STATE PROGRAM TO AID WOULD-BE EXPORTERS
By Juliet Fletcher/The Record
September 27, 2012
* The federally financed effort will advise, train and fund small-business ventures in foreign markets.
New Jersey small businesses with an eye to export will soon be able to seek state grant money to develop foreign markets.
In a step aimed at giving promising smaller businesses some international reach, the state’s new International Business Development and Protocol will administer a $204,000 grant from the federal Small Business Administration to advise, train and even fund companies’ first steps beyond U.S. borders.
Michael Van Wagner, the executive director of the state’s Business Action Center, which includes the international development arm, said New Jersey would use the federal money to allow a variety of small companies everything from small trips to international trade shows – a bet he says can pay off for the state in terms of job creation and economic productivity.
