SBA Announces FY 2017 State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Awards
September 14, 2017
(SBA)
SBA Awards $18 Million to Expand Small
Business Exporting
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business
Administration today announced that $18 million
in funding has been awarded to 44 State
international trade agencies through SBA’s
competitive State Trade Expansion Program
(STEP), to support export growth among U.S.
small businesses.
STEP is designed to increase both the number of
small businesses that begin to export and the
value of exports for small businesses currently
exporting. Expanding the base of small
business exporters and making the process as
easy as possible is a key component of the
Administration’s small business strategy.
“The awards will provide a solid foundation
for small businesses planning to enter and set
them up for success,” said SBA Administrator
Linda McMahon.
The 2017 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. These objectives
include participation in foreign trade
missions, foreign market sales trips, services
provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce, as
well as design of international marketing
campaigns, export trade show exhibits, training
workshops and more.
STEP awards are managed and provided at the
local level by state government organizations.
The program is managed at the national level by
the U.S. Small Business Administration’s
Office of International Trade.
See the full list of STEP awardees for
FY 2017.
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