The New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC) offers STEP grants that can help businesses export their goods and services from the Garden State to foreign markets.  Through the SBA, the New Jersey Business Action Center received funding for the NJ STEP to provide financial awards on a first come, first served competitive basis, to domestic New Jersey eligible small businesses that are new to export, as well as those businesses who currently sell their goods and services to other countries.

Within the program, reimbursement can be received for eligible business expenses, including costs of participating in international and U.S. trade events and designing international marketing materials.

Eligibility Requirements

Here are some of the general requirements for this grant:

    • Be a small business registered in, and domestic to, New Jersey
    • Have at least one year of active business experience
    • Be compliant with your N.J. taxes
    • Manufacture goods or produce services that contain at least 51% U.S. content
    • Be registered with NJSTART

Eligible Requirements

Eligible businesses for the New Jersey State Trade Expansion Program will be considered to receive financial awards to partially offset export promotion costs such as the following:

  • Website and e-commerce fees to attract international buyers
  • Design of international marketing media
  • Participation in international trade missions
  • Participation in international and U.S. trade events
  • Participation in Department of Commerce organized trade missions
  • Fees for services provided by the U.S. Commercial Service (USCS)

Budget of the Program

The New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC) awarded $850,000 in federal funds for the New Jersey State Trade Expansion Program (NJSTEP) to support businesses in underserved communities throughout the state.