Take the next step in exporting with MI-STEP program
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EmailExporting can increase your customer base and provide long-term stability. Are you ready for the next STEP?
Businesses who export a product can diversify their customer base, which, in turn, provides long-term stability and supports higher paying jobs. If your small business has 500 employees or less and you need assistance with small business exporting, apply for the Michigan’s State Trade Export Program (MI-STEP) and help your business grow in the long term.
The MI-STEP Program is part of the Economic Gardening program with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), which aims to support existing Michigan companies and assist in creating new jobs.
Funds are being awarded to small businesses in Michigan to assist with small business exporting through the (MI-STEP) Program. This program is intended to increase Michigan’s export sales as well as the number of companies that export, find potential new avenues for those that currently export, and gain new foreign buyers. Direct reimbursements are granted to qualified small businesses for export related activities.
Qualifying activities under this program range from free to low-cost export training and technical counseling, fees for international trade missions, website fees—such as translation to foreign languages or Search Engine Optimization, design of marketing media, international trade show participation and more.
The MEDC will assist qualified pre-export companies who still need training to be export ready, as well as new to export (NTE) and market expansion (ME) companies according to their application guidelines.
For more information on the MI-STEP Program, or to learn how to apply, visit the Michigan Business website or contact export@michigan.org.
“Michigan State University Extension has had a unique relationship with the regional economic development organization Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) for more than 20 years. Recognizing the strength of combining resources, this partnership focuses on economic development, entrepreneurship growth and community infrastructure throughout a four-county region in the northwest Lower Peninsula, specifically Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Emmet counties. As a result, the NLEA utilizes resources offered through MSU Extension as it provides leadership to state-wide programs sponsored by MSU Extension.”
