STEP grant from the SBA runs from October 2019 through September 2020. Through this grant, Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) has created an Export General Assistance Fund (GAF) to increase the number of eligible small businesses (ESBCs) that export, increase the value of exports by ESBCs and increase the number of ESBCs exploring significant new trade opportunities
All applications are due no later than September 15, 2022
Operate a registered business in Connecticut to manufacture, assemble and/or distribute a product, or provide an exportable service;Meets the criteria established in Section 503 of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 that’s defines the term ‘eligible small business concern,’ as a business concern that: (i) is organized or incorporated in the United States;(ii) Is operating in the United States;(iii) meets: (a) the applicable industry-based small business size standard established under section 3 of the Small Business Act;or the alternate size standard applicable to the program under section 7(a) of the Small Business Act and the loan programs under title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 695 et seq.);(iv) has been in business for not less than 1 year;and (v) has access to sufficient resources to bear the costs associated with trade, including the costs of packing, shipping, freight forwarding, and customs brokers;Seeks to export goods or services of U.S. origin or have at least 51% U.S. Content;Not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for disbarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any Federal department or agency