SBA Deputy Administrator Marie Johns visits Marlin Steel

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Oct 21, 2011, 04:04 ET

Baltimore's exporting manufacturer will benefit from SBA export promotion, grants and tax cuts in American Jobs Act

BALTIMORE, Oct. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SBA Deputy Administrator Marie Johns visited Marlin Steel Wire Products in Baltimore today to discuss the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant recently awarded to the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), as well as President Obama's American Jobs Act and its support for small manufacturers and exporters.

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Tax cuts in the Act will help businesses like Marlin Steel hire more workers, and investments in infrastructure will create more demand for small manufacturers.

"President Obama has made support for small businesses a top priority in the American Jobs Act, and Marlin Steel is exactly the kind of business the act will support," said Johns. "They are exporting and using advanced manufacturing to grow and create jobs – proving that the Made in America brand is still strong."

Marlin Steel Wire manufactures steel baskets, hooks, and specialized sheet metal products, for export to 35 countries including China, Australia and Japan, and has relied on exporting to grow despite the recession. The firm was recognized by the City of Baltimore as a Regional Employer of the Year in 2007.

"The SBA has some unique programs that will help manufacturers and small businesses purchase equipment to stay competitive," said Drew Greenblatt, president of Marlin Steel Wire. "If we are more competitive, than we can grow jobs and grow exports. Marlin Steel Wire has purchased over $2 million worth of robots during the recession and it has enabled us to ship faster with a higher quality product. This has helped us grow jobs in tough times."

Small business exporters like Marlin Steel are leading the way in meeting President Obama's goal of doubling US exports by 2014. The STEP grants, made possible by the Small Business Jobs Act, were awarded to state international trade agencies to support increased exporting by small businesses. Maryland will receive $584,897 through the STEP grant program.

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