Follow up for the March calll





Office of Small Business and Inovation




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Office of Small Business
Small Business Call - Follow up information for the March call

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QR code for Small Business Meeting

Hello,

During the meeting we provided links to information discussed and we wanted to send a follow up message highlighting the information links.

*Minnesota Trade Office*

About the Minnesota Trade Office

The Minnesota Trade Office provides export assistance to Minnesota's manufacturers and service providers. Programs and services focus primarily on assisting small and medium-sized companies.

Export assistance for agriculture and food producers is provided by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Marketing Services Division.

The MTO also serves as Minnesota's Office of Protocol, ensuring that the state's interactions with foreign delegations and dignitaries are conducted with appropriate diplomatic etiquette and cultural practices. We are also the state's liaison to the local diplomatic community - the Minnesota Consular Corps.

Contact Us [ [link removed] ]

Visit our offices or reach our staff by phone or email.

*Our Partners [ [link removed] ]*

The partner agencies and organizations we work with.

*Sister Relationships [ [link removed] ]*

Minnesota's sister relationships with other states and cities around the world help create and reinforce cultural ties, build important educational and political bridges, and pave the way for mutually beneficial business investment.

Visit the Sister Cities International Membership Directory to view the current relationships.

Export Counseling and Assistance [ [link removed] ]

Trade Assistance Helpline

For general trade assistance the helpline at 651-259-7498 to reach a regional trade manager who can either answer your questions or make appropriate referrals. Email us <[email protected]> and someone will follow up with you quickly.

Market Research and Trade Resources [ [link removed] ]

International Business Services Directory [ [link removed] ]

STEP Grant Program [ [link removed] ]

The STEP program provides financial and technical assistance to qualifying Minnesota small businesses with an active interest in exporting products or services to foreign markets.

Participants may be first-time exporters or companies that are currently exporting but are interested in expanding into new international markets.

*Financial Assistance Available*

Small businesses may apply for reimbursement of up to $500 for export-training that will result in the development of an export strategy or up to $7,500 for approved export-development activities, including:


* Participation in trade missions
* Exhibiting at trade shows or industry-specific events
* Translation of marketing materials
* Development of foreign language websites
* Gold Key or other business matchmaking services
* Company-specific international sales activities
* Testing and certification (such as CE marking) required to sell products in foreign markets

*Eligibility*

Eligible companies must fit the SBA definition of a small business, based on annual sales or number of employees, and:


* Have been in operation for at least one year
* Be operating profitably, based on U.S. operations
* Have an understanding of the costs associated with exporting
* Have a strategic plan for exporting (unless applying for an export-planning grant)

Activities must be pre-approved in order to be eligible for reimbursement. Companies *may not apply* for reimbursement for activities that have already taken place.

Eligible companies must also have products or services that are appropriate for the target market and must agree to participate in surveys and provide information on program outcomes.

*How to Apply*

Applications will be evaluated by a review committee on a competitive basis as they are received and proposals must be submitted by the applicant electronically. Applicants can submit an electronic copy of their application and proposal to Jackie Geiger, Minnesota Trade Office, at [email protected].

Activities planned through the end of the program year can be submitted for review at any time. However, early applications are encouraged, and applications involving travel should be submitted at least two months before planned activities in order for the MTO to have sufficient time to review and process applications.


* Request for Proposal/Application (Word [ [link removed] ] | Fillable PDF [ [link removed] ])

*For More Information*

Contact Jackie Geiger <[email protected]> at 651-259-7485.

Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.


* *Minnesota Chamber of Commerce - **Grow Minnesota!’s guide to exporting and trade* [ [link removed] ]
* *Small Business Administration - Export Products [ [link removed] ]*
* *International Trade Administration - Export Solutions [ [link removed] ]*

Business Funding

DEED

* DEED's search tool for current DEED business funding options in the state, including an upcoming grant program, *Search Potential Funding Options matrix* [ [link removed] ].
* *Economic Development Resource Guide [ [link removed] ]
*
* *The State Small Business Credit Initiative* [ [link removed] ]

Small Business Administration

* *EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Loans) [ [link removed] ]*
* *Funding Programs [ [link removed] ]*


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Meetings are recorded and will be available on DEED's YouTube channel at 
*Recorded Calls [ [link removed] ].*

We invite you to join us! Please feel free to share this invitation with others.

Join on your computer or mobile app 

*Visit here to join the meeting [ [link removed] ]
*Meeting ID: 269 511 645 267 Passcode: a597jE
Download Teams [ [link removed] ] | Join on the web [ [link removed] ]

*Join with a video conferencing device
*[email protected]
Video Conference ID: 118 691 795 3
Alternate VTC instructions [ [link removed] ]

*Or call in (audio only)
*+1 651-395-7448,,180597866# [ tel:+16513957448,,180597866 ]  
Phone Conference ID: 180 597 866#
Find a local number [ [link removed] ] | Reset PIN [ [link removed] ]

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Logos of Better Business Bureau. Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, US Small Business Administration and Minnesota SBDC
Join the conversation on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 2:00 p.m.

The meeting, which is the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 2:00 p.m., is an opportunity for small business owners to have a conversation with business experts and their peers.

*Our next call/Teams meeting, will be on Tuesday, April 9, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.*

*Add to Your Calendar [ [link removed] ]*

The focus for April will be workforce issues Presented by DEED's Workforce Strategy Team.

You may submit a question ahead of time by contacting [email protected].







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Questions? Contact Us [ [link removed] ]

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Bookmark and Share [ [link removed] ]

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:

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"DEED is an equal opportunity employer and program provider."


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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development · 332 Minnesota Street Suite E-200 · Saint Paul, MN 55101 · (800) 657-3858 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]