State Trade Expansion

Grants made to state governments to increase the number of small businesses that are exporting and increase the value of exports for those small businesses that export.

States, defined as the 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.

Awards are competitive. Selection is made based on the eligible applicant�s written ability to meet the criteria stated in the program announcement in a merit-based, competitive award process with other eligible applicants; and the applicants ability to match funds.

The 10 states with the highest percentage of exporters that are small business concerns based upon the latest data available from the Department of Commerce shall receive no more than 40 percent of the total Federal Fiscal year appropriation. The Federal Share of project cost for a State that has a high export volume will be 65%. The Federal share of project cost for a State that does not have a high export volume will be 75%. (The Associate Administrator for the SBA Office of International Trade will determine which States are high volume). The State must match the remainder of project cost. The match must be comprised of not less than 50% cash and not more than 50% of in-kind contributions. Matching funds may not be derived from any Federal program.