State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) 

Helping Kansas businesses begin and grow in exporting

The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, helps Kansas non-exporters get started and existing exporters expand into additional foreign markets. Since the program’s inception in 2012, more than 160 Kansas small businesses have participated and achieved more than $33 million in actual export sales.

Who Can Qualify

Any small business located in Kansas that complies with SBA size standards

General Eligibility Requirements

• Product must be produced or value-added in Kansas
• Company may not be an export service provider
• Company may not be debarred, suspended, proposed for disbarment, declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded from participation in transaction by any federal department or agency
• Company must have been in business for at least one year
• Must be an export-ready U.S. company seeking to export goods or services of U.S. origin or have at least 51% U.S. content

Application Period

STEP applications are accepted year-round.