MARYLAND COMMERCE AWARDS EXPORTMD GRANTS TO LOCAL COMPANIES, PROMOTES VIRTUAL TRADE SHOW OPPORTUNITIES
State grants available to help local businesses with international marketing costs
BALTIMORE, MD (March 16, 2021) – The Maryland Department of Commerce has awarded seven small and mid-sized Maryland companies with ExportMD grants to help promote their products and services in the global marketplace. While travel is restricted, grants can be used for participation in virtual conferences, and can assist businesses with growing their customer base through compliance testing, shipping sample products, website translation into foreign languages, and more. Applications are accepted on a monthly basis and the next application deadline is April 1, 2021. Eligibility requirements can be found on the Commerce website.
“Over the years, Maryland Commerce’s ExportMD program has played an integral role in helping companies expand across the globe,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “With these new available opportunities, Maryland businesses can grow their presence in the international marketplace from the comfort and safety of their own home.”
As global travel is still limited, Maryland Commerce is working to promote non-travel activities available for companies across the state. In the past month, the department has worked on recruiting local companies for a high-profile trade show in Singapore; a virtual cybersecurity mission with the United Kingdom; those looking to initiate exports to South Korea; and those interested in expanding business to Australia. To learn more about international opportunities, sign up for our mailing list here. For questions about existing events, contact jessica.reynolds@maryland.gov.
“While our trade show presence may not look the same as previous years, our department is dedicated to making sure the world knows about the benefits of doing business with Maryland,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz. “We hope these virtual events and expanded grant opportunities provide our local businesses with some much needed assistance during these uncertain times.”
Established in 1999, the ExportMD program provides matching grants up to $5,000 from Commerce’s Office of International Investment and Trade. ExportMD is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, which has awarded multiple State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grants to Maryland Commerce to help fund the program.
Maryland’s Office of International Investment and Trade works to stimulate foreign direct investment in the State, offers export assistance, and coordinates international trade and investment missions and trade show opportunities for Maryland companies. The state has 16 foreign trade offices, including Africa (Durban), ASEAN countries (Singapore), Australia (Sydney), Brazil (Sao Paulo), Canada (Montreal), Chile (Santiago), Mainland China (Shanghai), Colombia (Bogota), Europe (Paris), India (Delhi), Israel (Tel Aviv), Japan (Tokyo), Mexico (Mexico City), Peru (Lima), Taiwan (Taipei), and the United Arab Emirates (Dubai).
September 2020 – February 2021 ExportMD grant recipients
Anne Arundel County
Severna Pharmaceuticals, LLC
Baltimore County
Metalcraft, Inc.
Cecil County
Flouron
Montgomery County
EzBiome, Inc
RIFE International, LLC
Wonderland Ventures, LLC
Prince George’s County
Alertus Technologies
About Maryland Commerce
The Maryland Department of Commerce stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State’s many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the Arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit commerce.maryland.gov.
