International Trade Office

Sources of Financial Assistance

• Southern United States Trade Association
  • Market Access Program (MAP) Branded
    For small businesses that need financial support to launch a branded export effort, SUSTA reimburses up to 50% of international marketing and promotion expenses.
  • Generic Industry Promotions
    For commodities or products not already represented by another promotion organization (i.e. Meat Export Federation), SUSTA helps organize and match a variety of trade promotions at a reduced cost to participants
    
• North Carolina State Ports Authority
  • New North Carolina exporters can earn a tax credit on cargo wharfage and handling fees charged by the North Carolina State Ports Authority. For more information, click here or contact the NC Ports authority at 1-800-334-0682
    
• USDA Programs
  • A host of programs exist to help U.S. exporters succeed internationally, including the Market Access Program, the Export Enhancement Program, and the Emerging Markets Program. For information about these and more federal assistance programs. Click here.
• Additional programs are aimed at commodity associations throught Foreign Agiculture Staff, but a clever business person can tap into these programs by working with the commodity associations themselves.
  
• Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM)
  • The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is the official export credit agency of the United States. Ex-Im Bank's mission is to assist in financing the export of U.S. goods and services to international markets.
    
• Small Business Administration
  • Export Express
    A user friendly 36 hour export loan for just about any related to exporting. 85% guaranteed by US Commerce Department. Contact Dan Holt at Small Business Administration at 704-333-4886- ext 226. Program minimizes the use of government mandated forms and procedures and streamlines the processing and costs of smaller SBA loans for exporters.
    SBA Financial Assistance
    SBA also provides a number of other financial assistance programs for small businesses.
• Market Development Cooperator Program
  • Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) awards include financial and technical assistance from the International Trade Administration (ITA) to support projects that enhance the global competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing and services industries. An MDCP award establishes a partnership between ITA and non-profit industry groups such as trade associations or chambers of commerce.
• United State Department of Commerce
  • Rural Export Initiative - the U.S. Dept. of Commerce Commercial Service provides companies in rural areas with better access to export assistance and global market research by connecting them with international trade services and increasing the number of companies in rural areas engaged in exporting. Contact Greg Sizemore, Director Charlotte U.S. Export Assistance Center

    “A vision without resources is just an illusion.” -Anonymous