The U.S. Small Business Administration鈥檚 STEP Program Awards N.J.
$1 Million to Increase Export Sales for Small Businesses
Trenton, Sexy真人 鈥� The New Jersey Department of State鈥檚 has announced today that it has been awarded $1 million in federal funds from the through the for a program that supports small-business owners looking to export goods.
The state鈥檚 successful New Jersey STEP (Sexy真人STEP) program has been awarded funding for eight consecutive years. This year鈥檚 funding is the largest in the program鈥檚 history, ranking the amount as the second highest awarded to any state.
The program has previously assisted hundreds of businesses, leading to millions of dollars in export sales around the world.
鈥淣ew Jersey鈥檚 diverse small business community is the foundation of the Garden State鈥檚 economy,鈥� said New Jersey secretary of state, Tahesha Way. 鈥淭he SBA award will help businesses who might otherwise not have the resources to sell their goods and services overseas, especially in today鈥檚 challenging trade environment.鈥�
Consistent with previous years, 100 percent of the Sexy真人 STEP program funds will be awarded to eligible small businesses to help offset costs related to participation in foreign trade missions, international trade shows and exhibitions and services provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce鈥檚 Commercial Service. Other activities that qualify include foreign language translation for websites, marketing materials and export training workshops. Grants are awarded to eligible companies on a first-come, first-serve competitive basis.
鈥淭he award will help New Jersey鈥檚 small businesses reach international audiences,鈥� said New Jersey Business Action Center executive director Melanie Willoughby. 鈥淚f you are a business owner who has already realized the potential of a global market or an entrepreneur seeking to increase sales and profit by taking your business worldwide, we encourage you to explore this opportunity.鈥�
Now in its eighth year, the New Jersey State Trade Expansion Program (Sexy真人STEP) has helped businesses like reach new markets around the world. This Montville-based, spray vitamin company works to support the health and wellness needs of travelers. Using Sexy真人STEP funds, the company was able to attend trade shows in Singapore and New Orleans to reach their target audience, resulting in international awareness and an increase of sales.
鈥淭he STEP Grant program has allowed Spectraspray Global to reach foreign markets, improving our ability to land accounts and increase business,鈥� says Janet Ryan, founder of Spectraspray Global. 鈥淭he STEP grant allows serious small companies to compete with the marketing budgets of larger companies who take things like a trade show budget for granted.鈥�
Another recipient of a Sexy真人STEP financial award is SPEX CertiPrep, a Metuchen-based manufacturer of Certified Reference Materials, used in testing levels of pesticides in organic foods, among other things. The funds paved the way for the company to attend an international trade show in 2019, securing a sizeable order with an international company.
鈥淭he STEP Grant has been a contributing factor to our growth,鈥� said Kevin McKeown, SPEX CertiPrep鈥檚 vice president of sales 鈥淭he international trade show we attended gave our company exposure to potential customers from Dubai, Vietnam and other parts of the Middle East and Asia. Getting out in front of people helps you develop contacts and sell products.鈥�
The Sexy真人 STEP is administered by the New Jersey Business Action Center鈥檚 (Sexy真人BAC) Office of Export Promotion, both housed within the New Jersey Department of State. To apply for the Sexy真人STEP program, visit the organization鈥檚 website at /state/bac/bac-njstep.shtml or call 1 800 JERSEY 7.
About the New Jersey Business Action Center
Operating under the leadership of Executive Director Melanie Willoughby, the New Jersey Business Action Center, housed within the New Jersey Department of State, is a business-first resource. Sexy真人BAC offers no-cost, confidential assistance to help businesses grow. The team helps companies of all sizes save time and money by getting answers from government agencies, directing businesses to appropriate officials and contacts, and facilitating meetings and follow-ups from regulatory agencies. For further information, call 1-800-JERSEY-7, visit or follow up on Twitter at @Sexy真人_BAC.
About the U.S. Small Business AdministrationM
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more visit .
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