Export Assistance Network at YSU wins two awards

The Ohio Small Business Development Center Export Assistance Network at Youngstown State University won two awards at the 2024 SBDC Statewide Conference in Columbus.

The EAN at YSU received the Ohio SBDC 2024 “Best Export Assistance Network Award” from the Ohio Department of Development. In the past year, the EAN generated an increase of $19 million in export sales and spent more than 850 hours consulting with clients in 13 counties.

In addition, Mousa Kassis, director of the EAN at YSU, won the 2024 Ohio SBDC “Peer Recognition Collaboration Award.” He was nominated for his work in arranging the Vietnamese Delegation visit in October 2024. During the visit, regional companies met with eight Vietnamese companies to explore various business opportunities. Kassis formed a relationship with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry during a trade mission to Thailand and Vietnam in 2019. The EAN issued a reciprocating invitation to VCCI and its members to visit Ohio.

Kassis brought together local partners to participate, speak and collaborate to make the event a success. Organizations involved included The Ohio SBDC EAN at YSU, Williamson College of Business Administration, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, Lake to River Economic Development, Columbiana County Port Authority, Ohio SBDC EAN at Columbus State Community College, Rickenbacker International Airport, Small Business Administration, Ohio Department of Development, City of Youngstown and the City of Girard.

The Ohio SBDC EAN at YSU provides export counseling to companies in 13 counties: Ashtabula, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Geauga, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Mahoning, Portage, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas.