Department Of Commerce

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Montana STEP grant is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The STEP grant can help defray the cost of many aspects of your international online strategy, including your website, online marketplace, social media and third party in-country distributor. Consider the mix of available sales channels when planning your e-commerce strategy. 

Deadline

Submit your application at least 30 days before beginning your project.

Reimbursement

  • Reimbursement on 50% of international e-commerce and website fees, up to $5,000.
  • Reimbursement on 50% of international digital marketing expenses, up to $5,000.

Eligible Small Businesses

To be eligible for the Montana STEP grant, you must:

  • Have been in business for more than one year
  • Meet the SBA’s definition of a small business
  • Market products that are of U.S. origin or have at least 51% U.S. content
  • Show in the STEP application your understanding of the costs associated with exporting and doing business with foreign purchasers, including the costs of freight forwarding, customs brokers, packing and shipping, etc.
  • Agree to provide the program with export activities and results from the grant activities

Eligible Expenses

Whether you hire your own contractor or use the Montana Online Global program, eligible e-commerce and website fees and expenses include:

  • Design and development of a website with an international focus
  • Oversight and maintenance/monitoring fee* for search engine optimization
  • Online market listing fees for sites such as Etsy, Amazon and eBay
  • E-commerce platform hosting and/or maintenance fees
  • Expenses to set up websites to accept international payments
  • Montana Online Global Program – a selected contractor offering a packaged, all-inclusive deal for Montana exporters
  • Website Globalization Review Gap Analysis – an evaluation of a business’ website from international marketing and sales perspective, resulting in a report providing website SEO enhancements that will make your web presence more appealing and functional for overseas sales prospects

*Any maintenance or monitoring activities must be concluded by September 30 annually. 

Eligible International Digital Marketing expenses include:

  • Design of international digital marketing, including all forms and channels of social media and digital ad placements. These include traditional advertising and digital marketing on digital platforms such as Google, Facebook, YouTube and more
  • Translation of marketing media, including audio and video

Ineligible Expenses

  • Any cost not directly related to international trade development and preapproved by this program

Process

  • Apply here. Please note our application process is now fully web-based, so you will be directed to access.gov to apply. Please contact our office if you have trouble with the process.
  • You may apply for any of the STEP-eligible activities at the same time (trade show, translation, USCS services, etc.).
  • STEP grant priorities are:
    • Companies new to the STEP grant
    • Companies with more than two employees
    • For each company, one STEP grant can be awarded for each of the activities per year. Should there be any remaining funds once these priorities are met, funding a company’s applications for additional shows or other activities will be considered.
  • If you need help with any aspect of the application, contact Export Montana.
  • We will confirm receipt of the application within seven days and notify you of approval within 14 days.

Review

  • Export Montana will evaluate applications.
  • Export Montana makes the final decision, at its sole discretion, whether to fund an application, request additional information and request SBA review of the application.
  • Upon award, Export Montana will send the company an agreement email which will outline processes and procedures.

Receiving Reimbursement

To receive reimbursement for website globalization, e-commerce and digital marketing, please fill out the reimbursement form by logging into your ServiceNow account here. Be prepared with your:

  • W9 form – due with reimbursement request
  • Copies of receipts of expenses
  • Reimbursement on 50% of international e-commerce and website fees, up to $10,000
  • Reimbursement on 50% of international digital marketing expenses, up to $10,000

Yearly Progress Reports

Export Montana will contact you annually to receive updates on results from the activity.

Export Montana may request additional report updates if needed to monitor the activity and satisfy SBA reporting requirements.