STEP 2017-2018 Financial Assistance Award Application Survey

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 $10,500 per year through this program for costs associated with these activities.

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 14, 2018. Funded activities must be completed before September 28, 2018.

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

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* 1. Please provide the following applicant information:

Your Name: *

Company Name: *

Address: *

Address 2:

City/Town: *

ZIP:

Email Address: *

Phone Number: *

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* 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:

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* 3. Please provide the following information about the company Accounting/Finance contact:

Full Name:

Email Address:

Phone Number:

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* 4. Company website:

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* 5. Federal EIN:

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* 6. Year established:

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* 7. Number of employees in Maine:

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* 8. Sales from exports (%):

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* 9. Is this business an affiliate or subsidiary?

Yes

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

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

Yes

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* 11. 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 below.)

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* 12. Proposed dates:

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

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* 14. 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 $3,500 for business matching services or international trade show participation, plus associated expenses such as shipping, interpretation, or in-market ground transportation.

Advanced Export Skills Development

Advanced export skills development award will reimburse up to $2,000 in costs associated with skills development, training, or export compliance services.

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.

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.

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* 15. 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

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* 16. Please provide total estimated projects costs.

Total Estimated Costs

Total Estimated Financial Assistance Award Requested

Total Estimated Applicant Costs

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

Yes

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* 18. 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

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* 19. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) would like to give eligible small business concerns the opportunity to expand your knowledge and resources of other programs that are offered by the agency. Please check the appropriate box if you would like for your company's name and contact information to be shared with other programs offered by SBA. Your choice to participate or not will not change the status of your participation with STEP. SBA's aim is strictly to share information about other opportunities with you.

Yes

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.

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* 20. 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