Ohio Receives $400K to Support Small Business Export Growth

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio was awarded $400,000 through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s State Trade Expansion Program to support small business export growth statewide.

Ohio’s allocation is a portion of the $20 million in funding awarded to state international trade agencies throughout the country via a competitive application process.

The Ohio Department of Development will administer the funds to help provide small businesses with the information and tools they need to succeed in export-related activities, a news release states. 

Exporting activities include participating in foreign trade missions, market sales trips, designing international marketing campaigns, participating in export trade show exhibits, attending training workshops and other means of engagement.

“Ohio has a reputation around the world for excellence in products and workmanship, and we’re excited to continue to support Ohio’s small business export initiatives through the SBA STEP grant,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “This program has benefited so many Ohio businesses by assisting them to expand their reach and sustain success through exports, like Hartzell Hardwoods, which was recently awarded the SBA Great Lakes Region Exporter of the Year.”

The Department of Development will use the funding primarily to support Ohio small businesses and provide financial assistance for businesses promoting their products and services internationally through the Export Training Grant and the International Market Access Grant for Exporters program.

More information about the State Trade Expansion Program can be found HERE. More information about the Department of Development’s International Market Access Grant for Exporters program can be found HERE.

Pictured at top: Photo by Andy Li. (Unsplash)

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.