Latest Export News & Updates
JANUARY 2025
Off to a Busy Start in 2025
It's been a few months since I've written anything for our monthly newsletter. But what can I say? Our office has had its hands full with as many programs as we've run since I started here in 2012. Here are a few of the highlight figures from our office since the start of 2024:
2 & 12: two export accelerators helping 12 companies between NE and NW Ohio
18 market studies and market reports completed or in queue completed by our GBC staff (which doesn't include our many in-country projects!)
22: interns placed in paid global internships
63: total training hours
118: number of clients counselled
159: the combined number of student applications between our CSU-based group and the Bowling Green State University cohort we support. (This far surpassed our previous record. Our pool of candidates this year is excellent.)
222: number of jobs our clients retained through export sales
1,004: hours of service hours for our clients
$11.5 million: our credited impact increase in export sales for our clients
Will you share our success in 2025? We hope so! Our staff has big plans to make this year even better. When you need a boost to help you excel internationally please think about including us. Read on for some ways you can do just that!
– Nate, GBC Director and Trade Advisor
Host a Dynamic Intern
DEADLINE IS JANUARY 31, 2025
Applications are now open for the next cohort of the nationally acclaimed Export Success mentorship program.
The Ohio Export Internship Program connects ambitious college students with small to medium-sized businesses looking to expand into the international marketplace. It's a win-win for everyone!
The Department of Development has spent more than a decade helping businesses navigate international markets while providing students with invaluable hands-on experience.
Your business can be reimbursed for 50 percent of an intern's wages, giving you both the talent and financial support to help future growth.
NASBITE Conference 2024:
"Rockin' International Trade"
April 8 - 10, 2025
The event of the year is coming to Cleveland in April.
Don't miss the biggest conference in international trade education April 8-10 at the Crowne Plaza Playhouse Square. Hundreds will come from all over the country to learn and teach best practices in global trade. This is a who's who of trade experts. There will be specialization tracks, breakouts, boot camps, and amazing keynote speakers. Currently NASBITE is accepting applications for breakout speakers and sponsors. Don't miss your chance to be part of this awesome (and fun!) conference! (Above right - we hosted several board members in October who scouted out the Rock Hall where the conference will host its kickoff reception).
International Market Support Program
Did you know the Ohio Department of Development maintains an international network of representatives that provide connections to Ohio SMEs to increase their export sales? Many small businesses don’t have the local market expertise or relationships to expand their business in the international market. Ohio's in-market representatives assist with providing detailed market research and matchmaking with potential customers at no cost to the business.
Grant Funding Opportunities
IMAGE - Ohio Development offers grant programs to help Ohio companies export their goods and services, gain export knowledge, and participate in trade missions. Development's export grants are partially funded through the U.S. Small Business Administration's State Trade Expansion Program (STEP).
Ohio Export Training Grant - Receive 50% reimbursement on export training, up to $5,000 per grant year. Training must be successfully completed to be reimbursed. Grant year runs from October 1, 2024 through September 29, 2025. Company eligibility listed under the IMAGE section applies to the Export Training Grant. Reimbursement requests are due within 30 days of training completion.
Hear from Jonathan Rodebaugh of McComb's Crushproof Tubing talk about how they utilized Ohio's IMAGE grant.
PARTNER EVENTS
Getting Paid in Global Markets
for Export Sales
March 5 • 11 AM - 3 PM
Join the US Commercial Service in concert with the NW Ohio MBAC to learn how to make the most of government and commercial programs that reduce the risk and worry out of getting paid abroad.
Location: One Maritime Plaza in Toledo, OH
New exporter SMEs highly encouraged to attend.
Trade Winds - The Americas 2025
April 3-11, 2025
REGISTER TODAY
Limited Space Available
Join the US ITA in São Paulo for the largest U.S. government-led trade mission and business development forum. Organized by the U.S. Commercial Service, Trade Winds will feature meetings with U.S. commercial diplomats from 20 countries in The Americas, exciting conference programming, and plenty of networking. The registration fee for the forum only is $750 per attendee.
Contact Our Trade Advisors
Email Us
CHRIS LEES: c.lees@csuohio.edu
DAVID DELGADO: d.delgado85@csuohio.edu
NATE WARD: n.t.ward54@csuohio.edu
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