STEP 2016-2017 Financial Assistance Award Application

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant initiative provides funding to states and U.S. territories to increase the number of businesses that export.

Administered by Maine International Trade Center (MITC), the objective of the Financial Assistance Award is to encourage Maine companies seeking new international sales through financial support for: International Business Development, Advanced Export Skills Development, or Foreign Marketing Support.

Eligible businesses may receive reimbursements totaling up to $8,000 per year through this program for costs associated with these activities. Companies in rural Maine, defined as Aroostook, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo, and Washington counties, may receive up to $9,000 per year.

NOTE: Airfare, lodging, and meals are not eligible for reimbursement under this program.

Companies must be approved for the Financial Assistance Award prior to incurring costs; costs incurred before receiving approval will not be reimbursed.

Applications must be received by September 15, 2017. Funded activities must be completed before September 29, 2017.

A specific activity, dates, and budget are required as part of the application.

Question Title

* 1. Please provide the following applicant information:

Your Name: *

Company Name: *

Address: *

Address 2:

City/Town: *

ZIP:

Email Address: *

Phone Number: *

Question Title

* 2. If different from the previous question, please provide the following information about the company Owner/President:

Full Name:

Address 1:

Address 2:

City/Town:

State/Province:

ZIP/Postal Code:

Email Address:

Phone Number:

Question Title

* 3. Company website:

Question Title

* 4. Federal EIN:

Question Title

* 5. Year established:

Question Title

* 6. Number of employees in Maine:

Question Title

* 7. Sales from exports (%):

Question Title

* 8. Is this business an affiliate or subsidiary?

Yes

If yes, please provide name and location of parent company:

Question Title

* 9. Are the principal operations of this company located in Maine?

Yes

Question Title

* 10. Project description: Briefly describe the project for which you are requesting funds. (NOTE: A complete cost estimate for the activity and specific amount being requested will be required on the next page.)

Question Title

* 11. Proposed dates:

Question Title

* 12. Brief description of company’s products/services and intended export market development:

Question Title

* 13. Provide the name, address, email, and phone number for organization conducting matchmaking services. (NOTE: Organization must be U.S. Department of Commerce or other contractor pre-approved by MITC.) - OR - Provide the name, address, email and phone number for individual or organization providing training services.

Prepare a cost estimate for the activity for which you are requesting funding using the following categories:

International Business Development

International business development services awards will reimburse up to $2,500 per year for business matching services or international trade show participation, plus associated expenses such as shipping, interpretation, or in-market ground transportation. Rural companies are eligible for up to $3,000 per year. Companies may only receive support for two projects during the program year.

Advanced Export Skills Development

Advanced export skills development: Will reimburse up to $2,500 per year in costs associated with skills development, training, or export compliance services. Companies may apply for multiple activities or trainings up to the $2,500 cap.

Foreign Marketing Support

Foreign marketing support: Companies may engage consultants to improve their international marketing efforts; this program will reimburse 50% of cash expended, up to a maximum of $3,000 per year.

NOTE: One category per application. Please submit separate applications to request funding in more than one category.

Financial Assistance Award vs. Applicant Costs:

For International Business Development Services and Foreign Marketing Support, applicant costs must be at least 50% of the total budget (applicant costs must equal or exceed requested reimbursement). For Advanced Export Skills Development, applicant costs must be at least 30% of the total budget.

Question Title

* 14. In the box below for the appropriate category, please indicate the dollar amount of the Financial Assistance Award being requested. (Only one category per application. Please submit separate applications to request funding in more than one category.)

International Business Development

Advanced Export Skills Development

Foreign Marketing Support

Question Title

* 15. Please provide total estimated projects costs.

Total Estimated Costs

Total Estimated Financial Assistance Award Requested

Total Estimated Applicant Costs

Question Title

* 16. Would you describe your company as a "new to export" business, having little or no previous export experience?

Yes

Question Title

* 17. Is your business currently exporting to one or more markets and:

Expanding into new country markets

Expanding into a new region or new segment or new product line within an existing market

N/A

An officer of the company must submit this application. By submitting this application, the applicant certifies that:

1. To the best of my/our knowledge, the data in this application is correct and that supporting documentation will be available to MITC for review upon request.

2. I/we understand that submitting false or misleading information may result in being found ineligible for reimbursement and permanent disqualification from any future use of this program.

3. STEP Financial Assistance Award funds will only be used for those activities included in the project budget.

4. At least 51% of the manufactured value of the product or the performance value of the service will be produced in Maine.

5. I/we understand that MITC will conduct confidential surveys following the completion of the activity and at 6 and 12 months and agree to answer those surveys in a timely manner.

Question Title

* 18. I certify that the information I am providing is truthful and accurate, and that my contact information below shall serve as my electronic signature.

First and Last Name

Title

Date