Pure Michigan State Trade Export Promotion (STEP) program
Thank you for your interest in the Pure Michigan State Trade Export Promotion (STEP) program. The program is designed to assist small- to medium-sized businesses diversify their customer base and enter new global markets.
The Pure Michigan Export Program offers a wide variety of export resources and assistance to help companies launch, expand and enhance exporting opportunities. If you are interested in learning more about what might fit your company’s needs, begin working with one of our export specialists:
Michigan companies with fewer than 500 employees may qualify for financial assistance for export-related activities.
Launched by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the program is designed to:
- Increase the dollar value of Michigan exports
- Increase the number of Michigan companies that export
- Introduce current exporters to new foreign markets and buyers
2012 STEP Program Highlights
Program Summary
STEP provides direct reimbursements to qualified small and medium-sized export (SME) companies for developing or expanding export-related activities via cost reimbursement of 50 percent of allowable export-related activities.
Eligible companies may qualify for up to $12,000 in assistance to enhance their ability to launch or grow export operations in Michigan.
Approved funds may support (but are not limited to) the following activities:
- Overseas trade mission participation
- International trade show participation
- Domestic international trade show participation
- Foreign market sales trips
- U.S. Department of Commerce services
- Website and/or marketing material translation services
- Agent, distributor and/or customer searches
- Foreign market research
- "I would like to thank the MEDC and Automation Alley's International Department for directing JEMS to the SBA's STEP grant program. The funds helped JEMS secure contracts/transactions in China--specifically a group of hospitals in Shanghai, where the total business opportunity exceeds $10M."
Kevin B. Lasser, Chief Executive Officer
JEMS Technology
- "Exporting is an investment, and even the good bets can give pause. I knew the Arab Health convention in Dubai could be a great opportunity, but wasn't really committed. When I found out about the STEP program, it was a much easier decision. Now we have a distributor in the Middle East, and I was able to capitalize on an extended layover to personally connect with our longstanding UK distributor for the first time. I think exporting is a good bet because other countries seem to appreciate the quality of American products. I definitely believe my efforts are going to pay off and I would encourage others to take advantage of the STEP program to facilitate those first steps."
Jerry Marogil, Sales Manager
Mar-Med, Co.
Grand Rapids, MI
STEP Resources
Get Started . . .
Click here to complete and submit the intake form.
To reach a member of MEDC’s Export Team, email export@michigan.org or contact our Customer Assistance Center.
