$150K Available for Small Businesses Looking to Enter the Global Marketplace
West Virginia is offering assistance to small businesses looking to enter or expand in the global marketplace through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP). Funding allocated through this program is meant to offset the cost of export promotion activities, such as participation in foreign trade missions and trade shows, market sales trips, subscriptions to services provided by the U.S.
The West Virginia STEP consists of $150,000 in available funding, and any small business in West Virginia, regardless of their level of export development experience is invited to learn about the West Virginia STEP program.
Eligible Projects
Eligible export activities under the West Virginia STEP include:
- Subscriptions and travel expenses to participate in West Virginia trade events
- Individual foreign market visits
- Website fees
- Fee-based export services offered by the U.S. Commercial Service
- Compliance testing
- International trade exhibitions
- Shipping expenses
- Design of marketing media
- Participation in export training workshops
- Export research tool subscriptions
- Procurement of consultancy services
Eligible Applicants
In order to be considered for this program, an eligible small business must meet the following criteria:
- Is organized or incorporated in the United States
- Is an organized for profit
- Complies with The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards
- Has been in business for no less than one (1) year
- Has access to sufficient resources to bear the cost associated with trade, including the costs of packing, shipping, freight forwarding, and customs brokers
- Has a finished product or qualifying service with at least 51% U.S. content
- Is in good standing with the West Virginia State Department of Tax and Revenue
Funding Details
- Applicants may receive up to $15,000
- Reimbursements are limited to 75%of the amount spent in compliance with STEP reimbursement limits for certain qualifying activities
Deadline
The deadline to apply to the STEP is September 29, 2022.