New STEP Exporting Funds Available

Connecticut has been awarded a State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Through the grant, DECD has created an Export General Assistance Fund to help Connecticut companies expand their export initiatives and to increase their export sales by spurring participation in various activities and opportunities.
Eligible activities include trade shows, trade missions, marketing and internationalization, U.S. Department of Commerce services (Gold Key, International Partner Search, International Company Profile), export training opportunities, and export B2B matchmaking.
Separate applications will also be accepted for targeted participation in Connecticut sponsored booths at the following tradeshows: Medica 2015, Hannover Messe (H2FC) 2016 and the Farnborough Air Show 2016.
Visit the CT STEP Grant website to review the program guidelines and to access the FY ’15 Application Portal. Applications will need to be submitted for approval, prior to any proposed export activity and no later than August 15, 2016.
All approved export activities must be completed prior to September 29, 2016. Final reimbursement requests must be submitted back to the Department of Economic and Community Development for processing within two weeks of a completed activity and no later than October 13, 2016.
For more information, contact Aaron Knight at 860.270.8059 or aaron.knight@ct.gov.