(LANSING, MICH.) – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Pure Michigan State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) has grant money still available for exporters in the 18-county Central Michigan region that must be committed by July 15 to stay in the region. Examples of activities that could be reimbursed under the exporting initiative are: foreign market sales trips, foreign trade shows, foreign trade missions, and translations of materials and websites.
“The STEP grant program is a great opportunity for businesses interested in growing their export markets,” said President and CEO Tim Daman of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC). “Several area companies have already taken advantage of the grant program, but there’s still funding available and we encourage businesses to capitalize on this opportunity.”
The Michigan STEP is a statewide effort designed to spur job creation and is intended to assist companies start or strengthen their exporting strategies. The program, which is funded by MEDC through an SBA grant, helps eliminate the cost barriers to exporting by providing financial assistance to qualified organizations seeking entry and expansion into foreign markets. LRCC was selected to help the MEDC with the Michigan STEP initiatives by hosting STEP’s Central Michigan Regional Export Network (REN), which consists of 18 counties: Ingham, Eaton, Clinton, Clare, Isabella, Gratiot, Midland, Saginaw, Shiawassee, Arenac, Bay, Genesee, Tuscola, Lapeer, Huron, Sanilac and St. Clair.
“We will provide all the expertise you need to help make the application process as simple as possible,” said Laura Deierlein, MEDC international trade manager for the STEP program. “We need organizations to submit their proposals before July 15th if they are interested in securing funding for this fiscal year.”
The Central Michigan Regional Export Network (REN) currently has more than 60 companies that have formally registered for the program, but more companies are encouraged to complete a grant application for funding. One of the first companies to take advantage of STEP was Bekum America. They were able to secure a grant that covered up to half of their expenses to attend one of the largest plastics shows of its kind in New Delhi, India. Bekum America’s COO Stephen London credits the STEP program for assisting in the India project with valuable counseling and guidance.
“The grant application process forced us to develop a solid plan with clear goals for our trade relationship with India,” said London. “It’s a simple application process and companies will really benefit if they engage early.” Bekum has since tapped the program a second time for an international plastics show in Miami, FL and can conduct additional activities to leverage up to $25,000 in grant funds available to them.
Nearly $80,000 in grant money has already been awarded or approved to 13 businesses from around the 18-county Central Michigan region. The Pure Michigan STEP program is excited to continue to offer this program to determined companies committed to improving their export growth strategy.
For more information on the STEP program and the grant application process, visit www.michiganadvantage.org/STEP/
The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce is the largest business organization in the tri-county region, serving a business population of more than 14,000 companies. LRCC is dedicated to making business in the region more profitable by providing programs that create new customers, enhance member visibility and create a prosperous economic environment. LRCC members rely on four key areas to help them succeed: Business Advocacy, Business Expansion, Business Savings & Business Exposure.
Labels: news
