The U.S. Small Business Administration’s State Trade and Expansion Program (STEP) awarded Massachusetts $504,478 in grant funding to provide support to small businesses in Massachusetts to pursue strategies to increase export activities. In addition to these funds, the Baker administration announced a matching contribution of $168,159 from the Commonwealth on October 18, 2016.
With $672,637 in grant funds available for 2016-17, Massachusetts businesses have an excellent opportunity to improve export development or expand export activities through this program. Under the STEP Program, grants of up to $10,000 will be available to eligible Massachusetts small businesses to increase export sales of their goods and services. Deadline for application is Friday, December 16, 2016.
The Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment (MOITI) will administer the STEP grant in partnership with the Massachusetts Export Center (MEC), and provide reimbursements to eligible Massachusetts small businesses for qualified export promotion expenses. Supported activities may include trade show participation, overseas marketing, and localization services and subscription services from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Participating small businesses are also required to secure matching private funds.
MOITI and MEC are currently accepting grant applications from companies. Potential applicants should consider attending a webinar about the grant process and requirements on November 18. For more information or to register for the webinar, please click the links below.
For program eligibility and application assistance, please contact Brenda Barnard, Senior Director of Export Compliance at 781-560-1125 or bbarnard@oceanair.net.
