Maryland State Trade Expansion Program

As part of a continuing effort to broaden Maryland’s international reach and help companies create jobs and access new foreign markets, the Maryland Department of Commerce has been awarded a $550,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant will be used to support Maryland Commerce’s international efforts, including attending overseas trade shows in targeted industry sectors and helping to fund the state’s ExportMD program, which provides matching grants of up to $5,000 to help Maryland companies market their goods and services to global customers.

 

Benefits

Maryland companies that receive an ExportMD Award are eligible for up to $5,000 in reimbursement for expenses associated with an international marketing project. The program is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.​

Eligible expenses are any expenses related to an international marketing initiative including trade show fees, airfare, translation of brochures and web site development. 

Companies that do not qualify for the ExportMD program can still receive other forms of assistance through the Maryland Office of International Investment and Trade​ (OIIT)​. Please contact the office to learn what resources may be available to your firm.

 

Qualifications

To qualify, a company:

• Must have business operations in Maryland and be in good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation;
• Must be in existence for at least one year;
• Must not have received an ExportMD Award in the last 2 yea​rs;
• Is a "small business" as defined by the SBA**; and
• Is planning an international business initiative to commence and conclude within six months of the application deadline — at the very latest.

 

Companies wishing to participate in the Maryland STEP grant may email Jessica Reynolds at jessica.reynolds@maryland.gov or call (410) 767-6435.