Bradley University receives a special national award Thursday.

The International Trade Center in the Foster College of Business at B-U received the 2009 presidential 'E' award for U.S. exporters today in Washington DC.

Only 21 awards go out nationally, for people, firms or organizations that significantly contribute increasing United States exports.

“It recognizes that here in Peoria we do great things. Illinois is already a strong exporter. This helps us be a stronger exporting county,” said Jim Foley, Dir. Turner Center Entrepreneurship Operations.

“I nominated the International Trade Center for their excellence in exporting. And the presidential E award is the highest award one can receive for exporting in recognition of export expansion and job expansion,” said Shari Stout, Dir. U.S. Commercial Service Office.

With the help from the ITC companies, export sales have gone from 35.8 million dollars to nearly 130-million dollars.

They've helped companies create hundreds of jobs and saved over a thousand.