HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that $781,000 of federal grant funding is available to help small Montana businesses accelerate and grow international sales. The U.S. Small Business Administration funding is administered through Commerce’s State Trade Expansion Program.
“Commerce’s STEP grant funding provides support to Montana small businesses to help grow their exports by gaining access to worldwide markets,” said Montana Department of Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio. “Since 2011, Montana has received $7.4 million in STEP grant funding from the SBA, matching with $2.4 million in state funds and has awarded over 1,300 grants supporting 2,700 jobs with a return on investment of $1.48 billion.”
The STEP grant, through Commerce’s Export Montana Program, will be used to support foreign trade missions, Montana pavilions at international trade shows and other international marketing projects.
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Eligible Montana exporters can apply for 50% reimbursement — up to $10,000 — for eligible marketing activities such as trade show exhibition, market research and U.S. commercial service programs and foreign language translation. Other eligible marketing activities include international compliance testing, intellectual property protection, digital marketing and travel stipend. Eligible applicants may receive up to $30,000 in STEP awards per year.
In 2024, Montana exported $2.4 billion of products, which includes the top exported products, like inorganic chemicals, industrial machinery, mineral fuel, aircraft parts, peas and lentils. The top countries that Montana companies export to are Canada, Korea, Japan, Belgium and China.
In 2025, Paradise Dental Technologies of Missoula received STEP grant funds to participate in international trade shows, where they promoted their dental products, resulting in sales to new international markets and increased exports. “We are incredibly grateful for the support provided by the STEP grant, which played a pivotal role in helping us expand our products into international markets,” said Christy Sims, Paradise Dental Technologies executive assistant. “The assistance not only accelerated our global outreach but also empowered us to grow sustainably and competitively on a global scale.”
Commerce’s STEP Grant Program was recently awarded $781,000, tied for the highest in the nation. The program is expected to help an estimated 221 exporters with international sales activities and training as well as contribute nearly $9 million in total export sales.
On Aug. 12, Commerce’s Export team will offer its “Grants for International Sales” training webinar on the STEP grant and international marketing activities.
For more information about Montana’s STEP Program, visit exportmontana.com. To apply for STEP funding, visit the application site.
