The World Trade Center (WTCSD) in San Diego, the Californian city that is home to many water- related industries, including desalination specialists like Toray Membranes and Avista Technologies, has received a US government grant aimed at boosting water industry overseas trade.
Nicole Y Lamb-Hale, assistant secretary for manufacturing and services, US Department of Commerce, announced the US $425,000 award to the center on 29 September 2010, one of only five made in the entire country. Part of the WTCSD plan is to work with local and national companies to help them leverage their services as exporters and match them with foreign markets.