The latest round of STEP funding will be used to promote New Hampshire exports, such as the Farnborough International Air Show, one of the largest aero/defense trade shows in the world.
The New Hampshire Office of International Commercial received from the U.S. Small Business Administration a State Trade Expansion Program grant, which will continue to help Granite State businesses discover, and expand in, markets around the world.
“For more than five years, STEP grants have made a real difference for New Hampshire businesses and the global market, said Commissioner Taylor Caswell of the state Department of Business and Economic Affairs. “Through this program, scores of companies and manufacturers have completed export training programs; participated in international trade shows, and raised the profile of New Hampshire in markets around the world.”
US Sen. Jeanne Shaheen announced the $250,000 award last week, noting “This federal support is an important investment in Granite State entrepreneurs, helping them compete in a global economy.”
The STEP Financial Assistance Award program is now available! Companies can apply for a financial assistance award of up to $5,000 to help increase export sales. Details below.
The latest round of funding will be used to provide matching grants to eligible New Hampshire companies for their export promotion efforts; further development of the annual Export Boot Camp by the Office of International Commerce, and taking part in an international trade show.
The SBA distributed $18 million in STEP grants to 47 state international trade agencies. Now in its seventh year, STEP is designed to increase the number of small businesses that export and the value of those exports, and to explore new trade opportunities.
Get in on STEP!
Join the Office of International Commerce at two informational webinars regarding the grant,
application process and guidelines. Register for one of the webinars and receive 5
points towards your application’s overall score.
Wednesday, October 10 at 10 a.m. ET Thursday, October 11, at 2 p.m. ET
There is no cost to participate in the webinar, but registration is required. The application packet, instructions, guidelines and additional program information are available HERE.
Please note:
• Application deadline is Friday, Nov. 9 at 3 pm ET
• Submit applications HERE
• No partial applications will be accepted
• Awards are limited in number and applications are ranked based on the competitiveness and innovation of the submitted proposal
*Note: The STEP Grant is a two-year grant. As a result, all successful activity reimbursements must be submitted within the next two federal fiscal calendar years (Oct. 1, 2018 – Sept. 29, 2020). Limited funds are available for this two-year period.
The issue of export control is on the mind of many small and medium-sized business owners here in the Granite State. While they know of the world of opportunity in markets around the world, they also know that, depending on the kind of products they want to sell abroad, the jump overseas can be complicated.
U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, hosted the Granite State Export Controls Forum, connecting Granite State small business owners with a senior State Department official to discuss new ways to help New Hampshire businesses grow overseas.
While the state’s exports are running about 14 percent ahead of last year, Shaheen noted that “there is a huge opportunity for small businesses to take advantage of exporting” and leverage an inter-connected world to create jobs in New Hampshire.
Gottemoeller
Shaheen
About 75 people attended this morning’s event, including business owners and employees, attorneys and legislators and they are eager to learn more about President Obama’s Export Control Reform Initiative, a push to end what Shaheen described as “complex and antiquated” restrictions on exports and bring common-sense to the system of export controls.
She called for “the government to help, not hinder, New Hampshire companies reaching into foreign markets” and stressed the need for export controls that are relevant, timely and simple.
Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security Rose Gottemoeller also spoke of the need to reform the current system and make it easier for American companies, including those in New Hampshire’s defense industry, thrive in a global economy.
Why is this important? In 2012, the Granite State’s total exports reached $3.5 billion. In the first quarter of this year, they have surged 14 percent and there is increased interest in international markets, in large part because of programs like the State Trade Export Promotion (STEP) grants, which have helped scores of businesses explore or expand sales overseas.
Reform of export controls means more economic growth and progress for New Hampshire businesses trying to access foreign markets. For small and medium-sized businesses, the mission of creating a 21st century export control system that works for them is essential.
Shaheen and Gottemoeller vowed to continue advocating for these changes and stressed the need for the private sector to weigh-in as the reform continues.
ITAR and EAR reform implementation will be explored at a training seminar hosted by the International Trade Resource Center from 9 am to noon on June 6 at the Department of Resources and Economic Development.
To register, visit www.exportnh.com online or call (603) 271-8444.
Three thousand miles from and five hours ahead of New Hampshire, the Farnborough International Air Show is open for the second day. Noisy and exciting, the trade show is a global showcase for the aerospace industry and the Granite State is a part of it all.
Thanks to a State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant, Corfin Industries of Salem and EPTAM Plastics of Northfield are joined by other aerospace and defense companies from Maine and Vermont in our own Best of New England booth and, may we say, holding our own with the presence of larger states who are touting their industries.
At the opening ceremony Monday in front of the US Pavilion, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sanchez spoke of the critical importance of aviation to the economy, noting that it contributed $86 billion in export sales to the US economy and a positive trade balance of $47 billion.
For our two manufacturers joining us on this trade mission, Farnborough is a chance for them to connect and make connections globally, which will lead to orders for their products and services, keep their companies strong and their businesses reaching new heights.
The sun is out today in Farnborough. The morning’s shift of airplanes and preparation for aerial displays is drowning out conversation.
It’s a pretty good day.
Throughout the day, we’re posting updates and photos on our Facebook page.
U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) announced today that New Hampshire will receive $299,493 to help more small businesses increase their exports by reaching new foreign markets. The funding comes from the Small Business Administration’s State Trade Export Promotion (STEP) grant program, which was created by the Small Business Jobs Act, legislation Shaheen helped craft as a member of the Senate Small Business Committee.
“Exports represent a tremendous potential for growth for small businesses in the United States, and we need to do more to help them reach foreign markets, so that they can grow and create jobs,” Shaheen said. “This grant is well-tailored to New Hampshire’s economy because it will help more businesses reach two fast-growing markets, China and India, while also encouraging more export growth in aerospace and defense.”
The STEP grant will enhance the state’s International Trade Resource Center (ITRC) efforts to help small businesses in New Hampshire prepare for new markets, comply with trade regulations, access export financing, and attend trade missions. With this grant, the ITRC will create specialized programs to focus on foreign markets that have the highest growth potential and industries that have the greatest and most immediate ability to compete successfully in the world marketplace.
“We are thrilled that the New Hampshire business community will be able to benefit from this grant which is dedicated to helping local companies maximize their opportunities abroad,” said New Hampshire Department of Resources & Economic Development Commissioner George Bald. “At a time when demands for exports are at an all-time high for our small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, this grant will allow us to provide assistance in key areas of need. We commend Senator Shaheen, Governor Lynch and all of our partners including the New Hampshire offices of the Small Business Administration, the U.S. Department of Commerce for their commitment to helping New Hampshire businesses gain access to the international marketplace.”
“The SBA is thrilled to support the State of New Hampshire’s already successful export efforts,” said Jeanne A. Hulit, regional administrator of the SBA. “The President has set a goal of doubling U.S. exports over the next five years. New Hampshire is already leading the country with the highest percentage growth in exports in 2010. This grant will further help New Hampshire’s small businesses export their products and services, creating new jobs. We commend Senator Shaheen for her support for including the STEP grants as a key part of the Jobs Act.”
The STEP program was designed to support the efforts of state and local export assistance programs. These programs help small businesses overcome obstacles that stand in the way of accessing foreign markets, such as a lack of expertise or resources. At a recent Small Business Committee field hearing on small business exporting, Shaheen heard from several small businesses that have relied on the expertise and assistance of the ITRC to grow their businesses through exporting. The program was originally conceived of in the Small Business Export Enhancement and International Trade Act of 2009 (S.2862), which Shaheen supported and which was later folded into the Small Business Jobs Act.
A member of the Senate Committee on Small Business, Shaheen has consistently worked to aid small companies in reaching foreign customers. In August, she hosted a Small Business Committee field hearing in Manchester with U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) to examine ways to help small businesses export. In January, Shaheen held a pair of roundtable discussions with New Hampshire small business owners on the federal resources available to help small businesses export with Export-Import Bank Chairman and President Fred Hochberg.
In New Hampshire, exporting has become an increasingly important part of the state’s economy. Last year, New Hampshire companies set a state record for international sales and ranked first among all states in export growth, increasing their exports by $1 billion. In a difficult economic climate, this new revenue has provided a critical boost to many New Hampshire businesses.