DCED: PA Receives Federal Grant to Increase Business Exports, Grow Jobs

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Corbett Administration announced today that Pennsylvania's successful export assistance program will receive a $2.35 million boost from the Small Business Administration to help the state's small businesses sell its goods and services to international markets.

"Governor Corbett recognizes that growing jobs for Pennsylvanians requires us to look beyond our own borders," said Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker.  "This grant award will create new sales opportunities for our companies. New business growth means new jobs for Pennsylvanians."

The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) will receive a $2.35 million State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant from the Small Business Administration to support the state's export assistance program.

The goal of the STEP Initiative is to increase the number of small businesses that are exporting and increase the value of exports for those small businesses that are currently exporting. The STEP funds will be awarded to qualifying Pennsylvania companies to participate in trade missions, shows and business development activities.

Last fiscal year alone, DCED's Center for Trade Development reported record export sales for Pennsylvania companies assisted by the state's export promotion program. In total, the program assisted 284 client firms reporting more than $831 million in sales of goods and services to overseas customers.  Reflecting an increase of more than $300 million from the previous year, new exports facilitated by the Center for Trade Development supported the creation of 6,897 new jobs.

"As the world's 19th largest economy, the governor is committed to ensuring Pennsylvania's place in our global economy," Walker said. "The administration's continued commitment to international business development initiatives like the export assistance program will create job opportunities for Pennsylvanians."

The Center for Trade Development will organize business delegations for 18 trade missions and shows throughout the world and market research into how to help Pennsylvania companies benefit from the new free trade agreements of Colombia, Korea, and Panama. In addition, these funds will support special project offices in Canada, Indonesia, and Central and Eastern Europe and will also support PA International Week and the International Business Summit.

Housed within DCED's Office of International Business Development, the Center for Trade Development helps Pennsylvania exporters expand their reach, capacity and capability to sell into new markets by providing clients with access to market research, partner search services, grants, and a full schedule of international trade shows and missions. 

For more information about the Office of International Business Development or other economic development services, visit to newPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

Media contact: Steven Kratz, 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development