Grant will help NM businesses globalize
New Mexico businesses that want to export their products globally will soon have a chance to gain a strong foothold in the world marketplace.
The New Mexico Economic Development Department's Office of International Trade (OIT) has been awarded an $81,000 federal grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration, New Mexico Economic Development Department Secretary Jon Barela announced recently.
The State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant will be part of a larger initiative that the OIT will execute in the next 12 months that will increase the number of small businesses in New Mexico that want to export and increase the value of exports for small businesses that currently export.
"Our department competed aggressively for this grant which allows more opportunities to help small business in New Mexico globalize, or fortify their globalization efforts," GÇ¿Barela said. "Our staff is ready to work with local manufacturers to get their products to the world with the help of the STEP grant."
The grant will be used to help New Mexico small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) to increase their exports overseas. The STEP grant is part of the National Export Initiative (NEI) which was announced in January 2010 with an aim of doubling U.S. exports over a 5-year period.
The OIT, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, is committed to recruit New Mexico companies to participate in several trade missions overseas. The OIT will coordinate the business matchmaking process through the U.S. Department of Commerce Gold Key Service to companies participating in the trade mission. Additionally, where called for, the OIT will offer assistance with foreign language interpretation and assistance with follow-up at the local level.
The aim of New Mexico trade mission efforts will be to facilitate the export process for companies by offering a turn-key approach where participating companies will meet with pre-arranged, pre-screened, and pre-qualified distributors in the market.
The OIT is planning three trade missions, beginning with a three-stop trip to the greater China region in December. That trade mission will include a visit to the World SME Expo in Hong Kong Dec. 1-3, along with stops in Shanghai and Beijing, with an optional stopover in Taipei.
Other trade missions that are planned for fiscal year 2012 include visits to South America (Brazil, Argentina, Chile), and an outreach mission to Germany and Austria with an optional stopover in France. The OIT will plan the logistics and coordinate the trade missions. Airfare, meals and lodging will be the responsibility of trade mission participants.
Woman-owned, veteran-owned, minority-owned and rural businesses are encouraged to participate.
Michelle Keng, the Director of the New Mexico Greater China Trade Office based in Taipei, Taiwan, recently visited with 50 New Mexico companies and organizations September 25-30 to officially kick off the trade mission recruitment process. The Economic Development Department will also coordinate a series of "Global MBA in a Day" export workshops throughout the state to promote the benefits of exporting and give companies an orientation on the key points to becoming a successful exporter covering such topics as letters of credit, Eximbank financing, international distribution, shipping and logistics, and the cultural aspects of doing business abroad.
"Success by small and midsize New Mexico companies in pursuing and capitalizing on market opportunities overseas is a critical success factor in order to grow our economy and create more jobs for New Mexicans," Barela said.
SMEs that export are more productive and generate more revenue than those that don't. Between 2005 and 2009, small exporting companies experienced revenue growth of 37 percent, while total revenue declined by 7 percent for non-exporting SMEs. Exporting success has become even more critical during the recent economic slowdown as emerging markets overseas have experienced a much faster rate of economic growth that has outpaced growth in the domestic market. Even so, it is estimated that a large number of small companies that have the capacity to export, do not seek international export opportunities.
New Mexico companies may obtain additional information about the STEP grant and the proposed international trade mission program by contacting Edward R. Herrera, at (505) 827-0315, or via e-mail by clicking here.
For more information on the New Mexico Office of International Trade please click here.
Virgin Galactic to host 'Industry Day' at Spaceport America
Virgin Galactic and sister aerospace production company The Spaceship Company (TSC) will co-host the first-ever "Industry Day" in cooperation with the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) at Spaceport America on Oct. 18. The NMSA said that the Industry Day event, which is by Virgin Galactic invitation only, is designed to educate potential suppliers on the type of goods and services that will be needed by the two companies as commercial space travel becomes a reality in New Mexico.
The daylong event will include presentations by Virgin Galactic President and CEO George Whitesides; New Mexico Economic Development Department Secretary Jon Barela; and NMSA Executive Director Christine Anderson. Attendees will have a unique opportunity to see the WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo vehicles up close in their new home at Spaceport America.
"Virgin Galactic and The Spaceship Company are looking to create relationships with local, regional and global suppliers to support their operations at Spaceport America," Anderson said. "The organizers of this event have stated their intention to hire locally as much as possible, which is good news for New Mexico companies."
Interested suppliers are encouraged by Virgin Galactic to complete an online registration form at http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/virgin-galactic-industry-day/ to express their desire to attend the event and to become a Virgin Galactic and/or TSC supplier.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for companies ranging from local New Mexico firms to national corporations to understand our unique needs for goods and services, including our requirements in building and servicing multiple commercial spaceships as the market further develops," Whitesides said. "Our intention is to establish these relationships and emphasize our desire to hire locally as much as possible."
Barela encourages New Mexico businesses to register their interest in attending online. "New Mexico has a vast pool of available aerospace and related industry talent due to White Sands Missile Range, our national laboratories, Holloman, Kirtland, and Cannon Air Force bases, and many other resources statewide," he said. "This is a great time for New Mexico to take advantage of these unique opportunities."
For more information, e-mail David Wilson.
Sierra County receives CCI recertfication GÇ¿
Sierra County received recertification for Fiscal Year 2012 as part of the Certified Communities Initiative (CCI) during a presentation recently. New Mexico Economic Development Department Secretary Jon Barelapresented the CCI recertification certificate to Al Campbell, president of the Sierra County Economic Development Organization (SCEDO), during a day-long visit to Sierra County in September."Sierra County has positioned itself well in terms of economic development, thanks in large part to the construction of Spaceport America, the Copper Flat Mine and other initiatives that will add jobs in this region," Secretary Barela said. "This community is committed to job growth in many industries throughout the county and has done great work promoting the area."GÇ¿ SCEDO Executive Director John Mulcahy said it's a good time to receive the $5,000 grant.GÇ¿"I think it's a wonderful opportunity for SCEDO to work together with all of the communities to work together to help market the business opportunities here," Mulcahy said. "The timing of this is extremely beneficial because we're moving forward with lots of economic development with the Spaceport and the Copper Flat Mine."GÇ¿CCI was formed in 2003 to encourage and support New Mexico communities in their efforts to create new jobs. The initiative emphasizes the importance of recruitment, retention and expansion and start-up activities. CCI communities can be municipalities, counties, federally recognized Indian Tribes and incorporated municipalities.GÇ¿CCI communities receive contractual funding of up to $5,000, per year for three years for special projects, such as workforce studies, grant writers, training expenses and economic development impact studies. Communities are certified for three years at a time, and eligible for recertification thereafter.GÇ¿ This year, 17 communities were recertified, bringing the total number of CCI communities to 38 in the state of New Mexico. Recertified CCI communities include: Aztec, Bloomfield, Carlsbad, Deming, Farmington, Hobbs, Portales, Rio Rancho, Clayton, Hatch, Questa, Ruidoso Downs, Cibola County, McKinley County, San Juan County, Santa Fe County,Sierra County. |
MainStreet Grant Writing Workshop
The New Mexico MainStreet Grant Writing Workshop is Nov. 15-17 in Raton.
Learn how to find and compete for grant funds. Funding will end up being awarded to those who are actively pursuing grants, while the rest of us will wonder what happened. Learn how you can get your share of funding for your agency or organization!
In this 2 ½ day session, you'll learn:
• What Federal, state and foundation programs are available for your agency or organization
• What funders are looking for
• How to develop proven success strategies
• How to identify funding sources & your funding odds
• How to write proposals that agencies WANT to fund
• How to turn rejected proposals into funded grants
Registration is $150 per person if postmarked by Oct. 28. Registrations postmarked after Oct. 28 will be $175 per person. Space is limited, and registrations will be honored on a first-come, first served basis. A large audience is expected, so if you plan to attend, please register early to guarantee a space.
Registration is available online at: http://nmmainstreet.org/mainstreet/institutes.php
For questions, contact Meghan Bayer at (505) 827-5650, or
The spring Grant Writing Workshop is scheduled for April 25-27, 2012 in Deming.
