PRESS RELEASE: MARYLAND COMMERCE AWARDS EXPORTMD GRANTS TO 32 LOCAL BUSINESSES

MARYLAND COMMERCE AWARDS EXPORTMD
GRANTS TO 32 LOCAL BUSINESSES

State program helps companies promote goods, services across the globe

BALTIMORE, MD (September 7, 2022) – The Maryland Department of Commerce has awarded 32 small and mid-sized Maryland companies with ExportMD grants to help promote their products and services in the global marketplace. The grants, awarded from January through July, help businesses finance the costs of marketing internationally, including trade show fees and travel expenses.

Over the last six months, Commerce’s Office of International Investment and Trade has led several local businesses to overseas trade shows, including stops in Mexico, the U.K., Chile, and Dubai. Many participating companies utilized ExportMD funding to secure spots within the department’s delegations, giving them access to display space and meeting areas within the exhibition booth, as well as matchmaking assistance.

“Our ExportMD grant program continues to be an important tool for Maryland businesses looking to expand their reach across the globe,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Mike Gill. “Not only can the program be utilized to offset international travel costs, but it can also be used for companies to ship out sample products, translate websites into foreign languages, and more. These are just a few ways our local businesses can tackle new markets and make a lasting impression with customers around the world.”

Applications for the ExportMD program are accepted on a monthly basis and the next application deadline is October 1, 2022. Eligibility requirements can be found on the Commerce website. 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 18 foreign trade offices, including Africa (Durban), ASEAN countries (Singapore), Australia (Sydney), Brazil (Sao Paulo), Canada (Montreal), Chile (Santiago), Mainland China (Shanghai), Colombia (Bogota), India (Delhi), Israel (Tel Aviv), Japan (Tokyo), Mexico (Mexico City), Peru (Lima), Taiwan (Taipei), United Arab Emirates (Dubai), and the United Kingdom (Manchester). The trade offices also include Germany (Heidelberg) and France (Paris), which assist numerous countries throughout Northern and Southern Europe.

January – July 2022 ExportMD grant recipients

Anne Arundel County

ITSoftNet

John S. Connor, Inc.

Patriot Group LLC

Penacity, LLC

SixGen Inc.

 

Baltimore City

ADINKRA Solutions Group LLC

Afrothreads LLC

Alertus Technologies

Galerie Myrtis LLC

Sicura, Inc.

Strum Contracting Co, Inc.

The Chainblock Company LLC

Baltimore County

Ardent Security

Metalcraft, Inc.

Securityhunter, Inc.

Howard County

Agrobotanicals LLC (dba Shea Radiance)

Equinox Innovative Systems

Montgomery County

Chaney Communications LLC

International Waste Industries Corp.

Liatris, Inc.

Maven Engineering Corporation

MBA Growth Partners

Mistral Security Inc.

Ovamba Solutions, Inc.

Perform-Link, LLC

System 1, Inc.

Zehirut International

Prince George’s County

Black & Global Business Network

Cybrary, Inc.

Spectacular Seafood LLC

Spin Global

The Africa Memory Game

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.