Pennsylvania Receives $1.7 Million Federal Grant to Increase Small Business Exports

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Community and Economic Development received a $1.7 million State Trade and Export Promotion grant from the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) to increase export assistance to Pennsylvania's small businesses.

"Providing small businesses with the tools they need to grow and create jobs in the state is a top priority of the governor and our agency," DCED Secretary C. Alan Walker said. "Export assistance is a great resource for small businesses interested in selling their goods and services to new markets."

The SBA's State Trade and Export Promotion Grant (STEP) Pilot Grant Initiative provides grants to states for small business exporting assistance programs. The STEP Initiative works to increase the number of small businesses that are exporting, and boost the value of exports for those small firms already exporting.

Pennsylvania's Center for Trade Development will provide funds to qualifying companies to participate in multiple international trade events and projects. Industry categories will focus on food, energy, medical and wood/building. Countries include Taiwan, UAE, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, Chile, Germany, Korea, India, China and others. The STEP project will hold at least two virtual buyer events with the Commercial Service and Pennsylvania universities.

From 2005 to present, the Center for Trade Development directly generated over $2.1 billion in new export sales and supported over 14,200 jobs in the state. In the last fiscal year alone, the program generated over $526 million in new export sales for Pennsylvania companies, supporting more than 4,000 jobs.

The Center for Trade Development, housed within the Department of Community and Economic Development's Office of International Business Development, helps Pennsylvania exporters expand their reach, capacity and capability to sell into new markets by providing clients with access to market research, partner search services, grants, and a full schedule of international trade shows and missions. 

For more information about the Office of International Business Development or other economic development services, visit NewPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

Media contact: Steven Kratz, 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development