Exporting Assistance
State Trade and Export Promotions (STEP)
Michigan’s State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) program provides direct reimbursements to qualified small and medium-sized export companies to develop or expand export-related activities. The Michigan STEP program is designed to spur job creation by empowering Michigan small and medium sized enterprises to export their products. Eligible companies may qualify for up to $12,000 in assistance to offset a portion of their export marketing-related costs.
Interested applicants should review these guidelines prior to completing the online application intake form.
For further information and assistance getting your company involved in the STEP program, contact the Lake Superior Community Partnership business development team at 226-6591 or email lscp@marquette.org.
More Exporting Resources
The Upper Peninsula has a collaborative business service network work that includes Federal, State and local agencies. This list of Exporting Resources was compiled by the Business Growth & Development Committee of the UPWard Initiative – a group comprised of 15 Upper MI counties along with Marinette & Florence counties in WI.
Programs:
Small Business Administration (SBA)
www.sba.gov
(800) 827-5722
Approximately 70 percent of all U.S. exporters have 20 or fewer employees. SBA has placed a priority on helping these small business exporters by providing a number of loan programs specifically designed to help them develop or expand their export activities. If you own or wish to start a small export business, the following loans may be available to you:
Export Working Capital Program (EWCP)
International Trade Loan Program
Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)
www.opic.gov (202) 336-8799
OPIC is the U.S. Government’s development finance institution. It mobilizes private capital to help solve critical world challenges and in doing so, advances U.S. foreign policy. Because OPIC works with the U.S. private sector, it helps U.S. businesses gain footholds in emerging markets catalyzing revenues, jobs and growth opportunities both at home and abroad. OPIC achieves its mission by providing investors with financing, guarantees, political risk insurance, and support for private equity investment funds.
Michigan U.S. Commercial Services Export Assistance Centers (USEACs)
The U.S. Commercial Service offers a wide variety of products and services to help U.S. companies increase international sales, identify potential markets, meet buyers, partners, agents and distributors, navigate export channels, and much more. Their Export Assistance Centers provide free trade counseling and advice in all aspects of the export process. Contact one of Michigan’s four centers and let them help you expand your business. Visit export.gov for more information on USEAC services.
U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)
www.ustda.gov
(703) 875-4357
USTDA’s program creates a win-win scenario by promoting U.S. exports to advance economic growth in developing and middle-income countries. Its’ program has been a catalyst for opening new markets for U.S. companies, large and small, looking to expand sales overseas. International Business Partnership Program: Connecting U.S. Firms with Foreign Buyers In support of the National Export Initiative, USTDA launched the International Business Partnership Program (IBPP) to connect international buyers with U.S. manufacturers and service providers in order to open new export markets and commercial opportunities around the world for American companies. Key activities include:
- Reverse Trade Missions
- Conferences and Workshops
- Training
U.S. Department of Commerce
www.commerce.gov
(202) 482-2000
To drive U.S. competitiveness in the global marketplace, the Commerce Department works to strengthen the international economic position of the United States and facilitates global trade by opening up new markets for U.S. goods and services.
U.S. Export-Import Bank
www.exim.gov
(202) 565-3946 (EXIM)
The U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) is the principal government agency responsible for aiding the export of American goods and services, and thereby creating and sustaining U.S. jobs, through a variety of loan, guarantee, and insurance programs. Generally, its programs are available to any American export firm regardless of size. Similar banks, or export credit agencies (ECAs), are operated by a number of foreign countries. Many ECAs agree to conduct their activities by following a set of common rules and principles through their membership in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); these ECAs are generally in the so-called “developed” countries. The goal is to permit exporters in various countries to compete on the basis of the quality of their goods and services, not on preferential financing terms. Other ECAs, such as the China Exim Bank (in the People’s Republic of China) do not abide by the OECD rules.
Van Andel Global Trade Center (VAGTC)
www.gvsu.edu/vagtc
(616) 331-6811
Serves as the REN host for the Western Michigan Region. At Grand Valley State University’s VAGCT, companies gain the tools and knowledge they need to export through relevant consulting and training programs. VAGTC’s assistance ranges from new market research to customs and export compliance to identifying overseas suppliers. VAGTC provides the research as well as the export sales plan and network to the appropriate team of service providers to assist experienced or new-to-export SMEs Specific services include: training, consulting, resource development, cultural education, language center, matchmaking, trade missions, business development and hosting foreign buyer visits.
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Program (IMDP)
www.michigan.gov/mdard
(800) 292-3939
Michigan has a diverse agricultural industry – producing over 200 commodities and leading the nation in 18 of these. This product mix has resulted in a doubling of Michigan’s agricultural exports since 1997, totaling more than $1.55 billion and supporting over 12,000 Michigan jobs in 2009. In 2009 Michigan ranked 5th and 9th, respectively, for national exports of fruits and vegetables and its top five export agricultural markets were: Canada, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and Taiwan. MDARD’s International Market Development Program (IMDP) assists Michigan food and agricultural businesses enter or expand into international markets with the following services: trade missions and trade show services, buyer missions, exporter education, international marketing cost reimbursement, and an online export directory. MDARD works closely with Michigan State University, internationally renowned for its agricultural research and projects across the globe.
Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (MI-SBTDC)
www.misbtdc.org
(906) 789-0558 Ext. 237
MI-SBTDC enhances Michigan’s economic well-being by providing counseling, training, research and advocacy for new ventures, existing small businesses and innovative\technology companies. With offices statewide, the MI-SBTDC™ positively impacts the economy by strengthening existing companies, creating new jobs, retaining existing jobs, and assisting companies in defining their path to success. Launched in 2009, the Manufacturing Assistance Team (MAT) is a group of specialized consultants helping Michigan’s small business manufacturers with assistance in areas such as financial analysis, strategic planning and capital access. The MI-SBTDC’s overall impact on the state economy is summarized by these statistics: In 2010, MI-SBTDC worked with 16,963 clients, creating 4,461 jobs and raising $248,333,529 in capital for Michigan’s SMEs.
Michigan State University International Business Center (CIBER)
The Eli Broad Graduate School of Management at Michigan State University was designated in 1990 as a National Resource Center by the U.S. Department of Education (or Center for International Business Education and Research). The mission of IBC-CIBER is to leverage our leading-edge competencies to provide superior education, research, and assistance to businesses, public policy makers, academics, and students on issues of importance to international trade and global competitiveness using our guiding principles as the foundation. The Center’s projects have been funded by: The Title VI B grants through the International Education Programs Service of the U.S. Department of Education, National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, State of Michigan, W.K Kellogg Foundation, U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Information Agency, Ford Motor Company Fund, The Chrysler Foundation, General Motors Foundation and Broad China among others. The MSU-CIBER grant for 2010-2014, awarded May 2010, received the top award among 33 peer institutions; continuously funded since 1990. Six full-time staff and approximately 30 undergraduate and graduate students are engaged in these programs.
Michigan Export Growth Program (MEGP)
http://global.broad.msu.edu/megp/
Involves faculty, staff, and students that provide free industry- and country-specific research and consulting to local businesses to assist them in taking the best possible advantage of opportunities in the global marketplace.
globalEDGE™
The world’s leading online source in “international business” (as ranked by major search engines), globalEDGE is developed by the MSU International Business Center as “Your Source for Global Business Knowledge.” It aggregates thousands of resources into a single point, organized by country and industry.
TechTown
http://techtownwsu.org/
(313) 879-5250
Has a number of initiatives with international partners aimed at educating entrepreneurs on international trade laws and driving research in high-growth industries. TechTown has specific initiatives aimed at attracting Mexican, Canadian, Chinese, Indian, and Central European businesses.
