The Oklahoma Department of Commerce announces the Oklahoma STEP Fund. The STEP Fund is part of the State Trade Expansion (STEP) Grant Program which is an export promotion initiative to make matching-fund grants for states to assist small businesses. This grant is funded, in part, with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
“The intent of this program is to increase the number of small businesses that are exporting, and to increase the value of exports for those small businesses that are currently exporting,” said Jennifer Springer, Director of International Trade & Foreign Investment, at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. “Through the 2016 program, 22 companies received matching-fund grants to help them expand their customer base outside of the U.S.”
“Through the STEP Fund, Consolidated Turbine Specialists was exposed to many opportunities and resources that we were unaware of here in Oklahoma and allowed our business to attend two international trade shows which would not have been possible otherwise,” said Jennifer Pitts, Consolidated Turbine Specialists. Through these trade shows, we made contacts with individuals, customers and vendors that will allow for growth and expansion of our business, as well as supporting the economy in Oklahoma.”
To be considered for the Oklahoma STEP Fund, all applicants are required to submit an application and supporting documentation. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce will begin taking applications from Oklahoma small businesses starting October 1, 2019.
A full application, guidelines and requirements can be found online at okcommerce.gov/step. For more information, contact Jesse Garcia, Global Project Manager, at stepfund@okcommerce.gov or (405) 815-5136
