2014 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Free Trade

Matt Mead: Our state is not an island; compete in global market

Last year I visited Canada, South Korea and Taiwan to promote trade. The Tourism Office was an important part of the trip to Asia, and Wyoming companies participated in the Canada trip.

Outreach efforts have begun, and they certainly should not end. We must continue to work for increased export opportunities for Wyoming businesses and products. The Joint Appropriations Committee added $350,000 for developing international trade. I support this.

Maggie Hassan: N.H. is fastest-growing state in the nation for exports

For New Hampshire's economy to keep moving forward, we need to continue supporting common-sense measures that will help our businesses compete and thrive.

Paul LePage: Make Maine more competitive vs. fierce global competition

Recruiting job creators to come to Maine is not easy. The global competition is fierce. Investment capital goes where it is welcomed and stays where it is appreciated. Since we took office, we have made Maine more competitive.

• We reduced bureaucratic red tape.
• We cut the automatic increase to the gas tax.
• We eliminated almost $2 billion in pension debt.
• We right-sized government.
• We found efficiencies within state agencies.

Deval Patrick: New airports open our doors to new markets

I know there is unfinished business. But I also know that we are a more prosperous, more promising and more just Commonwealth for more people today. I know that Massachusetts is back in the leadership business, and that the state of our Commonwealth is strong.

Economic growth matters--not just because it creates wealth, though that is good; and not just because it expands a given industry or reduces unemployment rates, though that is also good. Growth matters because it creates opportunity, and opportunity is fundamental to who we are. Every one of us has a stake in that. Creating opportunity, keeping the Dream within reach, is the agenda now, just as it has been for the past seven years.

Scott Walker: Milk exports up; but also ginseng exports to China

We made major investments in agriculture this year. At the University of Wisconsin, we are expanding the Dairy Resource Center at Babcock Hall and building a new Meat Science and Muscle Biology Laboratory.

We are proud to be America's Dairyland, but we are also one of the top states for corn, soybeans, potatoes, cherries, and other foods. Many may be surprised to know we are the number one producer of cranberries in the US. And 95% of the ginseng exported to China comes from our state. Last April, we signed a ten-year agreement while on my trade mission in China worth between $150 and $200 million.

Not only is Asia a major market for our ginseng, many people now come to north central Wisconsin to tour our ginseng operations. Food- and beverage-related tourism continues to grow. From tours of breweries, cheese factories, and even spice operations, Wisconsin is a great destination.

Robert Bentley: Spread word far & wide: Made in Alabama

I had the opportunity to travel there to recruit more jobs and strengthen relationships with Japan's biotech industry. I sat on the bus next to the CEO of Otsuka, the parent company of Pharmavite in Lee County. I told him about UAB and Southern Research Institute, and the work they do in the fields of bio-tech research. As a result, Otsuka will be meeting with those institutions to explore ways they can work together in the research and development of new products.

Companies like Otsuka have quickly recognized, as others have, that we have a positive business climate and that our job training program is second to none. But without doubt our greatest asset for any industry is our workforce, the men and women of this state who get up every day and go to work to produce, build and develop a product, a good or a service that is Made in Alabama.

Earl Ray Tomblin: West Virginia is a strong international competitor

During that trip my team met with a number of prospects--several have committed to investing in West Virginia. One of the highlights of this trip was my stop at Pietro Fiorentini in Italy. My thanks goes out to the Italian company for placing its trust in West Virginia.

West Virginia is a strong international competitor. Production from manufacturing sectors--plastics, machinery, chemicals, aerospace, medical products and automotive--grew substantially. Exports have increased from $9 billion in 2011 to over $11 billion last year and outpaced the national growth rate.

Steve Beshear: New records in exports; thousands of jobs from in-sourcing