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SBA Announces FY 2017 State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)

Awards 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.
In SBA Region 7 States of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska the following awards were made:
Iowa –– Iowa Economic Development Authority – $265,000
Kansas –– Kansas Department of Commerce – $380,000
Missouri –– Missouri Division of Business & Community Services – $400,000
Nebraska –– Nebraska Depart-ment of Economic Development – $263,720
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.