By: Colleen Kardasz, Director, Ohio SBDC Export Assistance Network
To no one’s surprise, running a small business requires money. When that business also sells products or services internationally the investment generally increases. For Ohio exporters there is some relief in the form of the IMAGE grant. The Ohio International Market Access Grant for Exporters (IMAGE)[1], funded by the state of Ohio and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), is designed to increase exports and create jobs. The IMAGE grant offers financial assistance for small businesses to promote their products and services in international markets. The grant provides a 50 percent reimbursement up to $10,000 per fiscal year for qualifying activities. Qualifying activities can include attending international trade shows or trade missions, international advertising, website development and more. For last year’s grant eleven companies across the Northwest Ohio region of the Ohio SBDC Export Assistance Network [2]received reimbursements through IMAGE. This year’s grant process is now open and interested companies can submit an online application [3]to have their activities pre-approved prior to commencement. All grant eligible activities must be completed by September 29, 2017. Northwest Ohio companies who want to explore the IMAGE grant or other export services should contact the Chamber at 419-243-8191 or email Colleen Kardasz, Director, Export Assistance Network.
[1] https://development.ohio.gov/bs/bs_image.htm
[2] http://www.toledochamber.com/ohio-sbdc-export-assistance-network.html
[3] https://development.ohio.gov/ImageApp/Account/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fImageApp%2f
[2] http://www.toledochamber.com/ohio-sbdc-export-assistance-network.html
[3] https://development.ohio.gov/ImageApp/Account/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fImageApp%2f
 | Colleen Marie Kardasz is the Ohio SBDC Export Assistance Network Director at the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. Colleen is a licensed attorney with a background in marketing and PR who works with SMEs to start or expand their international business. |
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program of Ohio is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBDC is also funded in part by the Ohio Development Services Agency. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
Please contact Emily Dammeyer, Communications Manager, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, to submit a story for our blog.
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