With the housing market in a cool-down mode due to the recent economic downturn, homebuilders are buying fewer materials, putting lumber manufacturers in a tough spot.

Wiley Blankenship, director of Coastal Gateway Economic Development Authority, said his organization is working to help relieve some of the pressure the lumber industry is experiencing.

“We are looking at different ways to approach the task of economic development in this market,” Blankenship said. “We are focusing on wood products and helping those producers find markets for their products.”

Blankenship said looking at overseas markets is one focus of a new strategy in helping to get timber sold.

“Although the housing industry in the states has cooled, other countries are still going,” Blankenship said. “We are looking at overseas markets including Cuba, South America, the Caribbean and other areas as well.”

Although many smaller American companies have never considered exporting their product, Blankenship said Coastal Gateway is meeting with industry leaders and owners to explain the simplicity of the idea.

“Some companies have never considered exporting their products to other companies,” Blankenship said. “We are meeting with them to show how easy the process can be and how this idea may keep them from going out of business.”

Blankenship said the largest trade partner with Cuba is Alabama and state leaders have made that possible.

“Commissioner of Agriculture Ron Sparks has done a wonderful job,” Blankenship said. “We are going to ride on the coattails of his work. We want to bring something to the table to help local companies and this is one way we can work toward that assistance.”

Blankenship said the time to work on getting products to other markets is at hand and needs a great deal of attention to make everything work toward a positive end for local companies.

“We are putting this effort into high gear,” Blankenship said. “We want to make this happen now. We have companies that have products that are being sought by other countries. If we can assist with getting that relationship going with our companies and overseas markets, we want to help in that area.”

Although a large part of the focus on overseas export is on wood products, Blankenship said the idea of exports can include other products.

“This doesn't have to stop with wood products,” Blankenship said. “We want to help any business or industry in our region benefit wherever possible. We have some great experts in exporting to help us with the processes.”

Blankenship said any company that may be interested in exporting their products has to make only one phone call.

“We are here to help in anyway possible,” Blankenship said. “Any business or company interested in exporting what they produce can call Coastal Gateway and we'll be ready to help.”