Your business is eligible if

• You operate a licensed business in Utah to manufacture, assemble and/or distribute a product, or provide an overseas service.

• You are in good standing with the Utah Department of Revenue and the IRS and not barred from receiving Federal funds.

• Meet the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) definition of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME). This SBA-funded program defines a SME as an entity that:

  • Has been in business for more than one year on which assistance is provided under the program.

  • Is operating profitably, based on its operations in the U.S.

  • Has demonstrated understanding of the costs associated with exporting and doing business with foreign purchasers, including the costs of freight forwarding, customs brokers, packing, and shipping.

  • Has a strategic plan for exporting in effect.

  • Meet the 51% U.S. content requirement.

  • Agree to be featured in articles, blog spots, social media entries, press releases and videos created by Office of International Commerce, Division of Economic Development, and U.S. Department of Commerce. This includes photographic image, name and likeness, and biographical material.

The following businesses are NOT eligible for SBA STEP funding:

• Consulting agencies.

• Law firms.

• Accounting and financial firms.

• Companies, organizations, or individuals recruiting foreign direct investment.

• Companies engaged in any activity that is illegal under federal or state law.

• Distributors representing clients.

• Educational institutions or for-profit schools recruiting students.

• Foreign-based companies or more than 49% foreign owned.

• Hospitality or tourism operators.

• Multi-level marketing (MLM), direct sales, or network marketing companies.

• Nonprofit organizations.

• Real estate developers.

SBA STEP funds can be used for the following options:

• Participate in state-led international trade shows and governor-led trade missions.

• Allowable expenses related to an export-led business trip to a foreign country.

• Design and development of a website with an international focus, translation into foreign languages, localization services, online-market listing fees, or e-commerce platform fees.

• Design of international marketing media, which includes all forms and channels of social media and digital ad payments.

• Fees for shipment of sample products.

• U.S. Commercial Service services for exporters.

• Compliance testing of an existing product for entry into an export market.

• Export research tool subscription to assist with market research.

• Tuition support for export training programs and certifications, such as SLCC's Global Business Management Course or UVU’s Global Business Professional Program.

• Costs associated with international IP protection (limited to the following: USPTO Patent Cooperation Treaty transmittal fee, filing fee, search fee, Hague International Design Application transmittal fee, and Madrid Protocol trademark fee).

• Procurement of consultancy services.

• Export training.

• Reverse trade missions (e.g., bringing foreign buyers to the U.S. to meet with potential suppliers of U.S. manufactured goods and services. The costs will include meeting space, audiovisual support, etc.).

Individual awards will vary depending on the nature of the activity. All grant awards require a 25% cash match by the grant recipient.

With regard to foreign travel and other costs incurred by SBA STEP-eligible small business concerns, the following costs are allowable:

• Airfare and baggage fees (consistent with Fly America Act guidelines, economy rate only).

• Ground transportation fees.

• Parking fees.

• Meal and lodging (based on U.S. GSA’s Department of State per diem rates).

• Currency exchange fees.

• Meeting space, audio/visual for a foreign market sales trip.

• Export training programs.

• Fees for shipping sample products.

• Cost of compliance testing an existing product for entry into an export market.

• Export research tool subscription used to assist with market research.

• Fees associated with other allowable federal services that provide assistance with export activities.

• Translation into foreign language, search engine optimization, and localization services.
  

The following costs for SBA STEP-eligible small businesses that are NOT allowable:

• Payment of WTC Utah trade show or trade mission registration fees.

• Passport or visa fees.

• Immunizations.

• Expenses related to entertaining current or prospective clients or government officials.

• New product development or alteration of existing products.

• Cell phones and cell phone charges.

• Television and radio production.

• Efforts to create or augment marketing and advertising campaigns to draw international visitors to a state.

• Printing material for an “eligible small business concern.”

• Internally generated costs (e.g., payroll related).

After the approved STEP activity is completed, you will be asked to fill out four SBA compliance forms and a cost report. Additionally, we will ask you to provide receipts that match the cost report and fill out a business assessment/client impact statement.

These forms will be reviewed by WTC Utah before you receive the STEP Grant reimbursement.