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STEP Export Program

Helping You Discover Opportunity

West Virginia is proud to offer grant 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). Over the course of the last decade, STEP has awarded 302 state grants to all 50 states and U.S. Territories  generating nearly $1.8 billion in exports.

Since 2015, The West Virginia Department of Economic Development has been awarded nearly one million dollars in STEP funding which has been distributed to over 75 West Virginia Small Businesses 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. Department of Commerce, translation of materials into foreign languages, design of international marketing materials and online marketing targeting more than 50 different countries around the world resulting in over $20 million dollars in new export sales reported to date.

Any small business in West Virginia, regardless of their level of export development experience is invited to learn about the West Virginia STEP program.

The 2020-2021 West Virginia STEP will consist of $150,000 in funding available from October 1, 2020 to September 29, 2021. 

 Four different programs have been fashioned to address the complex needs that companies face with global expansion.

During the 2020-2021 West Virginia STEP funding period 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. Applications must be approved prior to commencement of the proposed export activity and expenses must be incurred during the funding period to be eligible for reimbursement.

Explore the Export Promotion Program available through West Virginia STEP to discover how it can support your export marketing strategy. 

Export Promotion Program

About the Program

 The Export Promotion Program awards funds to eligible small businesses to offset some of the costs of promoting and developing new export expansion projects. A variety of costs are covered such as trade show attendance, foreign market visits, compliance testing and more.

 

Important Facts

  • May obtain 50% of eligible associated expenses for each export promotion activity
  • Maximum amount of reimbursement is $10,000 during the funding period which can be distributed in one or more export promotion activities
  • Funding period is October 1, 2020 – September 29, 2021

Eligibility

Small businesses with products and services selling successfully in the U.S. including:

  • Businesses that have never exported
  • Businesses that have exported on a limited basis
  • Businesses with more experience, but seeking to expand

Learn more about eligible business requirements and all eligible expenses that may be reimbursed.

 

Ready to get started?

To get started, fill out this application for our Export Promotion Reimbursement Program.

 

International Trade Exhibition Program

About the Program

 The International Trade Exhibition Program awards funds to offset the costs of attending international trade shows; however, some U.S. trade shows may also be considered if there is a strong international attendance.

Important Facts

Closed for the grant year. Please consider “Export Promotion Program” for Trade Show Exhibition Assistance.

Eligibility

Closed for the grant year. Please consider “Export Promotion Program” for Trade Show Exhibition Assistance.

West Virginia Trade Show Pavilions

About the Program

The West Virginia Trade Show Pavilions Program offers a low-cost option for exhibiting at international trade shows by partnering a few different businesses to exhibit in the same booth.

Important Facts

Low preparation required from you. You provide us your logo and graphics. Our designers do the rest!

  • You provide company personnel to staff your booth during the show
  • Travel costs will be your responsibility and will not be reimbursed

Who is Eligible?

  • Businesses selling to the mining industry
  • Companies with previous trade show experience may receive preference
  • Companies that demonstrate new market entry or expansion for their project

Learn more about eligible business requirements and all eligible expenses that may be reimbursed.

 

Ready to get started?

Fill out this application for our West Virginia Trade Show Pavilions Program.

 

Market Finder Reimbursement

About the Program

The Market Finder Reimbursement Program provides assistance for exploring new markets of opportunity using the Initial Market Check and other services offered by the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Purpose

Provides an initial assessment of market potential of a product or service in a targeted market by gathering feedback from up to five industry participants and provides a recommendation on whether to pursue the target market.

Who is Eligible?

Provides an initial assessment of market potential of a product or service in a targeted market by gathering feedback from up to five industry participants and provides a recommendation on whether to pursue the target market.

 

Ready to get started?

To begin your industry research through our market finder program, determine your eligibility through our program guidelines or apply today.   

 

Funded in part through a Grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration

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