Sep 16, 2019

California ag gets $600K grant to expand global trade

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) recently received  $600,000 from the U.S. Small Business Administration to boost trade and exports abroad.

CDFA and GO-Biz will use the funds as part of the California State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) to help California small businesses participate in activities like foreign trade shows and access foreign markets through trade promotion initiatives.

“International trade is a critical part of California’s economy,” CDFA Secretary Karen Ross said in a press release. “This award will help to fuel economic growth by allowing small businesses to expand export opportunities, compete in foreign markets, and support jobs here in California. As the nation’s largest agricultural producer and exporter, our farmers, ranchers and food processors benefit from open markets, export sales and a global consumer base.”

California has received STEP funding in previous years, and this is the third year CDFA and GO-Biz will jointly administer the program, according to the press release. In addition to the federal support, California and its partner agencies will provide $323,076 in matching funds, bringing the total program funds to $923,076. CDFA and GO-Biz will work with partners including the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Los Rios Community College District, Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), and the University Enterprises Corporation at California State University San Bernardino.

The funds to help small businesses participate in activities like foreign export trade show exhibitions, foreign trade missions tailored for the sales of products and/or services, foreign market sales trips, subscription services provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the design of international marketing campaigns.

For more information on the California STEP program, visit www.CaliforniaExport.org, and for additional information on SBA’s STEP program visit https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/grants/state-trade-expansion-program-step.