The Montana Department of Commerce announced that $781,000 in federal grant funding is available to help small Montana businesses accelerate and grow international sales — an amount tied for the highest awarded to any state in the nation this cycle.
The funding comes from the U.S. Small Business Administration and is administered through Commerce’s State Trade Expansion Program, known as STEP. The program is expected to help an estimated 221 exporters with international sales activities and training and contribute nearly $9 million in total export sales.
“Commerce’s STEP grant funding provides support to Montana small businesses to help grow their exports by gaining access to worldwide markets,” said Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio. “Since 2011, Montana has received $7.4 million in STEP grant funding from the SBA, matching with $2.4 million in state funds, and has awarded over 1,300 grants supporting 2,700 jobs with a return on investment of $1.48 billion.”
STEP grants can be used to support foreign trade missions, Montana pavilions at international trade shows and other international marketing projects. Eligible Montana exporters can apply for 50% reimbursement of up to $10,000 for qualifying activities including trade show exhibition, market research, U.S. commercial service programs, foreign language translation, international compliance testing, intellectual property protection and digital marketing. Eligible applicants may receive up to $30,000 in STEP awards per year.
In 2024, Montana exported $2.4 billion in products, with inorganic chemicals, industrial machinery, mineral fuel, aircraft parts, peas and lentils among the top exports. Montana’s leading export destinations are Canada, Korea, Japan, Belgium and China.
Among recent beneficiaries, Paradise Dental Technologies of Missoula used STEP funds to participate in international trade shows, resulting in sales to new international markets and increased exports.
Commerce’s Export team will offer a “Grants for International Sales” training webinar on the STEP grant and international marketing activities on August 12.