STEP funding available for small businesses

RHODE ISLAND small businesses interested in increasing exports and looking for assistance are encouraged to apply for federal State Trade Expansion Program funding.
RHODE ISLAND small businesses interested in increasing exports and looking for assistance are encouraged to apply for federal State Trade Expansion Program funding.

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island small businesses interested in increasing exports and looking for assistance are encouraged to apply for State Trade Expansion Program funding through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
STEP provides matching fund awards to states to assist small businesses in entering and expanding into international markets.
The John H. Chafee Center for International Business at Bryant University, in partnership with the R.I. Commerce Corp., has been awarded the $427,950 STEP grant for Rhode Island. This is the fifth year the center received the award and is looking for eligible small businesses to participate. The program launched Sept. 30 and will run through Sept. 29, 2017.
To participate in STEP, a company must be registered to do business in Rhode Island, meet the SBA definition of a “small business” and been in business at least one year.
The STEP grant can provide reimbursement for certain expenses related to projects designed to increase export sales. Eligible projects include participating in foreign trade missions, exhibiting at a foreign trade show, creating international marketing media, and participating in U.S. Commercial Service programs and export training.
Contact Linda Woulfe, STEP project director at the Chafee Center for International Business, at lwoulfe@bryant.edu or (401) 232-6525 for information.

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