That is when the US Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the awards. SBA’s Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman said that $20 million in grants will go to 43 state and territory trade agencies. These grants are under the State Trade Expansion Program—also called STEP. The goal is to help small businesses export goods and grow abroad.
Details About $20 Million SBA Grants in 43 Different States 2025
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total STEP 2024 grants | $20 million |
| Number of states/territories | 43 |
| Program name | State Trade Expansion Program STEP |
| Key benefits | Export support trade training marketing |
| Example Washington | $900000 award |
| Example Connecticut | $240000 award |
| ROI for small businesses | $27 export revenue per $1 grant |
| SBA leader | Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman |
| Funds available from | / |
What Happened
- SBA awarded a total of $20 million in STEP grants
- 43 states and territories received shares of the funding
- Each awardee will run export-support programs for small businesses in its area
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Why This Matters
- 95% of consumers live outside the US Small firms need help finding those markets. SBA says STEP helps them do that
- The grants help businesses attend trade shows run marketing campaigns join trade missions and receive export training
How the Funds Work
- States decide how to use their grant money
- Some states offer export vouchers. Others help firms attend shows or missions
- For example Washington state got $900000 — the largest award possible
- Connecticut received $240000 to support export help
Past Impact of STEP
- Since 2010 STEP has awarded over $255 million in grants
- It supported more than 18000 small businesses in exporting
- The total export growth tied to STEP is over $6.8 billion
- For every dollar spent businesses saw about $27 in export revenue
Details of the 2024 Round
- Administrator Guzman stressed STEP’s role in growing exports and jobs
- Small business leaders nationwide can apply to their state STEP program
- Funds will flow through agencies at the state or territory level
Role of SBA and Federal Partners
- SBA leads the STEP program
- The grants are made in cooperation with US trade and economic agencies
- The program is part of broader federal support for small businesses and trade
How States Use Their Grants
- Trade offices offer workshops on export basics
- They cover part of the cost for firms to attend international trade shows
- They help create international marketing and translation
- They arrange export-focused trade missions
- They also offer one-on-one consulting and export readiness training
Examples from States
- Washington State received $900000 the maximum possible award. It offers export vouchers and trade mission support
- Connecticut was awarded $240000 to expand export planning and support for exporting firms
What This Means for Small Business Owners
- If you own a small business and want to export contact your state trade agency
- Your state may offer STEP-supported help
- You can get funds for
- Trade show fees
- Travel to foreign markets
- Export training
- Export marketing materials
- These supports reduce the cost and risk of selling abroad
Program Strengths and Impact
- STEP is well-tested. It has worked since 2010
- It has a proven high return on investment
- It helps small firms build global sales
- It brings federal support into state-level programs
Looking Ahead
- The STEP grant cycle in late 2024 was one of the largest STEP rounds so far
- Many states used the funds to expand years of success
- The new federal administration is reorganizing parts of the SBA as of March 2025
- But core programs like STEP remain in place