The Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded $18 million in grant funds to 41 state international trade agencies via the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) to support export growth.
“SBA is proud to partner with the STEP grant winners and provide much-needed resources that help small businesses increase their sales by exporting,” Acting SBA Administrator Chris Pilkerton said. “These grants are especially helpful as our country is in the midst of negotiating a number of trade agreements, including one between the United States–Mexico–Canada (USMCA). All of the Administration’s work is aimed at modernizing and creating a better deal for America’s consumers, businesses, including small businesses, and workers.”
Pilkerton said the SBA’s STEP partners help entrepreneurs increase and diversify their customer base while also helping to create and retain local jobs.
STEP awards assist small businesses with information and tools needed to succeed in export-related activities, which include participating in foreign trade missions and foreign market sales trips, obtaining services provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessing expertise in designing international marketing campaigns and export trade show exhibits, and participating in training workshops, as well as other forms of engagement.
STEP awards are managed at the local level by state government organizations while the Small Business Administration’s Office of International Trade administers the STEP awards at the national level.