Texas Border Business
HARLINGEN, TX – U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced more than $440,000 was awarded to the Texas Department of Agriculture to support export growth among small businesses through the SBA’s competitive State Trade Expansion Program (STEP).
“The 2020 STEP award allows the State of Texas to assist small businesses with the information and tools needed to succeed in export-related activities such as participating in foreign trade missions and foreign market sales trips, obtaining services provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessing expertise in designing international marketing campaigns and export trade show exhibits, participating in training workshops and more,” Angela R. Burton, district director, SBA’s Lower Rio Grande Valley District said.
Small Businesses in the Lower Rio Grande Valley District who meet the eligibility criteria may apply for assistance up to $10,000 from the Texas Department of Agriculture. The deadline to apply is Thursday, October 29, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. (CT).
“The opportunities for small businesses to grow by exporting are substantial, especially during this unprecedented time,” Burton said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a paradigm shift to increased web-based sales and virtual trade missions to reach 95 percent of the world’s consumers located outside the United States.” Exporting is an important way for U.S. businesses to grow revenue and diversify their customer base.
Expanding the base of small business exporters and streamlining the process is a key component of the Administration’s small business strategy. Since the STEP program’s creation ten years ago, SBA has awarded approximately $157 million in grants to fund export opportunities to increase the footprint of small businesses in countries all over the world.
“The SBA is committed to assisting small businesses to enter and prosper in the global marketplace,” said Loretta Greene, Associate Administrator for SBA’s Office of International Trade. “Through SBA’s STEP awards, states provide small businesses with the critical funding they need to thrive internationally while creating jobs and strengthening their communities.”
For more information about STEP program and other SBA export resources, visit the SBA’s business guide to exporting products.
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