U.S. Small Business Administration Announces STEP Program Awards for 2014

iStock/Thinkstock

SBA announced today that 24 awards will be made to states to support activities to increase exporting by small businesses.  The State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program was appropriated $8 million to award by September 30, 2014.

The STEP program has two objectives: 1) increase the number of small businesses that begin to export and 2) increase the value of exports for small businesses that currently export. 

Learn more here.

For a quick jump to the list of awardees and more information on STEP, visit:
http://www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/oit/resources/14315

Related articles:

• STEP 101 (3/19/14)
• Take a STEP Up to International Trade (2/26/14)

State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program 101

iStock/Thinkstock

What's all this talk about STEP?  Let's first start with what it stands for:  State Trade and Export Promotion Program.  It is a three-year pilot program offered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) that aims to provide entrepreneurs and small business owners a way to boost their businesses through exports. In other words, raise the dollar level of your exports.

What can STEP do for you?  Find out below.

What is the STEP Program?

Related article:  Take a STEP Up to International Trade

SBA's STEP Program Supports Global Small Businesses

To help enter and compete in the global marketplace, small businesses across the country will have access to $17.4 million in funding. The Small Business Administration (SBA) will make 40 awards from the agency’s State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) program to states and territories to support activities to increase exporting by small businesses.

Here's the listing of states that received funding in 2015 (note:  IL received $686,855 -- last year zero).

SBA’s STEP program ensures local resources are available to help small businesses tap global markets. By funding states and their export development partners, the SBA is delivering the tools and resources required for small businesses to launch their services and products abroad.

Learn more ... SBA Awards $17.4M to Small Business Global Trade

Chart screenshot courtesy:  Business Facilities

Related posts.

Take a STEP Up to International Trade

DAJ/Thinkstock

As Small Business Trends reports:

The STEP (State Trade and Export Promotion Program) offered by the Small Business Administration aims to offer small businesses in the U.S. a way to reach a global market. And right now, supporters of the program are in position in Washington, D.C., to get the program renewed.

According to the Office of International Trade Resources, here's what the STEP grants will do for a small business owner, provided they utilize the offerings:

• support for small business participation in foreign trade missions and foreign market sales trips;
• subscription to services by the Department of Commerce;
• website translation fees;
• design of international marketing media;
• trade show exhibitions;
• participation in training workshops; and
• other export initiatives determined to be appropriate by the SBA.

Learn more: Supporters Urge Renewal of State Trade and Export Promotion Program

This is definitely a step in the right direction towards helping small businesses expand internationally!

World Trade Center Utah Receives $1,050,000 State Trade Expansion Program STEP Grant

©iStock/mj0007

SBA announced that World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah) will receive a State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant of $1,050,000 on behalf of the State of Utah.  

Utah’s export growth rate has been the highest in the nation for the past two years. Eighty-five percent of Utah’s exporters are small businesses, and international sales add $5 billion across the state in additional revenue for these small business exporters.

Exporting is an important tool for small businesses to grow revenue and boost local economies. STEP is designed to assist states with increasing the number of small businesses that export and the value of those exports.  

Read on to learn more about how Utah received a STEP grant to accelerate global growth of businesses.

What Can an Export Grant Out of New Jersey Do For You?

©iStock/RomanBabakin

In the case of New Jersey, USA, the New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC) is offering export assistance to small and mid-sized businesses in New Jersey through its NJ STEP program. 

Through the New Jersey State Trade Expansion Program (NJ STEP), which is funded in part through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the NJBAC offers an opportunity to help Small Business Enterprises (SBEs) receive financial awards to offset export promotion costs partially.

The benefits of exporting include increased revenue, a diversified revenue stream, and an expansion of product offerings for local preferences.

To learn more about its tools and resources, visit here.

Building a Global Economy of the Future

©iStock/csfotoimages

“In Indiana, we’re focused on building a global economy of the future, and our Hoosier entrepreneurs and small businesses will be critical to advancing future-focused innovations and solutions,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg. “Indiana ranks in the top 15 states for exporting, and the IN-STEP program aims to build on this momentum, helping more Hoosier small businesses reach customers in international markets and find success in the global economy.”

Learn more about how the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) secured $300,000 in competitive grant funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to support the export activities of Hoosier small businesses through the Indiana State Trade and Export Promotion (IN-STEP) grant program.

New York Enables Small Businesses to Expand Their Global Reach through STEP

©iStock/upthebanner

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provided Empire State Development (ESD) nearly $1 million in funding in the latest round of the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP).

STEP connects businesses in New York state to exporting opportunities abroad through grants for qualifying small and medium-sized businesses.

Learn more about how STEP enables small businesses to expand their global reach and competitiveness.

For information on STEP and to apply for funding if you are a business based in New York, click here.

Michigan Receives $2,000,000 State Trade Expansion Program STEP Grant

©iStock/PapaBear

Michigan received $2 million in federal grant funds to help Michigan small businesses grow in the state through increased access to global markets. The amount is the maximum awarded by the SBA and a $650,000 increase from 2021.  

Managed by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s International Trade program, the Michigan STEP grant initiative (MI-STEP) aims to promote job creation by empowering Michigan small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to export their products, supplying financial assistance awards for eligible export development-related expenses.

The funds are expected to assist more than 350 Michigan companies in increasing international sales.

Read on to learn more.

Today in Global Small Business: What CanExport Do for Canadian Exporters?

©iStock/daboost

What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

• Why innovators are more likely to achieve export success.
• Three must-have apps for global travelers.
• How the STEP program can help businesses export products.
• Learn more about the CanExport program for Canadian small businesses and what it can and cannot do.
• Can you export before you are ready?
• An international trade forecast by Orange County and South California Exports.

Hey Delaware Business Owners: Claim Your Money for Exports!

©iStock/&#169 Andy Dean

Global Delaware – the Delaware Department of State’s international economic development office – is requesting applications from small- and mid-sized companies interested in using the funds before the September 30th deadline.

Money is specifically set aside to help local businesses increase their export sales.  Ever heard of the expression, "Use it or lose it?"  Well that is what is going to happen if Delaware business owners don't claim this money for export activity.

The funds are part of a $277,000 grant Global Delaware received last year through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program – the largest single award the state has ever received from the program.

A good portion is still left.  If you are located in Delaware and export, contact Global Delaware.

Read more:  Time running out on grants to help Delaware companies go global

Get Your STEP Grants Businesses!

©iStock/May_Chanikran

Small businesses looking to start or expand their global customer reach can use resources offered by state entities that have received STEP funding.  Check out yours here. 

The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grants are specifically for established U.S. small businesses seeking to complete one of the following eligible activities:

• Participate in trade missions
• Subscribe to services provided by US Department of Commerce
• Translation fees
• Design of market media
• Tradeshow exhibitions
• Participate in export training workshops
• Reverse trade missions
• Procurement of consultancy services
• Other export initiatives as approved by Associate Administrator at SBA

If you are an established company, please contact your appropriate state/territory representative to learn more about how to apply for STEP funds.

State Trade Expansion Program Helps Small Businesses Start or Expand Export Activities

©iStock/boggy22

The U.S. Small Business Administration remains committed to ensuring small firms in Colorado and across the U.S. have the tools and resources they need to take their business global.   In this example, they have awarded CO state $186,140 through its State Trade Expansion Program.  Launched in 2011, this program allows 56 U.S. entities to compete for federal matching-fund awards that help small businesses start or expand export activities.

With the help of STEP funds, Gold [Andrew Gold, president and founder of Aircraft Technical Book Co., a small business based in Tabernash, Colorado] attended a trade show in India and engaged online resources in search of new customers and partnerships. Today, the nine-person company is expanding to develop a new certification for aviation and aerospace avionics technicians in the U.S. and in Europe and in turn setting up ATBC to expand to serve a new untapped market.

Read more:  Program helps small firms export on a global scale

Meanwhile, contact the SBA to speak to an export finance manager about the counseling, training and financing opportunities available to help your mall business grow and compete across borders.

STEP Awards 2018: Funding Export Opportunities

©iStock/William_Potter

SBA Administrator Linda McMahon says, "The STEP awards are an important resource that provide small businesses with the confidence and funding they need to thrive in this competitive international market." She goes on to say.

"The SBA is committed to ensuring equal access for small businesses to international markets and expanding export opportunities, and ensuring small businesses have the resources they need to drive their businesses and local communities forward."

The 2018 STEP awards will allow states to assist small businesses with the information and tools they need to succeed in export-related activities that are in line with the objectives of the program.

Check out which states got what dollar amount in STEP funding here.

U.S. SBA Awards Washington State a $1 Million STEP Grant to Fuel Exports

©iStock/aiisha5

The Washington State Department of Commerce again tops the list of states awarded funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help state small businesses grow through exporting. Washington’s $1 million State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant is the largest awarded from a total $20 million to 49 states in this 11th year of the program.

Read on to learn more.

Today in Global Small Business: Globalization is a Fact

©iStock/VTT Studio

What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

• The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) launched the Indiana State Trade and Export Promotion (IN-STEP) program to develop and expand export opportunities throughout the state, assisting Indiana small businesses with identifying, marketing and selling Hoosier-made goods in international markets. 
• According to a Small Business Trends article, small businesses are less likely to expand sales across borders (ouch ... must not be focusing on e-commerce).
• Quote of the week: “Globalization is a fact, because of technology, because of an integrated global supply chain, because of changes in transportation.  And we're not going to be able to build a wall around that." – Barack Obama
• US is No.1 country for UK small businesses to trade with over next three years.
• How to mitigate external risks when running a small business.
• E-commerce trends to watch in 2020.

Expand Your Market Base: Go Global

©iStock/gemenacom

If you’re interested in learning more about the SBA’s STEP program, visit their website.  Why?  Because in the case of Delaware and Maryland more than $860,000 is set to be awarded to small businesses to help expand their exports.  It's a superb way to find your next global customer.  On the ground, this funding will be the link to resources that business owners need across the world. 

“To find out number one whose distributors, suppliers, wheres my market base at in those countries? So you can potentially use these funds to cover some of the costs that are associated with actually going that ground game, going to those countries, finding your distributors, finding your market,” said Michelle Harris, the Director of the Small Business Administration Delaware.

New Jersey Awarded $1.5M in Funding to Expand Small Business Exporting

©iStock/Ultima_Gaina

Are you a business owner located in New Jersey who aspires to take your business global?  The timing could not be better.

The New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC), received $1.5M in funding for the New Jersey STEP (NJSTEP) program to provide financial awards on a first come, first served competitive basis to New Jersey eligible small businesses that are new to export, as well as those businesses who currently sell their goods and services to other countries. The program is funded in part through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Learn more here and go for global!

Utah Company Takes the World Stage

©iStock/dragance137

Kaddas Enterprises, run by CEO Natalie Kaddas, is a woman-owned, family business specializing in thermoform plastic manufacturing.  Kaddas has leveraged her business acumen, Utah trade missions and programs like STEP to grow her business globally and establish the company as a trade mission success story, tripling international sales since 2013.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and USA President Barack Obama reached out to Kaddas in April to represent small business interests in international trade during a special White House event for some of the world's top political and business leaders. Here's what she said about the opportunity:

"As a small business, breaking into the global market can feel intimidating, but there's a need and a place for us, too. Through trade missions and programs like Utah's State Trade and Expansion Program (STEP), Kaddas Enterprises is able to showcase its strengths and, hopefully, inspire other small businesses to do the same."

Read more:  A Small Utah Company Stands Out on the World Stage

Go State of Washington on Exports!

©iStock/aiisha5

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded the Washington State Department of Commerce a tenth year of funding to help state small businesses grow through exporting.

The $1.4 million grant to Washington, part of the SBA’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), is one of the two largest awarded from a total $20 million to 52 states and territory international trade agencies – Michigan also received $1.4 million.

For information about STEP export vouchers, Go Global or other Commerce programs that help Washington businesses grow, expand and locate in Washington State, please visit ChooseWashington.com.