Jacksonville bucking that trend
Yet trade officials say growth could be much higher.
