U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross Honors

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross Honors

U.S. Companies With Presidential Award for Export Achievements 39 American Companies Receive Highest U.S. Honor for Export Success

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross honored 39 U.S. companies and organizations, recognizing their contributions to American export growth by naming them winners of the 2020 President’s “E” Awards. Winners hail from 19 states, and of this year’s 39 honorees, 31 are small and medium-sized businesses, while 24 firms are manufacturers.

“It is an honor to once again recognize the significant work being done by the Trump Administration to prioritize American companies and workers as we continue securing fair trade and a level playing field for American industry,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “With American companies like these awardees successfully exporting to some of the most challenging markets around the world, we can continue to rebuild and reclaim free, fair, and reciprocal global trade opportunities.”

The President’s “E” Award was created in 1961 by Executive Order of the President and is the highest recognition a U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. In 2019, U.S. exports reached $2.53 trillion, with goods exports at $1.65 trillion and services exports at their highest level yet at $875.83 billion.

This year, 28 companies were honored with the “E” Award for Exports for demonstrating a sustained increase in export sales over a four-year period.

“E” Award for Exports

• Ampronix, Inc. – Irvine, California

• Artazn, LLC – Greeneville, Tennessee

• Astrophysics, Inc. – City of Industry, California

• BISCO – Schaumburg, Illinois

• Chesapeake Specialty Products, Inc. – Baltimore, Maryland

• China America Gateways, LLC – Boulder, Colorado

• CKE Restaurants Holdings – Franklin, Tennessee

• DTN – Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Dynocom Industries, Inc. – Fort Worth, Texas

• Engis Corporation – Wheeling, West Virginia

• Evolue Skincare, Inc. – Beverly Hills, California

• Fugro USA Marine, Inc. – Houston, Texas

• Gravois Aluminum Boats, LLC (DBA Metal Shark) – Jeanerette, Louisiana

• Hydraulics International, Inc. – Chatsworth, California

• Intelligent Security Systems – Woodbridge, New Jersey

• International Forest Products, LLC – Foxborough, Massachusetts

• IOPI Medical, LLC – Woodinville, Washington

• MINDBODY – San Luis Obispo, California

• Morse Manufacturing Company, Inc. – Syracuse, New York

• National Flooring Equipment – Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Patriot Taxiway – Lomira, Wisconsin

• Prospect Machine Products, Inc. – Prospect, Connecticut

• Redi-Rock International – Charlevoix, Michigan

• San Mateo Colleges of Silicon Valley – San Mateo, California

• Serola Biomechanics, Inc. – Loves Park, Illinois

• SPIO, Inc. – Burlen, Washington

• Suavecito – Santa Ana, California

• The Grasshopper Company – Moundridge, Kansas

Eight companies and organizations received the “E” Award for Export Service for assisting and facilitating export activities over a four-year period.

• Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. – East Hartford, Connecticut

• Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC – Lansing, Michigan

• Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers – Chicago, Illinois

• IBT Online, LLC – Deerfield, Illinois

• International Trade Center- Illinois SBDC at Champaign County EDC - Champaign, Illinois

• Röhlig Logistics – Elk Grove Village, Illinois

• TradeMoves, LLC – Silver Spring, Maryland

• VISIT DENVER – Denver, Colorado

One company received the “E” Star Award for Exports, which recognizes previous “E” awardees that have reported four years of additional export growth.

“E” Star Award for Exports

• Palladio Beauty Group – Hollywood, Florida

One firm was awarded the “E” Star Award for Export Service, which recognizes previous “E” awardees that have shown four years of continued assistance and facilitation of exports since first winning the “E” Award.

“E” Star Award for Export Service

• CCK Strategies – Tulsa, Oklahoma

One organization received its third “E” Star Award for Export Service, which recognizes previous “E” Star awardees that have reported four years of continued export assistance and facilitation. It is the first organization so honored in the more than 50-year history of the “E” Awards program.

3rd “E” Star Award for Export Service

• Georgia Department of Economic Development – Atlanta, Georgia

American companies are nominated for “E” Awards through the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service office network, located within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. Record years of successive export growth and an applicant’s demonstration of an innovative international marketing plan that led to the increase in American exports are significant factors in selecting the overall winners.

For more information about the “E” Awards and the benefits of exporting, visit www.trade.gov.

Hawai‘i Department of Health now preparing for statewide COVID-19 vaccination program

Although a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration is not expected to be widely available until early next year, state and county officials and private-sector partners have already prepared a preliminary plan to implement a COVID-19 vaccination program in the state. More than 150 stakeholders representing more than 90 organizations gathered late yesterday to kick off their vaccination work groups.

The vaccination plan, which is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is intended to reduce COVID‐19‐related illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.

“Epidemiologists who study immunity say at least 60% to 70% of the population need to have immunity to a virus to break the chain of transmission. Vaccinations can help accelerate immunity in our community so we want Hawai‘i to be fully prepared and ready to implement our vaccination plan as soon as a viable vaccine that is safe and effective becomes available,” said Gov. David Ige. “The impact of our vaccination program and its effectiveness in managing the disease will largely depend upon our ability to allocate and administer the vaccine effectively and efficiently. This is as important as the vaccine itself.” “We’re still refining our vaccination plan, but we felt it was important to share what we are developing and provide a preview of what to expect,” said Lt. Gov. Josh Green. “This has to be a coordinated effort between the state and counties. It will also require extensive outreach and education to healthcare providers and their patients. Everyone’s kokua is critical to the success of the vaccination plan, so we must make sure everyone’s roles and responsibilities are clearly defined.”

“A COVID-19 vaccination has been presented as our ticket to better health and restoration of a sense of normalcy,” said Dr. Elizabeth Char, director of health. “But it’s incumbent upon the Department of Health’s Disease Outbreak Control Division Immunization Branch and our partners to lead this initiative and make sure we get this right, starting with using a safe and effective, FDA-approved vaccine.”

Since there will initially be limited vaccine supplies, the vaccine will initially be made available to those who fall within four priority groups.

1. The first group includes high-risk healthcare employees at hospitals, nursing homes or are engaged in home care, and others involved with direct patient care. First responders who have high risk for COVID-19 exposure also fall into this group. Hawaii residents of all ages who have underlying health conditions, including those 65 and older who live in congregate settings are also included in this first group;

2. The second priority group includes K-12 teachers and school staff as well as those in essential industries. It also includes those with underlying health conditions that put them at moderately higher risk. People in homeless shelters or group homes with physical or mental disabilities and workers who serve them also fall into this category. People in prisons, jails, detention centers, and similar facilities, and staff who work in these settings as well as all adults age 65 and older also fall within this second priority group.

3. The third priority group are young adults 18 to 22 years old and children, from newborn to 17 years old. It also includes employees in industries or occupations not in the previous groups that are considered essential but face increased risk of exposure.

4. The fourth group includes all Hawaii residents who did not fall in any of the other priority groups.

Char noted that an effective rollout will also be dependent upon "ancillary supplies" such as syringes, needles, and appropriate PPE, and this is being addressed in the vaccination plan.

The Department of Health plans to use the educational tools developed by the CDC for the public to conduct self-screening for vaccines and provide a vaccination finder tool for those who fall in the priority groups.

To view an executive summary of the State of Hawai‘i’s draft COVID-19 vaccination distribution plan go to: https://hawaiicovid19.com/vaccine-plan.

Hawai'i COVID-19 Joint Information Center - Daily News Digest for October 22, 2020

Department of Health:

Three COVID-19 Deaths Reported

Three (3) COVID-19 deaths were reported today by DOH. All three involved males between 70-79 years old, who had underlying conditions and were hospitalized on O'ahu at the time of their death.

16 New Cases Reported on Lāna‘i

DOH’s Maui District Health Office (MDHO) has also confirmed 16 new cases of COVID-19 in residents on the island of Lāna‘i. That brings the total to 20 confirmed cases on Lāna‘i. The new cases include two (2) coworkers who attended a social gathering, and the others are possible household and social contacts. One case had a history of travel to O‘ahu, but there is no clear tie to the other cases. MDHO is actively performing contact tracing and investigation of the cases. DOH is engaging with the Lāna‘i health care community to enhance outreach, testing, and contact tracing.

There will also be drive-through testing on Lāna‘i this Saturday at the Old Dole Administration Building in Lāna‘i City from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., for anyone 15 years or older, by appointment only.

To make an appointment, call the Straub Medical Center - Lāna‘i Clinic at 808-565-6423, or the Lāna‘i Community Health Center at 808-565-6919. Testing is also available Monday – Saturday at the clinic and health center.

For continuously updated information of COVID-19 in Hawai'i, please visit www.hawaiicovid19.com

Mahalo.