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State Regional Trade Groups - Financial Assistance

State Regional Trade Groups - Financial Assistance

The four State Regional Trade Groups (STRGs), are private, non-profit associations that offer programs and services to help U.S. companies promote their food and agricultural products in foreign markets.  Interested companies should contact the appropriate group below based on their geographic location as soon as possible, since application to the program is competitive in nature!

In addition to the MAP Branded Program, the State Regional Trade Groups offer a wide range of similar services to facilitate trade between local food companies and importers around the world.  A few of these services include export promotion, customized export assistance, and technical assistance at international tradeshows.

TELL ME MORE ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY
Your company may be eligible to take advantage of a USDA-funded program to help offset the costs of exhibiting at international trade shows. Eligible companies can receive 50% cost reimbursement for a variety of expenses, including exhibiting fees, limited international travel costs, set-up and rental, and freight.

Exhibiting at international trade shows is one of many activities that are reimbursable through the Branded Program, a cost-share funding program that supports the promotion of branded and private label food and agricultural products in foreign markets.

WHAT OTHER KINDS OF ACTIVITIES ARE REIMBURSABLE?
Many international marketing and promotional activities are eligible for 50% cost reimbursement through the program, including:

1.  Advertising and public relations Product demonstrations and in-store and food service promotions
2.  Exhibiting fees at approved domestic trade shows (for first time exhibitors only)
3.  Product literature, point-of-sale materials, and freight costs for samples
4.  Package and label modification (if change was necessary to meet foreign importing requirements)

ONLY CERTAIN COMPANIES ARE ELIGIBLE
Unfortunately, the program isn't available to everyone. To be eligible for the program, U.S. companies (or their domestic agents) must:

1.  Be a "small" company (according to Small Business Administration guidelines) or be an agricultural produce cooperative, and be incorporated in the United States.
2.  Have products that are at least 50% U.S. agricultural content by weight, exclusive of added water and packaging, and have rights to a brand name.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
The Branded Program is administered by the four State Regional Trade Groups (STRGs), which are private, non-profit associations that offer programs and services to help U.S. companies promote their food and agricultural products in foreign markets. Interested companies should contact the appropriate group below based on their geographic location as soon as possible, since application to the program is competitive in nature! 

In addition to the MAP Branded Program, the State Regional Trade Groups offer a wide range of similar services to facilitate trade between local food companies and importers around the world. A few of these services include export promotion, customized export assistance, and technical assistance at international tradeshows.

For more information of a specific SRTG or the services they offer click on their name to visit their site:

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