State Trade Expansion Program

The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), implemented in North Carolina through the Passport to Export initiative, is a grant program administered by the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. The program is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and is part of a broader national effort to strengthen the export capacity of small businesses across the United States. The program focuses on supporting North Carolina-based companies in accessing international markets and increasing global competitiveness. The primary objective of the program is to increase the number of small businesses in North Carolina that export goods and services, expand the total value of exports originating from the state, and diversify the international markets served by these businesses. By providing financial support and technical assistance, the program aims to stimulate economic growth within the state and contribute to job creation and retention. It also prioritizes support for underserved business groups, including women-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, and rural businesses. Funding is provided in the form of reimbursements for eligible export-related expenses. These expenses may include participation in international trade shows, booth exhibition fees, international marketing services, translation of websites and marketing materials, e-commerce platform enhancements, export credit insurance, and subscriptions to international marketing lead services. According to program materials, eligible businesses may receive reimbursements totaling up to 12000 dollars, with specific activity caps such as up to 3000 dollars for travel related to co-exhibiting and up to 8000 dollars for trade show and marketing-related costs. The program operates during a defined funding period that runs from September 30, 2025 through September 29, 2026. During this time, approved participants may access allocated reimbursement funds until they are exhausted or until the program period ends. The program is competitive, and applicants are evaluated based on factors such as export readiness, prior participation outcomes where applicable, and the strength of their proposed export development strategies. Eligibility is restricted to small businesses that meet Small Business Administration size standards, typically defined as having 500 or fewer employees. Applicants must be registered and actively operating in North Carolina, have been in business for at least one year, and demonstrate profitability based on U.S. operations. Additionally, companies must offer products or services with at least 51 percent U.S. content and must be in good standing with the federal government, meaning they are not debarred from federal contracting. The application process requires businesses to submit information demonstrating their eligibility, export readiness, and intended use of funds. Applicants may be required to outline their export goals, proposed activities, and anticipated outcomes. The program evaluates applications competitively and allocates funding based on available resources and program priorities. Once approved, participants receive reimbursement for eligible expenses incurred during the program period. The STEP program is part of an ongoing federal and state partnership and is expected to continue in future cycles, though specific application timelines may vary. Businesses interested in participating are encouraged to engage with program administrators for guidance. Program inquiries can be directed to the STEP Program Manager at the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, who provides support related to eligibility, application requirements, and program participation.

Applicants should present a clear export strategy demonstrate readiness for international markets and provide evidence of prior success when applicable