Ohio trade program wins honor

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SPOKANE, Wash. — The Ohio Development Services Agency’s International Marketing Access Grant for Exporters (IMAGE) program was recently honored with the 2017 Advancing International Trade State Award by the National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators at its annual conference in Spokane, Washington.

In 2016, Ohio exported nearly $50 billion worth of goods and services worldwide. The IMAGE program, a state and federal grant, helps make marketing internationally more affordable to Ohio small businesses.

“Ohio consistently ranks as one of the top 10 exporting states in the U.S.,” said David Goodman, director of the Ohio Development Services Agency. “By helping small businesses market internationally, Ohio remains competitive in a global marketplace.”

For the last four years of the program, IMAGE has provided 441 grants to Ohio small businesses to assist with international marketing activities. Participating companies reported $188.4 million in expected global sales generated from the activities supported by the IMAGE program.

Also, to increase the rate of success for Ohio small businesses in the global economy, the state of Ohio offers programs to help a small business hire an export intern, conduct market research and improve export processes. For more information, visit www.exportassistance.development.ohio.gov.

The IMAGE program supported by the Ohio Development Services Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration through the State Trade Expansion Program offers financial assistance to small businesses to promote their products and services into international markets.

For information about the IMAGE program, visit www.image.development.ohio.gov

Staff report

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