Important Notice:

Please note that the 2020 application period has closed.

 

Ohio State Trade Expansion Program

The IMAGE program funded through the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) is designed to increase exports and create jobs. STEP is funded through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of International Trade, which provides guidance on the IMAGE grant that offers financial assistance for small businesses to promote their products and services in international markets. The grant will provide a 50 percent reimbursement up to $10,000 per fiscal year for qualifying activities.

 

Eligibility

The IMAGE program requires the application to be signed by a corporate officer, certifying that the following eligibility criteria will be met:

• Company operates a licensed business in Ohio to manufacture, assemble and/or distribute a product or provide an exportable service.
• Company certifies that the products to be promoted contain a majority of U.S. content. U.S. content is valued at export-works price minus the aggregate value contributed by foreign suppliers, including labor and material.
• Company has identified qualifying and achievable export activities or initiatives requiring financial support.
• Company asserts that it meets the requirements of the Table of Small Business Size Standards set forth by the SBA.
• Company has been in business for no less than the one-year period ending on the date on which assistance is provided under an IMAGE grant.
• Company has in effect a strategic plan for exporting, as outlined under "Client Commitments" on the IMAGE application.
• Company attests that it shall not knowingly enter into any transactions with a person in the Excluded Parties List System.
• Eligible activities must be executed by direct employees of the company.
• Nonprofits are not eligible.

 

Companies wishing to participate in the Ohio STEP grant can email Andrew Borst at Andrew.Borst@development.ohio.gov or call (614) 728-6733.